As we are here together and you are actively listening to what I am sharing, I want you to settle in where you are. Try to find your body’s rest point and fall into that space. Once you’ve found your comfortable position, take a slow breath in through your nose, feeling your body melt into... Continue Reading →
The Day My Life Changed Forever
"Thank you will never be enough."-Me, Myself, and I Let me tell you a story of something that happened to me, on this day, 20 years ago. Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com My dearly loved boyfriend at the time was flying off to Japan for the year. He was serving as a Marine at... Continue Reading →
What is “masking?”
I recently did a podcast on masking but I can’t get it out of my head! Now that the concept is so fresh and real to me- I feel like I’m seeing it everywhere! Listen to my podcast episode here: https://anchor.fm/laura-lee-smith/embed Why do we need to feel like we need to hide from our true... Continue Reading →
Mind Over Matter
I've reflected within the year of 2020 of how many historical pivots unfolded (and continue to develop). Yet, I haven't shared with you what I've learned from the radical year of 2020 (one to never be forgotten). Thus, no better place then here right? I welcome you on my journey of reflection. I'll do my... Continue Reading →
Normal? Abnormal? By What Measure?
Google defines Normal as: [ˈnôrməl]ADJECTIVE conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected. Google then defines Abnormal as: [abˈnôrməl]ADJECTIVE deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying. How would YOU define normal? Yes, context matters, but is there REALLY a line of normalcy? Why do we need... Continue Reading →
The Marigold Effect
Let me first explain what the "marigold effect" means. Now let me describe the concept of companion planting. Gardeners intentionally plant certain plants alongside others to intentionally protect and nurture the growth of each plant. A marigold plant is an example of one of the best companion plants as it repels bugs and fungal diseases.... Continue Reading →
Education in 2020
So I decided to look through old files this weekend and I came across a file in my Masters of Education folder titled "Education in 2020." Instantly- I laughed out loud. Remember doing a 5-10-15-20 year write in elementary school? Yeah, similar to that. This assignment was imagining what education would be like in the... Continue Reading →
Absolutes.
When was the last time someone straight forward told you NO. Like ABSOLUTELY NOT. Straight forward. No questions asked. Even if was over something little (or hopefully not big), how did you feel? Did you hard pause and respond with an “ohhhhkkay” or did it escalate your blood pressure and make you want to argue... Continue Reading →
Christmas in September
Finding Humor as we Resiliently make it through 2020.
Revolutionary 2020
Peace cannot be kept by force: it can only be achieved by understanding.” -Albert Einstein 2020 is hard. On all of us. Emotionally. Relationally. Financially. Academically. Quite honestly, I think our collective trauma will generate new solutions, build new/stronger relationships, and design better systems. Unfortunately we have conflict before the calm, revolt before resolution and... Continue Reading →