Now That You Ask

Navigating life's uncertainties often demands a virtue that seems elusive: patience. As I sit here writing, my thoughts are consumed by concern for my 18-and-a-half-year-old cat, Sid. This past week has been a whirlwind as Sid hasn't been eating or drinking much, and last night was especially tough with him getting sick multiple times. At the emergency vet today, waiting for test results,...

Starting over can be daunting yet wonderfully liberating, offering an opportunity to reimagine our lives and chart a new course. Reflecting on my journey from a commune in Oregon to San Francisco with just $200 and a thrift-store wardrobe, I realized that each step was a testament to resilience and adaptability. The belief in something greater kept me moving forward. Each decision, whether wise or...

As we stand on the brink of 2026, the Year of the Horse beckons, symbolizing a shift into strength, momentum, and forward movement. It's a time for action with purpose and freedom with direction. 2025 proved to be a period of letting go, shedding relationships and attachments that no longer served a purpose, and embracing the relief and renewed sense of self that followed. It was a journey of...

Have you ever thought about what your obituary might say and the life you need to live to deserve it? I recently found myself reflecting deeply on this concept. Life is filled with planning, from our legacy to our memorials, but how often do we pause to consider if we're truly living up to the lives we want to leave behind? This introspection led me to appreciate my quirks and realize that ult...

Football season offers more than just exciting games; it brings unexpected reflections on life. As a dedicated fan, my connection to the sport reminds me of the human aspect of players and the parallel experiences we share. Even iconic quarterbacks have off days, echoing struggles we face in our lives. Allowing space for mistakes deepens my enjoyment, ensuring that I remain a supportive team playe...

Taking a moment to appreciate the small blessings in life can lead to immense satisfaction and a deeper sense of happiness. Acknowledging moments of stillness and contentment can really transform our outlook on life. It's about finding the balance between responsibility for our emotions and the belief that there are benevolent forces aiding our journey. By leaning into gratitude, we open ourse...

Amidst the hustle and bustle, we often overlook the beauty and tranquility that nature offers right at our fingertips. As John Muir once said, "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread." To me, this really highlights the intrinsic value of natural beauty in our spiritual and physical sustenance and serves as an important reminder of how reconnecting with nature can provide clarity and str...

Sometimes people grapple with whether the proverbial glass is half-full or half-empty, often missing the crucial point: the glass is refillable. An empty or half-full glass signifies untapped potential, an opportunity to reconfigure our outlook and be grateful for what we have and what we can achieve. The glass remains open, accepting, and ready for us to decide its contents at any moment. What wi...

In this episode of Now That You Ask, I share a moment of unexpected intimacy during a visit to the emergency vet with my elderly cat, Sid. While there, I encounter a man who is devastated over his sick dog. My interaction with him was poignant reminder of human connection and the importance of being present for one another, even in the most random of moments. Now That You Ask is a podcast that loo...

Life often hands us experiences that, while fleeting, leave a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. In pondering the delicate interplay between grief and gratitude, I find a profound truth in how both emotions closely coexist. They are two sides of the same coin, transient yet powerful forces that color our existence. Recognizing and allowing these feelings at both ends of the spectrum is essent...

In life, embracing our authentic selves can illuminate the world around us in extraordinary ways. The path to self-discovery is often laden with doubts and fears about how our stories might portray us. Nevertheless, allowing our "spiritual electricity" to shine means celebrating our true selves, flaws and all, even when societal norms and expectations urge us to conform. By grounding our...

Amid the noise and motion of life, I’ve come to see that within us lies a vast landscape where everything belongs. Grief and joy, confusion and calm, peace and surrender flow together like rivers through mountains. The words  “There is room for everything”  once felt impossible, yet they’ve become a quiet truth. When I meet each moment as it comes, I glimpse stillness beneath the surface, a rhythm...

