For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to words. Strung together and paired with pictures, words introduced me to new worlds. The stories taught me to exercise my own imagination and ask, "what if?" in response to the mundane and the absurd. As a young child, I sat in my parents' laps... Continue Reading →
Planned Spontaneity
When my boyfriend and I first began dating, it quickly became clear that while I preferred schedules, he enjoyed going with the flow. A perfect example of this was when, just a month into our relationship, he proposed that we do something spontaneous so I could experience the uncertainty and excitement of a blank to-do... Continue Reading →
True Security is Peace
In yoga, teachers often speak of non-attachment, encouraging students to embrace a mindset of contentment. When things go wrong--as they always do--we are told to sit back and observe our feelings, watching them float past without judgement. The same practice is advised for celebratory occasions to which we may cling: observe any thoughts and allow... Continue Reading →
One Little Ball of Dirt
I attended Catholic school as a child and vividly remember the excitement as blaring sirens drew hundreds of of plaid skirts and navy shorts into a dozen single-file lines. When the monthly fire drills went well, the principal--a stern, gray-haired nun--would announce a "free dress day." The prospective of leaving my stiff skirts and collared shirt... Continue Reading →
The Distraction Drug
My parents limited my media diet as a child. I was allowed one hour of PBS on weekdays, an hour of cartoons on the weekends, and Disney VHS tapes on occasion. I never had a game console and the only computer games I played were educational in nature—math, science, geography, and art. For the most... Continue Reading →