Personal Development

  • Home Is Where the Hope Is

    “Hope is the shape of love not yet experienced, the DNA-deep knowledge of what we’re meant to experience.” —Martha Beck I just got back from a trip home where I spent time at a barbecue with my cousin’s family, my brother and sister-in-law, my niece and a few little children running around, swimming, playing musical…

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  • I’m the kind of person who speaks her mind even when other people don’t like it. This can either be an endearing trait or a dangerous one. Don’t get me wrong, I know when I should hold my tongue, but sometimes I choose not to despite the consequences. In the past, I’ve justified this behavior…

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  • An Ode to Yoda

    The movie Star Wars came out when I was six years old. I remember sitting in the dark movie theater completely mesmerized by the power of the force. Growing up Catholic, the only word that even came close to describing this kind of magical intuitive energy was the holy spirit, which wasn’t nearly as interesting…

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  • Day 14: #Trust30 Project This is the first summer since I was twelve years old that I haven’t worked. When I think back on that particular summer, I remember being so sick and moonfaced from the prednisone prescribed to me while I was hospitalized to control my Crohn’s Disease, I wasn’t able to play softball even…

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  • Day 13: #Trust30 Project When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name; the way, the thought, the good, shall be…

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  • Day 11: #Trust30 Project These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world. Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. – Ralph Waldo Emerson I have made giant leaps in my life, I have taken huge risks…

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  • Day 10: #Trust30 Project Imitation is Suicide. Insist on yourself; never imitate. – Ralph Waldo Emerson In most aspects of my life I do insist on being myself ad nauseam. As a matter of fact, I think we are living in a culture constantly insisting on itself–look at me, notice me, love me, objectify me, hate…

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  • Day 9: #Trust30 Project To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius. – Ralph Waldo Emerson A good friend is going through a personal crisis. She’s facing a financial situation with so many twists and turns, she feels emotionally…

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  • Five Years

    Day 7: #Trust30 Project There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Five years ago this summer, I started an entirely new chapter of my life when I accepted a job at Oprah.com. I left my job of seven…

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  • Come Alive

    Day 6: #Trust30 Project Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Everyone defines their life in a different way. Every day the way we choose to live varies. There are certain actionable responsibilities that go along with daily business of living for all of us–paying your bills, taking your…

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