I am grateful for you. Thank you for sharing this journey with me! After a significant medical event, I committed to posting on gratitude for one year. Well, it’s been a year; that’s 52 weeks since I started this journey. As intended, I have learned to embrace the...
We live in a world that is always pressing for more. More money, more toys, more acclaim, and more fame. There is an undeniable call (and corresponding drive) to perform. Forever running on a hamster wheel chasing a carrot that’s just out of reach. We are striving,...
I recently came into the knowledge that a situation that I lived wasn’t what I thought it was at all. I thought it was a bit off-center, but now I see it plainly. It was a drain on my life, both unhealthy and unproductive. As I’ve continued to process it, I find...
These days it’s hard to know who to trust. No longer do people feel accountable for their own word, and the extending of their handshake in agreement. Instead of being anchors of truth, their words deceive, circumvent responsibility, and exalt self-will. Then, they...
I’m an Olympics buff. We always made a big deal of it in my household growing up and I still love to watch it, summer and winter! This year, I’ve been especially taken by the national pride and all the different cultures on display. It led me to some self-reflection...
When I was 3, I made a sincere decision to follow Jesus. But, I didn’t grow up in church so I wasn’t guided in His way. It wasn’t until 23 years later at 26 that I returned to Him and committed my life. It’s been many, many years since then. Through those years, I’ve...
Family. Wow. I just spent the last four days with my family. It was a journey that left me feeling loved, contemplative and, most of all, better. It was the fun, the laughs, and the silliness. The care, catharsis, and connection. And, even the family commotion that we...
There’s a lot going on today. Things are unstable, rumbling and bubbling under the surface. Those in leadership roles are not garnering the confidence of those they lead. Structures that we count on are under attack and experiencing breakdowns. Algorithms are...
Do you remember, “Where the Sidewalk Ends?” Recently, I’ve been thinking about Malinda Mae. The girl who ate the monstrous whale. “She thought she could, She said she would,” and ultimately, she ate that whale, bite by bite. She did it. She conquered what seemed like...
I’ve lived through some things. Not all good, not all bad, but certainly all for a reason. To pass on my testimony. We all have a story to tell. Circumstances that prepare us to be an example, a teacher, or a mentor. Someone is in the fire, their back against a wall....
I have an old bike. When we were dating, my (now) husband compelled me to purchase it. We spent many Saturdays riding in Central Park, followed by dinner at Sylvia’s in Harlem. He has since tried to convince me to upgrade. He wants me to buy a newer, lighter, sleeker...
Three people are no longer here. One beautiful mother and grandmother who always had a smile and kind word. One pastor at the end of his fight with cancer who spoke of his own victory as he transitioned to be with his Savior. One military man who brought his strong...
Fathers call their children into their purpose, shaping them from the inside out with their words. Their opinions translate into their child’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem. They protect, provide for, and promote their children into their destinies. I applaud...
Have you ever had the utmost desire of your heart simply dissolve right before your eyes? That sinking feeling, the disappointment, the tears. In that moment, you feel that nothing is going to be right again. You’re in a bad place. Hopeless and full of despair. In the...
There’s something about good character. It seems like an outdated concept these days. Everyone seems focused on themselves, interpreting ‘good’ based on their own desires. But the truth is that we are all skewed. Not one among us has had a perfect childhood or a...
Springtime always brings the beauty of flowers and time to relax working in my yard. I have a few flowering bushes, ornamental evergreens, and perennials. I also buy potted veggies, like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. It’s a very small undertaking, but I enjoy it....
My daughter has freckles. Light though they may be, they are a symbol of our indelible connection. Not so common among African Americans, they create a special bond between her and me. Most of us enjoy the ways our children take after us. It gives us a sense of hope...
Focus. The absence of distraction. A means to an end. A purposeful path forward. Focus. Rising above the noisy landscape. Cutting through the time destroyers. Pressing beyond the streaming, scrolling, and meaningless snippets of nothingness. Focus. Demanding my...
I have a few older women in my life. They are trees with branches full of life. Deeply rooted and grounded in Truth. They are treasures to me. More precious than rubies yet delicately refined by a life well lived. I love the wisdom they share. Their words are like...
Oh, how I love the discipline of the Lord. How He saved me. How He freed me from the bondage of my past. How he released me from a prison of my own decisions. How He’s peeling back the layers of my soul, removing every stain. How He hasn’t left me comfortless in the...
Recently I had a disagreement with my boss. We had opposite points of view about how we handled an issue. She saw it one way and I saw it another. While that’s not outstanding, what was outstanding was the freedom I felt to tell her I disagreed. I didn’t have to pause...
There are signs all over my neighborhood of a lost dog. He’s a black and white Shih Tzu whose sweet little face I’ve seen on every corner for weeks. I know his owners are holding out hope that he’s alive, that he survived, and that he’ll soon return home. So, while it...
My first experience with back pain was in my junior year of college. Back then, I would experience it as a tension headache. Through the years, the pain progressed until I was living with chronic back pain. I was in and out of physical therapy and often taking pain...
Every week I visit a place that I look forward to with high expectation and excitement. When I arrive, I quickly park and scurry into the building to find my seat. My anticipation builds as the service opens and our hosts welcome us with our Mission, “Empowering...
Transparency. Authenticity. Truth. When you look in the mirror and see the real you, do you walk away and forget who you really are? Do you portray an altered you, a staged you, or a different you? Do you shrink into non-existence and project who you want to be, need...
Wine, cheese, jeans, friendships, empathy, cast iron, wisdom, and you. All these things get better with age. Yes, that list includes you. You are in that number. Look ahead! Your latter days will be better than your former. Press forward. Dig in to find out what you...
