News — positive thinking

Moving Mountains

Moving Mountains

I'm antsy.  I'm doing everything right, but the mountains aren't moving.  If they are, it's so slow it's hard to see.  What makes mountains move?  Earthquakes and water: instant and catastrophic or slow and majestic. Take your pick.  Once I have an idea or make a change, I long for it to happen fast. Our culture is conditioned to believe we deserve quick results.   The lies we tell ourselves can cost us our dreams.  The mountain view teaches me how devastating a fast yes can be.  "Earthquakes" happen.  We can all pinpoint the moment when chaos struck in an instant.  Life shook, and everything...

Read more →


How to Shut Up Your Inner Critic so Your Daughter Will Know How

How to Shut Up Your Inner Critic so Your Daughter Will Know How

"I'm not good at that." It started with small, little snippets of self-doubt.  I should have noticed.  I should have stopped it sooner.  I'm her mother, after all….unfortunately, I'm also really gifted in the art of negative self-talk.  Maybe I missed it because what should have been a red flag has been given a space on my shelf, a narrative I frequently read and accept as normal.    It took flares of anger, where self-hate spewed out of my sweet girl like a volcano I assumed was dormant.  I was shocked.  I argued back--NOTHING you are saying about yourself is...

Read more →


Rethinking Worry: What if it's a Spiritual Gift?

I'm not one to worry or overthink things. Can I be honest? Is it safe to share raw truth? I can be kind of critical of people who are. If you are in my days and minutes, and you are a worrier, you probably aren't shocked at this confession. I've rolled my eyes at you, and I've made jokes. They aren't mean; they are trying to be funny, but also... I don't have a lot of patience with worry. A couple of years ago, we adopted the world's perfect dog. He is so sweet and gentle. His one problem is...

Read more →


That Time I Almost Hated the World's Biggest Canvas...

That Time I Almost Hated the World's Biggest Canvas...

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. It was the largest canvas commission of my career. So big that you can't purchase pre-stretched canvases that size. I would have to build it. Totally not intimidating at all... I had learned how to do that in a scene painting class once, in theory, at least. Fifteen years ago.... what could possibly go wrong?  Bless my heart. I researched and talked to people. I worried and planned. Once we finally built the giant, painting it would be my sweet spot—or so I thought. Generally, by the time...

Read more →


Making Magic {treehouse}

Making Magic {treehouse}

Dr. Yeiser was the highly recommended pediatrician when I was pregnant. I think I met her for the first time when she came into my hospital room to check baby Asher. It’s a blur of him crying. {Ok...maybe it was me...}.   I remember those first few visits when you felt like they would call DFACS if the baby cried too much, or if you didn’t put poop diapers in the right bags or something 😂. She listened. She confidently and patiently guided us through all the things that easily overwhelmed a new mother.   Asher was 18 months old...

Read more →

.