Living final moments through text messages
I wanted to pull my hair out. Saying goodbye is never easy, but no one should have to say goodbye like this, ever. When your last name is my mom’s maiden name and you live in a small town where politics are alive and well, the mention of a certain name can get people to look the other way. When you have an Irish-Polish last name like ours, certain events just happen. Such is the case of the last thirteen hours of my mom’s life.
My Uncle managed to become mom’s power of attorney. How someone who had been diagnosed…
The Nightmare Came True
Be responsible for your choices.
Remember not too long ago when we could go on a vacation?
Even in current times, I went on vacation.
A “vacation.”
Let me clarify. My husband was in his busy season at work. We’ve been confined together for so long that even the dog needs some alone time. Everyone was sick of being stuck together and longed for a change, even if it was only a change in location. Hard as we tried, we couldn’t rent an Airbnb anywhere.
We all longed for some semblance of normalcy. My Dad extended an invitation to spend some time with him at…
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Journey together
Life is hard, but it gets easier when we live it together. Recently in Texas, we’ve had a crazy winter storm that left millions without power and water. Many are still recovering and schools have just reopened. It feels like life keeps giving too much difficulty lately. Do you feel the same way? I know we will get through hard times and be stronger as a result.
Ayodeji Awosika brings positivity.
10 Signs Your Life is Probably Better Than You Give Yourself Credit For
How much time do you spend in your head beating yourself up? Even if you’re not particularly stressed out, anxious, depressed, etc, you just have this mental chatter running through your mind constantly…
Look at the world differently for a new vision
Many successful writers say, “Pay attention to life,” as a slap the hand to the forehead moment of disconnectedness and non understanding. It’s hard to find a successful writer who remains humble and likable. Often the ego grows so large that it crowds out a vision of someone you want to follow. Writers who struggle to find a topic to write about think there’s magic somewhere they haven’t seen yet. There has to be an endless list of ideas hidden somewhere like buried treasure.
Without sounding too corny, I think there are endless ideas. …
Display competence and confidence.
As we go through life, we’re faced with interactions that demonstrate who we are both in good times and in bad times. We’ve all had little moments of truth that take our breath away. Some for better, some for worse. If we’re being honest, many the latter. What are moments of truth? Often they are the moments when we realize something about ourselves or in someone else that we hadn’t noticed previously. Likely you’ve had lots of moments of truths. Perhaps more than you’d like to have. These moments focus on who we are and who we aren’t. Maybe you’ve…
Little decisions have a big impact
Texas Senator Ted Cruz may have made a career-defining decision. Certainly, he wouldn’t have intended the impact of his decision, and likely he’d take it back if he could, but there’s little he can do now.
You’re probably wondering what he did that is under such scrutiny.
While millions in his home state of Texas are without power and water, he decided to go on a little vacay. The act alone is not so bad, but as a Texan myself living through a historic winter storm that caused severe conditions, people question Cruz’s motives. Governor Greg Abbott issues a disaster…
Satire
Be nice and make it easier to get a ‘yes’
Throughout high school I worked retail. Depending on the day, you’d see a lot of different personalities. Sometimes, no matter what I did to deliver the best possible customer service, the customer would not be pleased.
Such is the case with writers. I appreciate each one of them I interact with. I love their grit and their powers of persuasion. And, most of all, I enjoy their sense of humor. Each time a read a writer’s creation, I imagine what the person is like in real life. A picture of each one comes to mind. …
Speak volumes without words when you choose kindness.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” — Aesop
Aesop is known for fables and powerful life lessons that speak into your life through stories with gentleness and wisdom. The think-kind attitude is one anyone can adopt and it is backed by science. A British Columbia Research group says:
“The greatest overall decrease in desire to avoid social interactions was seen among the individuals who were asked to perform acts of kindness.”
After one month, the group saw an increase in mood and happier relationships, as well as a reduction in socially anxious people.
Being a…
Embrace weirdness.
Writers are among a blessed group of people who can go anywhere they want to go and still work as long as they have a computer and internet access. The profession is glorified because it is romanticized. Many people think writing is easy. All you have to do is find a page and write. I suppose it is that easy and that hard all at the same time.
Why do you write?
I think every writer has asked themselves the question at some point or another. Gloria E. Anzaldúa asks and answers the question for herself:
“Why am I compelled…
Nicole Akers
Founder of Publishous. Mom of 2. Helps writers write better. Get my book, Make Money on Medium: Build Your Audience & Grow Your Income: https://amzn.to/2WI48e8
