It was one of those synchronistic moments—she and I had chosen a long list of exactly the same presentations to attend as part of our freshman orientation, but then it surpassed a funny coincidence. We couldn’t stop talking. She asked me about my family, and though I answered with the usual bits of info (number of my siblings and their ages), she immediately told me about…
“For gosh sakes, treat them better than they deserve! Who would ever escape misery, otherwise?” -Hamlet (liberally paraphrased by Elise Stephens) I have begun the most demanding creative project of my life. Growing a little human being inside of me is a harrowing, mystical, and unparalleled experience. I am a mother. I will raise another life to the light. I am flat on my back,…
Something small grows into something powerful. In the new powerful film version of Les Miserables, two small things grow to enormous proportions—Jean Valjean’s crime and the mercy that Valjean receives through the priest. Valjean stole bread to feed a starving nephew and served nineteen years in prison as a result. Yet, upon his release, when he’s caught stealing silver from the priest’s house, the priest calls…
Welcome to the Friday Five – my weekly tradition of listing four thoughts or lessons from my week, and one fun picture. This has been a low energy week for me (sometimes hibernation sound like such a good idea!), and it’s been a good time to practice reminding myself that I’m still a worthy, lovable person, even when I feel too tired to do anything that…
Welcome to the Friday Five – my ritual at the end of each week in which I list four things I’ve learned plus one fun picture. This was a week of idea growth for me. I posted a short story collaboration with a fellow author friend, and pursued an artistic obsession I’ve had with Pan’s Labyrinth ever since I watched that film. This may turn into…
Welcome to the Friday Five where every week I share 4 life observations from my week and 1 fun photo. It’s been a great week! I’m feeling productive at work, and I have energy in spite of a 4pm sunset and thick cloud cover. This week my HappyLight bathed me in energizing UV light from its new spot on my desk. I really think it’s helping…
I felt like a queen as I slid into my duster style sweater, soft purple yarn twined with silver…it has lots of ruffles and feels like a royal robe to me. During breakfast with friends later that day, the sweater got comments—“You remind of a woman who used to be a fashion model.” “You could be the artist formerly known as Prince.” Clothing choices say a…
Welcome to the Friday Five where every week I share 4 life lessons/observations from my week and 1 fun photo. Do you ever have those weeks when all seven days seem to be about getting just ONE thing done? I’ve heard it’s better to strive for one objective than many, and this week has been one of those. My goal? Slash off the thousands of unnecessary…
If I were an item of clothing with my own ‘care instructions’ tag, it would probably read something like this: “regularly moisturize with kind words, feed daily doses of chocolate, exert gentle, routine exercise, and maintain healthy diet for happy demeanor.” Yes, I’m aware of what I need. But do I do it? The truth is, though I’d never encourage someone to skip their own self-care…
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” -Theodore Roosevelt Can you imagine having a child you love, and constantly comparing that little, fragile soul to the frightening, and competitive world around her? I’m not a mother, but seriously, that sounds heartlessly cruel. And yet, this is what comparison does to my heart (the child) every time I rank myself against someone else. I have friends who are…