CHOOSE WELLNESS, EMBRACE STRENGTH AND LIVE YOUR LEGACY

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I'm giving myself permission to slow down and breathe.  This season isn't just about a table full of food or a crowded room of people; it's also an invitation to pause.  To refocus.  To regenerate.  To reflect on what truly matters. I've learned that gratitude isn't always loud; sometimes it's quiet.   Sometimes it shows up in the lessons we didn't ask for, the strength we didn't know we had, or the people who stayed when life felt unsteady. Grace and new beginnings have marked this year in particular.  I'm thankful for my supportive husband, my family, and my inner circle - the people who speak life into me and hold space for me.  I'm grateful for clarity, courage, and strength, and the ways each one continues to shape my purpose. I also want to acknowledge that this holiday isn't joyful for everyone.  For many, it brings complicated emotions, empty seats, or memories that sit heavy.  I have my ow...

Let me share something others don't like to say out loud. Raising a child with complex emotional or behavioral needs is not the storybook version of parenting.  It's a journey that will change you, challenge you, and force you to grow in places you never expected. I will speak the truth that others are living but too exhausted, too judged, or too afraid to say out loud.  I have been there, I've survived it, and I'm still walking this journey. The Part No One Prepares You For Your child's needs don't fit the categories, the checkboxes, or the assumptions.  Yet, somehow, you're expected to explain the unexplainable to professionals who see symptoms instead of the child. No one prepares you for the fear. No one prepares you for the silence. No one prepares you; no matter how much you try, it's never enough. No one prepares you for how fast people disappear when your story doesn't fit the narrative. The Reality Behind Closed Doors There is the life you s...

People often wonder how certain caregivers end up carrying some of the hardest responsibilities.  If you're unfamiliar with Erma Bombeck's timeless piece, " The Special Mother " , you may want to search for it.  It adds a tender layer to the message you're about to read.  " The Special Mother " so beautifully hints that some assignments are given with intention.   ********************************************************************* Strength They Can't Teach.  Courage They Can't Break. Who are they?  They are anyone or anything that tries to define you without living your journey. This is for all caregivers, no matter the gender. When God chooses a caregiver for a loved one with an emotional, behavioral, or mental health need, He isn't picking the most polished person in the room.  He's picking the one who will love through the storms.  The one who will show up when it's inconvenient.  The one who will advocate, push, question, and f...

Dear Veterans: Today, we pause with a heart full of gratitude.  Veterans Day isn't just another date on the calendar; it's a day of remembrance, reflection, and respect.  It's a time to honor the men and women who stood in defense of freedom, who carried courage on their shoulders, and who continue to teach us what true service looks like. This day is deeply personal.  I think about my family members, friends, and colleagues who answered the call; each with their own story, their own sacrifices, and their own quiet moments of courage.  Some returned home and rarely spoke of what they endured.  Others continue to serve our communities, workplaces, and families long after hanging up the uniform. Your strength, discipline, and sacrifice continue to inspire generations.  You have defined what it means to lead with honor and to love your country deeply. May we honor your legacy by leading with compassion, serving with heart, and standing united in gratitude. Wit...

  There is no denying it, the mountain is real.   The Weight of Leadership in Uncertain Times In today's nonprofit and family-serving world, leaders are facing an uphill climb like never before.  Budget cuts at every level, workforce shortages, and community needs are rising faster than resources.  It's enough to test even the strongest among us. But waiting for the perfect plan or everyone's approval can weaken your impact.  When you lead with conviction instead of consensus, you show others what courage looks like.  Your steadiness becomes their strength. For Leaders and Organizations Protect the mission - it's non-negotiable. When resources shrink, distractions multiply.  That's when protecting what matters most becomes the real work.  Whether you're leading a program, guiding a team, or supporting your family, stay anchored in your "why". Assess your vulnerabilities.   Strengthen your partnerships. Embrace tools that make your m...

💗This blog is dedicated to you! To the Amazing Women! You said you felt unseen. You said you were tired of being the strong one, the steady one, the one who holds it all together while no one asks how you are. Let me tell you something:   You are not invisible.   You are in transition. You’re in the transforming in-between, the place where forgetting ends and remembering begins. You are not breaking down. You are breaking open. And that’s when women find themselves again. There's a shift that happens when a woman remembers who she is. Not when she gets stronger -- she's already strong. Not when she gets louder -- she's been screaming quietly for years. But when she finally stops pretending and starts remembering, at that moment -- that's power! It's not loud, but it's undeniable. It's the kind of shift that changes rooms, relationships, and entire generations. And now, you remember too!   Now we are connected, not by struggle, but by strength, by knowi...

You can't walk confidently in shoes that weren't made for you.  Yet so many of us spend years trying to fit into spaces, roles, and expectations that were never meant for those who walk with purpose and power. We stay because it's comfortable. We stay because it looks good. We stay because there's history. We stay because we don't want to disappoint anyone, including ourselves. When It's Time to Let Go Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop forcing what no longer feels right.  Letting go doesn't mean you've failed; it means you've outgrown. Ask yourself: Does this still align with my purpose? Am I walking in peace or in unrest? Is this path still mine to walk? Your answer will bring the truth to light. Finding Your Fit Finding your fit isn't about perfection; it's about alignment.  It's about stepping into spaces that honor who you've become, not who you were trying to be. When you stop forcing what doesn't fit, you free ...

November is often described as a time of gratitude, family gatherings, holiday meals, and the warmth of togetherness.  But for many, this season carries a quiet ache beneath the surface.  While others are setting the table, some of us are simply trying to hold it together. For me, this month brings mixed emotions.  I am estranged from my adult daughter, and my adult son is in a psychiatric placement for his mental wellness.  I miss my children deeply.  Their absence is felt in ways words can barely express.  The holidays have a way of amplifying what we long for, what we have lost, and what still hurts. As I write this blog, I am shedding tears, not just for myself, but for others who also carry a heavy heart during the holidays.  I know how easy it can be to drift into a dark space, so I remind myself to pause, breathe, and not stay there too long.  I lean into my faith because it is the light that steadies me when the days grow heavy. It's okay ...

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