A few weeks ago, I started reading the book, When We Rise. My Life in the Movement, by Cleve Jones. The first sentence in the Preface reads, “The movement saved my life.” Cleve (who was mentored by Harvey Milk) was 17. It was 1971, and he was living in Arizona with his parents, and skipping […]
Why Community Saves Lives… Read More »
One of my first memories was being bit by a dog in my face. I was crawling under a coffee table, probably creeping up on that dog in a threatening way, when it decided to teach me a lesson. I still have the scar. It was Danny’s dog. I found out just a few years
And then the Universe answered my questions, from many angles and in different ways. The question was, “What do you need from me?” Essentially, “Where can I best serve?” You would think that I have heard this response before but, in all honesty, I was in denial. “How will I be received? Who won’t read
LGBTQ+ | Operation “End Suicides” Read More »
Earlier this week, I spent some time with a group of young women. All are dwelling at their “bottom” and rebuilding their lives. Their common theme, and I do mean all of them, was how much they “hated” themselves. All were struggling finding their own intrinsic good and redeeming value. All had a hard time
It’s an Inside Job Read More »
Imagine being sentenced to death or life in prison. Now imagine that you didn’t commit the crime you’re accused of, that you have dozens of witnesses that support your innocence, and they’re ignored and not allowed to testify. Your reality is that you’re faced with a system that targets you, based on your race, socioeconomic class
Linda died a few months ago. She was 66. I met her 25 years ago when I lived in Hawaii. I found out via a text message from a friend who still lives in Hawaii. I tried to get some answers. There were none. I’ve called her phone numbers. No answer. I’m not sure what
A few weeks ago, I was listening to Oprah interview Sister Joan Chittister. Oprah asked (and I’m paraphrasing here) how people could start to make change happen and Sister Chittister responded, “Do something.” I like that. A simple, yet complete response, just “do something.” So today, on Christmas, I thought I’d release a short blog
Just Do Something. Read More »
We Believed that the answers we seek are within us…every single one of them? We Listened to and respected our feelings as our purest truth? We Realized that every inch of life…every moment, every celebration, and every heartbreak, has a higher purpose? We Let Go of believing that other people’s opinion of us, good or
I did not want to write this blog… And yet, here I am. I fought it. I started it, and then I set it aside. Then I drafted another “thought-provoking” blog, one that was more “clinical,” one that didn’t rip out my heart, one that helped me disconnect from these feelings. Obviously, since you’re reading
The question… “Karen, why are you posting less on social media?” Me (exhaling sheepishly), “Man…it’s complicated…” The analogy… You arrive at a family reunion and are happy to see your Mom and Dad, your siblings, grandparents, and the rest of your relatives. You’re anticipating an awesome reunion with people you’ve known forever, and who you
It’s Called “Media” for a Reason. Read More »