Moving Forward

This year, my intention—and word of the year—is present . Over the last few weeks, I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection and working to cultivate deeper, more intentional presence. Words carry so much meaning, and I even struggled with whether to continue my practice of choosing a word this New Year. I considered not sharing it publicly at all. Through conversations with family and friends these past few weeks, I was reminded again and again how important it is to honor stillness. With so many distractions, it’s easy to live hurried. I know I often need reminders to slow down and let go. I learned a great deal about that this year and want to continue practicing it. I’m sharing this as a quiet invitation—to step out of urgency and slow down a bit this spring. I’m looking forward to smelling the roses, enjoying the journey, pausing to ask whether something truly pleases me before trying so hard to please others, and trusting the journey without labeling circumstances as good or bad....

Over the last few years, I have learned that time is so very valuable. After going through the pandemic and all the events over the last decade, I am so very grateful to be alive, to have the ability to help others and to grow. Actually, 2025 will mark a major life marker this year, as I will be turning 50 in the middle of 2025 . After meditating, reflecting on 2024 and working on my vision board over the last 3 days, I have decided that my Word of the Year is (drumroll......)  is THRIVE.  I have read that the action of thriving, prevents burn out, assists our growth, connects us to be fully present with others and alone. Thriving is a process to becoming physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy, not perfect. Hoping to apply many of the lessons from 2024, to continue to connect with others, to distance myself from people, situations, or activities that are not contributing positively to my life. Thriving can help me to view life from an abundant lens, not a scarc...

Last year my vision for 2024 was peace, and I decided to study peace in depth and to take a year to reframe and better learn how to handle conflict. Many have expressed to me the power of words, but I can honestly say that I really have developed a new appreciation regarding the power a word can have. Within a few days into 2024, our world was turned upside down, with several personal storms entering our family the month of January. I found at the end of the month, I was in prayer, seeking spiritual guidance, counseling, and support. God shows up in times such as this to help us fine tune our spiritual walk and I quickly learned that my response to unforeseen tragedies and trials through community and prayer brought in complete miracles.  Light became possible in a very dark time because I choose to believe and trust in others. I let go and found that 12 months later, relationships grew stronger, and we are finding healing, which was only made possible through the action of peace i...

During spring break of 2016,  I decided to go on a solo hiking trip to connect with myself in the Big Bend area. The experience was wonderful as I was able to meet new people, conquer a few fears, and mediate on both personal and professional goals. The experience helped me to begin to connect with my authentic self. At that time, I was in dissertation phase. For those who have not experienced dissertation, it involves a lot of pressure. The experience helped me take a break, which inspired me to persevere with data analysis and writing. I made a pact with myself to take it easy and go on a solo trip each year to  celebrate me. Taking it Easy Can Bring Positive Change Taking it easy is a struggle. Females of my generation were told that we could do anything and everything at the same time. I bought into this lie and forgot that we only have 24 hours in a day. How we choose to give of ourselves can really impact our health. In reality, we cannot be everything to everyo...

With the start of the school year, many regroup to reconsider goals. The two year anniversary of my divorce was last weekend and I found myself in a place of reflection. My family has learned so much these last two years. I am much stronger and cognizant of my surroundings, purpose, behaviors, and reactions to situations. None of us are perfect, but we need to be aware and conscious on how we react to situations. Is our reaction coming from a spirit of love, or is the reaction rooted in fear or anger? Here are some goals I hope to remind myself to consider this fall. Learn to cultivate gratitude. Care for your neighbors and community. Practice 3 outcomes or results that you are committed to 6 months out. For me wrapping up PhD hopefully in September, graduation in December, and health. Love is shown through ACTION, not words. How do you show love in all that you do? Care less, but love more. Fear and anger are the two emotions that hurt individuals the most. Fear or worry is...

This is the time of the year, where we set goals and reflect on our progress. Learning that your past experiences, no matter what they were, molds your spirit to a better you. As long as we choose to learn from these experiences, forgive , admit mistakes, live in truth, and recognize that we have the abilities now to move forward to a higher purpose. That higher purpose, your purpose or dream in life, is unique to you. Often we find that purpose as a result to trials, obstacles, failures, and mistakes. As many say, life can all of the sudden hit you in the face. As a change agent, I found myself surround by adversity. However, I am so grateful to these situations. Without these experiences, I would of never learned from failures. I would not be where I am now. Troubles awakens you to a spiritual awareness. This experience is a gift. Learning to Let Go: For years when I didn't get the outcome I expected, I reacted as a victim. I would allow others to abuse me, and as a re...

Growing up my family taught me a large appreciation for the Great Outdoors. Hiking with my father and grandmother early in life formed a spirit of adventure and love for nature.  I feel like we have passed on to my two sons. Growing up in rural Texas, I spent a lot of time hiking around the Colorado River, exploring caves, playing hide and seek with friends in the hill country. In fact, graduation night I will never forget our Glen Rose M&W Ranch adventure. As a college student, I backpacked, canoed, and explored the Great American West.  As young adult hiked the Grand Canyon in 1999, parts of the AT in 1999, 5 trips in a tent across Europe from 1998-2009, Ontario in 2010 and 2012, and have camped in over 33 states. During the last 5 years, like so many became preoccupied with other things and haven't backpacked. I know I haven't backpacked  alone in over 20 years. This last weekend I was fortunate to connect with the North Texas Outdoors Meetup Group and took a le...

To the scared 17 year old girl who feels rejected and alone. Know that you are a strong, beautiful, and intelligent young lady who is wiser than most of the same age. You crave to be accepted by your family, loved unconditionally, and believe you can make an impact in the world. You are a hard worker, curious about the world, and are understanding that there are different perspectives. I wish you would know that it is ok to be different and to question. Questioning provides creative thought. Know that you are a bright light even now and that you are valuable. You are loved and forgiven. You already know you are here for a higher purpose and that life has meaning. You are not strange for knowing you have a purpose. To the 21 year old bride, you are beautiful and so full of hope and purity. You want to see the best in others and wear rose colored glasses. You are accomplishing things that no one else in your family has. As a result, you continue to try to prove your "worth...

A year ago today I entered a new door in this adventure called life. Many friends back in the day might remember a novel that we would share at parties, entitled I Married Adventure, The novel is an excellent memoir of Osa Leighty who married Martin Johnson, a pioneering photographer who toured with the great Jack London.  As a young, inquisitive, and very independent small town girl, I was very attracted to global and worldly approaches. So, in the mid and late 1990's, I got out of Texas, traveling to Mexico, Holland, Belgium, France, Mexico, and around 33 states. I am grateful that I was introduced to new perspectives, ideologies, fantastic museums, and the music...all from a backpack. My two sons later got to tag along and continue to do so with their two very unique parents, who enjoyed the comforts of rural Texas for a home but also took on large adventures. We entered a new adventure last year, for me it is a solo one.  This year has been rough. Single parentin...

t was the fall of 2011, and I was learning how to become a connected educator. Growing up in rural Texas I have always been labeled a free spirit, dreamer, global thinker who preferred to wear rose colored glasses. I am the 17 year old who proudly stated that I was going to become an educator in my local county newspaper because I truly believed that I could assist others to change the world. I developed a strong interest in debate early in high school, which introduced me to a variety of perspectives and forced me to consider other opinions. My parents instilled a strong Christian belief system towards helping others and I have always truly attempted to give all of myself towards special causes. I found myself in 2011 connecting with other passionate educators around the world eager to use technology as a communication vehicle to promote true change. I had seen such a transformation occurring in my small community of Dublin, Texas and skill sets acquired during a 1:1 iOS initi...