Did you know that we are born with only two fears? A fear of falling. And a fear of loud noises. All other fears are learned by association and identification. What are you afraid of? For many people the obvious answers would be spiders, snakes and dark alleys. Let’s face it: these are things that [...]
Tag: Courage
My 2012 Compass by Debra Smouse
I began replacing “resolutions” in 2007 with guiding words for focus. I chose three little words in 2007 and they changed my whole life. My world opened up. I transformed. Every year since that time, I have chosen one to three words to serve as my guiding principles for the year. My life continued to [...]
the Healing of a Writer’s Soul by Debra Smouse
I’ve never been much of diary writer. Until I was mid-way through high school, I would stop and start diaries and journals without consistency. Then in my junior year of high school, I had a teacher who insisted upon a daily writing practice. She would occasionally do a journal check that consisted of reading random [...]
Not Absence of Fear by Deb Smouse
It’s impossible for me to write about courage without also acknowledging its mirror image: fear. Fear is necessary. It keeps us alive during unexpected events, like escaping a grizzly bear in the woods or extricating ourselves from a burning building. Living in fear, though, or allowing it to take over our lives can stunt your [...]
Traces by Deb Smouse
Since joining the staff of All Things Girl back in 2002, I have written about pieces of my personal life within our virtual pages in hopes that by sharing my over-a-cup-of-coffee view of my life, you, the reader, can see a bit of yourself within me. Personally, I find it comforting when I see traces [...]
Love Comforteth Like Sunshine After Rain by Deb Smouse
I mentioned to you a life-changing event on the horizon in my June Column, and should follow up to tell you that less than twenty-four hours after my column went live, my mother died. I was quiet about events, publicly. I chose to not broadcast the news via Facebook where I would get the nice-fake-public [...]
Southern Comfort by Deb Smouse
I’m not sure who first said we should starve a cold and feed a fever, but that adage has never spoken true to me. I’m Southern. I feed everything. I feed an upset stomach with Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, saltines, and 7-Up, a cold with tomato soup and toast, and a broken heart with ice [...]
Confessions of the Editor by Deb Smouse
It’s been a year since you’ve heard from me. Well, not exactly. I’ve conducted a few interviews, made a scattering of blog posts, and been dutiful with each Letter from the Editor. Missing, however, has been my personal column – a barometer of my life for more than five years here within the digital pages [...]
Into the Light by Deb Smouse
I believe it’s important to start each day fresh. There is something to be said for allowing the desire for positivity in your life to win out over the negatives of past experiences. Countless self-improvement books and life coaches will tell you that in order to lead a conscious and fulfilled life you must focus [...]
What’s In Your Heart by Deb Smouse
February is the time of hearts. We see it in the grocery stores and on commercials “Give your “heart” for Valentine’s Day. For the romantics, Valentines Day is a time of flowers and romance and for the cynics, it is a red and pink hallmark holiday. Women, as early as junior high, seem to find [...]
By Land, By Sea by Kathleen Gerard
My sister was coming off a very tumultuous love affair, and I was coming off anesthesia from surgery. Both of our stories were long and complicated. Hers started with a married man; mine, with cancer. Other than both our lives seeming to be in limbo, the only things we really had in common were that [...]
Three Little Words: A Status Report by Deb Smouse
As the close of 2008 approaches, I am beginning to look back at the progression of my life as well as look forward as to what I want to accomplish in 2009. Every fiber of my being believes that the words I chose this year to guide me was one of the most positive things [...]
Outside Inby Deb Smouse
One of the quotes on my vision board is “Do Something that Scares You,” so last month I did just that. I invested money into the branding of my business and gave a fresh face to the on-line projects that are important to me. I had professional portraits made. In the age of digital cameras [...]
Living My Passion, Finding My Courage, and Searching for Forgiveness by Deb Smouse
I swore to myself that I would not allow another issue of ATG to publishing without my column. But here I sit on June 29th at a lovely outside café enjoying a little Thai food (please forgive the lemon sauce) while the eighth or ninth draft of my July column winds its way from my [...]
How Deb (is getting) Her Groove Back by Deb Smouse
It tends to come and go at moments when I least expect it….at moments when it is quiet around me – and I am alone driving…..or in the middle of a crowd queuing up to gain entry to some place I must go to. It’s emotional in many ways…and I feel like a child who [...]
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Cover Girl Stephenie Meyer: An Interview (Part One) with Deb Smouse
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Live Alone and Like It The Classic Guide for the Single Woman
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My Plan to Thrive while I Deal with Grief this Holiday Season
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Life, Love and Lesson Plans by Wynn Godbold
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Under the Bed by Jody Keisner
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The Mighty Kymm’s Deep Cuts: Before Midnight
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Happier & Healthier Living: Sandwich Generation
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The Gypsy Girl’s Guide to Atlanta, GA
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Habitation: Ditching Drama as a Lifestyle
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Man on Monday: Brian Plautz of Chroma
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Penny Luker: Thanks Jodie I couldn't agree more. We need more ...
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Jody: Thanks Penny. I enjoyed reading this. A lot. W...
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Margaret: Really great read, Jody. Our relationships with w...
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Elizabeth Rago: Thanks, Roxanne. I am so happy I am on my side now...
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