Grateful for Vulnerability

An incredible friend told me a few weeks ago that I do not fear being unsuccessful. Instead, I fear the vulnerability of sharing my heart on a page with perfect strangers. What a total truth bomb, friends!

Writing is one of the most soul exposing acts there is, and to share those thoughts, emotions, and secrets with the world… we’ll, that’s a whole level of vulnerability I never truly thought about.

So, while I wait for the next chapter of my story to unfold, I’m proud of myself for being strong enough to be vulnerable. Whether I sell one book, or a hundred thousand copies, I have already succeeded in what I set out to accomplish… heal myself one word at a time.

Here’s to what’s next.

#wip #writedreambelieve #authorsofinstagram #authenticity #vulnerability #vulnerabilityisstrength

The Future is Now!

What you do now determines how you live in the future. Essentially, stop procrastinating on what you can do today.

If you want to write a book, start journaling events that happen in your daily life. Get in the habit of writing every day. Read books in the genre you want to write in and become an expert in that genre. Then, write the words. Show up for yourself.

Dreams don’t just happen. We make them happen!

#workinprogress #trusttheprocess #writeon #writethewords #wordnerd #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #geterdone

You’ve Got a Friend in Me

Have you ever heard of the win-win mentality?

It’s a mindset that focuses on encouraging other people to achieve their goals because there isn’t a scarcity mindset. If you are stuck in a scarcity mindset, you believe there isn’t enough success available, and you claw your way to the top. The carnage you leave behind is evident, as you trample others to attain your dreams.

Having a win-win mindset means that someone else’s achievement doesn’t diminish your own. In fact, it uplifts you. You find joy in watching others succeed. You’re in their corner, and they’re in yours. Except, you don’t support people for selfish reasons. You support them because you love to see them win, and in doing so, you win by default.

In the end, I’d rather be a cheerleader than a linebacker. The world has enough people tackling each other.

#winwin #upliftothers #beacheerleader #scarcitymindset #mindsetmatters #supporteachother #workinprogress #beafriend #wegotthis

What if You Fly?

This is where I’m at today in my journey. There’s always this moment before a trust fall where you fear the ground, but what if you’re caught safely in the arms of someone you love? What if you leap into the unknown and sail by like a kite in the wind? What if, instead of believing everything will go wrong, you realize it may just go right? What if… it is finally my time?

Sometimes, all you can do is live in a place of hope and ask your faith to settle your fears.

#trustfall #trusttheprocess #whatifyoufly #hope #faithoverfear

Capture Every Thought

I know this to be true, and yet I still allow critics to live in my head rent free. This is something I am actively changing by capturing each negative thought before it plants a seed of doubt, bitterness, or resentment within my mind. Nothing beautiful grows from those seeds.

#plantgoodseeds #captureeverythought #senseandsensibility #janeausten #workinprogress #mentalhealth #nottodaysatan

Waiting… Yeah, it’s Rough!

I am feeling this today… the stripping process.

As I wait for the next chapter to unfold, I can sense the doubts and fears trying to fast forward through the wait. It’s uncomfortable, this shedding process. I’m vulnerable, like an exposed nerve, but as insecure as I am, I realize all of this is necessary: the wait, the fragility, the trepidation. It’s all part of the journey, and though I don’t always trust the process, I will do my best to trust God.

#godsgotthis #nextchapter #workinprogress #waitingongod #waiting #trusttheprocess #perseverance

We’ll Meet It When It Does…

I’m struggling today. My anxiety is a 13 out of 10. There’s so much on the horizon, so much outside of my control, that I feel it pressing on the back of my eyes. Fears burn within me, and they threaten to consume me at any moment.

I close my eyes, say a silent prayer, “God, help me. Give me some encouragement.”

I open Pinterest for a quote to persevere despite this nagging feeling of impending doom. The first picture I see is this one, along with a quote that stops me in my tracks. I clutch the phone to my chest and whisper a thank you.

