I was in marching band in high school and I played the clarinet. Surprise surprise. Aside from being able to play an instrument well, we also had to be able to do one other thing exceptionally well: march. When everyone around you is wearing matching uniforms, and you are marching on the wrong foot, it's pretty … Continue reading Marching on the Right Foot
A few years ago, a friend of mine shared that every year, in place of a New Year's resolution, he chooses one personally meaningful word (a theme in essence) to help direct the 365 days ahead of him. I loved the idea and so, followed suit. "Go", "Forgive", "Fearless", and "Stay", are a few of … Continue reading Thoughts on Mindfulness
It's hard to believe that the last month of 2017 is nearly half-way over. Yet, with Christmas in-tow, the nostalgia surrounding the new year is quickly approaching. The scurry of retail, the kind gestures of gift exchange, as well as the adoration of decorative lights and precious nativity scenes, will soon bring way to sparkling … Continue reading My Top 5 Life-Changing Quotes From 2017
CLICK HERE TO WATCH "STAY" VIDEO Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization, "[m]ore than 800,000 individuals die by suicide each year and up to 25 times as many make a suicide attempt." That is 15, 385 lives gone every week. That is … Continue reading Remind Us to Stay
One of my favorite movies of all time is Forrest Gump. The iconic phrase, "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get" is something expressed at least once a day at my house. And though I do agree that life can be equated to an intricate … Continue reading Choosing the Right Box of Chocolates
In August, I had the awesome opportunity to speak to middle school students and leaders about the concept of being "Fearless". Coincidentally, "Fearless" is my personal focus for 2016 and I even wear a Giving Key around my neck with the word inscribed. While speaking to students about being fearless for their upcoming school year, I … Continue reading A Mosaic of Sorts: A Divine Conspiracy Comes Full Circle
A year ago, I boarded the red-eye back to Raleigh from a five-week, bittersweet adventure on Oahu, Hawaii. I had not been back to my home for nearly seven years and though being reunited with my childhood playground and where I came from was incredibly refreshing, ultimately, it was not the primary reason for my … Continue reading The Comeback Kid
For the entire month of April, our church's student pastor and I have really been exploring the world of plot twists within our middle school and high school culture. You know, plot twists, the unexpected and unplanned occurrences that rock our world; the topsy-turvy events in our personal lives that we really just did not … Continue reading I Forgive You – The How & Why
When I was in Middle School so many years ago, I was bullied to the point of skipping school on a daily basis. I absolutely hated middle school. I would especially try to avoid catching the bus because that was where the most intimidating and hurtful bullying occurred. I hated the bus. Yet, what I hated … Continue reading Cyberbullying in Today’s Middle School World
One of my biggest pet peeves is hearing the phrase: "I don't have anything to do" Man. Oh. Man. Upon writing those words, I can feel my face twitch and contort into a Mad Hatter-esque appearance (the Johnny Depp version because he was brilliant with that role). Which is highly appropriate since that phrase drives … Continue reading Part-Time Pay, Full-Time Hours
A Fish Out of Water 