#BeReal – ASHLEY FUCHS

Please welcome Ashley Fuchs to #BeReal. Be Real, No Buts About It by Ashley Fuchs, The Malleable Mom “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald “She’s beautiful, but she’s also incredibly…

#BeReal -ALISA SCHINDLER

Please welcome Alisa Schindler to #BeReal. It’s taken decades for me to really figure out what it means to be real, not because I was trying not to be, but because I didn’t know how. I spent a long time insecure and concerned with others’ perception of me. I spent a long time uncomfortable with…

HISTORICAL PUZZLES

I am perceived and divided. You see me as bound by history. A set of experiences chaining me to the railway. Boundaries marked. Respect tried and failure too often won. Knots tied but carefully unraveled. I am but your servant. Your true beloved, And so much more as my duty has been sworn. Because of…

MY SOMEHOW IMPORTANT SELF-DIALOG

I started writing a Facebook post this morning that turned into a long dialog with myself. I decided to leave it there and finish it here. Why? Because it feels important somehow. Maybe not important in a way that will change or shape lives. But it feels like I might want to visit these thoughts…

#BeReal – MARTIN BAKER

Please welcome my #BeReal guest today, Martin Baker.   A few weeks ago I was sitting at my favourite table—corner table, right at the back—in my favourite coffee bar and got into conversation with a fellow customer about writing and literature. I learned two interesting things about the city I’ve lived in almost thirty years.…

KEEP RIDING

The merry-go-round keeps spinning. I used to think life was a roller coaster with all its ups and downs but when I look back I see it’s really more of a merry-go-round that spins at different speeds. Merry-go-rounds are always more enjoyable when you have someone to ride them with.  And then you need someone…

HELD BY DESPAIR

May is Mental Health Awarness month. I suffer from anxiety and depression.  Many people do.  I imagine many mental illnesses require the same if not more attention than depression does.  It is exhausting always having to search yourself for motive and intention.  It isn’t easy to separate rational ideas and expectations from irrational ones. Reality…

UNCLEAR

So many of us have an unclear perspective of ourselves.  We can’t see what other people see.  Why?  Well… We all see things differently. For every 10 people who find me unattractive another 10 will find me average and yet another 10 will find me beautiful.  I think the trick is to practice selective listening.…

#BeReal – SHAWN HENFLING

My #BeReal guest today is Shawn Henfling. “I don’t need to be Michael Jordan but I’d at least like to be in the NBA.” I don’t like myself. Rather, I don’t like who I think I am. I can’t really hate myself because I don’t know who “myself” is. I’ve gotten through 38 years of…

#BeReal – SA SMITH

Today I am honored to welcome SA Smith to #BeReal. When I was asked to participate in the Be Real campaign I was honored. I thought of course, this is right up my alley. If you are familiar with my column, Byte of Life, at Feminine Collective you know I am all about being your…