“What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.” -Hagrid

#harrypotter #gobletoffire #hagrid #perserverance #anxiety #overcoming #justholdon

Success Isn’t Life

I needed this reminder today.

Too often, I strive for perfection over progress and success over obedience. May these words speak to the place within me that believes I make things happen: that brokenness that urges me to hustle when I should rest. Today, I choose to be still and know that what God promises, He will fulfill.

Perhaps, I was created for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).

#faithoverfear #realrest #peacewithin #godsgotthis

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

I am 41% through with this book. Though I could finish it in a few days, I’ve chosen to read it slowly, a few chapters at each sitting, because I want to allow the wisdom to ruminate in my soul.

If you have never read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, I highly suggest it, especially if you’re a Christian. It is important for me to understand what I believe, or claim to believe. This book has put into words questions I have often had about my faith, and has done so in such an eloquent and relatable way.

I am in awe.

#merechristianity #cslewis #christianity

Shine Bright

I have often needed praise to feel successful. As I grow older, I realize the point of accomplishment is not appreciation. Instead, it is the realization that good work has been done. Though I may fall back into people pleasing patterns from time to time, I am actively working toward humility. I long to shine bright, so that through me, people will find the source of the light.

My light is not my own.

#shinebright #humility #dogoodwork #notaboutme #shineforhim #bethelight

I’m Not Who I Was

I struggle with wanting to please people as an achiever and not giving a crap as a challenger. It’s a strange place to be.

One thing I’m learning, as I walk on this journey of mental, physical, and spiritual health, is that I am exactly who I need to be in this moment to become who I’m becoming. I know I am a lot of things: quirky, a caffeine connoisseur, and a comfort snob to name a few. Yet, I know who I am not: a woman without boundaries, mean spirited, or a quitter.

Knowing who I am not helps me realize who I am, and I’m proud of myself. It takes courage to look within the internal dark places of yourself. It takes showing up daily for the real work. It takes time. Mostly, it takes wanting to love yourself more than you did yesterday and giving yourself grace for your shortcomings. I may not be the woman that I long to be, but I’m so grateful of the woman I am today.

When All You Can Do Is Show Up…

I have never read this quote before, but it resonates with my soul. As a woman who deals with anxiety, depression, and PTSD from trauma, I often feel like the world around me is too dark. The energy it takes just to get out of bed can be exhausting. Not to mention, teaching is mentally taxing and oftentimes unappreciated.

This quote reminds me of why I write. I write to heal from my past. I write because it’s the only thing I can do to quiet the chaos cluttering my mind. I write because it empowers me. I write, and in doing so, I am reminded that I am enough… even when all I can do is show up.

#mentalhealth #anxiety #depressionhelp #writeon #healingjourney #creativeminds #PTSD

Don’t Be a Prisoner to Perfection

As a recovering perfectionist, I can tell you that every day I face the urge to be flawless. The world whispers to seek the airbrushed, filtered ideal of beauty, and too often I comply. I use the filters, contour my makeup, and study the ever changing lines on my face.

I wish I could tell you that today is my final straw, and I’ll never use another filter, but I will. Instead of being in denial, I’ll admit that I’m growing in grace. Lately, I even leave the house without wearing makeup; something I’d never have done five years ago. I’m striving to live a life of progress not perfection, and that, my friend, is beautiful.

#progressoverperfection #giveyourselfgrace #workinprogress #trusttheprocess

I Can Be Right and Still Be Wrong…

The beginning of the school year is always challenging. Students must learn classroom procedures and rules on top of the curriculum. The first two months of school have always been the most trying for me, and I often struggle with maintaining healthy habits. This is something I am working to steadily improve in my life.

Teaching is not an easy job. We can be criticized, scrutinized, and our intentions may be misunderstood. Sometimes there are far more complaints than words of affirmation. Most of the teachers I know would agree that we do this job because we love teaching. We are not perfect. We fumble. We make mistakes. Yet, we are doing our absolute best to raise up the next generation. Most teachers are lifelong learners, and we will get the lessons wrong sometimes. Please remember this if emotions run high.

