Author Archives: bonnevivantelife

The Burden of Choice

Posted on May 20, 2019

I’m 45 years old, and I am both ecstatic and dismayed that I have one more student loan payment left. I received my graduate degree in 1997. It’s been a while. It also took me a while to understand why … Continue reading →

Posted in Empowerment, Mindfulness, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Box Full of Darkness

Posted on January 18, 2019

“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” -Mary Oliver, The Uses of Sorrow Mary Oliver, a poet who once said poetry mustn’t be fancy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Relationships | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

When Rice is Love

Posted on October 28, 2018

Twenty four years ago, my parents gave me an old 3-cup rice cooker, National brand. It was rusty on the outside, but it did the job. They loaded me up with used furniture, an Ikea piece or two, mismatched kitchenware, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Parenting | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Active Shooter Lockdown at my Children’s Schools: My Response

Posted on October 26, 2018

“Please talk with your children about what happened and reassure them that there are strategies in place both at home and school to ensure safety.” — Part of the note from the school principal after an active shooter lockdown. (Note: … Continue reading →

Posted in Empowerment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Getting Arrested Changed My Life

Posted on October 14, 2018

My daughter is deeply disappointed in me. She does not think it’s fitting to have any criminal record. She understands why I’ve recently turned to a scofflaw life, but she does not approve. It has taken almost 45 years to … Continue reading →

Posted in Empowerment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Where are you from?

Posted on August 27, 2018

“North Jersey, right outside of NYC,” I’d always reply. I know what people mean when they ask me. Inevitably, they always follow up with “No, I mean where are you REALLY from?” At which point I’d say, “Oh, right. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Empowerment, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

#winning at What Cost?

Posted on August 23, 2018

I’ve learned to listen to my gut. So when I first started hearing students and teachers describe a certain coach with certain words, it struck me as interesting, and I tucked it away. Fast forward to a year later, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Empowerment, Parenting | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments