I began writing this twenty minutes south of Atlanta, preparing to leave my parents’ home. As a college student who’d started coming and going over the holidays, I remember talking to a friend of mine who was ten years older. “Leaving never gets easier,” she said. We started the day around the breakfast table, drinking…
Tag: Self-Love
Let Your Heart Be Light
During a typical year, I feel distinct seasons of inspiration, busyness, introspection, and rest before the whole cycle gears up again. This has not been a typical year. 2018 has been one long season of journey. Only now do I feel I’m squeezing my introspection of fall and rest of winter into one weekend. The…
On the Hunt for Lovely
Hi. My name is Amanda and I am Annie Downs‘ #1 fan. With every word she writes, I want to call her up and invite her to dinner because we have so much in common and I feel like we would be the best of friends. In a totally non-creepy way, of course. After finishing…
A Godwink Birthday
I woke up in my own Tennessee bed this morning after spending Thanksgiving in Alabama and my birthday in Georgia. Leading up to the holiday, I started a study on Giving Thanks — in joy, in sorrow and suffering, in work, in rest, in plenty and in want. Through this, I’ve learned that Thanksgiving isn’t…
Choosing All In
I had a rare free night last Thursday that I’d planned to fill with writing. Although earlier that day, I learned that cancer took a friend of ours and I didn’t know what to say about it (if anything). So, instead of writing, I drew. I’ve been devouring podcasts and books lately – some on…
(Not) Easy as 1, 2, 3
I haven’t found a real use for this talent, but I have a brain for music. If it has lyrics and a catchy little tune, I automatically file it away for future reference. Occasionally my husband will prompt me to sing random commercial jingles when he needs a party trick. And don’t think it was…
A Light at the End of the Cocoon
It all started at a gift shop in the Lowcountry. A dear friend who was caring for our fur-child in my absence sent me several photos, letting me know she was doing just fine. I proudly showed off their grandcat to my parents. “What’s that?” my Dad asked pointing to my friend’s tattoo. The word…
Artist-in-Residence
I am the world’s lightest sleeper. I am also the proud fur-parent of a 12-year old cat who loves attention at 3:00am. This morning, she gifted me an additional hour of sleep before her ritual head-butting, walking over my head, and announcing her presence. Y’know, in case I somehow missed it before. I laid there…
Cut Scenes from a Film In Progress
When my voice of reason introduced me to a revolutionary concept called Intuitive Eating, it took me awhile to sort my feelings: Is this too good to be true? Freedom! What’s the plan? And what’s the catch? For someone who’s followed one dieting plan or another their entire life, it felt a little scary (and…
Finding the Light
“The gift of life gives you the greatest opportunity to live and chance to rise above any situation. With hopeful attitude you can overcome any struggle.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita I recently received a Facebook message that held no context, only a link. The website belonged to a Tennessee artist whose blog featured a raw,…
A Liviting Life 