How to Build Confidence Now and Start Living Your Best Life by Stephanie Haywood

June 2, 2026May 31, 2026Leave a comment

For mid-career professionals, busy parents, and new homeowners quietly second-guessing their “adult” choices, confidence building for adults can feel like a missing skill everyone else downloaded. The core tension is exhausting: big goals matter, but hesitation, comparison, and overthinking keep decisions small and progress slow. Confidence isn’t a personality trait reserved for the bold, it’s a set of self-improvement techniques that can be practiced, and it’s the fuel behind real goal achievement strategies. With the right personal growth motivation, living your best life starts feeling less like a distant version of someone else and more like a direction worth committing to.

Quick Confidence Boosters at a Glance

Take one small, practical action today to build confidence through immediate progress.
Use quick self esteem improvements to shift your mindset before bigger challenges.
Focus on immediate confidence boosters that make you feel more capable right now.
Apply simple motivational tactics to stay encouraged and keep moving forward.
Follow practical confidence actions that help you start living your best life today.

Choose Your Next Move: 12 Doable Confidence Builders

Confidence grows faster when you stop trying to “fix yourself” and start giving yourself proof. Pick one or two moves from this menu based on your energy today, then stack them onto the quick 60-second boosters you’re already using.

Do a “show-up” workout (10–20 minutes): Choose a simple routine you can repeat: 10 squats, 10 push-ups (or wall push-ups), 20-second plank, 10-minute brisk walk. The point isn’t intensity, it’s keeping promises to yourself, which builds self-trust. Track it with a tiny note like “moved my body” so you have evidence on low-motivation days.
Build a confidence plate at your next meal: Add protein + fiber + color: eggs or yogurt + oats or beans + a fruit/veg. This steadies energy and mood, which makes it easier to speak up, make decisions, and follow through. If you’re busy, create a “default” snack (nuts + fruit, hummus + carrots) so you’re not relying on willpower at 3 p.m.
Schedule one “small win” at work (and ship it): Pick a low-risk stretch: ask one question in a meeting, volunteer for a bite-size task, or send the follow-up email you’ve been avoiding. The small wins approach works because it turns confidence into a muscle you train, not a mood you wait for. Pair it with your 60-second power posture or pep talk, then do the thing while the boost is fresh.
Run a 30-minute career-change mini-sprint: Split a page into three columns: “What I’m good at,” “What energizes me,” and “What I’m done tolerating.” Circle one theme and take one concrete step today: update one bullet on your résumé, message one person for an informational chat, or research one role and its requirements. This kind of clarity planning calms the mental noise that feeds doubt.
Use a 5-5-5 downshift to calm your body: When nerves spike, do this: inhale 5 seconds, hold 5, exhale 5 for 2–3 minutes. Then loosen your jaw, drop your shoulders, and unclench your hands, tiny physical cues that tell your brain you’re safe. It’s a great follow-up to the 60-second reset: quick boost first, then longer regulation so you stay steady.
Try a “fear-setting + brave script” exercise (unique, surprisingly effective): Write the situation you’re avoiding (e.g., “pitch my idea”). Under it, list: what you fear, what’s actually likely, and your smallest brave action. Finish with a one-sentence script you can say out loud: “I’m nervous, and I’m still going to ask for what I need.” Rehearsing reduces the drama in your head and makes the moment feel familiar.
Practice public confidence in private (2 minutes a day): Stand tall, read a paragraph out loud, and end with one clear sentence: “My next step is ____.” Record it once a week and listen, not to judge yourself, but to notice progress. This is how you quietly build the “I can lead” energy you’ll need when you’re ready to pitch an idea, sell a service, or put a real offer into the world.

Turn “Maybe Someday” Into a Launch Plan for Your Dream Business

If one of your confidence builders is finally going after a big goal, a dream business is a powerful place to start. Launching a venture gets less scary when you turn the idea into a few clear decisions: what you’re offering, who it’s for, and a tiny timeline for a first, simple launch. Then outline the basics that make it real, your business structure, any required paperwork, and the practical setup you’ll need to operate. If you want a guided, all-in-one path, ZenBusiness can help you form an LLC, stay on top of compliance, create a website, or handle finances. Next, you’ll build steady self-belief by stacking a few small habits you can repeat.

Confidence Habits You Can Repeat Every Week

Confidence grows when you prove to yourself, repeatedly, that you do what you said you would do. These habits keep the bar low and the feedback fast, so you can build confidence now and start living your best life through steady, real-life evidence.

