It was not what I expected — In 2001, I met a man that my heart instantly recognized as the man I had been looking for my whole life. I was interviewing him for an article I was writing. He was the trails manager at a prestigious public garden. When I walked down the path to his…

I finally found the key to happiness — “Rebellion is when you look society in the face and say I understand who you want me to be, but I’m going to show you who I actually am.” ― Anthony Anaxagorou When I was in my 30s and 40s I remember wondering if I would ever find the key…

Now I know why I never felt like I belonged in my family — I was three years old when the parade of babies started. One after the other they came, wrapped in soft white knitted blankets, held aloft by the young social worker for my father to take a picture. Then one day, the same social worker would come back to get that…

I’m exhausted from 2022. I’m gonna need a minute. — New Year, New You. Break through your resistance. Rock your goals. Beat yourself into submission and become all you should have been all along but are too lazy/complacent/stupid/clueless to find your way there. This is the year! You can do it! Finally!!!! (Cue the throw-up emoji. And the eye-roll emoji.) …

It continues to bring light and joy throughout January — Just last week, we finally took our tree down. We never take it down before the first week of January, and sometimes beyond. I am always so sad to see it go, so we have come up with a way to keep the joy and light going a little longer…

I have quite a few that I don’t want to live without — I have been a practicing Buddhist (emphasis on practicing) for over a decade, and one of the things that I know from the teachings, and my own experience, is that attachment can lead to suffering. …

A Weeds and Wildflowers Prompt — I am 6 years old and bobbing in the ocean, hopping from one foot to the other while I watch my daddy float. He floats for a long time, and I get impatient. …

I am ready to let go of this burden — The past is a vast wilderness. If you spend too much time there you will find yourself hopelessly lost from your current life. The landscape is unchanging and unchangeable. It will always be the same, no matter how many times you go back there. Yet, I have been drawn to…

Sometimes you just need to step outside and remember what matters — “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” John Muir Here in upstate South Carolina, we have been having a rainy winter. While the rain is a welcome respite from…