I spent many of my teenage years despising my menstrual cycle and for close to four years, I didn't have a menstrual cycle at all. Any time I did get my period I took it as a sign of failure rather than success. I would be disgusted with myself and with my body for stepping outside [...]
Oh gratitude and thanksgiving Oh gratitude and thanksgiving The things I could say about you So much light you bring into each moment So much love you help us encounter The bright side The silver lining Life without you would be grey and gloomy On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge you more than usual Remembering that [...]
“One of the greatest dangers to the apprenticeship of Jesus is the exhaustion that comes from an over busy life.” Less than a week ago, I said goodbye to my Instagram account, @believingbeautiful, for an indefinite amount of time. It was something that had been tugging at my sleeve for longer than I’d like to [...]
“You shouldn’t go above xxx amount of sugar.” “That’s way too much saturated fat.” “You have to be careful because this stuff adds up fast.” “Pay attention to what you eat when you go to the movies, and what you drink when you go the movies. Popcorn is a great, healthy snack, as long as [...]
One day when I was a little girl, we were crossing over the railroad tracks by the home I grew up in. The same railroad tracks we drove over everyday. On our way to school. On our way home from school. When we went to the store. When we went to grandmas. I can still [...]
Not yet fully grown Hips, boxy and bony Placed on a young girl not yet fully grown She looks in the mirror, over and over Why am I like this? She wonders She looks at her friends—skinny and small What is wrong with me? She asks She hates her body She feels misunderstood by those [...]
As I packed my bags for a six-month trek to Australia, I began planning how many pairs of workout pants and gym tops I would need. Should I bring my weight lifting shoes and running shoes? Will there be a school gym I can use? Will it be too humid to run outside? I had [...]
I learned an important lesson last week and it is this: Do not wear clothes that you know might be too small on you. Don’t do it. Don’t even think about it. Why? Think about the last time you wore clothes that were too small for you. How did that make you feel? What did [...]
