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
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 