If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been. – T.D. Jakes If you’ve been around this space for a while, you probably know I practice a quarterly habit of sharing some self-reflections and things I’m learning. Self-reflection allows me the opportunity to put words to experiences after they’ve …
Letting my Guard Down in Japan
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” – Rumi I’ve wanted to return to travel writing for a while. Although the original concept behind Coffee + Camo was a travel blog, it didn’t take me long to realize I’m not a great travel writer. With the onset of the pandemic and travel …
2020: A Look Back
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. – Hal Borland Usually, I spend the week between Christmas and New Year reflecting on the past year. I like to look back before setting an intention for the upcoming year. I’ll …
8 Things I Learned – Summer 2020
Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action – Peter Drucker Every quarter, I follow Emily P. Freeman’s practice of reflection. It was only in the last few years that I realized how much I learn about myself through reflection. As an avid journaler, I might have …
10 Things I Learned This Spring – Pandemic Edition
You’re always learning. The problem is, sometimes you stop and think you understand the world. This is not correct. The world is always moving. You never reach a point you can stop making an effort – Paulo Coelho It’s hard to believe it’s nearly June. This summer is likely our last in Japan, and honestly, …
Grace + Grit: The Joy + Challenge of Leaving My Comfort Zone
As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal – Robin Sharma It’s 2007, and I’m 20 years old. I’m riding a charter bus with thirty of my not-yet-closest friends, heading south. Today, I’m on my way to Ireland, embarking on my first international adventure.
Motherhood + Miscarriage: Finding My Place at the Table
All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. – Psalm 38:9 This year has been an entirely different experience than all the years that came before. With the current state of the world, that seems like an understatement. Daily life is uncertain and unstable for many of …
Two Years + Beyond: Our New Focus for 2020
We can become anyone we want to become. It takes focusing on the aspect of ourselves we want to change and reflecting on the beliefs that cause us to act in ways that are counter to the change we seek. –Vanessa Diffenbaugh I’ve been blogging at Coffee + Camo for two years. That’s hard to …
Learning to Dance in the Rain
Into each life, some rain must fall – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow When it rains, it pours. But I’m learning rainy days are good too, even if they don’t always feel like it.
The Work of Winter: A Season of Growth and Renewal
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter – Rachel Carson Winter is the loneliest season. The bustle of the holidays seems like a distant memory. The house is empty of decorations, and gifts have found a home. Life has …