It's been a long and challenging week in the news. There's a lot of healing that needs to be done in our country and our world.

As you know, I love quotes, and I want to talk about another one that moved me recently.

"Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone." -Allan Watts

I had a still moment this week watching the news. A story about people, mostly college students, climbing the stairs at Tiger Stadium at LSU, as a way to remember the victims of Sept. 11. The stadium was filled to the brim with students climbing stairs. It was very, very early.

It really moved me. Most of these students weren't even alive for the Sept. 11 attacks. And so few college students see that pre-dawn hour of the day.

But it showed me there is hope and goodness, We're going to be OK, because most of us want the same things -- purpose, safety and belonging.

Links from this episode:

My Book! Living in the Gray – A Memoir About Navigating Life’s Paradoxes

Allan Watts, the British philosopher

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

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• Facebook
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I love good quotes. So I want to talk about a great one I heard:

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned."

We all have this in our lives. It might be about someone hurt us. It might be because we're angry at someone. Regardless, we all have it.

One of the ways I combat this is through metta meditation. This is such a powerful practice, and it's one I do often. At its root, it's quite simple. I focus on four thoughts:

May I be happy.

May I be safe.

May I forgive myself.

May I forgive others.

It's pretty easy.

Then, I make the same statements about someone I know.

Again, fairly simple.

Here's where I really dig in. Next, I make those statements about someone I don't know. It could be a stranger I pass on the street, or someone I see that stays in my memory.

Finally, I say them about someone I don't necessarily care for, or who hurt me deeply.

May they be happy.

May they be safe.

May they forgive themselves.

May they forgive others.

Believe me when I say this works. You're releasing the anger and creating forgiveness and compassion. It's going to bring you peace.

Links from this episode:

My Book! Living in the Gray – A Memoir About Navigating Life’s Paradoxes

Insight Timer

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

I've had to train my brain that there's a lot of good out there. It doesn't come naturally -- we're wired to look for danger to keep us safe. But our brains aren't bosses, they're employees,

I've been spending time each night picturing how I want my life to turn out. And then I do the same with the most important people in my life -- I picture them doing the things they most want to do in life.

It's no guarantee, but it surely doesn't hurt. And a few of the things I regularly manifest for myself and for others have happened.

I share tips on how to do this positivity practice.

Links from this episode:

My Book! Living in the Gray – A Memoir About Navigating Life’s Paradoxes

Unprisoned

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

The book is out!

Woke up and friend had ordered my book.

The book will begin landing on people's doorsteps on Aug. 26, my birthday! That's definitely the universe talking!

I'm so thankful that people are spending their money to support me by buying my book.

----

In my full-time job. I work with formerly incarcerated people. We had one gentleman who came to our organization on his birthday not long ago. We always do fun birthday things, and I went to get a cake to celebrate him.

The woman who was decorating the cake told me a story about on her birthday, she always brings tons of food to unhoused people in the community. It was so inspiring! Goodness is contagious.

It led me to rethink how I would celebrate my birthday. And it was awesome.

Links from this episode:

My Book! Living in the Gray – A Memoir About Navigating Life’s Paradoxes

Kendra C Sikes, The Bookologist

Suzie (Austin) business/life coach

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

My book is getting close to coming out! Today, I talk about my process, inspiration, and need to write about what's happening in my life.

I talk about transitioning from sharing my writing with no one, to a few select friends and family, to finally the general public.

For me, writing is a calling. It's my gift. It's why I'm here. It's what God put me here to do,

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

I'm pulling together a ton of really valuable lessons from a range of sources.

We'll look at the different types of self-care and what each one looks like in your life.

What lights you up? Do it. You deserve it.

What's something you're scared of doing? Try doing it, even if simply for the sake of doing it.

Don't forget to have some compassion for yourself. Treat yourself the same way you'd treat a good friend or family member who made a mistake.

Links from this episode:

My Fentanyl Project

Rachel Nielson's 3 in 30 Podcast, with guest Mia Hemstad

Strong Mom

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

Please welcome our special guest -- Lou Lou. He's my 13-year-old son. And he's going to give us a translation of all the latest popular slang parents just don't understand.

Plus offensive punctuation. Did you know a period at the end of a text sentence likely lands as if you, the Gen Xer is mad at the Gen Zer?

But is there hope for overlap? There sure is. We'll spill all the 411. (information)

Links from this episode:

The

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

I heard a great quote, "A bad day for the ego is a great day for the soul." It really resonates with me and I unpack exactly what it means.

You deserve better.

Sometimes, we need to really stop and take a look at ourselves and be honest about what we see. What is most important right now?

Links from this episode:

Dan Harris -- 10% Happier

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

Moving to a new city can generate a lot of inner turmoil. That can bring up feeling of not fitting in or belonging. They're different, and I explain the distinction. I also provide tips on addressing the discomfort and whether fitting in really matters. (Spoiler alert: It might not!)

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack

Are you ready for your 2.0?

I've put together years worth of my writing into a book. And I'm excited to say it's coming out soon!

Living in the Gray is for everyone -- but especially those who feels like there's more to life than you're experiencing.

Links from this episode:

My Fentanyl Project

If you heard yourself in today’s episode, you’re not alone.

My book, Living in the Gray gathers ten years of writing about living inside life’s tensions — the both/and moments that shape who we become. It’s a deeper look at the questions behind these conversations.

Visit my website or Amazon to explore the book, and join me on social media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn:
• Facebook
• Substack