Tiny Promise + Follow-Through

What it is: Make one small promise you can finish today, then complete it.
How often: Daily
Why it helps: You collect proof that you’re reliable, even on hard days.

Habit Stack a Brave Action

What it is: Use an existing habit or routine as the trigger for one brave action.
How often: Daily
Why it helps: You reduce decision fatigue and act before doubt talks you out of it.

Two-Minute Boundary Script

What it is: Practice one sentence that protects your time, energy, or money.
How often: Weekly
Why it helps: Clear boundaries build self-respect and reduce resentment.

Evidence Log

What it is: Write three wins, even tiny ones, in a note on your phone.
How often: Daily
Why it helps: Your brain starts scanning for progress instead of problems.

Five-Minute Body Reset

What it is: Do a five-minute breathing exercise to downshift stress.
How often: Daily
Why it helps: Calm nervous systems make clearer choices and steadier confidence.

Confidence Q&A for Real Life Momentum

Q: What are some simple daily habits I can adopt right now to boost my self-confidence?
A: Choose one tiny promise you can keep today, then follow through. Add a 60 second “evidence note” where you write one thing you did well, even if it felt small. Confidence builds faster when your goals are specific, scheduled, and easy to repeat.

Q: How can I overcome feelings of overwhelm and uncertainty when trying to achieve new goals?
A: Shrink the goal until it feels almost too easy, then commit to just the first step for seven days. When your mind spirals, ask “What’s the next right action in the next 10 minutes?” and do that. If you miss a day, restart without punishment and treat it as practice, not proof you failed.

Q: What are effective ways to incorporate relaxation and stress management into a busy lifestyle?
A: Use micro breaks that fit between tasks: three slow breaths before you open your inbox, or a two minute walk after a call. Set a daily “off switch” alarm that signals you to stop scrolling, stretch, and transition into rest. Small, consistent resets often reduce stress more than occasional long sessions.

Q: How can making small changes in my nutrition and fitness routine impact my overall confidence and motivation?
A: Simple upgrades like adding protein to breakfast, drinking more water, and taking a 10 minute walk can improve energy and mood, which makes action feel doable. Track consistency, not intensity, because showing up is what builds self trust. Your confidence rises when your body feels supported, not punished.

Turn Self-Belief Into Action, and Confidence Will Follow

It’s hard to move forward when doubt is loud and every setback feels like proof that you’re not ready. The way through is simple but not always easy: keep practicing self-belief reinforcement by choosing the next right step, then letting small wins stack into real confidence impact reflection. Over time, that mindset shifts how risks feel, how criticism lands, and how quickly it becomes possible to recover and try again, exactly how inspiring personal change starts. Confidence grows when actions get smaller and consistency gets stronger. Choose one small action today, send the email, draft the plan, or take the next business step, and take it before the day ends to keep taking action for success. That’s how motivation turns into resilience, and resilience turns into a life that feels steadier, healthier, and more connected.

Guest blog post by Stephanie Haywood, read her previous guest blog post HERE and HERE or visit her website: MY LIFE BOOST.

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Practical Tips to Help Creatives Master the Basics of Business by Stephanie Haywood

April 2, 2026March 15, 2026Leave a comment

For freelance designers, illustrators, photographers, writers, and other creative professionals, the work rarely fails because of talent, it stalls because of business management challenges. When client expectations, inconsistent income, and admin tasks pile up, balancing creativity and business can start to feel like choosing between artistic passion and finances. Creative entrepreneurship asks for structure, money clarity, boundaries, and decisions that don’t always feel “creative”, and that friction can quietly drain momentum. With the right foundation, business stops hijacking the process and starts protecting the work.

Quick Summary: Business Basics for Creatives

Set clear pricing using simple rates and boundaries that protect your time and creative energy.
Use straightforward contracts to define scope, timelines, payments, and expectations before starting work.
Build a basic workflow to move from inquiry to delivery with fewer decisions and less stress.
Organize finances with simple tracking and separation so money feels clear and manageable.
Market authentically and set time boundaries to stay visible without draining your spark.

Build a Simple Business Flow That Protects Your Art

This process helps you price your work, formalize client expectations, get paid cleanly, and deliver on time without turning your creative life into paperwork. It matters because a few simple defaults reduce stress, prevent misunderstandings, and keep more of your energy available for making.

