Years ago, I followed one of my favorite writers, Emily P Freeman, on a quarterly habit of reflection. Now that I’m getting some of my pink back after having two kids in two years, it feels like a good time to revisit the practice. It’s important to look back before moving forward, to document what …
There’s a trend going around social media where you compare yourself now to where you were a decade ago. Despite having a blog, I put very little of myself and my family on social media these days. But I found the idea intriguing. In 2016, ten whole years ago, I was already more than 10 …
I’m not one for resolutions. I used to be. When I was younger, I’d look at the new year as a time to overhaul everything. Change myself, my routines, and try to make myself better than I was. There’s something to be said for grabbing and holding on to that kind of motivation when it …
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 …
A little confession before we begin: I’ve been trying to write this post for a long time. It’s been a draft for a few years, but I think about it often. I’m not sure why this idea has such a hold on me. I’m even less sure I’ll be able to communicate it to you …
This post comes from January 2010. During my senior year of college, I took a class entitled “Life Journeys.” Part of our grade involved keeping a journal and submitting “small writings.” Small writings had particular requirements, including printing enough copies for everyone in the class. We played a song, passed around our writings for everyone …
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 found this writing in a folder from a long-ago (and very short) stint of writing for a small local magazine in my hometown. I had titled it “Bread is Like Life,” which I still think can be true. Originally, I wrote it in 2013 after spending the morning in the world’s tiniest kitchen trying …
I’m the primary cook in our house. Part of that choice is because I’m the one at home. Part of it is because, for the most part, I like doing it. I’m not a great cook, but as time has gone on, I’ve gotten more comfortable in the kitchen. But it didn’t start out that …
Most of these words came to me last week in a flurry. I sat down with my journal, and they poured out of me onto the page. I don’t usually write long form in my journal – it’s more for the day-to-day happenings, or maybe a note I hope to flesh out later. When the …
