1. It makes a huge difference in my day and general outlook when I take the time to find gratitude in the seemingly every-day-mundane. I've always loved the transition to fall. The colors are beautiful and ever changing. I love the symbolism of trees shedding their leaves and conserving energy. It reminds me to do the same: shed the outer layer, and continue to grow my roots strong and healthy.

2. I read Love Warrior this week by Glennon Doyle Melton in about five days. The only reason it wasn't within one day is because things like work and general adulting get in the way...What a powerful book. Glennon is open and honest and deep and dark. She's also hopeful and brave and courageous. I cried at least five different times. One thing I really connected with is the idea that Glennon presents about pain. She wrote that although pain is universal, it's incredibly personal in the moment. Much of my frustration and sadness in leaving the chickens is that no one else I know has been through the same situation. Although everyone in my life that I look to in times of need and find comfort in have no doubt experienced great pain, it's not the same. But Glennon reminded me of something Maya Angelou said that I also connect with: we are more alike than unalike.

3. I will no longer apply to jobs that work with pre-school or elementary school age children. My heart is for adolescent girls, and I will put all of my resources and energy toward following that path, not the easy and familiar path of young children.

4. My (ten years) younger brother just performed in his first high school play called 44 Plays for 44 Presidents. I loved every minute of it, even when he wasn't on stage! As a little boy he did some theater and he's always been a musician by playing guitar and piano. So to finally see him performing on stage as a young man was so satisfying and made me so proud of him. His bravery in stepping in to the theater program as a senior has inspired me to go for the things that interest me no matter what.

xxo