Dear readers,

As someone who’s been around children of all ages—whether parenting, mentoring, teaching, or just being the “go-to” person in the family—I’ve come to believe that one of the most powerful gifts we can give our kids isn’t found in a textbook or a toy aisle. It’s emotional intelligence.

And before you roll your eyes at the phrase (because yes, it’s everywhere), I want to pause and break it down in a way that makes it less clinical and more real life. Emotional intelligence is simply the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions—our own and others’. It’s being aware of how we feel, why we feel that way, and knowing how to navigate those emotions in a healthy way. And let me tell you:

Dear readers,

Let’s have a real moment here. Gratitude isn’t always easy.

I know what the quotes say—“Gratitude turns what we have into enough,” “Start each day with a grateful heart,” and all that—but when life is hitting hard, when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or dealing with stuff nobody even knows about? Gratitude can feel like just one more thing on your to-do list. And if I’m being honest, there have been days where I’ve asked myself, How can I feel grateful when I’m also feeling so low?

But here’s what I’ve learned: gratitude isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s not about faking smiles or silencing sadness. Gratitude and grief, gratitude and struggle—they can coexist. And when they do, something

Dear readers,

Faith is one of those things that’s deeply personal and sometimes hard to put into words. I’m still figuring it out myself—and honestly, some days it feels stronger than ever, and other days I feel like I’m just trying to hold on to it. But I wanted to write this, not as an expert or someone who has it all together, but just as a woman on her own journey—reminding herself what matters.

For me, faith means trusting in something bigger than myself… even when things don’t make sense. Especially when they don’t.

I remember a time not too long ago when life felt

Dear Readers,

Let’s be real for a second.

Relationships are meant to be about support — not suffocation.

Partnership — not pressure.

Shared lives — not one person orbiting the other like a satellite.

But somewhere along the way, people get it twisted.

They start believing that because they have the energy, the time, or the drive to give 100% in a certain way, you should be able to do the same.

And when you can’t — or don’t — it turns into guilt trips, accusations, or the weight of feeling “not enough.”

Here’s the truth:

Dear readers,

Working in the nonprofit sector often feels like a calling—a deep desire to help others, make a meaningful impact, and change the world for the better. But let’s be real: the reality of nonprofit work isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s demanding, draining, and sometimes downright exhausting.

I’ve been there—juggling multiple roles, working long hours, and giving everything I have to a cause I believe in. And while passion for your work can fuel you, it can also leave you running on empty if you’re not careful. Self-care? Well, that often falls to the bottom of the to-do list when there’s always one more deadline, one more event, one more person to help.

But here’s the thing:

We’ve all heard the saying: “Hurt people hurt people.” And it’s true—people who carry deep pain often project that pain onto others. They lash out, shift blame, dismiss your feelings, or twist your words. Maybe you’ve felt this firsthand. Maybe you’ve poured your heart into someone, only to be met with criticism, anger, or silence. It’s draining, isn’t it?

Being mistreated—especially by someone you love—can leave you feeling invisible and questioning yourself. You start wondering, “What’s wrong with me? Why do they treat me this way?” But here’s the truth:

This morning’s verse on my Bible app really spoke to me:

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” – Romans 5:3 (KJV)

Over the last year and a half, life has felt like one storm after another. I’ve faced so many challenges that, for a long time, I truly wondered if I was being punished. That’s where my mind stayed for months—thinking maybe I had done something wrong, and that’s why it felt like everything was falling apart.

But lately,

Dear Readers,

We’ve all done it—held ourselves back, waiting for the “perfect” moment, the “right” circumstances, or the “ideal” version of ourselves before taking action. But here’s the truth I’ve had to face: waiting is just another way of staying stuck.

Today, I’m making a choice. I’m choosing to show up—flaws, doubts, and all. Because I’ve realized that growth doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect conditions. It comes from stepping into the unknown, doing the work, and learning along the way.

And if you’ve been waiting too—

Dear readers,

As we navigate life's challenges, it's easy to forget one of the most important things: taking care of ourselves. Self-care isn't just a buzzword; it's a vital practice that helps us maintain our mental well-being. In today's fast-paced world, dedicating time to self-care can be transformative. For me, self-care has been a journey of trial and error, but one that has brought immense peace and clarity.

I remember a particularly overwhelming period in my life when I was juggling multiple responsibilities and feeling burnt out. A friend suggested I start small with just a few minutes of meditation each day. At first, it felt awkward, but gradually, I began to look forward to those quiet moments. It was like a

The other day, my daughter said something that stopped me in my tracks. She’s barely a teenager, but her words carried more wisdom than some adults I know. She looked at me and said:

“You can’t light the fire and ask it why it’s burning.”

It was her response after I finally stood my ground with someone who had been treating me poorly for a long time. The little digs, the cold tone, the disrespect — I let it slide over and over. I tried to give grace, hoping things would get better.

But one day,

Dear readers,

I read something recently that hit in that quiet, gut-level way.

“6 + 3 = 9, but so does 5 + 4.

The way you do things isn’t always the only way to do them. Respect other people’s way of thinking.” I’ll even add 7 + 2.

Simple. But layered.

