Elisa Preston
Hustle vs. Heart

For two years, I did what I thought I was supposed to do. I posted “authentically” in various online spaces. I hosted a podcast. I wrote for other blogs. I did all of those things, and it was just … not me. Bits and pieces of it were. But the stuff that drained me was not balancing the stuff that invigorated me.

Hustle vs. Heart
Elisa Preston
Peace depends on me.

I am Democrat. You are Republican. Peace depends on me.
I am a woman, you are not; peace depends on me.
I am a Christian, you are not; peace depends on me.

Peace depends on me.
Elisa Preston
We owe our children everything

In a recent Blue Bloods episode, Danny reveals a family pact the adults all made the day their children were born: We made the choice to bring you into the world. You didn't make the choice, we did. So a bargain was struck that day that you owe us nothing and we owe you everything.

He's right. We owe our children everything. …

We owe our children everything
Elisa Preston
Don't let part of your story become your whole ...

Our Life Story is made up in fractions. However, since we forgot everything we learned in third grade math I think sometimes we get stuck and think that PART of our story is going to end up being our WHOLE story. But that's not the case. Basic math tells us that PARTS and WHOLES are very different, and that one piece does not define the whole pie.

Don't let part of your story become your whole story
Elisa Preston
More than barbecue and beer

My point is not that you agree or disagree with whatever War we haven't to be in. The point is that these soldiers/airmen/marines/seamen/coast guardsmen, without knowing you your family or what you stand for, at the drop of a hat will go to defend you.

More than barbecue and beer

romance

When HELPING becomes HINDERING

When HELPING becomes HINDERING

It would be really great--and it would make this counselor heart so very happy--if we could have a universal, required-for-adulthood training on boundaries.

Letting in the light when the demons collide

Letting in the light when the demons collide

Or, if I'm hanging out with that same mom, we could find companionship in our struggles and lean on one another for support and encouragement to improve our relationship. I could say, "I struggle with that, too. It's not just you." Focusing on the commonality and the fact that we could love each other through the mess would be so much more constructive than writing each other off as a snarky witch who cares only about her super-smart kid.