Have you ever wondered where joy fits when life feels hard? Joy and happiness often feel easiest when life is cooperating. When things are flowing, joy feels natural and even expected. When life feels heavy, uncertain, or painful, joy can seem out of reach or even inappropriate. I want to remind you that joy does …
Wow. What a time to be alive. And I do not mean that lightly. Life can feel overwhelming in personal ways, while the world around us feels heavy, too. You might be navigating grief, health challenges, financial stress, or relationship shifts, all while watching events unfold in your neighborhood, city, or country. Holding both can …
There’s that quiet nudge many of us know well. The one that whispers, try this, say yes, or step forward. It rarely arrives loudly. More often, it shows up softly, mixed with excitement, nerves, and questions. The real work isn’t answering it immediately. It’s listening. Do you listen to that nudge or do you brush …
I saw the movie Wicked: For Good last week, and I know it will stay with me for a long time. I love movies and music, so I fully expected to love it, and it did not disappoint. This is part two of last year’s Wicked, and I loved part one just as much. While …
Can you believe it’s almost a new year? This season offers a natural pause to reflect on the past year and notice what brought you happiness and gratitude, what challenged you, and what left you feeling frustrated. I like to take this time to see where I was, where I am, what I want to …
I was going to write about something completely different. And the last few days of sadness asked me not to turn away. The 14th marked the anniversary of my mom’s transition. It also marked the anniversary of the murder of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Add to that reports of …
Have you ever paused to think about what you truly wish for? Not just fleeting wants, but those deep desires that make your heart beat a little faster when you imagine them. Some wishes unfold in ways we hope, while others take unexpected paths or never happen at all. For example, I once wished to …
Are you good with change? It probably depends on the change. The kind we choose feels different from the kind we don’t, even when it is necessary. I live in Chicago, and we had our first snowfall of the season yesterday. We’ve had snow in November before, but it still feels early. I wasn’t ready …
Dear ICE member, What happened to you that hardened your heart enough to do the job you’re doing now? I’m sorry for whatever pain or trauma brought you to this place. What happened to you that made you believe your pain could be eased by causing pain to others? Your healing won’t come from someone …
Can you believe we are in the fourth quarter of 2025? I know I’m more of a baseball fan than a football fan, but this analogy fits. It’s easy to see each day as just another copy of the one before, and yet, each day is different if we pay attention. As the year winds …
