Long Story (Short)

I’m a forty-something woman somewhere in the middle of a mid-life reestablishment [if you know, then you know]. This website is where I invite you into lessons learned, thoughts that I’m exploring, art that I’m creating, habits that I’m leaning on, and as much fun and LIFE that I can pack into the process.

My intention is two-fold. I want to be bold in my transparency because I believe that our mess is our message. If in sharing my life with you, you find a nugget of truth that moves you forward another step, we’re both that much further ahead of yesterday. I also hope to be a part of a large shift in authenticity online. Sharing your heart and your struggles is a vulnerable process; but by showing ALL the stuff - not just the shiny stuff - you help bring realistic expectations back into the mix.

I always hope to be brave enough to be real. What I have is called life. My life is wonderful with the tough stuff. If showing you that, helps you realize that you don’t have to chase the unattainable, then showing the tough stuff was worth it for me.

I BELIEVE THAT:

We’re allowed to be beginners [and I’m definitely a beginner at that approach].

The journey really IS the destination.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Perfectionism is a privacy fence.

True confidence doesn’t have anything to do with being better than other people.

Rising tides raise all the ships. A collective desire to improve has a huge impact on everyone.

We are responsible for our own happiness.

We are not responsible for the happiness of others.

Two halves don’t make a whole when it comes to hearts.

We don’t [& can’t] know everything.

It’s not our job to “fix” anyone else.

Often the best way to help others is to focus on changing what WE do that affects them negatively.

We are in charge of our expectations.

We [humans] are happiest when we are striving to become a better version of ourselves.

Self-awareness is the key to growth; and we have to know - and take responsibility for - the dark shit too.

Knowing your values is one of the most important steps to growing into a person you are proud to be.

Experiencing the journey of self-growth will help establish deeper empathy towards others.

Loving all the parts of yourself will help you love others well.

Surrounding yourself with people who value what you value helps you focus on what you believe is really important; and it allows you to grow into those values much more quickly.

Fear has a place on the journey, but it sure isn’t the driver’s seat.

Living in denial is as good as living a fake life. Seek out the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

People long to be seen, heard, and UNDERSTOOD.

Knowledge is power; and working to UNDERSTAND ourselves and other people will allow us to have a greater and more effective impact on the world.

Authenticity is a must.

We are each created uniquely to do amazing things; and we can’t do those things if we’re trying to be someone else.

Transparency is powerful.

Your Why is a hell of a lot more important than your What.

Money is a tool that does not define your worth.

Money is not the only tool.

Good and evil are not rooted in skin tone, sexual orientation or identification, nationality, cultural differences, etc.

YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW:

I am a believer in the redemption of Christ and I strive to be more like Him.

I believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made as a bisexual, whom God loves and uses perfectly.

I have struggled with my mental health for much of my life. I manage an eating disorder, severe insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and normal human challenges by seeking help from professional therapists & psychiatrists, and utilizing energy healing (Reiki). I draw strength from my relationship with God as I do so.

I am not a life coach or professional therapist of any kind. I’m just a gal who has lived through stuff.

I cuss freely. It’s okay if this is too much for you. I’m not for everyone.

I’m super direct, and sometimes socially awkward because of it. I try to be aware of this and dial it back when appropriate - but I’m still just wired to be direct.

I value “weird,” and people who are different than me.

I do not hold space for manipulation, condescension, or efforts to hold others down.

I honor those who are considerate of others, those who practice empathy & understanding, & those who lift up the people around them.

I have very little patience for inconsiderate people. If you put your needs above the needs of others simply because you don’t care to consider them in your daily life, then we’re probably not going to see eye to eye. If you’re inconsiderate out of ignorance, then I expect you to challenge that ignorance every chance you get.

I support #blacklivesmatter , condemn white supremacy, despise Asian hate, and I am a proud member of the LBGTQ+ community. That should give you a good idea of what my stance is on just about everything else.

My pronouns are she/her and I honor the pronouns of others.

I feel strongly that my quality of life is better when the quality of my neighbors’ lives are better; whether that’s in my local community, or world-wide. We are all human and we are all impacting each other every single day.

From time to time I end up portraying a Wonder Woman-esqe persona. Please do not allow yourself to think that I’m some supernatural powerhouse. My passion pendulum swings both ways - quickly. Again, I’m just a gal; and I’m sure not perfect.