10 Ways to Listen Better

10 Ways to Listen Better

We are surrounded by many different voices. We live in diverse cities, in a diverse nation, in a diverse world. Even our towns that feel uniform have a multitude of voices, because each of us bring our unique backgrounds, histories, and cultural identities into the...
We’re Not Alone in Our Impatience

We’re Not Alone in Our Impatience

Some days, I have so much on my to-do list that I let my priorities get all out-of-whack. There have been more days than I care to admit that I’ve been running around the house, trying to get things done, and not nearly as attentive to the things that matter most as I...
We’re Not Alone in Our Stubbornness

We’re Not Alone in Our Stubbornness

When I was in elementary school, my friend and I got in a whole lot of ridiculous arguments over the silliest things. I don’t remember all the topics of our arguments, but I do remember the day we fought over oranges. We didn’t talk for like a week afterward. I’m not...
We’re Not Alone in Our Helplessness

We’re Not Alone in Our Helplessness

When I was a sophomore in college, I spent a semester in Guatemala. One of my most vivid memories from this semester is a trip we took to the general cemetery in Guatemala City. I can still picture it: the pastel-colored homes of the dead, wilted flowers on dusty...
We’re Not Alone in Our Frustration

We’re Not Alone in Our Frustration

During my first two years of high school, I ran track. I wasn’t great at it, but a few of my friends were on the team and I thought it would be fun.  One memory that stands out from track season was the terrifying realization that my mom wasn’t in the locker room...
How to Anticipate the Little Things

How to Anticipate the Little Things

It’s easy to look forward to the big things in life. In fact, it’s dangerously easy to narrow down the goodness in life to the big things we look forward to. And when we’re always looking forward to the next great thing, we find ourselves stuck in a constant state of...