Optimism. It’s a word that I have often cringed at. To me, it means believing in fairy-tales, trusting that someday your daydreams will become reality. At least, this is what I have been inclined to think. I like to think of myself as a “realist”. I just go through life thinking, “Que Sera, Sera. Whatever…
Author: Vanae Keiser
No Limbs? No Problem!
If you haven’t already heard of Nick Vujici, here’s your chance. He’s an Australian man who was born without any limbs. For most of us, thinking about having no limbs seems utterly devastating. But that’s not how Nick thinks. He made a decision early on in his life that he would put his mind to…
True Love's Kiss
I’ve had a love and a fascination for fairytales since I was very little. I love the idea of a world with no boundaries, where adventure awaits at every turn, where magic makes anything possible… and let’s not rule out the idea of a youthful, tanned, and well-mannered prince waiting to whisk me off to…
Good Old Friends
The other night, as my husband and I were out to dinner, I was reminded of one of the most precious commodities we have for helping us walk forward in life—friends. This revelation came not only because my husband is my best friend and I love being with him, but because of where we were…
Letting Go of Your Garbage
Several weeks ago, another author wrote an article here that I enjoyed a lot. In fact, I’ve caught myself thinking about it several times, and have referred back to the post often. It was about trash and all of the things that can become of our broken pieces if we can just let them go,…
When Happiness Hurts
Several years ago, when I was young and exceptionally dramatic, I had a life-changing experience. It was life-changing, not only because it involved a boy who I thought I was destined to marry, but also because I learned a simple, profound lesson that has stuck with me since. I was twenty years old, and I…
What I Learned from Nik Day about Goals
Throughout my life, I have had several opportunities to work closely with children. I remember sitting in a classroom of four-year-olds, all of their eyes fixated on me, eager to learn, to grow, to become. It amazed me to think of all the potential contained in that room. These children could literally become ANYTHING they set…
The Hands of God
Today I came across an article that I wrote while working at New Haven, a residential treatment center for teenage girls. What a job that was! It changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I recognize that being sent there, the girls had the tendency to feel discarded and displaced. I understand that. I…
Paper Tigers
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” Those inspiring words come from one of my biggest heroes,…