Hygge implies comfort, warmth, a feeling of well-being, and a state of relaxed mood. – Judith Friedman Hansen It’s the end of February, the longest short month of the year. It’s no secret that a part of me loves winter. There is good work that happens within me in these months of huddling at home …
Ash Wednesday: The Measure of the Ordinary
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – William Arthur Ward This past week, Christians around the world celebrated Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a quiet, solemn occasion. This observance is one of my favorites, although I didn’t go to my first Ash Wednesday …
Don’t Miss the Journey
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware – Martin Buber It’s 2009 and I’m a junior in college. In my dorm room, the chill of winter slowly melting into spring, I’m packing a bag. I hold up different items, weighing their effectiveness in keeping me cool. I’m traveling south, spending spring …
Blessed Ordinary: A Life of Small Moments
Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now – Eckhart Tolle Like many of you, my current pace of life has forced me to slow down. Although …
It’s a Small World: Seeing Connections Across Cultures
I aimlessly travel, meaning I have no agenda other than to get small in the world, be quiet and observe people – Walton Goggins I’ve been toying with the idea of a small world since I started the Cambodia series. Words have come in fits and spurts, and none of it feels cohesive. After all, the …
6 Tips to Thrive When You Move to a Foreign Country
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou Have you ever been in a place where it was difficult to communicate with other people? I’ve spent plenty of time choosing not to talk to …
Practicing the Art of Presence
“Moment by moment, we have the opportunity to say yes, to move into our lives and open ourselves to the adventure – but that doesn’t mean that we ever really know where we’re going or that we can predict what we’ll find when we get there. If we’re lucky, though, the life we end up …