You’re always learning. The problem is, sometimes you stop and think you understand the world. This is not correct. The world is always moving. You never reach a point you can stop making an effort – Paulo Coelho It’s hard to believe it’s nearly June. This summer is likely our last in Japan, and honestly, …
Blessed Ordinary: A Life of Small Moments
Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now – Eckhart Tolle Like many of you, my current pace of life has forced me to slow down. Although …
Grace + Grit: The Joy + Challenge of Leaving My Comfort Zone
As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal – Robin Sharma It’s 2007, and I’m 20 years old. I’m riding a charter bus with thirty of my not-yet-closest friends, heading south. Today, I’m on my way to Ireland, embarking on my first international adventure.
Motherhood + Miscarriage: Finding My Place at the Table
All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. – Psalm 38:9 This year has been an entirely different experience than all the years that came before. With the current state of the world, that seems like an understatement. Daily life is uncertain and unstable for many of …
Two Years + Beyond: Our New Focus for 2020
We can become anyone we want to become. It takes focusing on the aspect of ourselves we want to change and reflecting on the beliefs that cause us to act in ways that are counter to the change we seek. –Vanessa Diffenbaugh I’ve been blogging at Coffee + Camo for two years. That’s hard to …
12 Things I Learned This Winter
The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection – Thomas Paine If you’ve been visiting the blog for a while, you know that I’ve adopted Emily P Freeman’s quarterly habit of reflection. Reflection, in one form or another, has been a part of my journaling routine for years. …
Learning to Dance in the Rain
Into each life, some rain must fall – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow When it rains, it pours. But I’m learning rainy days are good too, even if they don’t always feel like it.
The Work of Winter: A Season of Growth and Renewal
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter – Rachel Carson Winter is the loneliest season. The bustle of the holidays seems like a distant memory. The house is empty of decorations, and gifts have found a home. Life has …
New Year, New Word, Same Me
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream – C.S. Lewis I’m sitting in “my” spot on the couch, sipping tea, listening to Explosions in the Sky. Fred is, as always, to my right, making sure I don’t do anything too crazy. Life is, generally speaking, the same …
9 Things I Learned – Fall 2019
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards – Søren Kierkegaard The new year is prime time for reflections. Especially this year as we mark the movement into a new decade. I’m a bit late on my reflections for the fall, so it seemed like a good idea to start here. …










