encouragement – One Brave Word

Simple Gifts: The Gift of Gratitude

May 2, 2024 Mikelle

I don’t remember when we actually crossed the threshold from May-is-a-normal-month to May-is-as-crazy-busy-as-December. All I know is that the struggle is real. In an effort to distribute the heavy load of May, it seems like the pace of April has also gradually increased, akin to how Black Friday now spans closer to a month than a single day in November. So maybe it’s no coincidence that gratitude is what came to mind when I was pondering about what simple gift…

That Big Thing You’re Doing? You’re Crushing It.

April 30, 2024 Mikelle

In January, I committed to finally reading the unabridged edition of Victor Hugo’s famous novel, Les Misérables. Familiar with the moving story via its stage and film adaptations, I have long wanted to read the book, and I have had a paperback copy sitting on my nightstand for at least two years. But at 1,460 pages, it is an ambitious read, so I have repeatedly set it aside, as if waiting for some perfect time to magically emerge where I…

Simple Gifts: The Gift of Cheerleading

April 5, 2024 Mikelle

For part of high school, I was a cheerleader. During that season of life, cheerleading looked like practicing cheers and stunts daily after school and during the summer, suiting up to cheer at games a few times a week, tumbling classes, and team competitions. I haven’t cheered like that for decades, but we all have opportunities to be cheerleaders all the time. It doesn’t require a uniform, a back handspring, or a love of sports. However, it might include dedicating…