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4 Steps to Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking

May 3rd, 2012 | Add a Comment

In my last post, I shared about one of my most embarrassing moments.  That moment centered around being up on a stage in front of people, something I was already naturally inclined to go running and screaming away from.  The interesting thing is, the older I got, the more times I was asked or required to speak in front of people.  In 8th grade, shortly after losing my dad, I was nominated to speak at our graduation.  My knees were literally knocking together during that speech.  I was up on a podium in front of hundreds of people, 2 months after my dad died, giving a speech.  To say I was scared would be a major understatement: I was SO scared of public speaking! Then came high school.  I started getting … Read entire article »

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Most Embarrassing Moment

Have you ever had one of those “most embarrassing moments”? The kind you really don’t want to remember, but they will always stick with you. Today I’m sharing one of mine – feel free to share yours too, if you wish. The Moment… I sat there frozen, listening to the deafening sound of nothingness, unable to play another note.  Then it came: first a snicker, then another, soon many laughs were filling the nothingness.  I looked straight ahead at my music, down at the piano keys, then out to the crowd.  Even my “friends” were laughing.  I don’t remember what happened after that.  Did I finish the piece?  Or did I just get down and sheepishly walk … Read entire article »

Life-Changing, Part 2

Yesterday I shared about how my world was turned upside down 18 years ago.  If you have not read that yet, please go here. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ After the accident and Dad’s death, I spent the next several weeks and months questioning God, asking WHY, and dealing with all the cliches that people say when something like this happens.  Things like, “I know how you feel”, “God will never give you more than you can handle”, and “Everything will be okay.”  Please, whatever you do, don’t say those things to someone who has just lost a loved one or gone through some other major life event. I had grown up always having faith in God, being raised in church and … Read entire article »

Life-Changing, Part 1

18 years ago, my life changed.  Some of you know the story, most of you do not.  Or, at least, you don’t know the story in the detail that I’m going to share.  But I hope, somehow, by sharing this, that it may encourage someone or help you in some way.  Tomorrow I will add part 2. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The morning started out like any other Saturday morning.  It was a beautiful spring day, April 23rd, 1994, and there was a school baseball game that day.  Dad thought it would be great to take Naomi and I to the game.  So we hopped in the white Jeep Wrangler and drove to Bangor.  By the middle of the game, … Read entire article »

Why I Work From Home

I am a stay at home mom.  That is a job in and of itself (don’t get me started on the recent political happenings regarding moms and work).  However, I have also chosen to work from home in order to help support my family financially.  I often hear from people, “Oh, I couldn’t do what you do.”  Or, “I’m just not a salesperson.”  Or, “I just want to leave work at work.”  And I totally understand all of those statements. For me, though, it’s really not about having the perfect personality (I definitely do NOT – I’m an introvert by nature) or having super sales skills (again, definitely not the greatest – it’s actually more about … Read entire article »

Consumerism Culture

We, as Americans, are part of a consumerism culture.  We are bombarded daily with advertisements of new things that we must purchase.  We constantly see and hear things that are meant to entertain, amuse, and delight.  We consume food, and it’s more fun when someone else has prepared it for us.  Even in the midst of a down economy, restaurants never seem to be empty.  We are filled up with cars, boats, flat screen TVs, toys, games, houses, books, stuff. As I have traveled to several other countries, and then returned to the U.S.A., I have been struck each time with just how many choices we have.  And how much stuff we have.  I am just … Read entire article »

Confessions of a Bad Housekeeper

Confession: I am a bad housekeeper.  I really don’t enjoy cleaning, dishes, or even cooking.  I don’t mind laundry, but it often sits unfolded for a few days before getting put away.  For a few years, especially since having a child, I have really struggled with keeping up with everything.  I’ve been balancing being a mom, working part-time, having a home business, and a few volunteer positions.  So sometimes, housework was the last thing on my very long “to-do” list.  And I’ve been able to justify this for a while.  But the fact is, we make time for what is important to us, right?  And it is important to me to have a somewhat organized … Read entire article »

Giving Up… Diet Coke

I have given up Diet Coke for Lent, maybe for life.  This is pretty huge for me, since I’ve been drinking Diet Coke pretty regularly since I was a teenager.  I LOVE it.  Really love it.  BUT, I also know there are some potential detrimental health issues associated with it, and so on and off, I’ve thought about quitting.  When it came time for Lent this year, I decided to go ahead and give up Diet Coke, at least until Easter. Since doing this, I’ve also encouraged everyone that is participating in The WellnessMom Challenge to think about one food or beverage that THEY should give up, just for the month of March.  It’s not easy, … Read entire article »

My First Week as a Full-Time SAHM

For those who may not have heard, I recently resigned from my part-time job as a social worker and fulfilled one of my long-term goals: to be a stay at home mom!  And this week is my first full week where I do not have to go to work!  However, as all moms know, we ALL work, whether we are a stay at home mom or work outside of the home (or a combination of both).  In fact, having done both for the past 3 years, I tend to think that being a stay at home mom is sometimes more challenging than working outside the house. So as I begin this journey, I need some help!  … Read entire article »

Lent: What Does it Mean to You?

I did not grow up in a traditional or liturgical church where Lent was practiced.  Only since college have I started to be aware of Lent and begin to practice it, to some extent, in my own life. If you have no clue what Lent is about, go here. So as I sit here, without much background in practicing Lent, I have to think about this question: “What does it mean to me?”  I think with any spiritual event or holiday, it’s important to know what it means to you personally rather than just going through the motions.  Otherwise, you will probably not see any benefit from it. The two words that are swirling around in my … Read entire article »

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