I was with a friend last weekend who understandably didn’t eat a "bad spot" in a piece of pineapple, but as I pushed it off the plate and down the garbage disposal, it occurred to me that is how we sometimes treat people when we identify something that doesn’t appear quite right or that concerns us. We can often see or feel bad spots in fruit when we are making selections in the grocery store, but sometimes like with the pineapple, discoloring occurs after cutting it up and t

Dedicated to Gabriella Ann "Gabby" Collins , January 24, 2007-March 31, 2025, and Austin Hayes Waters , December 19, 1994-January 28, 2025, and all their family and friends who love them so dearly. Several years back, if I had read this blog, or virtually any other similar message, I would have disregarded it thinking, she doesn’t know my pain, she must not have challenges like I have, life must be easy for her, she doesn’t live in my brain, etc., etc., etc. I was a master at

After selling my home more than two years ago and getting rid of all but a few physical possessions in order to go away and write my memoir, I returned to Kansas City last year and told my daughter I wasn’t going to buy any Christmas decor for my little studio apartment. My little lover of all things Christmas, who is now 29 years old, wasn’t going to let me get away with making it easy on myself. It sounded blasphemous to her not to have at least some holiday decor, so she b

I was out of town visiting my sister and her family and, on the way back, there was a slight detour because an overpass had been torn out...

I don't often write about my spiritual beliefs, not because I'm uncomfortable doing so, but rather because there are so many people who...

There's a song I'll share at the end of this message that I heard earlier this week. I may have heard it before, but this time I really...

"If one day you have to choose between the world and love, remember this: If you choose the world you’ll be left without love, but if you...

As a parent, I wanted to believe that I could protect my child. I wanted to believe that I could make her life better, happier and safer...

In my memoir, I write about telling my daughter, Kylee, I would take a self-defense class after I finished writing the book and returned...

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words...but I have just a few more to add. And for anyone who knows me, or better yet...

In memory of Thomas Joseph Karlin May 2, 1994- November 5, 2011, and Joseph Lee Karlin August 19, 1967-December 10, 2024 Through a...

In my memoir's Afterword, I introduce readers to my self-compassion coach, Ginger Rothhaas, through a video. Following is a very brief...

“There is a powerful moment in life when you either decide to tolerate life the way it is or decide to be brave and change it.” Rachel...

The following excerpts are from Brave Enough To Be Bliss , Section VI, Chapter 6, shared today in honor of Veterans Day. I’ve only lived...

This is the graphic from my book's first section title page and if I could wrap up the entire book into one sentence, this would be...

Last weekend, my daughter, son-in-law and I had the pleasure of staying with dear friends in Texas. We had been planning the trip for...

I'm one of those people who ends up being in the middle on most all personality tests. I am likely the definition of gray. It’s not that...

Last Saturday, while my daughter was driving, I was reminded of her tendency to yell at other drivers when they do things that from her...

Chiefs Nation, this is our chance to stop and be an example to this country of what love can do, not only on Valentine’s Day, but every...

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” Marcel Proust I...