The Audition

My youngest son is in a state of transition.   It is the good kind where one is expanding their horizons and finding their own footing outside of their comfort zone.  Bryce is definitely full of surprises lately.  Last night, he came home with the news that he will be auditioning for his high school’s…

Cooperation

Even with the delivery of the holiday season and the “peace on earth, goodwill toward men” thoughts, I am sensing discord among many.    Because of the state of our country, I am experiencing individuals being taken hostage by the circumstances of a nation.  While it warrants concern, I have to remember – I believe…

The Real Story

The functional family is extinct, but more accurately, it really never existed.   Some families have more dysfunction than others, but if we are all completely honest, our families are less than perfect. Recently, during a dinner with my mother, she commented that we were not dysfunctional in the slightest and to refer to us…

After……

After this past Thanksgiving, I stood in awe.    Probably because it was definitely one of the better ones and all because I was present.   Mindful, that by paying attention to my surroundings, I will survive….I will be at peace….but most of all, I will have conquered those holiday expectations. First and foremost, I…

The Grateful Heart

Upon waking this morning, the first thought wasn’t of my family gathering later nor was it the anticipation that I have to attend morning football practice with my Trinity family.  It was of a Thanksgiving eleven years ago that changed my perspective on the holiday.  On that day, my family was going to have our…

Staying in the Zone

Deep breath in and exhale…….continue to repeat over and over again until the the waves settle and you reside back in a place of peace.    It is so easy to allow outside entities to rob of us of our serenity.   In the craziness that life offers, the holidays are now a new added…

No Words

I have heard this many times, but it resonated most when the words were shared once again…..when someone’s words are hurtful or you are aware that you can’t change their minds on their perception of things, let the words they say, fall at their feet.  I love that visual.   The action of words simply…

The Edge

This month I celebrate nine years freelancing with our local newspaper with my column, The Home of the Week.   What you probably don’t know is that I almost didn’t take the job.  When a friend alerted me to the opening, my initial instinct was to run the other direction.  Staying where it was comfortable…

Owning It

Part of putting on my big girl panties is owning when I am wrong.   It is part of the growth process. I can honestly say there was a time where I would lie my way out of an uncomfortable situation because it was the softer, easier way.  What I thought was easier resulted in…

Swirling

I often here people talk about their regrets.  Pondering the “what ifs” as they look back in their rear view mirror of life.    There was a time where I would swim in my pool of regrets.  Beating myself up over decisions or situations that may or may not have been beneficial, only to linger…