Set a pricing floor and a clear menu
Start with a minimum you will not go below by listing your time, tools, and the “hidden” effort like revisions and admin, then add a profit cushion. Choose one simple structure to begin: a package price, a day rate, or a project fee with add-ons, so clients can decide faster and you can quote consistently.
Send clean invoices and track payment dates
Create an invoice template with your business name, client name, itemized description, total due, due date, and accepted payment methods. Send it the same day you deliver a milestone and set one reminder date, because consistent invoicing is what turns creativity into reliable income.
Run a basic workflow from intake to delivery
Use four stages on a board or checklist: Intake, Create, Review, Deliver, with one “next action” written for each client. Add two weekly admin blocks for replies, invoicing, and follow-ups, then protect short creative blocks too since hands-on creative work can still be meaningful even in 15 to 20 minutes.
Revise client PDFs fast, verify details, and ship on time
When a client asks for “one small tweak,” make edits in an online PDF editor, then re-export with a clear file name like Client_Project_v3_DATE.pdf. Many find that if they edit PDF pages online, this keeps the revision loop moving without derailing the rest of the workflow. Do a two-minute final check for names, dates, prices, and links, then send with a brief summary of what changed so approvals are quick and your schedule stays intact.

A Simple Business Rhythm You Can Repeat

A sustainable system is less about doing more and more about doing it on purpose, at the same time, in the same order. This rhythm keeps your money clear, your clients informed, and your marketing visible, so your creative brain is not carrying open loops all week.

Stage	Action	Goal
Capture	Log income, expenses, and hours in one place.	Clean numbers you can trust later.
Triage	Scan messages, sort by urgency, write next actions.	Fewer loose ends and faster replies.
Create	Protect one focused making block before the admin expands.	Output stays central, not squeezed.
Publish	Note one marketing signal and share one small update.	Consistent visibility without heavy launches.
Reconcile	Match invoices, deposits, and due dates; schedule reminders.	No surprise gaps in cash flow.
Review	Weekly lookback: wins, bottlenecks, and one tweak.	A calmer, improving workflow.

These stages loop: capture and triage reduce friction, which makes creative time easier to protect. Publish and reconcile keep the business fed, while review prevents small problems from becoming personal stress.

Habits That Keep Your Business Simple and Your Spark Safe

When business basics live in tiny, repeatable habits, they stop feeling like a threat to your creativity. These practices keep decisions small, boundaries clear, and your attention free to make work you are proud of.

Daily Admin Landing Pad

What it is: Do one 10-minute pass of money, messages, and next actions.
How often: Daily
Why it helps: It prevents tiny tasks from piling into an all-day fog.

Scope Sentence Before You Say Yes

What it is: Write one sentence naming deliverable, timeline, and revision limit.
How often: Per inquiry
Why it helps: It reduces resentment and protects your making time.

Client Trust Touchpoint

What it is: Respond promptly to client concerns with a clear next step.
How often: Within 24 hours
Why it helps: It keeps small issues from becoming energy-draining conflict.

Tool Trim Session

What it is: Review and optimize tools by canceling one unused subscription.
How often: Monthly
Why it helps: It lowers costs and reduces mental clutter.

Build Creative Stability With Simple Business Tools That Scale

It’s easy to feel like business basics will dull your creativity, or that your art will suffer if you get organized. The steadier path is a mindset of continuous improvement: start small, keep routines gentle, and let business system growth follow your creative career development instead of forcing it. Over time, a few foundational business tools become a calm backbone, building real confidence in business management and freeing more energy for the work only you can make. Keep your art alive by keeping your business simple. Choose three tools or routines to commit to now, then schedule a monthly check-in to adjust what’s working and release what isn’t. That steady refinement is how long-term creative success becomes sustainable, not stressful.

Guest blog post by Stephanie Haywood, read her previous guest blog post HERE and HERE or visit her website: MY LIFE BOOST.

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Unlock Your Creative Potential with These Effective Tips by Stephanie Haywood

November 5, 2024October 20, 2024Leave a comment

In a world where innovation is critical to success, creativity plays a vital role in personal growth and professional progress. However, even the most inventive individuals can experience periods where inspiration fades, making it challenging to find new ideas. When this happens, the methods that once drove your creativity might start to feel limiting, prompting a need for fresh approaches. Fortunately, there are effective ways to reignite that creative energy. This article offers practical strategies, from rethinking your work environment to trying new experiences, aimed at revitalizing your creativity and helping you reach new levels of inspiration.

