United Mothers: Childbirth Hurts Like Heck (But The Baby is Bliss)
I Hate Childbirth, But There Is That Bliss After my first darling was born, I think I went into a form of emotional shock. I was convinced I would have to have years of therapy before I could ever have another child. Sadly, I didn't have the chance to receive...
Wormwood and Other Short Stories: Flash! Friday Fiction
An Aspiring Writer As you might have noticed, I have plunged back into writing fiction. Although essays seem to be more applicable in expressing what I care about, my heart is twined with fiction. Not only do I love to read (which is why I occasionally review for...
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and My Flawed Principle
Nominated for the Epidemic I began seeing signs of this epidemic a few weeks ago. It was spreading. I was cringing. It looked painful. Uncomfortable. And, truth be told, it also looked gimmicky, mainstream, and sportsy. I like to think I am incompatible with all of...
In the Name of Frozen Lasagna, Love Thy Community!
Why Observing How My Community Made Dinners For New Moms Changed My Perspective (A Community Living Post) A Brief History of the Lasagna You might have thought lasagnas were invented in Italy, but they weren't. They were created back when cavemen took their...
The Tunic in the Night: A Short Story
The Tunic in the Night She traced her fingers over the darkest patch of midnight surrounding the bright fuchsia flowers patterned on her tunic. She wondered how the artists printed them on the swarthy cloth, if by ink, or brush or some other means, as the colors...
If You Use Your Options, Misery Is Optional
Have you ever had one of those not-going-as-planned weeks? The week before last, I did. The Bad Ticket and Everything Else "Mommy, why did the police officer give you a bad ticket?" the kids asked. "Well, he gave it to me because he is an evil bastard trying to up his...
Don’t Be Digital Sex Trafficking Prey: Ten-Steps for How Not to Sext (Or Worse) with Random Strangers
Have you ever gotten random texts from a stranger? This happened to me the other day, and not for the first time! Even so, this was my first extended conversation with a person I didn't know (I will let you read it below). I wasn't sure it was a stranger at first....
How I Became An Accidental Expert And Then I Resigned
Last Day of the Rest of My Life Although I have phased out of acting like a director of this almost-non-profit, the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative (NoVA HTI), in the span of time between my third baby being born and now, today is technically the last...
Ten Ways to End Human Trafficking in NoVA
Want to make a difference locally? Here are some easy ideas! Ten Ways to End Human Trafficking in NoVA 1.) "Like" NoVA HTI on Facebook. 2.) Currently we are looking for 5 people to donate $100 per month for a year to help a sex trafficking survior have a place to live...
CATEGORIES
Adventure
PopularSwamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights
Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...
Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids
PopularIdentity Crisis #3467 – My Messy Beautiful
The other day, my daughter was excitedly expressing her admiration of the teachers and helpers at her school. I usually resist the temptation to to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up because at some point in my...
Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces
PopularUnderstanding Terms for Poor Nations vs. Rich Nations
Terms of Poverty Whether in public political addresses or in pleas from non-profits, we have all heard some of these terms thrown around at some point or another. But just because we can infer their general meaning, I...
Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands
Top RatedThe Honest Truth About Loving Deeper (Art of Advocacy)
Loving others seemed good and something to be defined by. Until it was loving the same small group...
Children-in-Need, Clean Water, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Global Health, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States
Top RatedShould We Participate in Operation Christmas Child?
I’ve been doing Operation Christmas Child (OCC) for years and have encouraged you guys to...
Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking
Top RatedWhy We Need To Start Talking To Our Kids About Modern Slavery
Update 2021: This course is currently offline. Since, it has been renamed Conversations With...
Leadership
LatestResponding to Injustice With Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn
Do our responses to social issues reflect trauma responses? If so, how can we help ourselves to help others better?
Spiritual Discipleship
LatestWe Can’t Escape Real Life While Changemaking
We can't escape real life while we are changemaking. The context matters. Let's be aware of these four elements as we create change.
Life Purpose, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Productivity
LatestResponding to Injustice With Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn
Do our responses to social issues reflect trauma responses? If so, how can we help ourselves to help others better?
Responding to Injustice With Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn
Do our responses to social issues reflect trauma responses? If so, how can we help ourselves to help others better?
We Can’t Escape Real Life While Changemaking
We can’t escape real life while we are changemaking. The context matters. Let’s be aware of these four elements as we create change.
Reducing Trauma’s Influence in Doing Good: Justice Daily – S2.E2.
How do we reduce trauma’s influence in our work of doing good? In this Justice Daily Interview with Michelle Stiffler, a trauma specialist, we learn about helping us endure beyond burnout and get real about Fight Flight, Fawn, Freeze
What is Happening With Migrants Near San Diego?
What is happening with migrants in San Diego? Are there really outdoor detention camps in Jucumba California for asylum seekers? Here’s what I saw.
Notes From Birmingham Jail & 60th Anniversary of the March
Honestly, I’ve never read more than clips of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s works, even though I’ve talked them up. A major world-changer, Dr. King is mostly known for his “I Have a Dream” speech...
Hypocrisy and the Love Your Neighbor T-Shirt
Why I couldn’t wear the “Love your neighbor” t-shirt and how we become.