Hearts, likes, and smiles — do they really make us happy? — I recently spoke to my therapist about feeling inadequate at times. How for most of my life I have hidden behind a new outfit or my timidly outgoing personality to seem “normal” to the outside world, but internally have battled with feelings of inferiority and questioned myself. …

The fear of driving or being a passenger in a vehicle — Amaxophobia (Fear of Driving) Amaxophobia (also called hamaxophobia) makes you feel anxious or fearful when you drive or ride in a vehicle, such as a car, bus or plane. With it, you have a fear of driving and may also get anxious being a passenger. …

and here's what happened — My stress decreased I felt more joy and less pressure this time of year I could slow down and relax I was in less of a frenzy I was worried less about finances and finding that “perfect” gift I wasn’t stressed about family interactions and awkward gift exchanges I didn’t…

I pulled my phone out of the gym locker with an excited stirring — I asked you to coffee and you said you were seeing someone That you wouldn’t feel right about it I felt my heart drop But jumped on the treadmill anyway We hadn’t met but had talked on the phone and had some chemistry Dating had been hard and I was looking…

What if I would have known that the last time we talked would have been the last time? — Would I have held on the line a little bit longer? Would I have been more interested in how you were doing? Would I have been kinder and more considerate? I was angry, you know. Because I couldn’t stop you from drinking. …

For others, it’s grief and anxiety — We remember the Sara Lee Frozen carrot cake And the Pink Canister of Almond Roca Wrapped in Golden foil We remember a lazy Susan With black olives, One for each finger We remember laughter And togetherness, We remember when We once had a family Time took its toll And everyone has…

From living to our full potential? — The fear that we are not good enough Or what will they think? The hypervigilance and loneliness of a life filled with anxiety and fear can be rough. Many of us go through life Pushing down our thoughts of tragedy Remorse or worry and bury them with drinks, food Shopping, busyness, or sex…

and I am in love again — Life and love can be hard on their own but even harder together. We meet and find we have those fluttering butterflies in our tummies. Making out for hours is the standard; their touch gives us goosebumps. We get excited when they call or text and it is fun To be…

Even at the grocery store. — I need Jesus. I feel that deeply. There is no hope in this world without knowing there is an infinite power larger than my own. I did the classic “fall to your knees surrender” years ago after a life half-lived, believing that I wasn’t worth saving. For years, I have…