My husband, Trent, and I bought a tandem kayak a few years back. We love it! I wasn’t sure how it would go since we’re both control freaks, but we have creatively come up with a way to work together perfectly. I paddle us all over the lake, and he fly fishes off the back. It’s the perfect symbiotic system. We both benefit and have a wonderful time together. Last year I paddled 21 miles! Marriage is like a tandem... Read more
Fear prevents me from writing. He reminds me of all my flaws. He points out every mistake I make. He laughs at my misspellings and my forgotten punctuation. He taunts me, “No one’s gonna read what you write. So, why are ya still at it?” He points his ugly little finger at the screen and snickers at my attempt to prove him wrong. My Heart and Head are at War Frustration sits with me as only the best frenemy would.... Read more
No matter how hard you try to hide them, social media likes to point out all our mistakes for the world to see. Someone videotaped your outburst or recorded your fall. Next thing you know, it’s gone viral on TikTok or has a million hits on Instagram. BuzzFeed has a headline that reads, “21 Wild Celebrity Fails from This Past Year.” YouTube has another that reads, “Biggest Mistakes Made on Live TV.” Entrepreneur’s article title reads, “10 Stupid Mistakes... Read more
Here I am standing on a new precipice. How in the world will I ever get down? It’s crowded here. I watch the fluid movement of each person adorning their talents and wonder why some are more dynamic than others. Observe Without Notice I crouch behind a table so I can watch without being noticed and discover a blender. I am fascinated by its beauty and become intrigued by what it can do. As I study it, I realize it... Read more
Here I am again back in the same classroom, learning the same lessons. Really? Didn’t I pass with flying colors last time? As I look around, I notice these are new classmates, but everything else seems to be the same. The assignments are being discussed when I see the canvas already laid out and I think to myself, maybe this is the final exam, maybe this is a test to see if I can actually use the tools I was given... Read more
I’ve made several touchdowns lately. Life feels pretty good. In fact, things are going so well that Joy and I are planning a celebration dinner. After all, we’ve worked hard and deserve it, right? Standing in the end zone, I hold the football in the air and strut a victory dance. Unfair Penalty Out of nowhere, a member of the opposing team rushes me, tackles me to the ground, and I fumble the ball. Where did that come from? Where’s... Read more
I was sitting at the table of a group I joined several years ago. I glanced around the table scrutinizing each of the members when I realized I really don’t belong. Analyzed My Situation To my right sat Ego and Pride. Each of them, on their own, is hard to encounter. However, together they are like having a weakened immune system caused by a curable disease and knowing they hold the cure and no way in hell are they giving... Read more
Amazing how two team members working side by side on the volleyball court can experience the exact same situation and walk away with polar opposite perceptions. Ego and Pride Change the Dynamics of the Game Here we are keeping the volleyball in a perfect volley for 2 months solid when Ego and Pride join the game. We quickly divide and the real games begin. The volley continues but not without confrontation. I begin to tire and experience brain fog. Not... Read more
Have you ever been at a crossroads where both paths seem to be a great fit and quality choice? I’m there now. Faith sits with patience on the road to the left. She waits for me to notice her. I nod in her direction but still ponder the crossroad. Are Sweetness and Indulgence Enough? On the road to the left, the one I have been traveling for months now, holds a delectable dessert, Death by Chocolate. For those of you... Read more
My husband and I traveled from Colorado to Seattle and back recently. We took out maps and decided which roads to take and where to stop for the night. We booked reservations with hotels then researched and selected fun things to do and see along the way. We strategically packed a few pieces of luggage to accommodate all sorts of weather and personal care. We piled everything in the car, being sure to put reachable items close for us to... Read more
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