michelle m. davis

I lost a friend. Death often sparks reflection, not only on interactions experienced together, but also on lessons imparted. As I tried to process his death, sadness, grief, and a bit of anger filled my heart. He was too young. He was one of the good ones. He had a loving wife and two amazing sons. His life’s work extended far beyond the high school where he served as the principal. This man was a force in the community, loved by many. He’d touched countless lives during his short fifty years...

For years, I believed high expectations held the key to success. A classic overachiever and people pleaser, for me, the outcome mattered more than the process. As long as I earned that “A,” I wasn’t too concerned whether I memorized or mastered the content. And if I won the tennis match, the percentage of first serves in or the number of backhands missed weren’t too important. Achievement mattered most.   I always set the bar high. But whenever I met it, I'd raised the stakes, forcing myself...

As my husband and I walked the dogs this morning, I couldn’t help but notice the gorgeous skies. “AccuWeather predicted clouds all day but look at this sunshine,” I said, grateful for the unexpected beauty, yet dismayed by how often the weather app is wrong. “Growing up, we relied on the newspaper or the TV’s weather forecast. But now, our phones deliver the news in an instant. Still, so often, it’s inaccurate.” A few minutes later, I continued my observation. “We can pretty much find out...