Innocent Beauty

After almost ten years of working with children one-on-one, I have learned so many more of their characteristics than I knew when I began---such as little boys' eagerness to impress me or the traits of carefree students versus perfectionist students. My most cherished realization emanated from young girls who are still in that delightful stage of innocence...

Sometimes We Cry

One day last week, I left a positive job interview and, not feeling like being alone at the moment, decided to stop by my church and talk to one of my friends. When I stepped into her office and sat down, she greeted me with a cheery, "Hey! How did the interview go?"
  
I opened my mouth to share my good news, but my voice cracked instead....

A Little Something Extra For Lunch

Soon I will be changing my place of employment, after about six years at my current location. Realizing I would have to make this transition hit me quite hard; this was, by far, my favorite place I have ever worked. I know a lot of that is due to the people I work with---people who I first viewed as simply co-workers...then friends...and, ultimately, family.

 
Knowing I have approximately two weeks remaining before saying those dreaded goodbyes, a lot of memorable, light-hearted moments continue to pop up in my mind.

A Dream Deflated

One of my deepest passions is music---playing it, writing it, singing it, teaching it....Although I feel the music wanting to ooze out of me, it also pushes me to a place of vulnerability since I feel like I'm sharing such a personal part of myself. I continually feel it tugging inside of me---something I feel I must do, as long as I am able, in order to feel whole and fulfilled. Hopefully, God will somehow use it to make a difference for someone.

Today someone criticized my abilities....

What *Charlie* Taught Me

For a few years, I had two brothers who ram-bunctiously entered my studio each week where I teach piano. I would hear them as they charged up the stairs, fighting and shoving each other all the way up. They were big boys for their age, probably weighed as much as I do when they were only 7 or 8 years old. I sighed when I saw them coming. I kept an eye on the clock during each of their 30-minute lessons, where they back-talked, banged the keys, whined, threw their heads down on the piano....

Stick It Out More!

Having been a member of a gym since I was 19 years old, I rarely get embarrassed or self-conscious working out in a public place. I love the freedom of walking in with my hair pulled back, wearing comfy workout clothes and no make-up, yet looking right at home with everyone else. I've grown at ease walking into the free weights area and doing my bench-press, barely even noticing that I’m the only girl in a group of tough, muscular guys. I didn’t even get embarrassed a few years ago when I dropped a 25 pound weight on my foot. I picked it up and went on as if I was fine---although I thought I would pass out. I stubbornly finished my workout, then when I got to my car, took my shoe and (bloody) sock off to check out the damage.

But I was recently badly embarrassed at the gym.

Getting Good At Being Myself

I arrived home really tired  an afternoon of visiting family. As I sat down to fold laundry, I flipped on the TV, where the last part of a pageant was on. I always think wistfully about the winners' great opportunities for scholarships, world travel, raising awareness for good causes, and inspiring so many people. But I suddenly realized, as beautiful as those lovely contestants are, I don’t wish I looked like them anymore. I don’t compare myself to them or feel inferior or misshapen or ugly and short. I don't care that I don't have their perfect smiles or glowing tans. Looking like them used to equal ‘looking perfect’ in my mind, and I've noticed myself losing interest in that pressure to achieve a mythical, perfect look.