Archive for the 'Courage' Category

Mikey Walks

Say what you will about social media, but I’ve “met” some inspiring people on Twitter and Facebook. Granted, I’ve never shaken their hand, or stood next to them at a party, but I feel lucky to have them in my life on any level.

One such person is Michael Tittinger. I connected with Michael on Facebook through my cousin’s husband Jason. Got that? Convoluted I know, but that’s how social media connections happen. Jason “liked” Michael’s Facebook Fan Page called, “Mikey Walks” and I was intrigued (read: nosey). So I clicked the “Mikey Walks” link and am so glad I did. 

“Mikey” (Michael Tittinger) is walking across the United States and posting to his Facebook… Continue reading

Published on Thursday September 22, 2011 in Blogs and Courage. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Beams of Beauty

This Sunday, 9/11/11, marks the tenth anniversary of the day that the world, as we knew it, changed forever. How the world changed is different for each person that witnessed the unfolding horror. But change the world did.

Perhaps you’ll pray, or participate in a memorial service, or observe a moment of silence. Maybe you knew someone who lost their life, or knew someone who knew someone. But I venture to say that nearly everyone will reflect on “the moment” you heard the news. Today, I share with you a bit of my experience, but not where I was when I found out, but where I was when I saw my first ray of hope.

After watching the events unfold… Continue reading

Published on Thursday September 8, 2011 in Blogs and Courage. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Twitter Gold

A few months ago I started “tweeting.” I’d crossed the Facebook barrier long ago, but managed to avoid Twitter until recently.

While preparing for the Strong & Wise website launch, many people advised me to create a presence on Twitter. I’d checked out Twitter a few times but each time felt like I’d fallen down the rabbit-hole with Alice.

Abbreviations like “FF” (Follow Friday), hashtags (#), twitter manners and speaking in 140 characters or less were foreign concepts. But I gave up my fear and began tweeting erratically (hoping not to look too foolish).

It’s been a few months of stumbling around and although I’m no expert, it’s starting to make sense now. Sure there’s a lot of empty chatter and sales promotion going on, but here’s… Continue reading

Published on Thursday February 3, 2011 in Blogs and Courage. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Left Foot Forward

In the early 1940’s, bombs rained down regularly on Essen, a city in northern Germany. Air raid sirens screamed of impending disaster without regard for time of day, sending hordes of citizens scrambling to the nearest bomb shelter. After the “all clear” signal blew, people emerged hoping that the very place from which they fled, would still be standing.

Sometimes the shells hit one of the multiple munitions factories scattered throughout the city, but often, bombs destroyed homes, schools and businesses. Between battles of global dominance, the residents of Essen carried on the ordinary tasks of life. Children played among the ruins, young couples fell in love and families ate dinners concocted from rationed ingredients.

Perhaps it was because my mother grew up in Germany during unpredictable times… Continue reading

Published on Tuesday August 24, 2010 in Courage, Self and Writings. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

In Pursuit of Glory

I’m not sure when I first discovered Morning Glories. If pressed to recall, I believe it was in a silk flower store. I’d never seen natural Morning Glories, but I instantly fell in love with the traditional variety — radiant blue with butter yellow centers.

This year, my love was tested. You see I’m a self-professed vine fanatic. As a child, I drew meandering vines in my notebook when I was supposed to be learning geometry. I decorated countless homemade cards with flowing vines and wondered about a career as a vine artist. (Turns out, there’s not much call for that.)

As a novice gardener, I’ve planted moon vines, cardinal red vines and clematis of varying colors. I’ve even allowed a beautiful “weed vine” to wind around the… Continue reading

Published on Tuesday August 24, 2010 in Courage, Space and Writings. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Cashmere Dreams

When I think of my father, two images come to mind. The first is of a man whose temper flared at the slightest provocation. Growing up, I loved and feared him with equal measure. The second image is of a peaceful, kind man whose joyful tears, or lip quivering sadness revealed a deep well of tenderness. What transformed the first man into the second was many years of hard fought sobriety.

After eight years of sobriety, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. At the time, he was living alone in a neighboring state. When my husband and I learned he needed twice daily radiation treatments, we asked my father to move in with us. As a daughter and a nurse, I couldn’t bear to see him go through… Continue reading

Published on Tuesday August 24, 2010 in Addiction, Courage, Spirit and Writings. 1 Comment Tags: , , .