Moments of ImpartED Joy

i believe that life to the fullest does not happen without hard suffering combined with radical trust. they don't cancel each other out. they share the same space. being vulnerable is scary. letting others see who you are is terrifying. but oh, what freedom when that exposure is revealed. which is why i choose to build foundations of irrefutable companionship. strong connections solidified with great understanding + empathy.

Whether you're a seasoned educator, a student feeling the academic grind, or simply someone longing for a new outlet, I urge you: pick up a brush, grab some clay, sing in the shower. Let your creative spark flicker, even if it's just for five minutes a day. You might be surprised at the joy, the peace, and the connection you create for yourself and the world around you. Because, in the end, isn't that what life's all about? Unleashing our inner artists, painting the world with our passions, and

While exciting times are coming with new paths I’m seeking, it still has a few drawbacks that make me a bit uncomfortable. When I think about it, I get frustrated that I can’t move past it. And why? Here are a few reasons to share with you.

such a fitting episode to quietly celebrate 50 episodes. an emotional journey this week as i was reunited with three former students who each hold a special, SPECIAL place in my heart. just another moment to share that YOU matter. the love, care, compassion, empathy, + inclusion you shower on each student may come back 1000-fold when you least expect it. take a listen to three short stories of students that have impacted my heart with joy. imparted joy.

Today’s episode shifts to my Moments of Imparted Joy Podcast Guests Series A little space where someone besides myself shares answers to a few questions simply about… JOY. My wonderful guest today is one of my best friends, Darrin Peppard. Darrin Peppard is currently residing in Omaha, NE, with his lovely wife, Jess. He is the Lead Innovator at Road to Awesome whose mission is to cultivate leaders by elevating voices and promoting positivity. He is an author, publisher, speaker, and consult

the threads of our friendships + relationships mean more than we think they do. leaning into the needs of others + cultivating joy should never be taken for granted. think about the things we bring to the table. our strengths, support, consideration, + can change the world.

Social media has become a prevalent part of our lives, and for many of us, it's hard to imagine a day without scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. But have you ever considered how social media might be affecting your sleep? For the past few months, I have been disturbed, like REALLY DISTURBED, by crazy + vivid dreams. I often wake from them and have trouble falling back to sleep - usually in fear that the certifiably insane dreams would continue. There is growing evidence that soc

a story to share - getting past the overwhelm + anxiety to see a fresh perspective. moving beyond fear + expectations to a space of generous grace + positivity.

Mosaic patterns. An art form. They are all around us. We may recognize them. We may unconsciously neglect them. But they are there, waiting to be discovered. For me, patterns are expressions of comfort + contentment. It’s like an organic discipline that just falls into place without much effort. We strive to teach others to discover them. Our students, our children, our friends + family. The wonderful thing about a mosaic is that there is no template. No step-by-step guide of specific

this episode highlights another one of my favorite humans who leads by example. my dear friend, Craig Shapiro. Craig is a Health and Physical Education Teacher/Coach/Trainer and positivity provider going on 33+ years from Southampton, Pennsylvania. wellness expert, specializing in strength, nutrition, and mindset shifting. author of the upcoming book: Dream Big - stories and strategies for a successful classroom. you may know him simply by the nickname ‘Shap’. he is a beacon of joy and bri

spent the past week in a city that i had never visited before. cincinnati, OH. half of the time for work, but then three days of exploring by myself. i am NOT one who normally is all about being alone + seeking adventure. but. this was my time. to step out of my comfort zone + embrace something new.

To meet someone who has inspired you to cultivate, grow, and thrive is nothing short of amazing. So when I had the opportunity to join up with other passionate educators + leaders in OH for TeachBetter22 Conference, I may have been the first one to register, seriously. There was not one ounce of me that didn’t squeal with delight when we came together and saw each other face to face. So many of us who had built personal relationships, through social media platforms, mind you - it’s not impossi

knowledge is great. knowledge is something we all need. but we can't just leave it there without applying it in some form. love, joy, peace, patience...all great things we KNOW about. but why are we slow to apply them? let's think about how we can truly reframe our intentions.

Moments of Imparted Joy is celebrating the 40th episode. In addition, this 40th episode happens to fall on a very special day - believing that nothing is coincidental, today is exactly 40 days since the moment that Livia Chan and I met in real life and spent three whole glorious days together soaking up every ounce of sunshine + love. Pure JOY. Eating popcorn, watching Netflix, and enjoying our favorite Ben+Jerry’s ice cream flavors RIGHT outta the carton with a spoon. When I say it was the

I’m a quitter. And I’m really ok with that label. In May, I walked out of my classroom for the last time, said goodbye to my friends, and left the profession of teaching after 20+ years. It was an emotional choice, but there was something inside of me that just knew it was the right time + space to give myself a new adventure. I wasn’t upset, disillusioned, or exhausted - actually, it was the opposite, I was finding that I had more to create + inspire in other areas by using God-given gifts to e

discounting the gifts + talents we have been given harms our self-confidence and value. shift your mindset towards the positive. take it from me, i learned quite the lesson after finding myself wanting to discard a creative piece and would have missed an opportunity to bring someone else joy.

I was raised from a young age that it was best to stay within the firm boundaries of the rules that were laid out for me. And I pretty much complied. I did not want to risk losing the respect or love of my family, so I set up some pretty unrealistic expectations for myself as I grew older. Those led to creating unhealthy habits that ruptured into pathways of anxiety and stress. Let me be completely clear in saying that I am the only one who created those expectations. After years of putting m

do you know what i learned today? that we make an idol out of CERTAINTY. in addition, we chase after control, clarity, protection, + safety in all areas. we long for EXACT answers + for every detail of our lives to line up perfectly. uncertainty + trust play a key role in developing our life's foundations. yes, the ups + downs will always be there, sometimes very unexpected. what I desire is ultimate HOPE + clarity for us all. a constant state of HOPE that permeates + saturates every area

no need to audition for your life.

look inward. pull ourselves together. own life’s circumstances.

how many wins do YOU celebrate each day?