How I am observing Juneteenth this year: supporting, learning and donating.
Mental Health Awareness 2023
Let’s get cozy and talk about mental health! May is Mental Health Awareness month. Even though the month is ending, caring for your mental health is a 24/7 thing. It can’t be contained into just one month. You need to care for your mental health just like you care for your physical health. I have... Continue Reading →
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 2023
I wore red today because May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). It’s estimated that four out of five Native women experience some form of violence in their lifetime. Native women also face murder rates more than 10 times the national average. (Veterans Affairs). I... Continue Reading →
Equal Pay Day 2023
Today (March 14) is Equal Pay Day. Each year a day is dedicated "to raise awareness around and combat the impact of pay inequities" (AAUW). "Equal Pay Day 2023 is on March 14 and marks the current state of the gender pay gap: 84% for full-time workers and 77% for all workers (including part-time and... Continue Reading →
Practicing Gratitude
A couple of days ago, in the United States, was Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday that most people spend by reflecting on what they are most thankful for. Right now I am most thankful for my health. This past year was a struggle for me, especially my mental health. I spend most of last year focusing... Continue Reading →
Read Spirit Run for Indigenous People’s Day
Today is Indigenous People’S Day, a day to celebrate and remember the culture and contributions of Native Americans. We also must remember the struggle and hardship Native Americans have had to endure. For today, I recommend people read Noe Alvarez’s book, Spirit Run. In it he shares what it is like growing up and living... Continue Reading →
Death Anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe
“Lord help my poor soul” (alleged last words of Edgar Allan Poe). Yesterday (10/7) marked the 173 year anniversary of Poe’s death. He has shaped my life in many ways. It’s because of him I fell in love with the study of literature and focused on it in college. May his writings continue to live... Continue Reading →
Orange Shirt Day: May We Never Forget
Today I wore an orange shirt for Orange Shirt Day. “On September 30, Orange Shirt Day promotes awareness about the Indian residential school system still impacting Native American communities in the United States and Canada. Known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the day honors the children forced into Indian boarding schools” (National Day... Continue Reading →
Trying to Truly Honor Dr. King
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No doubt the day will be filled with many sharing quotes about him and his work. I love quotes. Words are my love language. And I am deeply moved by Dr. King and his life's work on fighting for equality for all. But I don't want to simply... Continue Reading →
What You Think About Yourself is the Most Important
This week ended up being a tough week. Something happened that made me think that others thought of me in a negative light. For a day or two I constantly thought "they must think I am like this" and "they must think I am a horrible person". The truth is, we, myself included, will never... Continue Reading →