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Being vulnerable
“I spent a lot of years trying to outrun or outsmart vulnerability by making things certain and definite, black and white, good and bad. My inability to lean into the discomfort of vulnerability limited the fullness of those important experiences that are also wrought with uncertainty: Love, belonging, trust, joy, and creativity to name a few.” ~Brene Brown For a while there, Doug and I were feeling smug (or invincible) because we’d dodged the COVID-19 bullet for so long. We got our vaccines, avoided unnecessary risks, and wore masks when necessary. Our close friends and family members have been careful, too, although many of them caught the damned virus anyway.…
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Women need a break
“By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class.” ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea Universities across the country are gearing up for spring break — some as early as the first week of March. While I have no plans for a beach getaway next week, just reading the words “spring break” makes me want to sniff a bottle of coconut oil. Few people need a vacation more than caregivers and moms with young kids. In Metro Parent, I shared a memory of my visit to Captiva Island, where Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote her classic seaside…
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Playing from the heart
“If I am smart in business, it’s just that I’m smart about who I am. I know what I can, can’t, will, and won’t do. And if I have to be strict about that, I will.” ~Dolly Parton I’ve always admired Dolly Parton. Not necessarily because of her musical talents — although it’s worth noting that she can play close to 20 instruments, including the fiddle, mandolin and pan-flute. Even with those long acrylic fingernails. I get a kick out of her over-the-top wardrobe, personality, and showmanship. As Dolly’s quote reminds us, it takes a huge helping of self-confidence to pull it off. But what impresses me even more is her…
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How big is your world?
“The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald I’ve been staying close to home for the past week while recovering from a virus — and I’m reminded of how my world started shrinking during the pandemic. Oddly, after the first few weeks in lockdown, I didn’t feel as caged as I thought I would. I found countless ways to amuse myself around the house, spending the extra time reading, puttering, organizing, and exploring my inner world. At the same time, however, I also lost my sense of adventure. It was too easy to settle in, waiting…
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Where the light enters
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” ~Rumi I spend a lot of time thinking about the quotes I post here each morning. First, I hope they’re thought-provoking, informative, or useful to you in some way. Many of you have emailed to tell me you want a dose of positivity to jumpstart your day, so I try to honor that request whenever possible. At the same time, I think it’s important to consider whether or not each quote or sentiment is in sync with the news of the day or the cultural climate. After the war in Ukraine began, after the school shooting in Oxford, and after…
