Practically speaking blog by Jill Donovan

When the Grace Lifts, It’s Time to Shift

Have you ever felt excited and confident about something, only for a single comment to knock you off course? On day one of Spring Break this year, I proudly walked down the beach in my brand new ...

Wake Me When It’s Over

Every parent has that signature catchphrase they use during difficult moments.My mom’s was, Wake me when it’s over. As a kid, I didn’t fully understand the depth of what she was saying.But now, as ...

When You Would Rather Suffer In Silence Than Seek Resolution

I have a love-hate relationship with flying.I love it because it offers so many fabulous metaphors for life.But once we are at 30,000 feet, my mind starts asking too many questions. What happens if...

The Power of a Reset

I own a Game Boy.But in the early 90’s, it owned me.Thank you, Tetris. Chasing after an elusive 200,000 score, I became close friends with the reset button.Otherwise known as START OVER.I pressed i...

RUN to the Mountain

By nature, I am not a confronter.I’m not afraid of it.But I prefer to go down the path of least resistance.Even at the cost of my own peace.   In the third year of Rustic Cuff, I realized that a ch...

When you are HERE but you want to be THERE

I live with three people.My husband and two teenage daughters.Half of my family is what you might call health enthusiasts.No sugar. No gluten. No late-night ice cream runs.On top of that, they also...

Life Lessons from the State Fair

You know how they say, There’s nothing to fear but fear itself?Well, that’s not entirely accurate.I’d like to add a slight amendment.You should absolutely fear getting stuck at the top of a Ferris ...

Goo-Gone for Sticky Grudges

Imagine you’re having one of those rare golden days.You feel a lightness in your heart.A peace that seems God-given.And a sense that today is going to be filled with goodness. But then, you r...

Isolate the Incident

Yesterday, I was with a friend whose phone died right in the middle of sending a text.I was a little shocked by her dramatic reaction.Without skipping a beat, she looked at me and said, My whole ...

Your Window Has NOT Closed

Have you ever wanted to learn to play the piano at 40?Or what about launching a new business venture in your 50s?Picture stepping into an art school at 60, eager to translate a lifetime of experien...