We’ve heard it said that we should bless our enemies, and I want to emphasize the truth within blessing the hell out of people. An eye for an eye doesn’t change anything, it simply adds to the # of hurting people out there in the world. I believe we literally can bless the hell out […]
Bless the Hell Out of People Read More »
Movie night with my family led us to watch “The Lorax.” I’ve often spoke of how I enjoy children’s movies more than adult movies for the sole reason that I believe they speak to the soul more deeply with spiritual lessons. I’m enthralled with Dr. Seuss and convinced he was an enlightened being that graced
This evening, I was snuggling with my daughter as I usually do for about 10 minutes every night and a quote that I’d read the other day hit me, “At some point of your childhood you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time, and nobody knew it.” This quote has
My 6 year old daughter just got her first “big girl” haircut today. She’d gotten hair cuts in the past, but for some reason this one felt different for me. I think it’s because we’d always trimmed it, while steadily letting it grow long like Rapunzel. She’d wanted hair like Rapunzel for the longest time
Haircuts, An Exercise in Letting Go Read More »
Sometimes we get a gem of wisdom gifted to us by another. Today, while making small talk with a woman who I see frequently at my yoga studio, I was gifted such a moment. She asked how my daughter was and I said, “She’s great except for when she tests me, which seems to be
It’s Not Me Against You Read More »
Don’t offload your trauma onto your children, otherwise your children will feel the same way that you do someday and they deserve better. At times in my own life, I’ve offloaded my own frustration onto my daughter. Many of us have done it. We are stressed out, they are there and our energy ends up
What’s in Your Cup? Read More »
The other night my fiancé and I laid in bed and had an interesting debate. We were debating the # of followers that individuals’ had on Instagram and what this data is telling us. I have been filling my mind with nothing, but positivity and spiritual teachings for well over a year and I was
Public Attraction: Who Do You Follow? Read More »
Last week when I’d dropped my grandfather home after church, he’d asked me what my plans were and I told him I was undecided but threw out some options of things I may do when we parted ways. As I drove away, I realized that asking me if I had any plans was his way
Sacred Moments / Distant Family Read More »
Last night I was feeling really insecure about my ability to parent and I spoke to my fiance about it as we laid down in bed. However looking back I realize I was not intentional and direct in my communication. I was not clearly asking for what I needed. I explained that I felt like
Vulnerable & Intentional Communication Read More »
I attend church every Sunday. I know that church is supposed to convict you sometimes. When we hear something that resonates in the core of our being and we are doing the opposite, it can help us to take notice and repent (change direction) so that we may have a more fulfilling life. Truth is
Homosexuality and Church Read More »
If you’ve read my prior post concerning consciously making a bad choice, you’ll know that I’m currently struggling through parenting an explosive child and know my stance on hitting as a form of discipline. However, I’m beginning to learn from those around me that there is value in tough love and that love doesn’t always
Minimalism and Parenting Read More »
This week I got myself really worked up about a choice that I’d made that didn’t go so hot. I’m being incredibly vulnerable in sharing this story with the hope that it helps you to extend yourself a bit of grace if you’ve ever done something similar or found yourself in the pit of self-loathing
Consciously Making a Bad Choice Read More »
Kids have a way of triggering emotions in their parents. This morning as I was giving my daughter a shower, her lack of listening skills really got to me. Lately, I feel that I have been having to repeat myself one too many times. By one too many, I mean it’s literally like 6-10 times
Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr. Last night my daughter decided to have a mega tantrum after being asked to put
Fight Anger With Love Read More »
This morning, the universe played an interesting joke on me. My daughter’s picture day was today. We had gone out yesterday picking out her outfit and coordinating her perfectly so that she would look perfect for her school photo shoot today. This morning we got her dressed and I put extra effort into her hair
The Joy of School Picture Day Read More »
This morning as I was reading, my daughter was playing in the living room. She was acting a bit hyper and throwing herself around without a care in the world and as she thumped on the ground with her body, I kept telling her to be careful with her body because it’s the only one
Stop Being Careless! Read More »
My day started off a bit rocky. The 5-year-old diva who lives under my roof decided that she did not want to be a cooperative member of the familial unit today. I’m not entirely sure if she just woke up on the wrong side of the bed or what transpired, but she was adamant that
I Don’t Want to Get Dressed! Read More »
This year I’ve been spending a lot of time doing inner work. I’ve been digging into my past and learning new ways of being with the help of a therapist, church, and many books in the spiritual/growth/self-help/psychology genres. I’ve been working to cultivate awareness through yoga and meditation. I’ve been listening to uplifting music and
Trauma Triggered Through Parenting Read More »
It’s interesting how people can be so close and over time become strangers. Whether it’s because feelings get hurt and do not heal in time for the relationship to mend or the lack of putting effort into the relationship, it never feels great when you run into that person and realize how awkward it now
Friends to Strangers Read More »
I am a huge fan of children’s movies as I feel they have deeper messages than most adult films. As a child, I recall watching all of the classics over and over again. Now as an adult, watching some of the same movies with my own daughter, I am realizing how deep some of these
We Are The Bergens Read More »
Oddly enough as I was reading “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, I began to question my faith a bit. As much as I hated to admit it, I was a bit shaken by the cruelty and despair that those in Auschwitz endured. The human ugliness caught me a bit unaware as I have
So often in life we think we know exactly what we want, how things should go, where we want to be, how we’re going to get there, and who we must be to succeed. However, tonight as I was laying with my daughter, I realized that the best pieces of my life are pieces that
How is it that sometimes when you intend to help someone, you wind up hurting them? I’m asking this question this morning in light of an experience where I meant well in my honesty with a close relative of mine, but it somehow ended in my dining alone. As I sat alone at the table,
Shining Light in Dark Places Read More »
Our children certainly have a way of bringing out the best… and the worst in us. From warm hugs to the temper tantrums, there is nothing else in life that forces us to stretch who we are in such significant ways. While often we think we are the ones guiding them and helping them grow,
Who’s Teaching Who? Read More »
Being a parent is wonderful, but we can’t deny the fact that it also comes with it’s not so glamorous challenges. Children have a way of knowing exactly what button to push on any given day to insight a reaction from us. It’s as though they come with their very own instructional manual that tells
Parenting as an Impatient Introvert Read More »