Usually when you ask people who they admire, they will give you a list of various lengths completely or almost completely comprised of individuals over the age of 18. There are many adults that I have admired and/or tried to emulate over the years, but my list also contains a few members of a younger…
We Are Not Our Mistakes-Part 2
In part one, I talked about how the purpose of pain and how it births our demons. Part two shares with you some things that I have learned over the years that have helped me both in navigating my own dark, painful times as well as supporting loved ones who are going through their own…
Baltimore
Disclaimer: This post is simply my opinion. I recognize that there are many ways to view this situation and that there are no right answers. I also recognize that no matter how hard I might try, I can never truly understand what it is like for the people and communities most impacted by this situation…
We Are Not Our Mistakes-Part 1
Lately, I have watched multiple people that I care about go through some stuff that has been scary, painful, or all of the above. Some of these situations have been due to external factors beyond their control. Some are, I believe, born of years of hurt that has compounded to the point where one’s demons…
Your One Wild and Precious Life
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver In those moments when I get caught up in the mundane drudgery and feel like I am just existing, I think about this quote from Mary Oliver. There have been days filled with fires and a seemingly insurmountable…
The Art of Letting Go
I am a packrat. Tucked away deep in my storage space, I have notes passed to me by my friends from when I was in high school. I have clothes that I haven’t worn since I was in my 20’s because I can’t bear to give them away for nostalgic reasons. (Yes, I am that…
Of Light and Dark
I used to be afraid of the dark. As a child, I remember cowering under my blankets once the light had been turned off and I was left alone in the inky blackness of my room. Embarrassingly, this fear carried over into my adult years. I didn’t tell anyone of course but any time I…
Going In Circles
The story I am about to share with you is…well…it’s embarrassing. Let me preface this story by stating that I believe I am a reasonably intelligent individual as evidenced by my graduate degree and my ability to hold down a position in high level management. Please try to keep that in mind as you read…
Brave
BRAVE It takes courage to be weak. Confused by that statement? It’s understandable. Society so often teaches us that to be brave is not simply a matter of overcoming our fears, it’s refusing to acknowledge that we have them to begin with. We are told that being strong means that you “suck it up, walk…
10 Ways That I Am Like My Violin
I realized today that the violin and I have a lot in common. Maybe thats why I am drawn to it and why I persist playing even though I am not yet as skilled as I would like to be. Here are 10 ways that I am like my violin… 1) We are both complicated.…