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Caller: “What’s up, man? How are you?” Me: “I’m cool. What’s up?” Caller: “Did you hear anything about Brad passing away?” A wave of numbness crossed my tongue as I held a shallow breath. Me: “Naw, man….I haven’t heard that,” sounding perplexed. Caller: “Someone’s calling. I gotta take this call. I’ll…I’ll call you back. Bye.” I got off of the phone confused, but tried not to worry. I was…

For those who have been here before: I know, I know. I haven’t been around in a while. I can explain. But for now, just know I’ve been hunkered down writing almost everyday trying to refine my style and gettin the sh*t done. I’ve been wanting to write in this room but my daily writing has required my undivided attention. Friends? Yes. Let’s be. For those who are here for the first time: Welcome.…

If you’ve been with me this long, you’ve undoubtedly noticed something: I tend to overthink. I’ve tried to NOT do it, which hasn’t worked. I really gave it my best try. Denial is the first step, they say but I’m not buying it. I tried denying that I was an overthinker. That only lasted a few steps before I started thinking about ignoring this ridiculous trait of mine. UGH! I want to scream! I’ve…

Today, I saw a YouTube short captioned “There are two types of people when it comes to the Jumbotron.” The video contrasts the difference in reaction between Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Goldblum. DiCaprio doesn’t know he’s on the Jumbotron, staring down at his phone the entire time, while Goldblum astonishingly realizes he’s on the big screen and begins to engage with camera and ultimately the…

It is my most-hated word of 2024, and I hear it all of the time. The word has slid into our lexicon like a potential suitor in the dm’s. And I hate it (not truly, but still). But that word has taught me something. On a random day this past summer, I learned that I am a literal-minded person. I don’t remember what I was doing when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I paused for a moment as I covered…

Christmas time is my most favorite time of year. I just enjoy seeing families arrive at the airport, the music, the sights: all of it. I get a warm feeling and the backing of my smile is supported by true joy. But it’s a hard climb this time around. Subconsciously I’ve been using the holiday season to both wrap up my year and boost me into the new year. But what usually gets me “over the hump”…

Hey. How have you been? It’s been a while since we’ve checked in. I know, I know. I get it. Really? Has it been that long? Sheesh. I didn’t think it had been that long. Yeah, I’ve been thinking about you for sure. You’re always on my mind; please know that. Who me? How am I doing? I’ve been pretty good, I think. Still doing all the things, figuring out how to be me in this world. You know: the…

(Written on 1 November 2018) Anyone that knows me knows that I enjoy helping people. Even more, I enjoy helping people from behind the curtain, so to speak. I am not a person who desires to be front & center. I specifically prefer the background. The conundrum is that no one sees me. We all like the encouragement of being recognized for contributing to the team. I am no different. But I guess…

I remember everything. Every horrible word. Every terrible action. I thought I had gotten rid of them by moving forward, but I hadn’t dealt with how their comments made me feel. Who are they, you ask? Various people throughout my life, who I felt had done me wrong (in some way). Being made fun of because I wasn’t cool (coolness is a trauma response-we’ll talk about that another time)? Let’s…

Why does pain hurt so bad? I mean, I could learn to love lessons if they didn’t come with pain attached. We’ve all heard the age-old adage, “No pain. No gain.” But sometimes, I’d like to have gains devoid of pain. In the same vein, I treated pain as a virtue. I figure if I didn’t feel pain, it must not be profiting me very much (it’s not right but it’s how I thought). That couldn’t be further…

I think that gifts and struggles overlap. Like, we’re not placed in the same area as another person who has the same gifting as you. I feel the same about personal struggles (but we’ll save that for another time). A person with the gift of kindness is sparsely populated in an area that doesn’t have another person of the same gifting. The problem is that I see the enormous need for kindness;…

Sunday morning, I was feeling a bit out of it. Stacy and I had had an “intense fellowship” moment, and I just couldn’t seem to focus on anything. I asked on the way to Sunday school, I made it a point to listen out for God’s voice, as I needed something to break my lack of focus. 

There was an activity in particular that got my attention. Ms. Susan (the teacher) instructed the children, “I…

Fanfare for the Uncommon Man

The week has been interesting, to say the least. I’ve tried to cry a couple times in an effort to feel better, but my account is in the negative. I virtually attended the funeral of a band upperclassmen that I went to high school with. He was a kind guy and was loved by many. 

Pause. It isn’t lost on me how strange it is to say that I “virtually attended” a funeral. Things are certainly…

The Nudge We All Need

The elephant in the room says I haven’t been posting much. Who asked you, Ms. Elephant? Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have posted tonight, but I got a nudge from an unexpected source . More about that in a moment. First, Let me explain where I’ve been.

My last post was published on October 23, 2019 (Fear: I Don’t Want To Lose You). The next month, we had our second child, Bella-Jae. Already…

FEAR: I Don’t Want To Lose You

  Before we begin: I started this series called “FEAR” two years ago this month. It has done me some good and hopefully has helped you recognize motivations in your own lives.

I have been learning more about myself as a result of delving into fear more than I ever have. It’s a beautiful thing, but it also has been hideous to see myself and some of the things I’ve done; all in the name of fear……I…

Hello, it’s me.

No, not like the Todd Rungren 1972 classic (although it’s groovin’).

It has been quite a while since I’ve written anything here. There’s quite a lot going on. This past week, I quietly celebrated 8 years of writing for Give Love Live More. Wow! That’s something. I’ve written a little, I’ve written a lot and sometimes in between. You all have seen me grow over the years, and I’m still growing. In…

belly hugs rule the world

…or they should.

My son Rex has this thing that he does: He will unzip his onesie, say “belly” and then “hug-hug.” It didn’t take long for us to get what he was alluding to. He even would go as far as lifting up my shirt. He wanted a belly hug! I gladly complied with his request. Maybe he was born with that type of insight because we didn’t teach him that.

I believe I’ve said this before in a…