How many of us are proud of how we did in school or proud of our majors?

It seems there are so many adults working outside the scope of their studies. Perhaps you know someone who has made big changes in their career towards the end of their twenties or even after. If not, I’m sure you know someone who has gone back to school or started learning new skills.

How often have you wished you could do something similar? Picture yourself in this time next year, with your newly learned skills and experience.

How much will you have grown?

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Flexible courses that helped me build confidence and skill

I want to be a writer.

No, I am a writer.

Wait, I don’t have a writing habit, so how can I be a writer?

These thoughts used to prey upon my ability to write. I knew I had things to say, but I didn’t think I was qualified. I subscribed to the notion that only those who are qualified should write.

But how do you get qualified if you don’t write?

One of my favorite authors on Medium talks about how quantity produces quality. In essence, the practice develops the skills and leads to better writing.

So, how do you begin when you don’t have an English or Journalism…

What to do when it’s not always bliss and balance

Do you struggle with anxiety, overwhelming thoughts, lack of focus, and an impending sense of doom?

Raise your hand if someone has asked if you’ve tried meditation?

If you have, are you able to meditate consistently? Do you know anyone who does?

I’ve been meditating on and off for 10+ years. I recently took a Transcendental Meditation (TM) class, and because of that class, I’ve been practicing consistently. This practice has inspired me to share some thoughts.

Picture yourself meditating. What’s the most exciting aspect? Is it knowledge or understanding? Do you picture a more balanced you?

Either way, the truth is you’re probably going to struggle with your expectations.

You’ve probably heard again and again about the benefits of meditation. You might think the last thing we need is some rando talking…

How Headlines Continue to Show it Matters

As mentioned on the Break The Silence Against Domestic Violence (BTSADV) website, “On average, a woman will leave an abusive relationship seven times before she leaves for good, according to The National Domestic Violence Hotline.”

Abuse is not limited to one gender. It touches almost everyone in some way. Over the years, I’ve given a lot of thought about consent and how we talk about it in society, especially to kids and teens. In my experience, I don’t remember being taught. …

How feeling anxious while smoking can be a gift

When I think about the essence of North America, I think about four things: Natives, marijuana, colonization, and innovation.

Natives used marijuana (MJ) as an aid to facilitate ceremonies, medicine, and meditation. After colonization and beyond, MJ has been the topic of controversy but has never quite died off.

Over time, it was stripped of its respect, exploited by greed, and demonized by law. Fortunately, in the states, views are changing.

Users smoke for a variety of reasons, whether it’s to relax or meditate. Some are trying to find insight or reach a higher consciousness. Others hope to avoid what’s going on around them and escape. Regardless, there is room for conversation regarding its place and usage in modern society!

What could a future with MJ look like?

Imagine a world in which MJ isn’t stigmatized and instead is used to benefit the population.

What kind of world would…

Why hating confrontation causes more problems

I hate confrontation. One of the things I dread most is having an awkward discussion about something I have done, or someone has done to me. The anxiety and dread are overwhelming. I’m not the type to bite or clap back in general, and I rarely address something right when it happens.

This is odd because the lack of communication actually causes more distress.

I recently became upset with someone close to me.

Rather than address the issues right then and asking clarifying questions and expressing my wants, I decided to keep quiet. I didn’t want to rock the boat.

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Lessons from being asked to leave earlier than anticipated

Years ago, my mother told me, “when giving your notice at a job, be ready because they might kick you out.”

I saw her point, but I’ve never heard of this happening to anyone I know. In my experience, when you give notice, you’re stuck working until the very last minute.

I expected things to be no different when it was time for me to leave my teaching job in Korea.

I had been living in South Korea for five years as an ESL teacher.

About two months into a brand-new…