Help others without reward. Spread goodwill and kindness. These are grace. Grace has been on my mind because it seems to keep coming up. I try to live my life in grace and encourage others to do so. If you Google grace, you'll see the Bible and famous people throughout history talk about it. I … Continue reading Daily Grace
Writing is an extension of yourself
Where do you get your ideas? How do you know what to write? How did you find your voice? These are questions I'm often asked. I have always found it therapeutic to write, once I got started. Growing up, I wrote in a diary. In school, I dreaded writing because it was assigned and I … Continue reading Writing is an extension of yourself
Those Cobalt Blues
COVID-19 is more than a virus. It's a test. It's a test of our humanity - our love and compassion towards each other. Grandpa Sam used to call it "Cobalt" and asked to talk about it every day. He said he thought it was all hype - the virus, the pandemic, the vaccinations. So when … Continue reading Those Cobalt Blues
Taking Time
Often we don't realize that time is flying past us until we are celebrating a big event or holiday. I'm one to remind myself daily to stop and breathe. I haven't written in a long time. Life has been busy and priorities shifted. My life has always been busy. So why do I feel like … Continue reading Taking Time
Broken Hope
So many people seem lost. Maybe it's COVID. Maybe it's the times, the political climate. But 2020 seems to have people doubting, fighting and arguing quite a bit. So many opinions. So many losses. Hope is a basic need. When we don't have hope, we feel lost. Hold on to anything or anyone good. Hold … Continue reading Broken Hope
You Matter
Today's post has been weighing heavy on my mind. But it's time to get it out, to share and to hopefully help someone. I'm a spiritual, prayerful person. And I find myself praying more often lately. My heart breaks every time I hear a report. It's not just what I hear in the media. For … Continue reading You Matter
Essentials
How have you coped with being an essential or being categorized as a non-essential? In case you don't know it, you are essential. Each of us plays a role in this world. Continue to support your families, follow your passions, live your dream and do what you need to accomplish while we are blessed to … Continue reading Essentials
Online Dating
I've made it a practice to not edit or delete my posts. But for this topic, I need to edit because of the wonderful updates that are necessary! ~Updated 02/29/2020 I have had some of the most amazing experiences over the last few years of my career. The most satisfying is being an outreach librarian (serving … Continue reading Online Dating
Disappointment
I came across a meme today at a moment when I was feeling overwhelmed and needed some clarity. "Have you ever been so disappointed in someone that you forgive them and don't say anything, but in your head you detach yourself from them completely?" Have you? The first thing I noted was an ah-ha moment … Continue reading Disappointment
Imagine the World
I find myself humming John Lennon's Imagine a lot lately. You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will be as one. I believe in people. We are here for a blip of time. And within that blip we feel a pull to live … Continue reading Imagine the World
Time
Time flies. Time passes. Time gets away from us. Time is precious. Time is short. Time to move on. Time to heal. Time to start again. Time. It's been over 500 days since I wrote on my blog that I started in July 2015. I had poured myself into it, as I do with everything … Continue reading Time
Growing Pains
Ever since my son started high school in August, I have been thinking quite a bit about growing pains. I can recall from a very young age my Mom telling me that my aches and pains were just growing pains and thinking "when do these growing pains stop?" If you Google growing pains you will get hits … Continue reading Growing Pains
Why are we so hard on ourselves
Why are we so hard on ourselves? And by extension, others? We are our own worst critic. I used to be harder on myself. I still am sometimes. Writing this post, for example, was difficult for me. I wondered if my inspiration to write this post was worth exploring. I worried what people would think about … Continue reading Why are we so hard on ourselves
It’s how you look at it
Checking out the beautiful town of Raleigh in North Carolina for a possible future national library conference location, I have been impressed by the beauty of the land and the people. I have been people watching, talking with anyone I make eye contact with, and keeping an open mind. I had an unexpected day … Continue reading It’s how you look at it
Keep Moving
"Keep Moving!" was this month's storytime theme at one of the preschools I visit. We talked about the importance of movement through stretch, yoga, and dance. The children had so much fun and learned how to do the sign language for the word dance. Keep Moving, has been repeating over and over in my head. … Continue reading Keep Moving
I stumbled into myself
No matter what your hobby, craft, or passion - in order to showcase your talent, be true to yourself. Sometimes people say they want to 'find their voice' or they are trying to figure out what they are good at doing. The truth is we are trying to discover who we are. Here are some … Continue reading I stumbled into myself
Time to Reflect
Today marks 150 days since I returned from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Congress in Columbus, Ohio. I keep replaying my drive home and the evening of my arrival in my mind. My life has not been the same since, as my personal life has changed drastically. I spend time with my amazing … Continue reading Time to Reflect
Transform in 2017
It's the new year and I've been thinking about how we transform, how we evolve. My son has enjoyed playing Pokémon since he was 5. I especially like it since this game is the reason he enjoys reading. Evolution, as explained by the Pokémon database, "is a key part of the Pokémon games. Evolving Pokémon makes … Continue reading Transform in 2017
Sharing Gifts
I recently met Jaz, a young man who will be starting college in January. I offered to help him with his student loan paperwork and a resume. When we met, I realized he didn't need my help. But he was gracious enough to listen to me and we wound up talking about his future. This … Continue reading Sharing Gifts
Networking & Careers
Networking is important - no matter what career choice you have made. I cannot stress this enough to those I mentor. What is networking? Engaging in conversation for the purpose of developing professional contacts and exchanging information. Most information I have read encourages newbies to network (new to a field, fresh out of school, new to … Continue reading Networking & Careers