personal growth

Christmas Eve Wishes

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, December 24, 2021 • 1 Comment

Happy Christmas Eve! Just wanted to send you good wishes from my warm, cozy, good-smellin’ house today. I’ve cooked sausage balls for the fam, made some creole rice for taking to the Christmas shindig tonight with Hubs’ side of the family, and whipped up chocolate...

I Am Learning to Love the Sound

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, October 15, 2021 • 1 Comment

I am learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things that aren’t good for me. Is that not the best? I saw it posted this morning, and I could hear the sound…and it’s sweet. It’s not easy to (a) admit when...

Like Pouring Gas On Anxiety

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, October 6, 2021 • 1 Comment

Anxiety is a bitch. If you’ve experienced it, you know it can be triggered by something big…or insignificant…or come on without warning and for no reason. You just feel freaking nervous…and anxious…and like something bad is about to happen…and you can’t breathe good…and there’s some...

Vulnerability Is Terrifying

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, October 4, 2021 • Leave a Comment

“Vulnerability is terrifying.” That was the first line of a meme I saw this morning. So true. To be authentic takes vulnerability, and because it truly is terrifying to put yourself out there, that may explain why people don’t seem very “real” these days. They’re...

Sick of Shiny

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, September 24, 2021 • Leave a Comment

I am a collector of quotes. I like inspirational sayings, motivating verses, and passages that hit home. I have a whole Pinterest board related to them, as well as various and sundry clippings, post-its, and cut outs of gems that struck a chord. But sometimes...

AWOL…but with permission.

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, September 21, 2021 • Leave a Comment

I’ve been AWOL. I never thought I would go without posting a TILT, but it’s been over a week without one. I was pretty committed and swore I’d never do it. But I had permission…from myself. I think sometimes life surrounds us with a hundred...

Different. Nice.

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, September 8, 2021 • Leave a Comment

We can be different if you’re nice. If you’re nice, we can be friends. If we are friends, you can expect my loyalty, grace, and support. We can be different if you’re not nice. If you’re not nice, we can’t be friends. If we are...

Things I Learned Today / Sunday, August 15, 2021

In Things I Learned Today • by Amanda Herring, Writer, August 15, 2021 • Leave a Comment

Things I learned today… I started to crochet a blanket last night, and I had forgotten how much I loved it. While I was yarning over and hooking and turning, I realized that a crocheted blanket is one continuous string of yarn that is continuously...

Opportunities, PTSD & Vikings: Surgery Eve

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, August 9, 2021 • Leave a Comment

August 9, 2015, was a Sunday. We packed a bag or two to head to the hospital early on Monday morning. Keith completed all the pre-surgery protocols the week prior, so he was ready. Check-in would be bright and early. Keith’s colon cancer (adenocarcinoma) was...

Opportunities, PTSD, and Vikings

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, July 24, 2021 • Leave a Comment

On or about this day 6 years ago, July 2015, Keith and I were standing in the front yard when the gastro doctor called. They found colon cancer in Keith after a routine colonoscopy, probably Stage 2, and it had to come out. It was...