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 …
The title of this post may be a bit deceiving. I’m not actually great at silencing the voice of guilt in motherhood or anywhere else. But I’m working on it. Maybe you feel the weight of mom guilt, too. I’ve been trying a few things lately – perhaps they’ll help you, too. Emotions have been …
I remember learning about being a parent long before I ever was one. Growing up, I had good role models in both friends and family. As a young adult, I attended a church in my hometown and met weekly with various Bible Studies and small groups. Many of the participants were a few years older …
I didn’t feel depressed. I thought I felt normal, just more tired and fragile than before. I didn’t realize I was different until I suddenly started to feel more like my old self.
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been. – T.D. Jakes If you’ve been around this space for a while, you probably know I practice a quarterly habit of sharing some self-reflections and things I’m learning. Self-reflection allows me the opportunity to put words to experiences after they’ve …
