Bloom where you’re planted It means flourishing regardless of circumstances and growing despite your environment. Such sage advice. And yet, so many of us waste precious time thinking, “… if I had a better job/found someone who loved me/made more money/had a bigger house/ etc., I’d be happy.” Or the “I’ll wait to decorate when I get a bigger house/apartment” … Read More
Women Who Shaped History
Recently, someone asked why I like writing about fierce female warriors. Because they were real women For generations, we’ve been told that women warriors were the stuff of fantasy—convenient plot devices in Greek epics, symbols rather than people. But what if the most radical thing about the Amazons wasn’t that they existed in myth, but that they may have been … Read More
Stay in your lane
I have strong opinions about what’s happening in the world—and that shouldn’t be surprising. My day job is teaching at-risk students, many of whom were born outside this country. I see their fear and am touched by their humanity. This summer, I’ve started stocking a food pantry for my classroom for the fall, because I know some of my students … Read More
Learning to live in the Moment
I’ve always believed that writing is my passion, but teaching is my calling. Writing fills a part of me that few things ever will, but my purpose in this life is to empower each child to realize that their voice matters, that they have gifts and talents, and that they are essential to this world. It’s an incredible responsibility, one … Read More
The Age of Accountability
Traditionally, the age of eighteen marks the threshold of adulthood. It’s a time when the reins of childhood are loosened, and responsibility shifts entirely, giving young adults the freedom to carve their own paths. It’s when we stand and face the weight of our choices–when we realize that every action and every decision can become a burden we alone bear. … Read More
Circle of Empowerment
So many horrible things are happening at whiplash speed. It can leave us with a sense of helplessness and rage. That’s exactly how they want you to feel. So what can we do? Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People teaches how to be productive in the workplace, but it also applies to life. Simply put, to be effective, … Read More
Your Line in the Sand
Cognitive dissonance. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. Actually, I’ve been thinking about how we got here, how good, moral people, people I’ve loved for decades, friends, family … people I work with, pray with, used to respect … how can these people support such despicable acts? Where is their line in the sand? This isn’t a political … Read More
Back in the Saddle Again
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? The world spun out of control during the pandemic, and I’ve been struggling to find my creative footing since. I’ve missed having the time and ingenuity to sit down and blog. And honestly, I started to believe that I’d lost my one spark of madness. Talk about devastating. Writing has been my outlet for … Read More
The Magic of Creativity
In the enchanting realm of words, imagination dances with possibility. Creativity transforms mere sentences into magic. If there’s one truth that weaves through great storytelling, it’s the power of imagination. It transcends the ordinary, breathing life into characters and worlds that linger in the reader’s mind. Creating is the deepest form of intelligence. And I love it. I love putting … Read More
The Year of Reclamation
On January 1st, 2023, for the first time in fifteen years, I didn’t write a year-naming blog post. 2022 had left me disillusioned and exhausted. Teaching traumatized children took unimaginable patience and energy. My father struggled with health issues, and continual worry had smothered what little creativity I had left. The only bright spot was my daughter’s decision to change … Read More