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How to get your belly rubbed

We adopted our dog Hartley from a rescue a couple of years back. She is the sweetest little girl pup you’ve ever met. She’s timid and shy, but extremely loyal and obedient. She follows us everywhere we go. She doesn’t hesitate to tuck that big head right up under our hands to make sure we know when, she’s ready for some love. There’s only one thing that changes all that.

It’s fear.

When she is afraid of a stranger it comes out in a thunderous bark, a strong defensive stance, spiky hair raised on the back of her neck and her huge, sharp teeth take center stage. She scares our neighbors, the mail lady, the principal in carline, our friends and especially any contractors that visit our house. In an instant, her fear transforms her from the sweetest pup on the planet, into a vicious predator.

It scares people off and pushes people away. She becomes so focused …

Facebook is an interesting phenomena of our age. You can read about and watch one friend experiencing the biggest joy of their life and then scroll down to see another friend’s world collapsing around them. It can be quite a roller coaster of emotions.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do.

Do you press the thumbs up so they know you saw it, even when it’s a post that’s a total thumbs down? Do you comment and say you’re sorry when there are no words that will help? Do you say “Happy Birthday” amid a slew of lines repeating the same?

Scrolling through Facebook last night, I was reminded of how important real friendship is in our most important moments.

Do you have a friend who can be called on day and night? Literally called on? I don’t mean the friend you can only call when you want to go out and have a good …

by Crystal Gornto Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Family Love in Friendship Loving Others Leave a comment chat

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly running? Like you’re figuratively running from one thing to the next?

Our lives are so busy, sometimes we’re literally running.

When I think about all of our running though, it makes me wonder where we are headed.

Do we even know?

It’s not uncommon for me to be putting on earrings while I’m running through the kitchen towards the car, carrying my shoes because those will just have to wait for a stop light.

I have two speeds: Turbo and Asleep. If I’m not in one of those, I feel kind of lost, and vulnerable.

If I’m honest, those speeds make it easy for me to hide.

If I’m running fast, you can’t catch me, to talk about what’s really going on inside. If I’m asleep, well, good luck with that. Both speeds are really running away from something uncomfortable.

If I slow down, I have to live with …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action Leave a comment chat

Do you ever feel like there’s simply not enough time?

You want to spend time with friends. You want to play with your kids. You want to finish that project you found on Pinterest or go see the new movie that just came out. You’d love to volunteer for that non-profit or maybe even start a business of your own.

But responsibilities get in the way.

There are projects to finish, clients to meet, bills to pay, groceries to buy, houses to clean. . . and the list goes on. You don’t have enough time to finish all the things you’re responsible for, much less get to the things you truly value or enjoy. It’s hard to be an adult, with responsibilities, and keep your time aligned with your values.

I was thinking of this yesterday on a phone call with my Dad, that I didn’t have time for.

He mentioned how happy my boys …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action Love in Family Priorities Leave a comment chat

Would you believe me if I told you it’s possible to empower women through your choice of skincare?

Today, you’ll find out for yourself. Kim is a kindred spirit. She has a passion for helping women realize their unique beauty and purpose in life.

And it’s beautiful.

Say hello to Kim Garrett, our newest Love Maker!

Hi Kim, It’s hard for many heart-centered female entrepreneurs to step up to be the face of our companies. What’s that journey been like for you?

The journey has definitely not been easy, but it’s my hope and passion that women around the world can be empowered and equipped to escape oppression, so that’s what keeps me going. The trials that theses women face are far beyond the trials that I am facing through starting this business and hearing their stories is a constant reality check that reminds me of that.

How did you get started? Where did you get the …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspirational Women Love In Action 4 comments chat

Have you ever flown Southwest Airlines on a full flight and hoped somehow, you’d be able to save that middle seat? Have you ever actually employed a strategy to keep it?

I totally do this.

I guess because of the stress and chaos of airports, that middle seat is like a treasured gem. It’s not that I’m anti-social, it’s just that two feet of space between me and a stranger, instead of two inches, makes all the difference in the world.

Brittany and I were flying back from the Nomi Network Gala on Southwest this week and I was employing full seat saving strategy. Sitting there with my tray table down and my food and drink covering it. My huge, overflowing purse in the seat next to me and my eyeballs glued to my phone, trying to FaceTime with my boys.

The last passengers where boarding and we’d almost secured our treasured seat when. . .

All …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action Love in Friendship Roadblocks in Life 6 comments chat

How to get your belly rubbed

The surrogate sister

Are you running today?

Never enough time