Reset with Bonnie Sala

Do you remember the first time you saw a computer, or when you switched from a flip phone to your first smart phone? If you do, you're probably old enough to think TikTok is too complicated to learn. Most of us eventually trade innovation for consistency. Yet without innovation, many things become stagnant. We resist change because it forces us to examine things we'd stopped thinking about.

Have you ever walked into a room and felt your "otherness"? If you've lived outside of your home country, it's likely you've experienced feeling very out of place. Or perhaps you went to an event focused on a culture different than your own and you felt like you were trespassing.        

Being present is a popular theme in inspirational mantras. It sounds simple but being fully in the here-and-now doesn't come naturally to most of us. Being present helps draw our focus into the realm of what we can control – our actions and awareness in this moment. It takes focus away from what we can't control – the mistakes or "good old days" of yesterday and the worries or allure of tomorrow.

Here's a question:  How long do you think it takes to be good at something? Therapists tell us that the answer is approximately 6 months to learn a new skill and 9 years to master it. That's a long time of trial, error and probably, discouragement.  If you've faced this type of discouragement, know that there is a time and a place to quit things, but it's not as soon as we might feel like quitting...

Imagine you had a wealthy relative who willed her fortune to you. This woman knew you existed, but you had never heard of her! One day, a lawyer appears at your door with the details of your new fortune, but you think it might be a scam. The lawyer insists that you check your bank account. The money belonged to you from the moment the relative signed paperwork, but you weren't aware for quite some...

Having struggled personally with infertility, I've never been able to figure out why some women get pregnant almost by accident, while others, who often desperately want children, suffer multiple miscarriages, searing pain and disappointment. If we study the scriptures trying to answer the "why" of pain and injustice, we can throw up our hands and conclude that there just is no explanation this si...

Jamila's boss was out of town, so Jamila was checking inventory for the restaurant kitchen she worked in. She texted Laura, who usually managed a different aspect of the restaurant, letting her know that they needed 160 eggs right away or they wouldn't be able to start the recipes for the day. Jamila could tell from Laura's response that she was offended by Jamila's urgency. How could she resolve...

The average life expectancy for humans is around 72 years old today, with females outliving males by five years.  The poet Philip Larkin imagined each decade of life as if it were a day of the week. If we're born on Sunday morning, figuratively speaking, you're reaching the end of your life on the following Saturday evening. If you are currently 30 years old, you're living on Wednesday.

My friend Erica tells how her mom would read her stories about missionaries who lived truly courageous lives. One person gave their last dollar to someone in need and then had literally nothing left to eat themselves. That very day, someone came to their door to share some bananas. "I wondered if the missionary was being foolish," Erica shared, "since they were now in desperate need. But the story...

Madonna, the Kardashians and David Bowie are just a few of the cross-wearing celebrities known the world over.  But the cross is more, excruciatingly more, than a fashion statement.  The cross depicts crucifixion and Jesus calls those who follow Him to be crucified with Him, and to take up our cross daily . (Galatians 2:20)

Sarah Walsh Landini was a 20-something, unmarried Christian who abstained from sex.  But at age 23, she didn't, and one month later she was pregnant.  "The Bible says not to do it," she says, "but I think, for most people, they need more than that…we want to know why. And most of the time folks aren't prepared to answer the question why." [1]   [1] Banks, A. M. (2012, April 23).  Facing Facts, Eva...

Many of us are very aware of the dishonesty and selfishness in our societies. We understand that most politicians are self-serving, and many businesses barely attempt to hide their exploitation of workers. That's the way it is. What can we do about it?

It is easy for us to grow frustrated and attempt to take things into our own hands when we believe false things about who God is. Being gods of our own lives reveals to us that our own power is not enough to shape life to our wills. The best way to correct our misconceptions about God's character and the effect those beliefs have on our lives is to study the scriptures where God tells us what He i...

When Jonas lost his job, he tried everything to replace that income and avoid moving his wife and family from the community that they loved. But he also prayed, "God, if you are pointing elsewhere, let me be open to it." Three months later, the family found themselves driving across the country to a new city, 2600 miles away.

Noise is everywhere!  Our world is noisy, and scientists can prove that it's not good for plants, animals or us.  In humans, it's leading to higher blood pressure, elevated heart rates and poor sleep. [1]   [1] Goldman, S. (2020, March 18). Building a movement to preserve silence as a natural resource. Vox. https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2020/3/18/21168504/gordon-hempton-wilderness-quiet-park-n...

I am incredibly blessed to be married to a man who brings me coffee in bed every single morning.  My morning mug comes with a splash of half and half, a mixture of one-half milk, and one-half cream.  Like my morning coffee with half and half, the sacrament of our marriage is supposed to be a unified blending of two unique individuals into one entity. Scripture describes unity using the image of a...