Random Thoughts of a Supersmock

Having grown up in Pittsburgh, PA, I was raised on Mr. Rogers! (He's a legend who encouraged kindness, self-worth, and compassion.) This morning, as I was driving to work and mumbling at the cars cutting me off, I caught myself—and thought, “What would Mr. Rogers do?” I took a breath, smiled, and decided to give them a little grace. We never really know what others are going through, but kindness is always a good place to start. On this World Kindness Day, I’m reminding myself that small acts—whether it’s patience on the road, a smile to a coworker, or a word of encouragement—can make a big difference in someone’s neighborhood. 💛

In scripture the the number 40 generally symbolized a period of testing or trial.  Moses alone went though many rounds with the number 40.  40 years in Egypt to 40 more years in the desert and don't forget the 40 days on Mount Sinai twice.  I have been wondering about the things I've really accomplished in my 40 years of life... here's what of my 40 most significant accomplishments: 1. My faith in Christ 2. Getting married  3. Having a Daughter 4. Having a Son 5. My Time at Habitat for Humanity and knowing Millard Fuller 6. My Happy-Go-Lucky Attitude  7. My college Education  8. My Time at Wake Tech 9. My Time in Youth Ministry  as a youth group leader 10. Being a Seahorse 11.  Making a bucket list and checking a lot off it 12.  Coming up with goooooals to make myself a better person 13. Running a half marathon (..quite a few times) 14. Parallel parking in downtown Pittsburgh in ...

I have always loved random icebreaker questions like: What is your favorite holiday? If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is the one object you would want to have? As someone who is pretty much an open book and tends to wear her heart on her sleeve, I've always enjoyed exploring what makes me tick and what really matters in life. I'm fascinated by the things that shape us, motivate us, and make us who we are. That's why one question has always intrigued me, even though it consistently trips me up: Aside from family members, If you could invite any five people, dead or alive, real or fictional, to a dinner party, who would they be? It seems like such a simple question, but the more I think about it, the more it reveals about our values, our curiosities, and the people who have inspired us. Are you drawn to wisdom, creativity, innovation, humor, kindness, adventure, or something else entirely? For me, narrowing it down to just five might be the hardest part. Here a...

Birthdays always inspire me to do something: reflect on where I am, who I am, and who I'm becoming. What I've discovered as I've gotten older is that I'm becoming much more comfortable with my imperfections. We live in a world that constantly tells us to be "perfect." It's everywhere. Social media, advertisements, television, and even our phones are quietly telling us who we should be. The funny thing is, I've lived long enough to know that perfection doesn't exist. More importantly, I've learned that the world wants us to constantly question who we are and whether we're enough. Heck, even our phones automatically remove our flaws and make us look far more spectacular than we really do. Face Beauty Auto Real Life Me So today, I'm turning off the filter and sharing a few of my imperfections. 1. I have absolutely no musical talent. Whatsoever. When I sing along to the radio, which I do often and thoroughly enjoy, I'm usually out of tu...

So it happened.  My daughter graduated high school and went off to college - six states away.  Not just a college but a Military college.  (and in a pandemic...)  I thought I would cry, but I didn't.   It was as good as it could be. She looked nervous and unsure about the next chapter.  She knows that it will be more difficult and probably the hardest thing she has yet to have done.  She grew up quite comfortable and knows those comforts are gone for now.   It is all natural and part of letting them grow up.  I am happy for her next chapter and yet a little sad that I won't get to be an active part of it.   It makes me question all the years of parenting.. did I equip her enough to handle all the things life will throw at her... because I know life comes at you hard some times.  I know deep down things will be good, but will she have the strength to really preserve when things get tough?  I pray she does and I trust God's hand ...

Sometimes the things we want are really hard and we quit to easily.   Sometimes we don't quit and we find success. Sometimes when life throw us curve balls - we swing and strike out.  Sometimes we swing and knock it out of the park.  Sometimes we find ourselves at a crossroad and take the wrong path in the wrong directions.  Sometimes we stop and ask for directions and take the right path.  Sometimes we get lost.  Sometimes we get found.  Sometimes we just want to hide.  Sometimes we just want to seek.  Sometimes we love.  Sometimes we hate.  Sometimes we dance.  Sometimes we cry.  Sometimes we're amazed at the beauty, Sometimes we are sad by the ugliness.  Sometimes we live fully.  Sometimes we don't live much at all Sometimes - is only just sometimes.  

My mother in law makes the most beautiful jewelry. I imagine it takes hours and hours, to pick all the colors, sort the beads, then string them all together with all the different styles and arrangements. And although I'm not a huge jewelry person, I find her work of art to be beautiful and a testimony towards patience. I have always known I lack patience.  At to an early age I recognized my lack of patience. I am the last born in my family and always wanted to go first but always ended up going last.  I hate waiting in long lines. And I sometimes spontaneously rush to get the things I want even though I was told to wait.  I struggle with the verse.. I waited patiently for the Lord.  But I often find myself in that situation.  Learning to be patient isn't something that I enjoy but I'm slowly learning that you can find happiness and even contentment while in a time of waiting.  So, when I find myself being inpatient, I pull out my jewelery ...