Transform Your Workspace into a Creative Hub

Creating a collaborative environment can significantly boost your team’s creativity and productivity. Designing a workspace with flexible layouts and modular furniture allows everyone to adapt the area to their specific needs. This adaptability encourages both solo work and group collaboration. Integrating natural light and greenery can also enhance creativity and overall wellness. Seamlessly incorporating digital tools for communication and planning ensures that your team can share ideas effectively, making the most of physical and virtual spaces.

Begin Your Day with Analog Inspiration

Starting your day away from screens can do wonders for your creative thinking. Dedicating morning time to analog activities like reading or journaling gives your mind the freedom to explore ideas without digital distractions. This practice enhances focus, lowers stress, and prepares you to tackle daily challenges with a fresh perspective. Establishing a tech-free morning routine can lead to creative breakthroughs and a more productive day.

Leap into Creativity with a Career Shift

Sometimes, a career change can provide the creative boost you need. Consider the benefits of a computer science degree online, which allows you to acquire new skills in IT and programming while maintaining your current job. This flexibility lets you apply new knowledge immediately, enhancing your expertise and career prospects. Embracing this dual engagement equips you to tackle modern challenges creatively and effectively.

Dance Your Way to Enhanced Creativity and Awareness

Dance offers a unique blend of physical exercise and artistic expression, which can rejuvenate both your mind and body. Whether you’re drawn to the grace of ballet or the energy of salsa, dancing connects your movements to your emotions, heightening body awareness and mood. Exploring various dance styles can reduce stress and boost cognitive performance, enriching your creative spirit through movement.

Fuel Imagination with Daily Reading Adventures

Allocating time each day for reading can significantly enhance your imagination. Engaging with literature allows your mind to visualize worlds and characters, fostering creative thinking and empathy. This daily habit improves language skills and mental agility, equipping you to solve complex problems with innovative solutions. Even a short, focused reading session can transform your imagination and open new possibilities. Visit The Inkblotters for ideas on your next read!

Discover Fresh Ideas at Cultural Festivals

Attending cultural festivals is a fantastic way to experience diverse artistic expressions. Events like local music or film festivals offer unique insights into different perspectives, inspiring new creative endeavors. By engaging with various cultural outputs, you return home with fresh ideas and renewed inspiration that enrich your personal and professional life, broadening your worldview and sparking creative reinvigoration.

Creativity is the vibrant thread that weaves new patterns into the fabrics of our experiences. By daring to shift paradigms and embrace the unfamiliar, you open doors to infinite possibilities where innovation flourishes. Let this journey be a canvas for rediscovery, where each brushstroke marks a glorious intersection between ambition and imagination. Trust in the transformative power of creativity to sculpt your path, knowing that you forge a legacy of brilliance, resilience, and boundless potential with every step.

Discover captivating book excerpts and spotlights at The Inkblotters, and immerse yourself in a world where stories come to life!

Guest blog post by Stephanie Haywood, read her previous guest blog post HERE and HERE or visit her website: MY LIFE BOOST.

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Build a Successful Home-Based Writing Venture With These Moves by Stephanie Haywood

December 12, 2023December 10, 2023Leave a comment

Embarking on a home-based writing business is a journey of transformation, blending passion with practicality. It represents a shift from traditional office settings, offering autonomy and the chance to craft a personalized work environment. This venture, however, is not without its challenges. This article, presented by The Inkblotters, provides a structured guide to help you navigate the complexities of establishing a successful home-based writing business.

Crafting a Comprehensive Business Plan

A business plan acts as a navigational chart for your enterprise. It’s essential to articulate your mission, identify your target market, and highlight what sets your writing services apart. This document is not just a formality; it’s a strategic tool that guides decision-making and can be pivotal in securing financial support from lenders or investors.

Embracing Efficient Digital Tools

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, managing an influx of documents effectively is crucial, especially when multiple teams or individuals are involved in a project. A common challenge is handling a variety of documents in different formats. Here, the utility of a PDF merging tool becomes apparent. It allows for you to combine PDF files into a single document, streamlining the process of keeping track of important information. This consolidation not only simplifies document management but also enables easy reordering of pages to organize content efficiently. By adopting such efficient digital practices, you can significantly reduce the time spent searching for documents, thereby focusing more on the creative aspects of your writing projects.

