Finding Your Voice

Until you understand who you are, you won't know what you're capable of. That statement means so much to me as I continue to own my story Joy from Abuse, and find my voice. Sharing my own story and struggle was scary. Yet there was realization and healing going through the process of preparing, and a tremendous … Continue reading Finding Your Voice →

Duty, Roles, Being, and Change

Have you ever felt you had to be a different person? At work, with friends, as a daughter, in the community, at church? People have certain expectations and perceptions of who we are and who they want us to be depending on the role we're playing or what roof we're under. I came to a … Continue reading Duty, Roles, Being, and Change →

Things We Seek

I've had this restless feeling for weeks...living each day in an undercurrent of agitation. Ask my family, friends, or husband and this is pretty normal. I have always been a seeker. Wondering what is next, curious to know everything about everything. The more I come to know, the more I want to know. I love … Continue reading Things We Seek →

Do your work and live your life worthy of your name

Life is a roller coaster. When I'm at the top and things are going well, it's easy to have a good attitude and do my best. When I'm at the bottom it's easy to make excuses for a bad attitude or poor performance. If it's a sustained down period I start to question: is this … Continue reading Do your work and live your life worthy of your name →

Another year gone by…what are you most proud of?

What are you most proud of this year? Several of my friends asked me this question on my birthday. I found it a nice reprieve from the typical "how are you feeling" question we always ask. Who doesn't feel a little sad and depressed about turning a year older? The time that has gone by, … Continue reading Another year gone by…what are you most proud of? →

High Standards and High Forgiveness: A Path to Grace and Truth

What standard are you holding yourself to? What space are you holding for forgiveness? I've been contemplating and studying grace and truth. I struggle with emotional boundaries, and lately I have been challenged more frequently to step into situations where I need to lovingly offer grace while at the same time courageously bring truth. I … Continue reading High Standards and High Forgiveness: A Path to Grace and Truth →

The difference between knowing and loving

Do you just know about God or do you actually love God? Father Vu presented us this question at Mass this week and let us sit in silence to ponder. I was immediately uncertain. What is the difference between knowing and loving God, or others in our life for that matter? I thought about my relationship … Continue reading The difference between knowing and loving →

Beautifully Broken

I shared my deeply personal story with 150 people face-to-face a little over a week ago. It was terrifying. All night I was sweating and shaking. For 2 months in preparation I had been frustrated, scared, and nauseous. When they called my name I thought I would cry and throw up at the same time. … Continue reading Beautifully Broken →

Sharing My Story

My friend Mike Coulter has told me a a few times now that he admires my ability to be a "vulnerable bad ass." I have come to really admire and embrace that term. Thanks Mike! Contrary to what society tells us, feeling our feelings and getting emotionally naked in front of others doesn't show weakness, … Continue reading Sharing My Story →

Let Me Just Be

You are holding me down holding me back. You tell me I have to but I don't want to. I long for freedom. For the quiet, the silence. To be alone with Him. Peace from the depths I can only find hiding from the hustle from the grind. Everyone wants something. They expect everything. I … Continue reading Let Me Just Be →