When you’re heated, try to see things through the lens of grace. Wait a day to send the email. Ask for wisdom from a trusted confidant. Once words are out there living in the world, you can’t take them back. These are the truths I’m reminding myself of today. Just as teachers make mistakes, so do parents because teachers and parents are people, and people make mistakes. That’s a statement I’ll choose to call to mind today.

#teacherlife #bekind #showgrace #peoplemakemistakes #choosehumility

From Trial to Triumph

As I sit in my car listening to “Dream On,” sang in Steven Tyler’s iconic voice, I’m mesmerized by the path of life God currently has me on.

I can remember in 2019, before COVID changed the world, praying for the ability to teach from home. Now, three years later, that dream is my reality. There are other projects on this path that I never could have envisioned because I lacked the confidence to see them through. Now, my fears have trembled in the presence of my faith. These dreams I’ve only dared to whisper aloud are swiftly becoming a roar of triumph I can’t contain.

See, friends, the very thing threatening to break you down may be the catalyst you need to propel you forward on the path to success.

So, that terrifying dream that you dare not speak into existence, I say take a note from Steven Tyler and dream on! Instead of focusing on all of the reasons you’ll fail, start realizing all the ways you’ll fly. The only real failure is the person who ceases to have hope in a new dream.

“Sup, Fear?”

I am in the process of a new adventure with someone I love dearly. It’s going to take loads of faith, grit, and determination to build and create what we imagine. Every other moment of the day, I fear that I’m going to muck everything up. Perhaps, that’s proof that we’re on the right path. You can’t have God-size dreams without fear rearing his ugly head. God’s got this!

#workinprogress #trusttheprocess #godsizedreams #faithoverfear #grit #determination #godsgotthis

There’s No Tired Like First Week of Teaching Tired!

Is it Friday yet? Omgosh! It’s only Wednesday?!? Please explain to me how July went by in like two seconds, but this first week back to school has taken like a month to get through. Even my hair follicles are tired.

That is all… that’s the post. IYKYK!

#teachertired #firstweekbacktoschool #isitfridayyet #iykyk #wakemewhenitsfriday

You’re Stronger than You Know

I am my worst critic. Perhaps, you are too. Often, I struggle to see how far I’ve actually come. I have overcome severe abuse, graduated college with learning disabilities, am going into my 20th year of teaching, am writing my 18th novel, and I’m severely hard-of-hearing. Not to mention I’ve overcome divorce, the loss of parents, and so many other countless struggles. We are all overcomers. Remember that when you’re overly critical of yourself today.

#overcomer #strongereveryday #grit #perseverance #workinprogress #trusttheprocess

You’ve Got Mail… One of My Go To Romances

I write romance, and so I read a lot of romances. My go to research method, when I’m not reading, is to watch a lot of romances. I’m all about those 90s and early 2000 romance flicks. Anyone else with me on this? If so, drop me a comment on your go to favorite romance movies. Chances are I’ve seen ‘em.

#youvegotmail #romancemovie #90sgirl #research #iwriteromance #workinprogress #writerslife #writingcommunity #writeon #authorsofinstagram

“Nobody Rides For Free”

Yesterday, I had one of those two hour spill your guts conversations with my closest tia (aunt). We talked about all things heartbreaking, brave, terrible, and beautiful. We reminisced on memories of laughter and explored areas of deep pain and sadness. We talked faith, peace, loss, survival, and overcoming. Our souls laid bare before one another, and with gentle words, we gave each other permission to heal. These are the talks I live for. These are the words that give me strength.

See, every single person you come in contact with has a story to tell. Some are as beautiful as a Monet painting, and others as abstract as a Picasso. Some are as surreal as a Dali, and others as melancholy as a Munch. In the end, every story is a masterpiece. Be gentle with the people around you. You never know what part of their story they’re living through today.

#bekind #wereallstoriesintheend #iamastory #longtalks #baredsouls #workinprogress #brenebrown