Most of us know that it’s important to forgive. We’ve heard the saying, ‘Forgive and forget’. We’ve heard the platitudes that forgiveness is for us, not those who offended us. We’ve heard the research that unforgiveness is at the root of many physical ailments and...
Today I noticed a lady in a wheelchair towing a wagon full of groceries down the sidewalk. Rather than moving right along she was tugging at the wagon, which wasn’t moving. Initially, I passed by, but ultimately I couldn’t continue. She needed help. So, I turned...
The other day while driving down a street near my house I saw an eagle. An eagle! I live in a suburban area in southeast Michigan. We don’t see eagles. In fact, I’ve never seen an eagle outside of a zoo. It flew down in front of my car, changed directions in mid-air,...
The other day at The Container Store, a fellow shopper really grated my nerves. He wasn’t talking to me, but he was talking in a way to draw the attention of anyone within 6 rows of his person and voice. Amid my irritation, I had a choice. I could continue to bemoan...
Yesterday I celebrated one more year of life. It was my Valentine’s birthday. At my age, birthdays come too quickly and often aren’t celebrated with the vigor of youth. However, this one was special. It wasn’t routine, rote, or unwanted. This year, it was a treasure...
As a kid, I used to fantasize about eating all the Baskin Robbins chocolate chip ice cream I could stomach. It seemed like the epitome of indulgence in my young mind. I laugh at it now because, in truth, I had plenty of ice cream. Baskin Robins was only a few miles...
The power of words.The souls we build. The hearts we break. The feelings we soothe. The judgments we make.Power to create. Power to destroy.Wonderful. Colorful. Terrible. Words. Words that reflect our inner impressions. Words that slip without intention. Words...
Perspective comes with age. You see the world differently and you see yourself differently. If you’re honest (and wise), you take inventory of yourself. You know your strengths, you accept your weaknesses, and you appreciate every opportunity to learn and grow. These...
I have wonderful memories of snow. Directly behind our house was a giant hill that ended in a lake. We spent hours sledding down that hill. Bundled up, yes, but still turning ourselves into walking icicles. In January, after the lake froze over, we would sled down the...
Passion. An intense, driving, overmastering feeling or conviction (Merriam-Webster). A guttural compulsion to do, to say, to act. Compelling and driving us. Spouting up from within us. Overflowing to impact those around us. Beautiful to behold. It pushes us forward...
I grew up with a teapot on the stove, always. By age 7, I was making my own big mug of tea (with 6 heaping spoonfuls of sugar in those days!). We drank basic Lipton, often with lemon and honey (and onions, if you were sick). I still drink tea all these years later and...
I had an incredible mother. We were exceptionally close, and I felt completely fulfilled in our relationship. She was everything to me. She was self-sacrificing, steadfast, and loving. Over the years, I’ve missed her intensely, especially during the holidays. Grief...
It’s the Christ in Christmas for me. While I enjoy the fun of Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer, along with trees, lights, and presents, it’s just that … fun. But when I think about the true joy of Christmas, I think about the Giver of joy. How He’s so personal and...
What would it be like to not be able to trust your own mind? To know that you could find yourself thinking things you don’t want to think, saying things you don’t want to say, or doing things you don’t want to do. Knowing that if one of these occurs, you may not get...
Ok, I confess! I am addicted to the reality TV show, Alone. For you faithful Bushwackers and survivalists, I apologize. I am woefully late to the party. That said, I am engrossed in this series and have watched 10 seasons in a relatively short amount of time. For...
As we move into the holiday season with Christmas on the horizon, I can’t help but contemplate The North Star. It sits directly above the North Pole (the home of Santa Claus, according to folklore). Its twinkling light is easy to find, nestled within The Little...
As human beings, we innately desire freedom of choice. We don’t want to be forced, even when it may be for our own good. I think we can all admit that this freedom has led us to both good and bad choices, and both positive and negative outcomes. Despite that, most of...
Have you ever thought about what it means to be a creation? It means that someone mindfully, intentionally, and maybe even painstakingly fashioned you. You are not an accident or coincidence. You are a round peg made for a round hole, with nothing missing and no...
What can separate us from His love? There’s nothing. No matter who we are. No matter who we serve. No matter how we look. No matter what we’ve done. No matter what we haven’t done. No matter. Nothing can separate us from His love. He loves us unconditionally, and I am...
Shout out! Nurses, Physician Assistants, CNAs, Radiation Techs, Med Techs, Nurse Practitioners, Doctors, and the list goes on. The faces of healthcare. I recently had a procedure to ensure my prior ruptured brain aneurysm is stable (it is!). It sent me back down...
Friends. They really bring the flavor to life. I’ve been blessed over the last week to spend time with four different friends, I’ve enjoyed their hearty laughs, crazy stories, heartfelt empathy, and unfailing love. Even more, I’ve enjoyed their commitment to our...
During my recovery, I’ve been walking at a local park. It started with me topping out at a leisurely 1.2 miles followed by a necessary nap. Now I’m at a speed-walked 2 miles almost every day and still building. It has been incredibly therapeutic. Every day during my...
You’re the one. You’re the one who shares your organization’s unspoken norms with a faltering colleague. You’re the one who makes sure the door is held for the person behind you. You’re the one who shows extra care to the aged person that no one visits. You’re the one...
July 15, 2023 changed my life forever. An artery in my brain ruptured. Seemingly a death sentence. As blood filled my brain, I experienced a profound pounding at the base of my skull that expanded to the top of my head and down my spine. I was in trouble. Those who...