Things I’ve learned that have served me well

I had a birthday recently, and I was thinking lately about things I've learned at different stages of life. It's funny, getting older - things that seemed important or urgent when you were younger no longer matter. Things you used to fall for you now see through. I thought about the big lessons I learned … Continue reading Things I’ve learned that have served me well

For those who learned to endure

I was talking to someone recently about the astoundingly ignorant response of "Why didn't they just leave?" that people give sometimes in response to things like abusive relationships or cults or toxic friendships and things of that nature - and how people who have never been in those situations like to convince themselves that they … Continue reading For those who learned to endure

Give yourself the gift of anger

I found this in my online travels, and since I'm not much for the "traditional" Western Christian version of Christmas, I thought - here's an actual useful lesson for the holiday that purports to be about lessons: It's okay to hold onto anger. You are not obligated to forgive. Not "because it's family." Not "because … Continue reading Give yourself the gift of anger

“The closing walls and the ticking clocks”

Studies have shown that there's a powerful link between scent and memory. I have personally found this to be profoundly true. One breath in and suddenly I'm transported into the past. I have smell triggers. Lilies remind me of funerals. The smell of matches reminds me of burning candles late at night in my room … Continue reading “The closing walls and the ticking clocks”