How martial arts, Bruce Lee, and resilience teach us to rise again

Last night in Jiu Jitsu class, the instructor paused as my partner and I practiced a strike. He looked at both of us and said, “You can hit harder—because you’re learning to protect yourself. You can take the hit and not be hu...

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” — David Morrison

There was a recent article in a UK magazine that described having a boyfriend as “embarrassing.” Not toxic. Not problematic. Just... embarrassing. That word stuck with me. It felt like a symptom of something deeper—som...

I was criticized recently for sharing my vulnerabilities. I expected it. Still, it stung. I felt myself get defensive. But here’s the truth: I will not stop. I will not shrink. I will not silence myself to make others comfortable.

Because sometimes people lose hope—not because they’re weak, but ...

1. What Is Spirituality—and How Is It Different from Religion?

Spirituality is the personal, intuitive pursuit of meaning, connection, and inner truth. It’s about exploring the deeper layers of existence—our values, our purpose, our relationship with ourselves, others, and the universe. It as...

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” — Kahlil Gibran

 The Phoenix and the Fire

In ancient myth, the phoenix is a radiant bird that lives for centuries before building its own funeral pyre. It burns in the flames, only ...

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” — Brené Brown

Tonight, I had a panic attack in martial arts class.

Sweating. Shaking. Breathless. The room spun. I had to sit down while everyone looked on, asking if I was okay. I wasn’t. And I...

In the documentary The Wisdom of Trauma, Dr. Gabor Maté reframes trauma not as a rare affliction, but as a universal experience — one that disconnects us from our true selves. He doesn’t offer a cure. He offers something more radical: the idea that healing is possible, not by erasing pain, but...

Last night in martial arts class, I watched a young boy take his belt test. Every week leading up to it, he asked the same question: “Am I ready yet?” His eyes sparkled with hope, his body moved with determination, and his heart was wide open. He wanted it so badly. And I saw him work—really work...

How to Trust Again After Betrayal, Starting With Yourself

I was reading about Vince Neil’s breakup recently, and I had real empathy for him. As an '80s girl who grew up blasting Mötley Crüe, I’ve always had a soft spot for Vince. I’m a concert t-shirt and jeans kinda girl—music was my escape, my...