Strategizing Marketing Efforts

Developing an effective marketing strategy is critical in capturing your audience’s attention. Determine the most effective channels to showcase your writing services, be it through engaging social media content, email newsletters, or a captivating blog. A well-planned marketing approach is instrumental in building your brand and attracting clients.

Establishing a Strong Online Presence

In today’s market, a professional and accessible online presence is non-negotiable. A well-designed website that highlights your writing portfolio and services is crucial. It should be optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring a seamless user experience for potential clients browsing your offerings.

Selecting the Right Suppliers and Resources

For a writing business, identifying and collaborating with the right suppliers is pivotal. This involves sourcing high-quality software and materials that not only enhance your productivity but also elevate the quality of your output. Establishing relationships with reliable providers ensures that you consistently have access to the tools necessary for producing exceptional work. Additionally, these partnerships can offer valuable support and updates, ensuring that your business stays ahead with the latest technological advancements and industry trends.

Networking and Building Connections

Cultivating a network is invaluable in the realm of home-based writing businesses. Engaging with fellow writers, joining professional groups, and participating in industry events not only opens doors to collaborative opportunities and mentorship but alsoenriches your understanding of the evolving writing landscape. Additionally, these connections can provide a support system, offering guidance and feedback that can be instrumental in navigating the challenges and celebrating the successes of your writing journey.

Designing an Optimal Workspace

Setting up a designated workspace at home is crucial for maintaining focus and productivity. This space should be conducive to creativity and free from distractions, effectively blending comfort with professionalism. Moreover, personalizing this space with elements that inspire and motivate you can significantly enhance your creative process, making it a sanctuary where your best writing unfolds.

Embarking on a home-based writing business is a transformative experience, melding personal ambition with the nuances of a dynamic market. It marks a significant shift from conventional work environments, offering an unparalleled level of autonomy and the opportunity to shape your unique professional domain. The journey, while filled with challenges, is rich with opportunities for growth and innovation. As you navigate this path, remember that the key to success lies in your ability to adapt, evolve, and persistently pursue excellence in your craft. This venture is not just a business undertaking; it’s a testament to the power of blending creativity with entrepreneurial spirit.

Have a question or comment about the content available at The Inkblotters? Reach out today via the contact form.

Guest blog post by Stephanie Haywood, read her previous guest blog post HERE and HERE or visit her website: MY LIFE BOOST.

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5 Ways to Improve Your Writing That Have Nothing to Do With Grammar by Stephanie Haywood

June 15, 2023June 11, 20232 Comments

It doesn’t matter whether you write fanfiction, marketing copy, or a blog delving into your innermost demons; at the end of the day, you want to write your best. That’s why The Inkblotters have put together these five non-writing tricks you can use to help the words flow more freely and smoothly.

Create a positive home environment.

Writing requires silence for some, busyness for others, and something in between for others, still. Whatever you need to focus your mind on is exactly what you should do. Leadership coach Ciara Conlon recommends dedicating a space in your home just for the task at hand. You’ll also want to pay attention to the rest of your home. If it’s filled with negativity, you’ll take these emotions into the place that is supposed to be your safe space. Clear out negative energy by cleaning and decluttering, or take a tip from ancient Native Americans and burn sage to symbolically banish bad spirits.

Get to know your subject.

You’ve heard the phrase “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” your entire life. As it turns out, this is simply the act of feeling empathy, and it can be a huge help when writing. When you can walk someone else’s proverbial path, you can write in a way that’s more accurate to how they might react to certain situations. Similarly, you must take the time to get to know the era in which your story is set. If you’re writing a book about mythology, for example, you’ll find plenty of resources to immerse yourself in this world on this list from Redeemed Reader.

Read often.

It’s true that reading often will help improve your writing by increasing your grammar skills and vocabulary, but there are other benefits as well. When you read many different types of works, you expose yourself to new styles, which you might want to incorporate into your own manuscripts. Importantly, reading someone else’s words takes your mind off your own. This will give you an opportunity to look at your keyboard/screen with a fresh set of eyes if you experience writer’s block or other delays.

Learn to spot fluff and remove it.

Words are beautiful things, but not every word belongs in every piece. When writing for an audience, remove fluff and filler, get straight to the point, and keep redundancy to a minimum (unless you’re trying to make a point by over-accentuating a thought, feeling, or action).

Visit faraway places.

