Two years ago, I set out to add reading back into my life as a practice and a habit — one that inadvertently pairs well with my other established habit of reflective writing. First and foremost, I read and write for my own benefit. The pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is one selfish act that…
Tag: Growing up
Book Review: Born a Crime
From comedian and talk-show host Trevor Noah, Born a Crime is a delightful look into the formative years of one of America’s favorite comedic expats. This was yet another book on my reading list that I will honestly admit I didn’t buy until the most recent explosion of racial tension in America occurred earlier this…
Baking old favorites and creating new memories
I’m an undercover, mostly casual-about-it control freak. If we are just acquaintances, you probably (*hopefully*) don’t notice my type-A tendencies. But, they’re definitely there. While my sense of style, interior decorating choices and outward personality would suggest a go with the flow approach to life, these are all façades – I’m actually usually paying close…
Expectations vs. Reality
Today is my birthday. Which is something I don’t normally share about. I’ve been told that I’m an enigma — and I like it that way. You see, if people know something about you, they may or may not use that information, to your advantage or disadvantage. If someone knows about your birthday, you might…
Ephesians 3:20-21
The past few months of my life have been a mix of chaos, order, confusion, peace, busyness, relaxation, and anxiety. Although those adjectives seem to make my personal life significantly notable, I suppose that such a statement can sum up most people’s lives. While I know that my situation is not remarkable, in a long…
France
I was initially nervous to look forward to Paris. I was certain that if I had positive expectations, then the city would let me down. Thankfully, I was very wrong. Paris was incredible. Our first night there, we ate at a Samoan grille (super random and a bit lackluster), but we immediately followed dinner with…
Deep breathing: light heart & heavy faith
*Originally posted in January 2018 as a guest contributor for Why I Stopped Why I stopped letting fear suffocate me: I have always had a fanciful imagination. I have also always allowed fear to dwell too long in my heart and mind. Fortunately, the scenarios I dreamt up were just amalgamations of the thrilling bits of…
Redeeming the busy life
So far, the twenties decade of life seems to be one of daily self-therapy sessions. It must also be the decade of the sad cycle of the recognition, resolution, and then eventual casting away of good intentions to make positive changes. Recently, I was perched on the kitchen counter, eating a meager dinner of yogurt…
L.M. Beatty 