Is any of the following familiar? If any of these exasperating experiences are familiar, in this series, I offer empathy and tips to navigate an unhealthy medical system. In part 1, I discuss diagnosis hurdles and empowering, experience-based propellors to clarity. In upcoming posts, I’ll focus on easing health insurer and medical bill uncertainties, as …
Thrifty Ways to Use Natural, Personal Care Products
Save money, save space, and you may save your health. This week, my content detours. Through substantial time and effort, I’ve discovered ways to simultaneously improve my wallet and health, while minimizing the number of products in my home. I couldn’t resist sharing successful (at least, for me), nontoxic options to help you avoid the …
Mirror, Mirror
App, app on my phone, like my pic, so I can hear a nice tone. Those likes and, less so for me, the mirror, whisper a tempting idea: it’s not entirely hopeless to strive to be fairer than I actually am. Fairer seems to equal more attention, acceptance and influence. Women put their looks to …
Is Christianity Compatible with Self-Help?
Self-help is a self-sought, self-taught and self-implemented solution. Following Christ, unlike any other remedy, philosophy or religion, is the lasting foundation to help yourself — every day, with any problem. Only Christ offers fearless pursuit of reality and freedom to change. The Subtle Misrepresentation of Self-help, in its Purist Form: Trusting in Yourself Marketers’ mantra …
For Jane
Sometimes, what you don’t have the courage to say haunts you. My vocal cowardice creeks and wakes me. I’ve woken to a nagging, uninvited guest, but I knew the outline of its misshapen face. My passive silence etched its ugly features, which, although air, somehow revealed the solid form of my own weakness. Perhaps, my …
A Hostage to Time
Time, where does it flee? I can’t seem to catch it; the clock’s open hands play a trick on me. Time unforgivingly commands, and I listen. Face down and submissive,I march to its dictatorial beat. Why does time, unbending, control me? Why aren’t I in the lead? Time holds me hostage, no matter the plea. …
Light of the Word
What is it about these pagesthat trap ink, and, yet, free me? They listen without judgment and instruct without decree. These pages absorb my mind’s heavy blows with ease.To them, my turbulent thoughts are air. I’m sure it’s for good, my naked thoughts are stripped by that which does not care. These vaulted pages release my inner darkness;my soul …
For My Parents
At the close of 2021 and in early 2022, a morbid motif flickered before me, but I wanted to ignore its ragged fragments. Eight colleagues or friends lost a parent from various causes. Two, from different families, died the same day. As this sorrowful theme was unfolding, my friend and I went on a walk. …
Mary and the Unplanned
For some, the holiday season is gray. The season’s brightness casts shadows we hoped time had erased. Its glow reminds us the shadow’s original is real. What causes life to dim may still be with you. I’ll go first. My life plans, well, haven’t gone as planned. Passing time seems to parallel growing distance from …
Around the Table
One of my family’s Thanksgiving traditions is going around the table. We each take a turn to share what we’re thankful for. This is my 2021 digital edition. In 2021, I’m thankful for those who inspire me to risk and love. Risk and love are the perfect pair. Risk is pointless without a meaningful result …
