Encouragement · wisdom

Treasuring Slow, Quiet Moments

As the years go by, I understand the beauty of quiet moments. The undocumented memories you treasure in the recesses of your heart and mind. The walk with your youngest.The time to sip and read.The slowness of watching the birds on the feeder.The strangeness of wondering what day it is. When did we buy into…… Continue reading Treasuring Slow, Quiet Moments

Encouragement · Faith · wisdom

Taking a Closer Look at Ambition

Several years ago, I remember staring at one of my youngest son’s giant, broken Lego sets and secretly hoping to find a way out of “repairing” it. Although I didn’t have a hand in its original creation, I had previously performed emergency surgery.  With this particular robot, machine, or {who knows what it was}–parts just…… Continue reading Taking a Closer Look at Ambition

Announcement · Encouragement · Hope · wisdom

Wisdom in the Weeds: Now Available!

New Book Announcement! It has been a long wait with many twists and turns, but I guess that is to be expected when releasing a book about wisdom. From my editor being placed on a jury to me taking on a new full-time job during the process, we have traversed many roads to get to…… Continue reading Wisdom in the Weeds: Now Available!

Community · Encouragement · wisdom

Teaching Beyond the Classroom

One thing I do not write about often is my love for teaching and how I stumbled into the profession. My childhood dream was to be a lawyer. I knew I was good at arguing my point and persuading others, but when I started to analyze the reality of paying for undergrad and law school,…… Continue reading Teaching Beyond the Classroom

Encouragement · SowKind Movement · wisdom · Worth Your Time Podcast

Worth Your Time: Episode Five, The Power of Words

If you have been around here for a minute, you know that words are a big deal to me. The #sowkind movement started because I thought we all had five minutes and the cost of the stamp, and we could invest at least that much in the lives of those around us.I was also guilty…… Continue reading Worth Your Time: Episode Five, The Power of Words

Community · Encouragement · Healing · wisdom

Why Shutting Down is Sometimes Necessary

Welcome to life in Texas! When I moved to Texas to student teach in the late nineties, I was surprised at the cultural differences I did not anticipate. Coming from Illinois, I was used to life that was undergirded by grit, a strong work ethic, and resourcefulness. Among the alarm at seeing cars on car…… Continue reading Why Shutting Down is Sometimes Necessary

Encouragement · Faith · Hope · Worth Your Time Podcast

Worth Your Time–Episode Four

For those of you who are new around here, I am test driving a solo podcast project. It may take off, and it may not. I am simply letting things unfold and putting in the reps to become stronger in brevity when sharing a message. Thank you for sacrificing five-seven minutes of your day to…… Continue reading Worth Your Time–Episode Four

Encouragement · Fun · wisdom

Cookie Fail; Humility Win

When we got the news that all our kids would be home for Christmas, we felt deep joy. For anyone who has grown and flown children, you know exactly what this feels like. It is no small feat to gather all your people, so the simple act of being under one roof at the same…… Continue reading Cookie Fail; Humility Win

Encouragement · Faith · Hope

Merry Christmas 2022

For anyone who feels lost or lonely today, I see you. I can also relate. While I always loved the idea of Christmas, the execution of it seemed to fall short of the picture I had in my mind. It was an inarticulate sorrow that came in waves every other year; it was one that…… Continue reading Merry Christmas 2022

Encouragement · Faith · Healing · Hope · wisdom

Burned out, Deconstructing, and Good Investments

Trapped between the easy way out and the proper way through, I stood looking at the tree. Trouble was brewing last season when one section of lights on our pre-lit tree refused to glow. It was easy to call an audible and add a string of lights because the problem was not detected until the…… Continue reading Burned out, Deconstructing, and Good Investments