Unlearning Learned Helplessness
On Saturday, I did the quintessential single-mom thing – I learned to mow my own lawn. I had put this off for a while. Why? Learned helplessness. Of course, I…
I Don’t Want to Write About Being A Work In Progress
Can you spot what’s wrong with my chandelier? Yep, it’s missing a lightbulb. Do you ever feel like you're something gorgeous that’s just missing a lightbulb moment? Projects in progress make me…
One Year Shy of 40: Is It All Down Hill From Here?
Celebrating my 39th year feels so ho hum. Is this a result of pandemic blues or is it really all downhill after 40? I polled my peers, my elders, and…
Learning: Permission Granted to Love Yourself through Knowledge
When you pick up a book, seek out a podcast, choose a program, attend an event, typically you're interested in learning, growth, inspiration, and maybe some fun too. Before Covid,…
Sometimes All We Need to Give Ourselves is Grace!
“Grace is a power that comes in and transforms a moment into something better.” Caroline Myss 2021 began with much uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic. Somehow, I (and I'm…
Are You a Control Freak? 7 Ways to Cope with Anxiety Induced Control
Do you struggle with anxiety-induced control? Are there times where you feel like a control freak when things don't go your way? Is controlling anything you can, a coping mechanism…
Embarking on Growth: Purple Sweet Potatoes Brought Me Closer to My Grandfather
"Where there is no gardener there is no garden." -Wolfgang von Goethe . This quote reminds me of a conversation that my grandfather and I had after we lost my…
The Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship: How to Stay Balanced
The ups and downs of entrepreneurship are like riding Mr. Freeze at Six Flags. If you have a business or are in the process of starting your business, you probably…
Spring: Moving From A Long, Dark Winter to Restored Hope
Awakened by tweeting and the singing of birds outside my window, my heart did a flip and my spirit soared. What a welcomed sound! It was the reminder I needed…
Say Hello to a New Space: 3 Tips to Prepare for a Remodel
There's a good chance you've spent more time at home this year. Perhaps you always knew you wanted to remodel. Or maybe being at home more has prompted you to…
Growing Pains: Letting go of Things That Leave My Soul Heavy
This past summer has been a summer of growing pains. I have outgrown people and things, but more specifically, I have outgrown things that leave my soul heavy. This…
Honoring Our Stories: The Toxicity of Comparison
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” Brené Brown Imagine, a 41-year-old woman…
Feel What You Feel: Honoring Your Emotions
Many of us are never taught to feel what we feel. Instead, we're trained to ignore our emotions, to stifle them. We label them as "good" or "bad," celebrating the…
Change: Transitioning Well Through the Different Seasons of Life
As she entered this world, she needed me to physically care for her every need. It was essential that she have me hold, change, feed, bathe, clothe, and nurture her. Then,…
Growing Through ALL That We’re Going Through
"Don't "GO" through life, "GROW" through life. Realize the journey of life is not about being right or pretending to know it all. It's about learning and growing every step…
Leaving Everything Behind and Living With A Void In Our Hearts
“We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again…
Being Ok With Being Ok: The Unspectacular Article
Writing is a love. A passion. A joy. But it is not always easy. While I immensely enjoy the opportunity to share my heart, to be vulnerable and authentically me,…
Growing Through Rejection, Indifference, and Self Preservation
I was fourteen years old as I stepped off the school bus. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I had just experienced deep rejection. Behind me, the voices of former…
Asking for Help: The Hard. The Beauty. The Freedom.
I. Need. Help. Three words that bring rise to a myriad of feelings, emotions and physical reactions. To ask for help is to be vulnerable. It’s scary. It’s risky. And…
From 30 to 40, a Decade of Transformation
For me, the time between 30 and 40 was truly a decade of transformation. Sometimes it can feel like we haven't accomplished much. Usually, though, when we take time to…
The Importance of Having People Like Us and Un-like Us!
I'm a big believer in finding our circle, and squad. Individuals who have similar ideas, beliefs, and values is important because they will encourage, support, and cheer us on. It's…
Learn.Change.Grow; Evolving to Become The Next Version of YOU!
We all make goals this time of year, and we should – learning and growing should be something we aspire to always do. Realizing where we are right now, and…
Exchanging Our Agendas for a Posture of Curiosity this New Year
It’s the New Year and we all know what that means….New Years Resolutions. While I think the idea behind the practice of making goals for the New Year is good,…
Cultivating Patience to Gain Self-Control: 5 Lessons From Avocado Seeds
When we try to cultivate patience to gain self-control it can be a difficult task. To cultivate means to prepare or nurture something, more so in a way of practicing.…
The Heaviness of Our Own Expectations Can Weigh Us Down
The heaviness of our own expectations can weigh us down and cause a rigidity that if our life turns out different than we planned, it can feel like failure.
A Diamond In The Rough: Embracing a Beautiful Learning and Growing Process
Dear Friend, I have something to tell you that maybe you didn’t know!I I see you with your head down and tears flowing. I see the discouragement in your eyes.…
Redefining Rest: Practicing Pause, Presence, and Peace
A few years ago, I was introduced to a new idea to begin the New Year. Rather than making a resolution, I would take a moment to sit with God…
The Benefits of Scheduling Your Daily Life Uncovered
Why I Began to Schedule I was never taught the benefits of scheduling my days. No one ever mentioned that there was even such a need. And so I grew…
Releasing: Surrendering Control and Understanding
John and Stasi Eldredge have had a significant impact on my life. Through their books and through their teachings, I’ve experienced a deeper understanding of who I am and Whose…
Throwing the Flag on the Phrase, “This is Just a Season”
The calendar said it was the first day of summer. But when I looked out the window, it was cloudy, raining, and the thermometer read 43 degrees. I guess mother…
I’m Not Where I Thought I’d be at This Point in Life and That’s Just Fine.
Some of you will laugh at me. Mostly those who are older and have already been where I'm heading. Others of you will completely relate in this moment right now.…
Permission to Pause; Permission to be Unproductive
I’ve lived almost my entire life in Colorado, and everyone here knows the weather can be unpredictable. We can get snow as early as September and as late as May.…
Living in the Moment and Measuring in the Decade
I have a vivd memory from my childhood of going to a birthday party with my parents for someone who was turning 40. There were black balloons and black signs…
Starting a Side Business? Start Here!
Five Great Resources to Leverage for Your Side Business Have you thought about starting a side business? According to a study done by Bankrate, 44 million Americans have a side…
An Invitation Into Your Name
As I began to process through the writing of this article, I hit a wall. While this is not unusual, this wall felt different. Talking through my SFD (shitty first…
Healing energies, the link between a hot stone massage and Hawaii
I recently discovered why I receive such amazing & similar healing energies from both a hot stone massage and from being on the island of Hawaii. How, you might ask,…
My Dear Child Thank You. You Made Me Human.
As long as I can remember I had always heard the stories you will never be the same after becoming a mother. I would always nod in approval and give…
The We Podcast #3: Guest Maryanna Brunkhorst
On this episode of The We Podcast I interview Maryanna Brunkhorst. Maryanna is a writer, dancer, explorer, lifelong learner, woman, and veteran. She talks to us about her story and…