A Blurred Reflection

Tag: stress

  • 5 Ways You Can Make Life Easier for Peeps with Social Anxiety

    I asked the babies, “What should I do if I say something very embarrassing in front of everyone?” “Run away,” declared the 8-year-old. “Cry,” from the 6-year-old, with empathy. “Get very mad and stomp my feet,” stated the 4-year-old, calmly, as if there was no other option. Hi, my name is Kara, and I have…

  • My Selfishness as it Relates to Hamburgers

    It all happened when I was mid-burger, 2 minutes in and 3 minutes left on the clock to consume the 67% remainder of the tomato-lettuce-cheese-pickle-beef creation in my hands. I sat there with the tomato-y mayo dribbling down my hands and thought, “How selfish I am! Here I am, scarfing down a 1/4 lb burger…

  • Victors

    Tonight, the headlines irrevocably declare: “120 Dead in Paris Attacks, Worst Since WWII”. Terror is spreading across our planet, and the people of this planet, like ancient wooden ships adrift in a storm, scatter. Some cry, some shout “Revenge!”, some huddle in the paralysis of fear. Some hold up signs that say ‘NOT AFRAID’–a distinctive…

  • It’s Gonna Be OK

    Ever have those days when you just want to sock yourself in the face? You’ve tried so hard to do the right thing, to be that person you want yourself to be, but in the end you crashed miserably and burned a whole pile of people in the process. All the time and effort you’ve put…

  • That Bum On My Couch

    I was in the second-to-front pew at church the other week, and I was feeling the morning blues. Do you know what I mean? That sandy-eyed, groggy-voiced, brain-not-quite-awake feeling of sluggishness that isn’t really ready for 120 decibels of worship music being emanated directly in front of oneself. Don’t get me wrong, the band was great. I…

  • How to make your way through a crowd of shoppers

    We’ve all been that frizzy-haired, hangry (I.E. angry because of hunger, for those of you not acquainted with aforementioned colloquialism), bone-tired shopper, frustrated with the crowds that malls and department stores attract, and wishing we could afford to patronize small, local shops alone. Maybe these six steps will spur you on to a happier Walmart stride.   I…

  • Jesus was homeless, too.

    I don’t live in the city anymore, but when I did, I never once gave money to sign-holders. I’ve never dropped even so much as a quarter in a Salvation Army bucket. That’s a shame. No, it’s more than that. It’s a complete disgrace. I met a homeless man named Richard LeMieux last week, and if I would have judged…

  • Love Ambush

    I’ve been a crab for twenty-four hours. It all started when someone asked me a question, and I responded defensively and then the father of lies jumped in with all of his hogwash and made a mess of everything. “You’re not worth fighting for.” he said, “You are selfish at the core, and think of…

  • My Best Addiction

    Now that you all know I’m addicted to gummy bears….. (and oh happy day, I got a whole 1-lb bag of them for my birthday) I gotta tell ya’ll about my FAVORITE addiction. The one I plug into when I get upset at my boss. Or when I’m preparing to teach. Or when I’m bored by…

  • The Time When I Started a Church

    Driving along a cold, forsaken road one dark night, my radio croaking out a mournful song,  I saw a church. A church that had a lighted cross by the highway, and warm, welcoming lights on inside, as if it was open to strangers and a crackling fire was burning in the hearth. “How strange!” I…