Inspired by Jane Goodall's work with gorillas, we're reminded of the difference one can make through dedication and understanding. Jane's journey encourages us to consider our daily impact, pushing us to act with more awareness. By making small, conscious decisions like offering kindness we can enhance our positive influence. It's not about being perfect. It's about setting the...

In our fast-paced world, the idea of having nothing to say is often perceived as uncomfortable or unproductive. However, this week, I found myself embracing the silence and discovering the unexpected peace it brings. As I pondered the feeling of having nothing substantial to discuss, I realized it was akin to the quietness of a fall morning, where nature effortlessly transitions into a new season....

Returning to my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, after a decade felt like embarking on a "farewell tour." The changes I saw during this visit were staggering. My grandfather's store, along with many beloved landmarks, seemed on the verge of being swallowed by rapid modernization. Despite the drastic transformations, pockets of my past persisted and brought comfort and a chance for re...

In our lives, we often stumble upon unexpected gifts wrapped in shadow. Recently, while preparing to return to my hometown in Alabama for the funeral of a dear, long-time friend, I found myself reflecting on an unusual gift given to me by someone I love deeply—a box full of darkness. For years, this impenetrable gift weighed heavily on my heart as I navigated the world, moving from one adventure t...

Navigating the intricate maze of emotions such as anger and resentment can be a relentless challenge. Recently, I stumbled upon a quote that encourages us to "let 'em go, rise above, get down, and move on." Initially perplexing, these words gradually illuminated my path to personal growth. Embracing this newfound perspective, I metaphorically released my emotional baggage, freeing my...

In the hustle of daily life, it's easy to get swept away by routines and distractions, often forgetting to truly immerse ourselves in the moment. But the beauty of life lies in the simplicity of these moments when you pause and become present. I've discovered that whether it's the satisfaction of making a perfectly made bed, the awe of witnessing a sunrise, or the joy of seeing a chubb...

What does it mean to feel embraced by something greater than myself? There have been moments in my life where that feeling has been fleeting, and I’ve often pulled back out of fear or hesitation. Silence - true silence, not just quiet - has become a place of comfort and discovery for me, especially during my early morning meditations. It’s in that silence that I begin to understand what it feels l...

In the world of self-discovery and storytelling, stepping into one's power means embracing the ability to narrate personal tales with courage and authenticity. I am currently writing my memoir and let me tell you it has been as enlightening as it is daunting and the prospect of sharing these narratives with others is both exhilarating and intimidating. I hope my journey reminds us that our sto...

There have been instances in my life when I had an aha moment and knew the path I was on was not right for me anymore. I knew why but not how I would make a change or what would happen when I did. This week, I explore the quiet, powerful moments that compel us to change course without knowing exactly where we’re headed next. From the emotional weight of walking away to the unfamiliar terrain of wa...

In the tapestry of life, pets often become the threads that weave our moments of joy and comfort. This is a story of Sweet Nancy, a beloved feline companion who, along with her brother Sid, became an integral part of my life 18 years ago. Though they claimed their territories within my home with Sid being the social butterfly and Nancy preferring the solitude of a back bedroom sanctuary. They both...

The art of conversation thrives on the luxury of time, allowing insights and revelations to gracefully unfold. It's about moving beyond surface-level exchanges, or mere cocktail talk, and embracing deeper connections that reveal who someone truly is and what lights them up. Not every exchange leads to lifelong friendship, and that's okay. The goal is to find those rare moments when both pa...

Patience has never come naturally to me, but life has taught me its necessity through unexpected events, like heartbreak and loss. Often feeling like a stranger to myself, I've realized that slowing down and embracing patience allows me to find gratitude in simple pleasures, like a cool breeze or ice cream, leading to a sense of peace. Patience remains a vital lesson, even when timelines are e...

Did you know you can transform mundane daily tasks into meditative and contemplative acts. It's true. There is even therapeutic value in things like hand-washing dishes and the meticulous process of selecting an outfit. There is satisfaction in clean linens. It's simply a matter of being present in these routines, and from that awareness comes a sweet inner peace and contentment. Now That...