If you want to be a better writer, travel. Like getting to know ancient civilizations, visiting faraway places will add authenticity to your tales, and it might even help you come up with a new storyline for your next great work. The Creative Penn blog also asserts that traveling can help extend your network, especially if you attend a conference or writer’s retreat in another country.

The idea of improvement is unique to all of us. But the tips above, from creating a more positive environment at home to traveling, reading, and getting to know your subjects, can help you be a better writer, no matter what it is you write. Tell your stories with as little fluff and filler as possible, and don’t be shy to look for ways to enhance your technique that don’t include getting to know the inner workings of the English language.

Guest blog post by Stephanie Haywood, read her previous guest blog post HERE and HERE.

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Book Review: Dakota – A Spiritual Geography by Kathleen Norris

April 3, 2018April 2, 20182 Comments

dakota_book

Synopsis:

In 2001 Kathleen Norris published a memoir titled Dakota: A Spiritual Geography. This rousing story illuminates what life is like in a rural town––but more than that, it begs the question of what it means to live life as fully and intimately as possible.

About the Author:

Norris is a well-known poet and essayist who lives deep in the rural Dakotas, in the little town of Lemmon. She moved here after spending much of her life in New York City, but also spends some of her time in Hawaii.

Other publications of hers include Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, The Virgin of Bennington, and The Cloister Walk.

Themes––Land, Humanity, Love, Prosperity:

The themes in Dakota are simple, yet profound. In this review I strive to provide an overview, and break down the whole of the book into four clear themes; however, the reader should note that each theme is like a lake––placid on the surface, but immeasurably deep. This review is meant to be just an introduction, not a full in-depth analysis, that will hopefully entice the reader to enjoy the book.

Our odd, tortured landscape terrifies many people. Some think it’s as barren as the moon, but others are possessed by it.
(p. 36)

Dakotans know why they like living here, where life is still lived on a human scale.
(p. 35)

Watching a storm pass from horizon to horizon fills your soul with reverence. It makes your soul expand to fill the sky.
(p. 9)

Norris muses about the wide, open plains and the lack of trees and large cities. To Norris, especially as a poet, the solitude of the land inspires her to a deeper connection with God, to the grittiness of real life, and to her creative pursuits.

Even urban monasteries run on a rural rhythm, taking notice of sunrise and sunset with morning prayer and evensong.
(p. 184)

Together, the monks and coyotes will sing the world to sleep.
(p. 217)

Norris writes that the 21st century has stripped us of all realness. She asks: What if we rose and set with the sun, just as God made us to do? She argues that humans have created their own sense of time, one that runs on hours and minutes and seconds, where we focus too much on the numbers of a clock and less on how our bodies are meant to flow with the days.

At first glance, these notions may sound strangely new-age––rhythms? Follow the sun? But Norris is not advocating for the worship of nature by any means; rather, she spends much time with the Benedictines who teach her spiritual disciplines and ground her in the teachings of Christ.

True hospitality is marked by an open response to the dignity of each and every person.
(p. 197)

Norris often mentions the extreme love monks have for their fellow humans. She is inspired by age-old proverbs of desert monks who gain knowledge by solitude––and who find that this intense solitude, such as experienced on the Dakotas, provides immense joy when social interaction is received.

In short, Norris writes that she is becoming like a monk: She sees a trip to someplace bigger than Lemmon as a great joy, a feast.

Both monks and country people take for granted that prayer works, and that it’s worth doing. Why not relax and enjoy it? Why not make it beautiful?
(p. 211)

Why not become all flame?
(p. 123)

Norris writes of the hard times in the poor, rural Dakotas. She recognizes the blessings this area has to offer but does not sugarcoat the struggles these people have endured throughout history.

Last Statements:

She leaves the readers with a sense of aloneness––but not loneliness. This idea, to be “all flame,” to transform into one whose religion is not a rigid set of rules, but a faith that at its root seeks truth in Christ, provides hope to the poor Dakota soul. In turn, the reader can also find hope.

Maybe the desert wisdom of the Dakotas can teach us to love anyway, to love what is dying, in the face of death, and not pretend that things are other than they are.
(p. 121)

Guest Post by: Amy

About Amy: Amy is a lover of lilacs, old books, and authentic community. Her work has appeared in the Southwest Metro and Plymouth magazines, and the Crow River Ink literary magazine. She runs a blog called The Writer’s Refuge.