Hey Reader! Ever been to a dinner party where the host, who’s also the chef, is making their signature dish? Everything’s going smoothly...until, of course, someone walks by the pot, takes a little taste, and decides, “This could use a little something extra!” So, they toss in a pinch of salt. Then someone else comes by, takes a bite, and thinks, “Mmm, needs a little kick!” So they add some cayenne pepper. By the time the meal is ready to serve, the dish isn’t what the chef intended at all,...
9 days ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader! I was in the drive-thru at Sheetz the other day, craving an MTO turkey sub and trying to sneak in a win before another long night of practices. I pull up to the speaker, and the guy says, “Welcome to Sheetz, would you like to try our fall pumpkin milkshake today?” I pause. It’s March. I don’t even like pumpkin anything, but now I’m confused. Did I miss a whole season? Am I that tired? Did we fast-forward through summer and volleyball camp? I ask him, “Wait... pumpkin?” He chuckles...
16 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! The other day, I found myself staring at my mint tea like it was a deep philosophical question. I had just finished my second cup of the morning and, as I sipped, I realized I hadn’t really tasted any of it. It was like my mind had already moved on to the next task while my body was still stuck in the routine. I was thinking about a hundred things at once: “Did I send that email?” “What time is my meeting?” “Did I feed the dog yet?” Meanwhile, the tea sat in front of me, lukewarm...
23 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! I recently bought a new car, and let me tell you—it was a wild ride. The back-and-forth with the dealership felt like I was negotiating with a bunch of high-stakes poker players. One day the price was too high, the next day they were "willing to work with me." I spent hours reading reviews, comparing models, checking safety ratings, and calculating monthly payments. Should I go with a sedan or an SUV? Should I opt for the extra features, or stick to the basics? It seemed like...
30 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! So, there I was again on that Saturday morning, staring down the chaos. The 16-year-old was barking orders like she was the commander-in-chief of the house (The Boss), the 14-year-old had already disappeared into her cave—er, I mean, her room—where she’d be for hours (The Burrowed), and the 11-year-old was attached to my side like a shadow, making sure he was never more than a foot away from me (The Backpack). And of course, it got me thinking... ADHD is a family trait, but it’s...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader! I was at a game the other day, watching one of the young women on the team sitting on the sidelines, clearly frustrated. Her body language said it all—arms crossed, eyes glued to the ground, avoiding any interaction with her coach. As the game went on, I overheard a parent asking the coach why their daughter wasn’t getting more playtime. And that’s when it hit me. We’ve all heard it before: “Your daughter needs to learn how to advocate for herself—talk to the coach, not you!” It’s...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! I used to be a very active skier and volleyball player. I mean, I was out there, living my best life on the slopes and crushing volleyballs with the best of them. But, as time has moved on, my body has decided it’s had enough. Skiing and volleyball? Yeah, not so much anymore. I used to think it was just the aches and pains catching up with me, but recently, it hit me—those are just part of the story. The real reason I’ve stopped is that I’m scared. Scared that these new, limited...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey reader! I just wanted a pickle. Nothing hard. Nothing complex. I grabbed the jar, expecting a quick twist and snack. But apparently, Hercules himself had closed it. I tried everything—gripping tighter, using a towel for traction, even that awkward under-the-arm torque move. Nothing. Full effort, veins popping, borderline rage. I was one step away from smashing it open when I decided to put it down and walk away. Five minutes later, I came back. Poof. Like magic, the lid twisted right off....
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! I woke up this morning, and as soon as I stepped outside, the cold hit me like a brick wall. It was dark, I was tired, and all I could think was, “I don’t want to do this today.” I get it. Some days, it feels easier to just stay cozy inside, ignore the world, and not face whatever’s out there. But I’ve learned something over the years: it’s those very moments of discomfort that hold the key to growth. And it got me thinking... How often do I try to avoid discomfort? How many times...
2 months ago • 3 min read