self improvement – Amanda Herring, Writer

GASLIGHTING

“Etymology” is the study of the origin and evolution of words. I love words. I always have. “History & Grammar of the English Language” was one of my favorite classes in college. (Nerd alert!) I like reading about how words and phrases came to be, how they are used, and why some fade away yetContinue reading “GASLIGHTING”

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”

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.”

We always have a choice.

We always have a choice. Always. We can choose to respond or not respond. We can choose action or complacency. We can choose courage over fear. We can choose gratitude instead of lamenting the things we don’t have. We can choose starting over or hanging on to the past. We all know this. We allContinue reading “We always have a choice.”

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 Month: Our Story Begins

Here’s the scoop on mental health problems…they suck. I think we’re now prepared to share some of our experience with mental health challenges and suicidal ideation, but be warned. It’s hard and sad and awful. I am bringing it to my blog, because September is Suicide Prevention Month. We are a few weeks into theContinue reading “Suicide Prevention Month: Our Story Begins”

Identity Crisis?

My hair is purple, right in the front. It’s been blonde, even red, but purple…it’s kind of my thing. It’s fun. I get compliments on it all the time. People ask me questions about it, too. Is it permanent? (Yes.) Do you do it yourself? (Heck no.) Does your husband like it? (Yes.) Is itContinue reading “Identity Crisis?”

RIP to My Sanity

Here’s where the erosion of your sanity will get you… Our company’s vans died literally dead seemingly all at once (ummm, today), and we are now in a pickle. So I found two online, had them brought down from Murfreesboro, TN (which took some doing), and I’ve been scrambling to figure out how in theContinue reading “RIP to My Sanity”

Life. Smacks. Peace.

Y’all ever get up and the morning and go about your business just to be smacked in the face with a big, fat truth?! Yeah. And the funny thing about that truth is that it was there all along. It isn’t new. It isn’t a surprise. The time for all things to come together, mixContinue reading “Life. Smacks. Peace.”

Things I Learned Today / August 8, 2022

I learned today (my favorite thing I learned today!) is that teenagers are listening. When they trust you, they really do listen. They take your advice, your warnings, your words all to heart. I AM leaving a legacy, even when studio life feels burdensome. I really am. I am absolutely living the dream. (Thank you,Continue reading “Things I Learned Today / August 8, 2022”