Tiny Little Joys

Call me trendy, but once the NYTimes let me know about “tiny little joys,” I was hooked. And I’m not talking about “a pastel-colored balloon at a child’s third birthday party” kind of joy but something that you can feel even in the darkness (The Joy Reset). “Joy does not exist only in the moments that are free of pain. That’s a false story. In fact, the brightest, tiniest, most important pieces can be found only in the dark” (McDonald). Yes, darkness.

Surrounded by the latest headlines that trigger, ignite and flame your fear, I am still going to ask you for a favor. Remember way back when social media was where you posted your best summer barbecue photos? Before influencers overtook the platform and peach pie pics were replaced by sly advertisements and political rants? I am making a promise to myself, and to y’all, that for the whole glorious month, all that I’ll post are the juicy joys of July. Care to join me? If you believe in the emerging field of positive psychology, I bet you already are saying YES! But where to start?

boy running across a park

Continue reading →

Juneteenth: a celebration of progress

Juneteenth may mark the end of slavery in the United States but must begin with acknowledgement for that bloody time in our history. This Federal holiday asks us to envision new horizons with opportunities for more than hope. Let us note how substantial change comes about, with people making their voices heard loud and clear, through peaceful protests and intentional voting. Looking backwards or forward, regardless, Juneteenth is provocative for it demands that we speak truth and face fact. We are a nation of mostly immigrants, some “Bought, sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare” but at this moment we are all “Praying for a dream” “on the pulse of this new day” (Angelou).

Continue reading →

Desert Gaze

Recently we spent an afternoon in Joshua Tree National Park as a reconnaissance for a longer road trip we hope to do next Fall, and wow, the whole experience was just hours of WOW. Not as hot as we expected and far more beautiful. We discovered a variety of vegetation and land forms under a blue blue sky and a sandy vast earth below. Needless to say, we were quite taken by all of the park. This post is only a first impression, laced with some factual information. The desert gaze is everything fabulous, so yes, please, come wander along with me.

Joshua Tree National Park visit

Continue reading →