Thrive As You

In the new age of social media we share a lot, quite often, too much about ourselves. Writing a blog you tend to share more of yourself with, you know, anyone in the entire universe who can access the internet.  Sometimes it can be a very scary feeling. I made the decision quite sometime ago, when I first started blogging, to share my story.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  I had this feeling that if I was able to share my struggles, it might just help someone, even ONE person get through theirs. When I started my blog it was originally called " April walks with autism ," and the sole focus of my words was to help other mama/daddy warriors on their journey through autism.  But as I started writing, and as more people began to read, I realized that what I had to say, was actually having an effect on a few people out there, and maybe I should open up and begin to talk about some of the other things I was going through, too.   It was around this tim...

Since the dawn of time, nothing has inspired more writing than a good breakup.   Romeo and Juliet was kind of a doozy (talk about a break up gone wrong).  Don't even get me started with music.  I mean, would country music even exist without breakups?  Would Taylor Swift's musical career?  I digress. My point is, I've been doing a lot of writing and it's been coming from a place of great hurt and devastation. This morning at church my good friend Scott prayed over me and he took my hands and he looked me square in the eyes and said, "You don't have time for this distraction.  And that's all it is.  A distraction. Let it go."  Then I came home and  called my dad.  But first I cried and snotted all over Scott.  I think after all these weeks I need to buy him a new shirt.   Oh this topic could be a blog in and of itself.  You see Bernie (yup, real name) knew about David all along.  He saw it within the first fi...

A lot of people are curious about how I, April Schmidt came to be baptized yesterday.  After all I've spent the last 20 years or so denouncing religion in general.  The truth is, I'm still not a major fan of "religion" but that's another blog post FOR SURE.  The thing about this wonderful church I've found, or rather was led to (more on that in a minute) is that they aren't really all that concerned with "religion" either.  All they want to do is help you have a relationship with God.  That statement alone is what got me to walk in the door. So a bit of history.............. I feel like I have to tell the story of HOW I got to this moment. I was teaching preK  and I had this student.  Looking back now, I can see that she wasn't "my favorite," but I was drawn to her light.  Every day I looked forward to seeing this little 4 year old angel and her smile just made my day.  I was going through my divorce, but not going through my A...

Is that sometimes, the hinges are f#$ked up.  And even when you try to close them, they pop right back open.  Damnit it. Suffice it to say, the doors have been swinging wildly in my life, hence my temporary near-miss, almost slip, my pinky toe might have visited, "the hole" for awhile.  I've mentioned this daily affirmation/meditation book I have -- and today it says, "Often God shuts a door in our face, and then subsequently opens the door through which we  need to go." Catherine Marshall and although I'm not a religious person so to speak........all I can say is........... AMEN .