DON'T WORRY, I'M ALIVE.

...annnnnnd, I'm still alive.

I took a short (unplanned) break from blogging because life work got the best of me. If you're interested in a sad story, here's the short version--by the time I got home each evening, I had time for a quick after-work run, dinner, grading, and then some journaling before falling asleep (and a power nap or two squeezed in here and there, too).

Blogging has been quieter around here--both in comments and in post frequency. But to be honest, I'm okay with that. I do miss the days when I had conversations with bloggers in the comments section. I also miss the community and friendships that flourished on blogs, too.

I think that there's been a shift away from blogging and to Facebook and Instagram in terms of interaction. More and more people are sharing their lives on Instagram posts/stories. Don't get me wrong--I love it just as much as you. It's quicker, that's for sure! 

With all these changes, it's forced me to rethink how and why I blog. And I've come to love the idea of blogging infrequently but eloquently. I want my posts to be less fluff and more grit and heart. I want to write essays and put (some) of my introspective reflections into posts to share a bit of what swirls around in my brain.

And in the end, I don't really care if people read it and enjoy it, because I'm here to share my heart, not push myself to fame and fortune. 

Aside from that, I've been finding more joy in life--in the mundane, in my job, and in being single. This road ain't easy, but it's a journey worth traveling and most importantly, enjoying.

The little moments like getting free candy from Trader Joe's (in exchange for waiting and having to change lines after the card reader froze on me), or buying fresh ranunculus just because, or getting mobbed by preschoolers (and their hugs) in the classroom continue to brighten my day.

And I've found myself talking to strangers more, finding contentment in solitude, loving the skin I'm in, waking up earlier, and realizing that the life I've got is good--even though it's far from what I ever imagined it would be. 

If you're reading through She Reads Truth right now, you're probably following the Psalms of Ascent study--and this quote continues to challenge my thinking, and hopefully it's a reminder worth living out:

"The Christian life is a climb—a journey of constant growth, sacrifice, and trusting God for what we cannot see. As Eugene Peterson said, we are pilgrims, but we are also disciples—always moving and always learning. "