Published in New Writers Welcome·Pinned3 Morning Lessons From Someone Who Eats GarbageI’m talking about my dog, of course. — I often wonder if my dog’s grip on what matters most in life is healthier than mine. Unlike me, she doesn’t waste time pursuing anything that isn’t worth her effort. She throws herself wholeheartedly into everything she does. She never looks for reasons not to search for what brings her…New Writers Welcome4 min readNew Writers Welcome4 min read
Published in Know Thyself, Heal Thyself·Jan 24Member-onlyA Bakery Helped Me Recover From Breakup DepressionI showed myself mercy by buying iced lattes — Late last spring, I went out with one of my best friends for lunch at a spot we’ve been to dozens of times. The food wasn’t as good as it used to be, so we left the restaurant unsatisfied. Since neither of us felt full, my friend suggested we check…Personal Essay6 min readPersonal Essay6 min read
Published in Refresh The Soul·Jan 10Member-onlyMy Dog’s Critical Illness Taught Me a Mindfulness LessonAnd her recovery opened the door to more joy — I adore my dog. I’m not in a serious relationship, and I don’t have children, so my dog is it for me. She’s my most significant other at this stage of my life, and I’m content with that. Dogs are masters at hiding pain. Their lack of emotional response to…Mindfulness6 min readMindfulness6 min read
Published in Refresh The Soul·Dec 29, 2022Member-onlyA Visit From Human Angels and a Teddy Bear on the Night Before Christmas EveNothing unlocks kindness like a lost dog — I’m not sure what it is about me, but I always find lost dogs. A few times a year, a lost dog or two will cross my path. …Kindness8 min readKindness8 min read
Published in Refresh The Soul·Dec 13, 2022Member-onlyPlanting the Seeds of Faith on Christmas DayHow Grandma and a psalm led me to pray — Whether in life or fiction, I’ve always adored big, happy family scenes. Family comfort wasn’t a staple in my childhood — I had to be patient and wait for it to come on special occasions, and my father’s side of my extended family provided it. Christmas Day was the only…Personal Essay7 min readPersonal Essay7 min read
Published in Know Thyself, Heal Thyself·Dec 6, 2022Member-onlyPracticing Joy Is Like a Box of ChocolatesTwo boxes, actually. — Joy came to me in two boxes of chocolate the other day. The boxes weren’t a direct gift for me, I didn’t buy them, and I didn’t eat a single bite of candy. The chocolate had nothing to do with me. Nonetheless, it offered me pure joy. I used to…Joy6 min readJoy6 min read
Published in New Writers Welcome·Nov 29, 2022The Unexpected Benefit of Talking to My HouseplantsHow one lily taught me to give myself a break — My mother bought me a calla lily last year for my birthday. Even though I’ve never possessed a “green thumb,” I have always loved houseplants. I’ve enjoyed watering them since I was a little girl. Occasionally, I’ll notice a headline about how plants grow better when people talk to them…New Writers Welcome6 min readNew Writers Welcome6 min read
Published in New Writers Welcome·Nov 21, 2022I’m on a Mission To Restock My Supply of Holiday SpiritAnd to find out what happened to it in the first place. — It’s that time of year again. Usually, I love the holidays. I feel the collective celebration of family, values, and traditions. I walk into stores and smile when I smell the familiar gingerbread-scented candles. I buy poinsettias, pull my coziest sweaters out of the closet, and revel in the season. …New Writers Welcome4 min readNew Writers Welcome4 min read
Oct 4, 2022What Most People Don’t Know About James Madison’s FluteOn a frigid winter night in 1813, James Madison sat in the White House writing letters by the fire. His wife, Dolley, sat nearby. …Satire7 min readSatire7 min read
Oct 3, 2022How Writing is Like Shopping for ApplesI need to adjust to the inevitable fact that the first article I post on Medium will suck. If everything I’ve read about early freelance writing is accurate, all fresh writers must throw themselves out onto the Internet with the awareness that their early content is not good. It doesn’t…Writing2 min readWriting2 min read
