Rootbound vs. adventure-bound: selecting your course

I’ve discovered I can’t sit still for long anymore. Oh, I’m able to stay put for 45-minute writing sprints that often morph into an hour and a half until I force myself to take a break. But when it comes to where I’m planted—whether in a particular home, vocation or season—my roots seem to need…

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A recap of 2022: more than checking off the ‘dones’

In my next to final post of 2021, I recounted the milestone moments of my past to (hopefully) better inform a future grounded with intention. This served to help me recall goals accomplished, new dreams I dared dream, as well as lessons learned. While I can add up similar highlights achieved in 2022, what interests…

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When results and efforts differ: defining growth

Now that we’ve surpassed the five-month mark into our new adventure on the mountain (see After the Leap), due to a three-week setback with COVID early on—as well as multiple challenges that have taken precedence—it often seems we have little to show for our efforts. Especially when they’re not tangible or measurable; e.g., personal growth,…

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Pressing through: why we need stressors

One morning recently, a sense of joy—and even contentment—filled my spirit. Yet my circumstances hadn’t changed. My husband and I are still navigating #allthefeels accompanying a big move and transitioning to self-employment, working on a 20-year-old fixer-upper cabin and commuting an hour to the closest major services. The only difference I could pinpoint was regaining…

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One foot in front of the other: building connection

In my latest writing workshop, participants chose one goal and noted it on the left-hand side of the page, with desired/expected results on the right—and a bridge connecting one side to the other. This is where we filled in actionable “steps” to achieve said goal. For my goal, I chose “build connection,” with 12 stepping…

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Shifting your story: Life happens for you, not to you

Recently I wore a favorite shirt bearing the quote: Life happens. Coffee helps. Buckle up, because I’m about to challenge the first half of that statement. For several years, I’ve relayed my family’s story atop a soapbox of one (you can read about the details here). Although previous posts always brought awareness to the topic…

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