Simple life quote: "Once we're in the church, we pretend all the sinners are on the outside. We want to keep the rules, and when we can't we become shameful and pretend we have it all together.."  - Ruth Graham, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham and founder of "Get Growing" conferences

Today's simple life tip: Is there someone in your life that you love but you are on tense, even hostile terms with?  (Teenagers could easily come to mind...)  Try this:  each day, have an amount of time that you simply feel your love and appreciation for them.  That's it, really.  It sounds easy and actually it is . . .  once you get started.  It takes a bit of discipline.  Yet it can work miracles.  Just take time each day, say as little as 10 minutes - set your timer if you need to - and spend that 10 minutes thinking about how much you love that person.  Try to picture your love radiating out to them.  Picture your love in a golden light that radiates from you and surrounds them.  Smile inwardly at them.  Think of all the things that are really amazing about them. (If you can't come up with anything the first few times, then start out thinking of things you used to find amazing/attractive about them.  For example if it is your child, then think of how adorable they were when they were learning to crawl.  Or if it is your spouse, think of that charming smile he had when he talked about that red Mustang he owned.) Just allow all these thoughts to float in your mind each day.  During the set time, don't allow any negative thoughts at all.  For ultimate results, try to do this while the person is in the room with you, but it works wonders regardless.  Give it a try!