Thrive As You

I keep thinking about the Hamilton lyric.... "I wrote my way out...." "Running on empty, there was nothing left in me but doubt, I picked up a pen, and I wrote my way out." It's my turn. I must write my way out. You see, I REFUSE to succumb to depression.  Not this time.  Nope.  I'm making a choice and that choice will be to RISE UP. (Also from Hamilton , just sayin') For those of you who missed it, I'll give you a recap. I met the man of my dreams.  I met the man who made every dream I ever had come true and then showed me dreams I never even knew I had.  I found a man who loved me unconditionally and stood by my side during one of the most dark and difficult times of my life.  He showed me what he was made of, and what he was made of was staying power.  I found a man who loved my boys and they loved him in return.  I found the man who put a smile on my face that I never even knew I had.  You know that Bible verse (which has been take

I figure since I haven’t written in quite literally months, I should make an entire post about a song.  Because it makes sense that since no one has heard from me while I’ve been in the hole, people would want to hear about a song.  One song. First of all, let me start by telling you about a bracelet.  Those of you who know me know that I have a ummm, minor bracelet obsession.  At any given time you might find me wearing 20+ bracelets at a time.  What can I say? I like a bracelet party. A few years ago, my lifelong bestie got me a bracelet with the word, dare . I thought it was really cool and somewhat almost edgy, the word dare. But I didn’t think it actually applied to me.  I couldn’t really understand why she got it for me.  Well the reason is obvious NOW, our best friends, our people know us better than we know ourselves sometimes.  And sometimes, they can SEE us for ourselves when we can’t. So I wore the dare bracelet and always felt a tinge of empowerment when I di

You may have noticed this blog is called, "Thrive As You."  I've talked before about what that means exactly here .   But I've been thinking about this whole concept  a lot lately.  Maybe you've noticed I haven't posted since November.... egads.  That's because I've "just" been surviving. I've just  been surviving. Allow me to sidebar for a moment.  Since I haven't written since November, you don't know that my word for this year is intention .  Most of you know that 2016 wasn't my favorite year as it relates to my personal growth.  I found myself reacting to things rather than being thoughtful and focused and purposeful.  I call that intention.  You can get your fabulous custom key necklace here My goal for 2017 is very simple.  Live with intention.  For me what this looks like is to stop reacting to the world around me and start being purposeful about what I choose to give my time and energy to and exactly how

In the last decade or so, Thanksgiving has gone from celebrating the first meal shared between the Native  Americans and the pilgrims and  it has become more about gratitude, and celebrating what we are thankful for.   It has gone from Thanksgiving to Thanks+Giving, the act of giving thanks.   We see it all over social media with hashtags like #thankful, #grateful, #30daysofthanks, and so on.  People are taking time to count their blessings and share their gratitude with others.  I love this. Traditionally, Thanksgiving, the celebration of that "big day," is centered around a humongous meal that typically involves more food than any one family can eat.  This is what we remember.  This is what our memories are made of.  We reminisce about family crammed into a house too small to contain all of the visitors, some people sitting at card tables, some on the sofa watching football...traditionally women in the kitchen, football or parades on the television.   I can smell the

I seriously do not know what to believe anymore. Really. The world scares me.  People scare me.  The big thing right now is "truth telling," "owning our truth," "living our truth."  But is anyone?  Tonight I was talking to my best friend and saying that my book will sell like hotcakes because my book is the straight dope.  Forget about "truth telling."  My words are just straight, ugly, brutal, and raw.  I don't know any other way.  I'm putting all my junk out there.  I don't care who likes it and who doesn't and I never have.  I think I was hard wired that way.  Maybe it's the fact that I'm half Italian and half German.... come on.... what  a combo, right?  I'm not sure how I got this way, but I never want it to change.  In fact I'm noticing that as I get older and more comfortable in my own skin, the less I care.   The more I get to know about people and how truly disappointing they can be, the less I try to plea

I've commented on this blog more than once how I don't take my own advice.  It's easy to do.  There are times when we are so close to a situation, we can't even see it for what it is.  We need to gain perspective. The last few months have brought about a lot of change for me.  I recently began a new job.  Leaving my previous position was a very difficult choice for me to make, and up until the very moment I walked into my new job, I regretted my decision to leave.  For a few years now I have worked with elementary students, my "babies."  I have developed amazing relationships with these kids and their families.  I have watched them grow, change, and develop right before my very eyes.  In fact, I think it's safe to say that I had at least a small part to do with that growth and change.  I love these children as though they are my own, and I don't say that lightly. But sometimes in a workplace, there is more than just "the work," and althou