After being contacted regarding a #MeToo article, a former fashion model revisits her own story and finds inspiration to shift the bigger picture narrative ______ I don’t talk a lot (if ever) about my former modeling career. It feels as if it’s a distant and closed chapter, … [Read more...] about From #MeToo to #WhatNow: A Former Fashion Model Puts The ‘Self’ Back In Self-Empowerment
Community & Humanity
Writing From The Inside Out: Incarceration Through The Lens Of Humanity
Photograph by Robert Hickerson Inspired by those locked away and too often forgotten, one woman shines light on incarcerated men through education, poetry and hope — I remember the first time I shut the classroom door behind me in a maximum-security men’s prison. I don’t … [Read more...] about Writing From The Inside Out: Incarceration Through The Lens Of Humanity
Saving Sadie: Loving A Dog With Special Needs…and Paying It Forward
Joal Derse and Sadie A beautiful story of how lives have been changed by the loving rescue of a badly injured, but emotionally resilient dog named Sadie — My job as a Transitional Organization Specialist has taught me more about acceptance of people than I could ever … [Read more...] about Saving Sadie: Loving A Dog With Special Needs…and Paying It Forward
Beyond Competition: What is Actually Possible for Women
Photograph by Darius Bashar While feelings of competition with other women have roots which begin early in life, overcoming this mindset can free us to fully flourish. — Do you recall how old you were when you were in your first competition? I have a hard … [Read more...] about Beyond Competition: What is Actually Possible for Women
Family Time: 6 Tips for Creating & Maintaining Strong Family Bonds
Photograph by Daiga Ellaby Impossible as it can seem amidst the turbulence of life, creating quality family time can be hugely rewarding if done with proper intention and consideration. — It has become a staple of western life that we find ourselves overcome with too … [Read more...] about Family Time: 6 Tips for Creating & Maintaining Strong Family Bonds
Emotional Pain and Grieving: How to Mindfully Support Others
Photograph by Steve Snider Supporting someone going through a painful experience is always difficult, but there are things you can say (and not say) that might actually help. — I've recently returned home from spending time with my very dear friend who lost her husband … [Read more...] about Emotional Pain and Grieving: How to Mindfully Support Others
The Lost Generation: How Education Became My Safe Haven
The author looking out over the city of Mosul, Iraq, after ISIS bombing. Photograph courtesy of Noor Ghazi. For refugees and others living in war-torn countries, education is both the hope and the potential for a brighter, safer tomorrow. — Over our morning coffee … [Read more...] about The Lost Generation: How Education Became My Safe Haven
Lessons from Santa in Gift Giving
Photograph by Mike Arney, collage by Bill Miles Gift giving can be an imposter; free yourself of the baggage and bring on the joy — I look into his kind eyes, then blurt out the truth. “I don’t want to loan her money again, Santa. I think the broken promises are … [Read more...] about Lessons from Santa in Gift Giving
Living a Higher Vibration for Better Health and Greater Purpose
Discover how to align with a higher vibration of energy, and all aspects of your life will improve — I first encountered the notion of vibrational frequencies while travelling across Northern Europe as a teenager. At the time I had of course no idea that a frequency could … [Read more...] about Living a Higher Vibration for Better Health and Greater Purpose
Ask Me Again: In Support of Gay Rights and All Human Rights
A Kuwaiti woman defies censorship to celebrate the oneness of all humanity in support of gay rights and all human rights — When people ask why I support gay rights, I am perplexed, because the question — in and of itself — immediately polarizes us against others. Aren't we … [Read more...] about Ask Me Again: In Support of Gay Rights and All Human Rights
Sisterhood: Giving Thanks for Your Girlfriends
During the good, the bad and the holidays — your life is enhanced when you cherish a circle of friends — When I was married and my sons were younger, the holidays were all about creating a magical world of Christmas wonder for my children, an elegant Christmas party for my … [Read more...] about Sisterhood: Giving Thanks for Your Girlfriends
10 Simple Rules for Living a Healthy Life
Common-sense tips to live a healthy and balanced life — Health is more than physical fitness or the absence of disease. Real health is also mental, emotional, and even spiritual. It’s being a whole human being. But how do you get it? Dozens, maybe hundreds, of self-help writers … [Read more...] about 10 Simple Rules for Living a Healthy Life
