Whispers Will Wander

Our recent trip to Kalahari Water Park in Sandusky, Ohio was meant to be a fun-filled celebration for a friend’s 10th birthday. We traveled with two other families, excited for a weekend of water slides, arcade games, and shared memories. While the trip had plenty of high points, it also came with a few unexpected challenges that reminded me how important it is to stay aware and prepared in large public spaces. A Smooth Check-in… Until a Mix-Up When we first arrived, our room wasn’t quite ready, so we decided to start our adventure in the water park while we waited. A couple of hours later, I received confirmation that our room was ready, and we immediately moved all of our belongings into the room before heading back to enjoy more of the park. Later, I got a second notification that a different room was ready, which left me a little confused. I tried to reach customer service via text but didn’t get a response. Since our bracelets worked for the room and water park access, and we had ...

I'm going to start instructing Meditative art classes for kids and adults. This is one of the 5-week programs I plan to follow.  You can branch from this program and use other canvases or backgrounds but I will be using upcycled books as our base for this class.  Here is a FREE Mindful Art Lesson Plan Week 1 : Introduction to Blackout Poetry & Mindful Creativity Theme: "Finding Meaning in the Chaos" Activities: Introduction to blackout poetry (history, purpose, and examples). Guided meditation on slowing down and noticing words. Practice: Start with simple blackout poetry using random pages. Reflection: What emotions or thoughts surfaced? Week 2: Layering Art & Emotion Theme: "Visualizing Feelings" Activities: Discussion: How do colors, shapes, and textures influence emotions? Practice: Use paint, ink washes, or colored pencils to enhance the blackout poetry—bringing the words to life visually. Experimentation with mood-based color schemes. Reflection...

It’s easy to feel discouraged when a goal feels out of reach. Whether it’s health, travel, or personal growth, the journey often feels slow. Yet, when we think about how kids learn, we offer them endless encouragement to keep going, even when progress takes years. So why is it so hard to give ourselves that same grace? I’ve been reflecting on this as I work toward my own goals: improving my fitness, traveling more with my kids, and pursuing singing as a part-time gig. It’s hard to exist in the “in-between,” where you’re still working but not yet where you want to be. Recently, I came across a story about a girl who finished last in a race but beat her personal best. Her coach celebrated her progress, reminding her that improvement matters more than placement. It stuck with me—progress is about showing up, even if it feels small. A couple of months ago, I set a goal to hike in Colorado with my kids, improving my fitness so I wouldn’t struggle with the altitude. Now, I’m facing a new cha...

Switzerland often gets a reputation for being expensive, but with a little planning, you can explore Lucerne—one of its most charming cities—without breaking the bank. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or as a family, here’s how to make the most of Lucerne while keeping costs low. --- Stay Smart: Use the Lucerne Visitor Card When staying at a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb in Lucerne, you’ll receive a Lucerne Visitor Card—your ticket to free public transportation within the city and discounts on activities. This card is a game-changer for budget travelers, as it eliminates transportation costs and offers savings on top attractions. --- Affordable Activities in Lucerne 1. Wander the Old Town (Free) Lucerne’s Old Town is like stepping into a fairy tale. Stroll along its cobblestone streets, admire the beautifully painted buildings, and visit landmarks like the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) and the Water Tower. This is one of the best ways to soak in Swiss culture without spending a d...

  We finally did it. After weeks of wrestling with doubt, fear, and hesitation, we booked our tickets to Zurich. We'll be there for 2.5 weeks, and while I should feel exhilarated, I’m still sitting with a mix of emotions. It's amazing how difficult this decision was, especially considering how much we've dreamed about traveling together as a family. But the state of the world right now, combined with personal anxieties, created a paralyzing cocktail of uncertainty. I’ve been trying to figure out whether this anxiety is rooted in something real—financial fears, the unpredictable nature of travel, or the unknown—or if it's simply the natural resistance that comes with stepping outside our comfort zone. If I’m being honest, I still don’t know if booking this trip was the “right” choice. I’ve learned, though, that some of the best decisions aren’t about right or wrong—they’re about choosing to live fully despite the fear. Fear, Growth, and Leaving Comfort Behind The stress ...

Lately, I’ve been feeling exhausted. Not just the "I need a nap" kind of tired, but the deep, bone-level kind that makes every task feel heavier than it should. I laugh at myself sometimes because I know that pushing through challenges is how you accomplish goals. But is pushing constantly really the answer? Or have I taken on more than I can handle? How Do You Know When You’re Doing Too Much? Here’s a gut check: Are my basic needs suffering? (Sleep, food, movement, downtime.) Am I constantly overwhelmed or irritable? Do I feel like I’m barely keeping up instead of making progress? Am I still enjoying my pursuits, or do they all feel like obligations? If I had to drop one thing, would it feel like relief? If you nodded along to most of those, you might be wearing too many hats at once. The Weight of Everything, All at Once Big tasks don’t exist in a vacuum. They stack on top of the everyday responsibilities that already take energy—homeschooling, managing a household, keeping...

So much of life is spent worrying about how we’re perceived—how our choices, words, and actions affect those around us. But what if, for a moment, you stopped focusing on everyone else and just looked inward? Really looked. You might find joy, pride, and parts of yourself that you love. But you might also see things that make you uncomfortable—things you wish were different, habits you want to break, or patterns you’d rather not acknowledge. And that’s okay. Facing the things you don’t like isn’t something to fear; it’s the first step toward growth. You can’t change what you refuse to see. So instead of avoiding those uncomfortable truths, meet them with curiosity. Ask yourself: Why is this here? What can I do about it? Growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about awareness, intention, and the willingness to shift. And that starts with looking inward, no matter what you find.

Sometimes, we hold on too tightly to something we think we want or believe is good for us. When that happens, it’s easy to see only what we want to see—because it looks so perfect—rather than allowing ourselves to shift perspective and let go. I've recently had to do that in a few areas of my life. One that stands out the most is my workplace. I don’t own the business, but I see so many areas where we could improve. For a while, I kept pushing my ideas onto the owner, imagining she’d appreciate a fresh perspective and want to grow her business. But she doesn’t. And for a bit, that hurt. I felt undervalued, even judged negatively, and I started wondering how I could keep working there. But I love what I do, and I love our clientele. So instead of holding onto that hurt perspective—using it to protect myself or villainize her—I’ve decided to let it go completely. I’m no longer trying to control this situation; instead, I’ll observe and allow myself to thrive where I can. That doesn’t...