
Likes & loves
Clicks & shares
Fans & followers
This became the value of their life
Perfectly lit selfies
Outrageous opinions
Shameless self promotion
Platforms built on illusions & lies
Identities lost
Souls sold for relevance
-LAS

Likes & loves
Clicks & shares
Fans & followers
This became the value of their life
Perfectly lit selfies
Outrageous opinions
Shameless self promotion
Platforms built on illusions & lies
Identities lost
Souls sold for relevance
-LAS

Planted
In rocky soil that refuses the moisture your roots crave
Bloom anyway
Planted
Where the harsh sun and wind threaten to wilt and strip your leaves
Bloom anyway
Planted
Among weeds that push to overtake and choke you
Bloom anyway
Planted
Where your beauty is ignored and your worth questioned
Bloom anyway
Endure. Grow. Survive. Thrive. And against all odds…Bloom anyway. -LAS

Have you ever felt as if you’ve written a phrase or sentence so perfect, so poetic only to realize it just doesn’t fit the piece you’re writing? As a writer, one of the most valuable bits of advice I’ve received is to “never delete.” Words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs that may not work in one piece may be perfect for another. As a result, I’ve created a file of my deleted ideas and words, my own personal word bank ready for withdrawal.
The past few weeks I’ve run the gamut of emotions from grief, to anger, to fear, to hope and joy. And with each of these emotions there has been a flow of ideas I couldn’t fully flesh out, words that just wouldn’t jibe and dueling sentiments I couldn’t quite convey. But I’m okay with that. And so words have been saved, deposits have been made and perhaps one day the withdrawal of those words will present a clear picture of my mind’s musings. In the meantime, let’s write on, friends.

So many voices
So many opinions
So many motives
Are we listening?
Do we understand?
Can we rise above the fray?
“Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking…” – Hebrews 12:25

Progressing
Evaluating the Core of Relationships
Attuning Expectations with Reality
Cultivating the Art of Expression
Exposing Deception to the Light of Truth
-LAS

Verses & stanzas, rhyme & reason, it’s a celebration of the poetic! Couldn’t let the day end without sharing a couple of my new faves. Who’s your favorite poet? Your favorite poem?





On this ?? Day of social/physical distancing and isolation I’m checking in…How are we doing?
Well, over here, I began eager to maximize this time…”I’m going to write! And write some more!” But my creative juices didn’t get the memo, so most days it felt like trying to squeeze water from a dry sponge and on the days I was suddenly awash in ideas and words, I’d sometimes lose half of it before I could put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. *Sigh* What is it they say about best laid plans? My expectations have been realistically adjusted. I also learned early on my anxiety around this virus was real. Although my brain didn’t register it, my body certainly did. My remedy? A whole lot of prayer and turning off the news, filtering the talking heads and limiting my scrolls through the Wild West of social media.
These days…Takeout is a highlight of the week. Weekly early morning store visits are as much an indulgence as they are a strategic maneuver. Music is vital, each day has a soundtrack that calms and energizes. I’ve talked to more distant family and friends in the last few weeks than I probably have all of last year. I’ve Zoomed, FaceTimed, Duoed, HungOut and I’m pretty sure I’m nearing video chat burn out. I’m also convinced we all could use mega doses of patience and grace right now…
Grace for the spouse grappling with unemployment
Grace for the child hitting the keyboard in frustration with virtual learning
Grace for the lonely family member or friend sending random texts in the wee hours of the morning
Grace for every essential & front line worker, the visible and not so visible
And grace for ourselves, just winging it one step at a time.
Be safe, be well and write on, my friends.

In remembrance
Of an act of love so amazing
You and I were on His mind
The joy set before Him
Bruised, Pierced, Crushed
For His beloved
He acquitted us from sin’s penalty of death
Ransomed our souls
No longer enslaved by the darkness of our hearts
Reconciled to the Father
Jesus, the Son
Endured the agony of the Cross
For you and I
He cried, “It is finished!”
But that’s not the end
Sunday is coming… -LAS
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”- John 3:16 NLT

Working out
Exhaling anxiety and frustration
Embracing change and growth
Extending patience and grace
Exercising joy and gratitude- LAS
Write on, read on, teach on, just be…wherever you find yourself today…be well, friends.

Folks are definitely not getting the social distancing memo and cabin fever is real to a lot of people right now. My family took a Sunday drive and circled some regional parks. We thought we might get out to walk some trails but there were way too many people, way too close. *Danger flashers* And back to the homestead we went.

My kids are having takeout withdrawals (even though I’ve bought many of their takeout favorites to cook at home) which tells me 1) we were probably eating out too much and 2) they are way too comfortable spending our money. Here’s to saving a dollar.

Virtual dance classes are being offered everywhere right now including from The Ailey School. Here’s to keeping it moving!

My daughter’s newest pastime is color by numbers. She says, “Coloring soothes me.” I say “Color to your heart’s content, my child.”

K.C. Undercover is one show on which the whole family agrees. We’re currently on Season 2. Getting every bit of our money’s worth from Disney+.

My kids have probably been sleep deprived. Between this article and the way they’ve been sleeping and waking with sunnier dispositions, I’m more convinced than ever that adequate sleep is the cure to some of what ails us.