Balancing your life and figuring out what to prioritize is an ongoing journey, yet I believe it all begins with this question: What do you value the most?

As I grew older, I went off to college, and the name Grace gave me the confidence and strength I had longed for.  I became very driven and worked hard to gain an edge which would fit the image I was chasing. Little did I know that I was losing myself in the process. I was drifting further and further away from who God created me to be: Gracie.

One of the questions I’m most often asked about my site is why I gave it this name. Everyone knows me as Grace, so why did I call my site “FInding Gracie”? The answer to this question is far from simple, and goes back to the very beginning of my life. I’ll start the explanation this week and I’ll continue it next week. I hope this helps you understand how very important this simple phrase is to me!

I see my guests as friends rather than strangers. and I believe this is why people book my house months—or even years—in advance. I’ve had several repeat visitors and have received many beautiful notes from guests saying how much they enjoyed their experience. Guests like to say that my little cottage is their “home away from home.”

What does home mean to you? To me, home is my happy place. My home is my haven of rest and place of peace. And yet, in 2017, I only spent 7 nights in my own house. How can both of those things be true? The answer is a story that starts in my childhood.

Have you been throwing money at online retailers, hoping that the next new delivery will help you find happiness? If so, you might want to take a step back and make some important adjustments to help save your budget—and your emotional health.

Why wasn’t I as happy as everyone else? What was I doing wrong? It took me way too long to figure out the key to happiness, so I want to share it with you today.

What’s the difference between halfway friends and covenant partners? Halfway friends are quick to be there when times are good, but seem to disappear once the good times end. Covenant partners are there for you when times are good, and they draw even closer to you when times get bad.

We usually don’t have a choice in who our family members are, but sometimes we’re lucky enough to have relatives who are both family and friends. And sometimes our friends become our chosen family, closer even than those who are related to us by blood.

It’s not easy to be mindful these days. Between the demands of work and family, it can feel as if we’re being pulled in a lot of different directions. How can we help relieve that overstretched feeling and unwind a bit? I believe mindfulness is the key.