I've been noticing things about myself that I'm not sure I've ever really noticed before... at least not through the same lens as I'm seeing them now.I think they've always been there. I just never stopped and really thought about these things long enough to connect the dots.

You know that feeling when you get home after being out for a while... everything was great, nothing went wrong... the conversations were fine, maybe even really good. You’re glad you went.And yet, the first thing you find yourself craving is a little space. A little quiet. Just a moment where no one needs anything from you. I’ve had that feeling more times than I can count, especially after being in a large group of people. When I get home, there’s this clear sense that my energy has been used up. Not just my physical energy, but emotional and mental energy, too.For a long time, I think I quietly assumed that this was something I should probably work through. 

I’ve had a few situations lately where I really wanted to defend myself… like, not just calmly explain, but jump up and say, “That’s not even close to true.” And, since I’m always honest with you, part of me doesn’t just want to set the record straight… I want people to realize how ridiculous it all is. I want instant redemption.But I've started thinking… if someone came at me like that... all loud and emotional, telling me I’m wrong... would that actually change my mind? Probably not. I’d shut down. Or get defensive. Or just think, “Wow… ooookaaaay.” (This has happened before and it didn’t exactly make me see their side.)That mini epiphany has me rethinking something else...

Starting first. Figuring it out later.When Jennifer and I decided to start a podcast about local history, it meant trying something completely new at this stage of life — something neither of us had ever done before. Like, EVER...

Ever catch yourself saying something and instantly thinking, “Well… that came out wrong”? Yeah, me too. Sometimes my words skip the quality-control checkpoint before leaving my mouth.Lately I’ve been realizing just how much power our words actually have. They can calm a storm or stir one up. They can build someone up—or quietly chip away at them. And listen up, because this part is important: it’s not just about what we say to other people. It’s about what we say to ourselves, too.