Because somewhere along the line, many of us were conditioned to believe there was only one right way to show up in this world. That the path we were taught—whether in our households, our churches, or even within ourselves—was the blueprint everyone else should follow too.

But the truth is:

Dear Readers,

Let’s clear something up right now:

Struggling doesn’t make you weak.

Needing help doesn’t make you broken.

Getting support isn’t something to be ashamed of — it’s strength in its rawest form.

We live in a culture that rewards the hustle. We’re praised for “toughing it out,” for being independent, for staying quiet and handling things behind the scenes.

But at some point, silence starts to feel like suffocation.

And the strongest thing you can do… is breathe anyway.

Some of us grew up thinking we had to survive everything on our own. We weren’t taught how to talk about pain. We were taught how to

Dear Readers,

We’ve all had days we wish we could erase.

Words we wish we hadn’t said.

Doors we wish we hadn’t slammed.

People we wish we hadn’t hurt.

Versions of ourselves we never wanted anyone to see.

Maybe for you, it was one bad decision — or maybe it was a whole season of spiraling. Either way, it left you questioning your worth. You wonder if people look at you differently now. You wonder if God does too.

Let me remind you of something sacred and true:

God does not hold your worst day against you.

He doesn’t define you by the moment you broke down, messed up, gave in, shut off, or acted out. He doesn’t throw your regrets back in your face like people do. He doesn’t whisper your failures behind your back.

He already knows the ugliest parts of your story — and He still chose you.

That bad day didn’t shock Him.

That mistake

Dear Readers,

There are moments when the pressure builds so quietly, so gradually, that you don’t even realize how much you’ve been holding in — until suddenly, you’re drowning in it. And it spills out in a burst: words you didn’t mean, silence that shuts everyone out, anger you can’t explain, or tears you didn’t plan to cry.

And then the shame hits.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Why did I do that?”

“Why am I like this?”

I want to gently say this

Dear Readers,

During our weekly women’s Bible study, my sister asked a question that didn’t just land — it lingered.

“What name have you been answering to that God never gave you?”

At first, it sounded like a simple reflection. One of those pause-and-think-for-a-second questions.

But then, the room fell quiet.

And in the stillness, I realized: this was not a surface-level question. It was a soul-level one.

Because if we’re being honest, most of us have been answering to names we were never meant to carry.

We’ve been responding to labels given to us by pain, by people, by pressure.

We’ve accepted definitions that were born out of trauma, criticism, or comparison — and we’ve worn them like identity badges.

Names like:

Grits & Grace: Celebrating the Many Faces of Fatherhood This Father’s Day

Dear Readers,

Father’s Day is a moment to pause and honor the men who have shaped our lives—the ones who have stood by us with strength, offered wisdom, and shown us love that carries us through. But fatherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not just about biology or tradition. It’s about the grit and grace shown by every man who steps up, whether he’s a dad, a grandfather, a mentor, or a friend who became family.

This year, I want to celebrate the many faces of fatherhood—those quiet heroes who

The Power of Showing Up Soft… Even When Life Gets Loud

Dear Readers,

There’s something I’ve been sitting with lately — something that’s reshaped how I lead, rest, and move through the world: the idea of soft resilience.

Being soft doesn’t mean being weak. And being strong doesn’t mean being hard. You can carry grace and grit in the same body. You can lead with tenderness and still hold your ground. That’s the balance I’m learning to walk, and if I’m honest — it’s taken years to get here.

I’ve had to show up in rooms that expected me to shrink, and I’ve had to stay grounded in spaces that tried to steal

Greetings, dear online community!

As we conclude our exploration of the digital realm’s intricacies, this final installment invites you to reflect on the profound journey we’ve undertaken together. In this culmination, we’ll delve even deeper into the nuanced aspects of our digital journey, offering insights and strategies to foster lasting harmony.

The Dynamics of Digital Connection: Navigating Nuanced Challenges

In the realm of digital connection, we often encounter nuanced challenges that require a thoughtful approach. Take, for instance, the pressure to curate a flawless online presence. Many of us grapple with

Dear readers,

Anxiety has been a constant companion in my life, and I'm still figuring out how to manage it. As I navigate these challenges, I'm reminded that I'm not alone, and I hope that by sharing my experiences, others may find comfort in knowing they're not alone either. This blog post is as much for me as it is for you – a reminder to prioritize self-care and mindfulness in my own life.

One strategy that's helped me is mindfulness meditation. By dedicating a few minutes each day to quiet reflection, I've been able to calm my mind and reduce feelings of overwhelm. I've found that even a short meditation session can help me feel more grounded and centered, ready to face whatever challenges come my way.

Another strategy that's helped me is setting boundaries. Learning to say no without feeling

Let me be honest—raising teens is not for the faint of heart.

Sometimes I look at my kids and think, “How are you this strong already?” Other times I think, “Whew… we’re all just out here surviving.” I didn’t grow up in the world they’re growing up in. Social media wasn’t a thing. Phones didn’t have cameras. The pressure to perform, present, and be “perfect” wasn’t right there in your hand 24/7.

But I do remember what it felt like to be unsure, overwhelmed, and honestly… to want to give up sometimes. I think that’s where resilience comes in—not just for them, but for us too.

It’s wild how parenting makes you reflect on your own growth. I didn’t always have the words for what I was learning back then,