Blog – Page 2

in African Road· being present· courage· finding joy· human connection· human needs· I am enough· Overcoming fear· teen wellness

The Brave Phrase We Cannot Tell Ourselves Too Many Times

This summer, I mailed my first package to Africa. I was repeatedly warned that it would not reach the recipient, but I had to try. My dear friend Alice, who I came to know and adore on an African Road Learning Trip, has trained a small community of young women to knit so they can market their wares and earn…
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in conscious parenting· courage· emotional wellbeing· human connection· kids and phones· life's purpose· living authentically· Living In Realness· Overcoming fear· Raising Resilient Kids· self-acceptance· teen wellness

Courage, Please Step Forward: The Advantage of Being a Human Who Does Hard Things

“My friends on the cross-country team had to get up at 5am to go to their meet,” my 16-year-old daughter said with admiration as we drove to breakfast on a recent Saturday. “I think it’s awesome when kids do things that are challenging,” I said. “Just think. Those kids could have slept in… had the whole day to do whatever…
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in What I Would Have Missed

The Photo That Showed Me What Our Kids Need Most This School Year

When my daughters and I returned from a special trip with my mom this summer, I printed out a photo from our travels. I couldn’t remember the last time I made a hard copy of a photo, nor did I know why I was doing it. I just knew this image needed to be in the forefront of my mind…
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in African Road· being present· human connection· human needs· isolation· rejection· teen wellness· traveling

I Will Go With You: Encouraging Kids to Look Beyond Themselves When Stuck in a Place They Cannot Thrive

I recently received a text message from a dear friend and fellow writer. Kellie was about to publish an article she knew would create friction. As both of her daughters embark on their paths of independence, Kellie wrote about the benefits of investing time, energy, and resources in family travel rather than sports throughout her children’s middle and high school…
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in What I Would Have Missed

The Truth About Deep-End Days Is Something We Can All Hold On To

“I know you are all about telling the truth—but are you sure you want readers know the burden writing caused you during that time?” my friend asked after reviewing a difficult passage from the book I am currently writing. Yes, I was sure… because I wasn’t writing to “readers;” I was writing to one desolate heart yearning to be seen. …
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in What I Would Have Missed

How to Feel Less Alone (and More at Peace) in Your Current Struggle

Six weeks ago, my daughter said she’d hit a song-writing slump. Avery’s guitar instructor had challenged her to writing one new song per month. At the end of the month, they agreed to share the song they’d written with one another. Avery and I had a good laugh when she said, “I’m only 12, and I don’t have as many…
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