Beyond the Cookie Cutter

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Have you ever seen a child learning to walk? I share some of my experiences with laughing at mistakes. And a couple of books: Mindset, by Carol Dweck.  The Secret Garden (also a movie), by Frances Hodgson Burnett. We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: htt...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! What are your childhood experiences with learning new things? What attitudes would you like to pass on about failure and mistakes? We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcooks@gmail.com Instagram: @marybcooks Here...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! I was mad! Ever feel that way? What to do about it? We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcooks@gmail.com Instagram: @marybcooks Here's to your joy-filled life! -Mary

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Do you like gardening? I do! Have you ever planted a seed that just didn’t grow the way you expected? How does this relate to parenting? Reference to the parable I mentioned in the episode: Luke 8:4-8 We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! There are two energies: masculine or “doing” energy and feminine, or “being” energy.  In this conversation, Sarah shares what she has learned about how these energies can be empowered or wounded. Dianna shares how this information has changed the ways she sees the world.  You will love learning from these wise women! We love hearing from you!...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Here’s the model that I taught in the youth leadership training. You already do it! But here’s a chance to think about and see how you want to implement this useful pattern. We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: maryb...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! I share a series of experiences where I failed a LOT. This is also background to a concept I codified  (arranged into a system), which I share in Failing Forward Faster 2. We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybco...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! There are two energies: masculine or “doing” energy and feminine, or “being” energy.  In this conversation, Sarah shares what she has learned about how these energies can be empowered or wounded. Dianna shares how this information has changed the ways she sees the world.  You will love learning from these wise women! We love hearing from you!...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! What is grief and how does it affect your life? It may be a lot different than you have thought! In this episode, I share some of my personal experience with grief and emotional literacy. The book I refer to is “The Grief Recovery Handbook,” by John W. James and Russell Friedman. Check it out! We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you!  Have you ever wanted to do something special, but didn’t do it? “What if I fail?” “I’m not that good!” “I’m not the kind to be rich or famous.” If it’s the right thing, do it! You’ll be so glad you did! We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.l...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! When she found out that she could not have her own, my dear friend, Diane, chose to adopt several children. It wasn't easy. It isn't easy. But she is learning to find hope in the process. You will love getting to know this woman who is full of warmth, compassion, and courage! We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email:...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Are you uncomfortable doing new things that are hard? Afraid of failing? Me, too! But I realized that the only way to do what God sent me here to do, is to Fail Forward! We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcook...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Do you live quotes as much as I do? There are beautiful words of wisdom shared in quotes. Today I share a book called “The Noticer,” by Andy Andrews. He has such a great perspective on how to create a future that is full of the joy and fulfillment that you deserve! We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Lee and JoAnn just celebrated 72 years of marriage! That is a rare occurrence in this world. Along with that, they are rare people! We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcooks@gmail.com Instagram: @marybcooks Her...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! There are various kinds of loss in the world. How do you ensure that the most precious people and relationships continue on? We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcooks@gmail.com Instagram: @marybcooks Here'...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! A different perspective on remember the future.  My editor shares some experiences about how using imagination and desire can shape the future we desire.  We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcooks@gmail.com Ins...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! In this episode we chat about my experiences with believing in myself in a lead theater role.   Theater therapy also shows us the power of practiced and emotional visualization. About these books: I read books to gain different perspectives on life. These 2 books have opened my mind to new ways of looking at the world. Even though I may not a...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! What are memories? How much time do you spend focused on past memories: reliving past mistakes, or wishing things were different. Don’t get stuck in the past! Intentionally create the future you want. We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! I can’t interview my own mother, but her influence is still felt, even though she passed away many years ago. We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcooks@gmail.com Instagram: @marybcooks Here's to your joy-f...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! You will love these messages from my dear friend, Jennifer! She is such a beautiful person! And has learned to juggle being a nurse, and a beautiful musician while focusing on her main joy as a wonderful mother! She helps us see that it isn't so much about balance as it is orienting your life around your priorities and values. I am so ex...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! We want to give our children and others the benefit of the doubt, but use your intuition to wisely choose when to allow healthy failure and when to remove the snake. We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh Podcast Email: marybcooks@gm...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Feeling swamped? Not getting it all done? You’re in good company! Don’t let all the undone “To Do’s” get you down! (Many of them won’t even matter tomorrow—or next week.) Focus on the Do-do’s! We love hearing from you! Gathering Women of Hope Email: gatheringwomenofhope@gmail.com Gathering Women of Hope Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vs9IOh P...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! When we ask questions, we help ourselves and the one being asked. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to ask questions of those you care about! Here are some sample questions: What advice would you give me for this life challenge that I am facing right now? (or this joyful experience that I am having?) Why do bad things happen to good people? H...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! Feeling burdened with your life? Or do you know others who need strength? Take hope that good can come from the sorrows. Look outside in the morning and you will likely see something beautiful! A rosy skyline, a cheerful bird, or even just the light getting brighter and brighter! It’s a reminder that burdens can also “lighten!” We love hearin...

Send us a Text Message! We would love to hear from you! We all have challenges of one kind or another. How do we look at those challenges? Do we run away, try to wish them away, or ask, "Why me?" My dear friend, Jerusha, has learned to keep going through many health challenges, including cancer. Through it all, she is learning just what she is capable of. You will be inspired by her pers...