"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -Mahatma Gandhi I left the church behind years ago for many reasons--most of which involved the long journey of accepting the person I was and falling in love with that person. A person the church told me growing … Continue reading Christians: So Unlike Your Christ
Self-Reflection
Things Hidden and Things Revealed
Photo by Dima Pechurin on Unsplash One doorTwo sidesThings hiddenThings revealed One side keeps everything locked awayOne side means putting everything out for the world to seeHiding is a double edged sword that’s both familiar and lonelyComfort comes from knowing that no one else can see through the darknessBut the same darkness that feels safe … Continue reading Things Hidden and Things Revealed
Welcome to 2022!
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash Ok, so I realize I'm about 11 days late to the party of wishing a Happy New Year, but better late than never, right? Personally, I'm wading very carefully into 2022--taking one tippy toe at a time and putting it in the water sloooooowly. We've all seen how the … Continue reading Welcome to 2022!
Picking up the Broken Pieces
Today was a great day in history. President Joe Biden and Madame Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to ever be selected for the position, were inaugurated into their presidential positions. Likewise, Donald Trump's four-year reign of terror, lies, and hatred have come to an end. Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash … Continue reading Picking up the Broken Pieces
September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 16: Correction
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash Excuse me while I go back and make a correction Perhaps it’d be different with better directions I cannot erase what isn’t perfection I keep striving to find a worthy reflection Excuse me while I go back and make a correction What sticks out to me is imperfection I’m starting to understand … Continue reading September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 16: Correction
September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 13: Who Am I?
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash Who Am I? Who am I? A wanderer in a vast and complicated world An explorer lost inside my own mind, where I find both the best and worst company Who am I? A creator in an empty library filled with blank pages An author twisting letters into words and words into … Continue reading September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 13: Who Am I?
September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 9: The Father
Photo by Julie Johnson on Unsplash When I was younger, my father used to take us camping every summer. I remember the camping trips were the highlight of the year, and we waited eagerly for the weekend when we would go out into the middle of nowhere for three to five days, pitch a tent, and make … Continue reading September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 9: The Father
September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 6: The Treasure
Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash There are many definitions for the word “Treasure.” According to Merriam-Webster, treasure can be “wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded; wealth of any kind or in any form; a store of money in reserve; something of great worth or value, also: a person esteemed as rare … Continue reading September Creative Writing Challenge – Day 6: The Treasure
Trigger Me
Working through negative cues while in treatment Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash I’ve been working in substance abuse counseling for the past two years. I never intended to go into substance abuse counseling — I just jumped into an opportunity that came up as I was preparing to leave my time-limited job at the university where I … Continue reading Trigger Me
Moving Past “I want…” and into “I am…”
Photo by Clever Visuals on Unsplash I usually try to have a writing craft book in my “currently reading” pile or bookshelf, and right now I’m reading DIY MFA by Gabriela Pereira. I’m really enjoying her writing style, and she presents her tips, tricks, and knowledge to her readers in an easy-to-follow way that allows readers … Continue reading Moving Past “I want…” and into “I am…”
Joshua's Musings 