A Little Light, a Leaf, and the And
Sometimes God has a way of getting our attention when we least expect it. For me, it came through a beautiful painting, a moving song, the memory of my mom, and a little heart-shaped leaf. What began as an evening of music and art became an unexpected reminder that grief and gratitude, heartache and hope, can exist together. As I prepare to release Living in the And, I was reminded that the truths I've spent months writing about are still truths I'm learning to live. There's a lot of heartache in this world, AND there's an abundance of joy. Sometimes we just need a little light to help us remember where to look.
What If There Was One?
What if one ordinary Friday morning changed someone's life forever? When 240 elementary school students attended our production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, their collective gasp at one magical moment reminded me why I fell in love with theatre at thirteen years old. We never really know the impact our stories have on others, or when a single experience might spark a lifelong passion. But somewhere in that auditorium, I can't help wondering if one child discovered the same magic that changed my life thirty-six years ago. And oh, how I hope there was one.
The Cost of Being the Bigger Person
I'm getting really tired of being the bigger person. Tired of extending grace, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and being expected to rise above circumstances that have left me hurt and exhausted. When did being a good person start requiring us to sacrifice our own emotional well-being for everyone else's comfort? I'm learning that forgiveness doesn't mean abandoning ourselves, that boundaries aren't bitterness, and that sometimes being the bigger person isn't nearly as important as being a whole person.
No. Take It.
I've never been particularly good at accepting compliments. Give me a little praise, and my brain immediately launches into a full-scale investigation of why the person must be mistaken. But after a day spent laughing, creating, and reconnecting with the theatre family that's been showing up for me for decades, I found myself wondering why it's sometimes easier to believe we're loved than to believe we're admired. Maybe learning to accept a compliment isn't about proving we're worthy of it. Maybe it's simply about trusting the people who see something wonderful in us. And maybe, just maybe, learning to say thank you.
The Best Car Dealership I Didn’t Buy a Car From
We set out to make a financially responsible decision and somehow ended up buying a car from a dealership that wasn't our favorite dealership. Along the way, we met three extraordinary people who reminded us that kindness isn't a transaction, compassion doesn't require a commission, and treating people like they matter should never depend on what we stand to gain. Sometimes the most meaningful part of an experience isn't what we walk away with, but the people we encounter along the way.