inspiration – Amanda Herring, Writer

Strength

When I think of “strength”, what comes to mind? Muscles. Hercules. Brut force. Maybe pushing and pulling, carrying a heavy load. Sometimes I think of emotional strength. Standing stoically at a funeral. Walking into a first chemo treatment. Testifying in court against an assailant, in front of the assailant. What about mental strength? Taking theContinue reading “Strength”

Underdogs. Resilience. Choice.

I admire people who make come backs after huge losses. I admire people who went through some seemingly impossible-to-survive storm then used that storm as motivation to grow and get better. I admire people who have suffered yet somehow managed to keep their faith strong anyway. I admire people who supported someone else through aContinue reading “Underdogs. Resilience. Choice.”

2022 blessings, after all.

I sat this morning with my Bible and a highlighter in one hand and my phone in the other. I read, drew lines, and made notes, then switched over to my phone to share a few verses with a friend who is hurting. I then flipped over to Facebook to participate in a few conversationsContinue reading “2022 blessings, after all.”

Women. Compassion. Support.

“Do you follow her on Snapchat? Did you see her kids running and playing outside in the snow? She has two of the cutest dogs, but her cat video put me over! It was on her story. Her husband travels. Did you see how thrilled she was to pick him up at the airport? SheContinue reading “Women. Compassion. Support.”

Don’t stop dreaming.

I don’t believe in placing a moratorium on dreams. Dreams should be plentiful regardless of your age, how much money is in your bank account, or whether or not you went to college. I don’t care if you are fit and spry, arthritic and slow, or fat and happy. It doesn’t matter if you’ve gotContinue reading “Don’t stop dreaming.”

Be the content.

I read a lot about how to blog, since I pretty much suck at it, at least consistency-wise. I read a tip recently that stood out… Be the content. Hmmm. I don’t know now. When I started this little endeavor a while back, I was set on being open and honest, sharing even the rawestContinue reading “Be the content.”

Just. Write.

Amanda, just write. Put words together. Type them out. Scrawl them on paper. Text yourself. Just. Write. Why don’t we do more of the thing that burns inside us? We let work take over. Kiids, groceries, laundry, all push our passions to the back burner. And now as the holidays approach, our lists grow longer,Continue reading “Just. Write.”

If I had three lives…

I have a job that requires me to be “on” all the time. Owning a dance studio and teaching kids means teaching appreciation for a timeless art, passing on traditions, and offering instruction in technique and terminology accurately and deliberately in order to perpetuate the craft. It also means being the best part of everyone’sContinue reading “If I had three lives…”

Emotions In Check = Less Pain

I did something this week that I often have a hard time with…I kept my emotions in check. Yeah, it’s worthy of celebration, right?! Go, Me! Follow me on this…you KNOW something to be true, but it takes life happening, experiencing hardship, and un-learning and re-learning, before you finally can DECLARE it. Well, here weContinue reading “Emotions In Check = Less Pain”

Suicide Prevention: Listening

As we have attempted to bring to light suicidal ideation and prevention, we have focused on the details of our story. Yesterday, we emphasized the importance of listening to kids amidst telling about our own experiences. Here’s why… Kids need someone they can trust. They are actually starving for it. And let me tell you,Continue reading “Suicide Prevention: Listening”