Years ago, on our first overseas assignment with the military, I had a really lovely habit of creating and reflecting regularly. An author that I love, Emily P Freeman, used to host quarterly link-ups for bloggers on her website. She would write a post about what she was learning, and followers could post links to …
Writing is not romantic. Growing up, I thought writers lived this wonderful life. They travelled often, wandering down cobblestone streets, notebook in hand, jotting down observations and thoughts. When it came time to write, words just flowed out of them. They would sit at a desk or a table in a little cabin tucked away …
I originally wrote this in April 2014. At the time, I was working in my hometown at a small local nonprofit. Housed in a church, it was the only free after-school program in the Valley. We provided after-school care for 30 upper elementary school and middle school students, many of whom were first-generation immigrants to …
I don’t watch golf. It’s one of those sports I don’t really understand (see also soccer and water polo). But I do watch the news. Don’t worry – I promise those two things are related. Earlier this week, I saw a news story about a golfer named Scottie Scheffler. Apparently, he’s a big deal. He’s …
Hygge implies comfort, warmth, a feeling of well-being, and a state of relaxed mood. – Judith Friedman Hansen It’s the end of February, the longest short month of the year. It’s no secret that a part of me loves winter. There is good work that happens within me in these months of huddling at home …
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – William Arthur Ward This past week, Christians around the world celebrated Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a quiet, solemn occasion. This observance is one of my favorites, although I didn’t go to my first Ash Wednesday …
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware – Martin Buber It’s 2009 and I’m a junior in college. In my dorm room, the chill of winter slowly melting into spring, I’m packing a bag. I hold up different items, weighing their effectiveness in keeping me cool. I’m traveling south, spending spring …
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 …
I aimlessly travel, meaning I have no agenda other than to get small in the world, be quiet and observe people – Walton Goggins I’ve been toying with the idea of a small world since I started the Cambodia series. Words have come in fits and spurts, and none of it feels cohesive. After all, the …
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou Have you ever been in a place where it was difficult to communicate with other people? I’ve spent plenty of time choosing not to talk to …
