If you’ve read the posts Racing to Roam or Bucket List, then you are familiar with my journey to complete races across the country, which has often led me to small towns with a unique mixture of attributes or histories. However, since fulfilling the task of all 50 states in 2021, the focus has shifted …
Author: Julie Powell, Ed.D.
With over 30 years in higher education, I have a passion for seeing people, not only succeed at life, but to flourish in their God-given space personally, professionally, and spiritually.
Out of Order
Standing in the kitchen of my home with Johna Bryant one summer day several years ago, an interesting conversation arose as we discussed how our personalities determine how we approach things. We laughed about how ingrained it is for me to take a linear, step-by-step tactic to life while Johna leans towards a non-linear method, …
Buried or Planted?
Over the last few years, it has been my experience that I should pay careful consideration when a word or phrase grabs my attention. I’ll jot a note of this phrase, sometimes in my phone or journal, other times in the margins of book notes or journals, but it is important to cultivate the Habit …
Red Door
While driving from Cochrane to Chestermere with members of the 2023 West Jackson Calgary team, the group was discussing what it looks like to prayer walk in a neighborhood where considerations are being made for a possible church plant. Kelly, the pastor of Tapestry Church, had provided guidance on specific observations to make as we …
Be Happy
In the late 1980s, many of us, who were alive so long ago, were singing the lyrics of a Grammy-award winning song entitled Don’t Worry Be Happy. Throughout the tune, Bobby McFerrin repeats the phrase “In every life we have some Trouble, but when you worry you make it double/Don’t worry Be Happy.” And In …
Out of Sync
Although describing a moment when the audio and video are Out of Sync when viewing a show as a pet peeve might be a little strong, I admit to at least experiencing a bit of annoyance when it occurs. It is also typical for me to only endure it for a short period of time …
End of Me
It would certainly bolster my spirits to have a few empathic readers say that not only can they appreciate the struggle I’m about to reveal, but also share the angst that accompanies trying to reach the End of Me. Even writing that statement discloses just how challenging dying to self truly is. Offering even further …
Wintering
In the Academy-award winning movie Frozen, Queen Elsa has icy powers which trap her kingdom of Arendelle into an eternal winter. Weaving a narrative related to the bonds of sisterhood, the storyline covers themes of love, self-acceptance, and the power of true love all occurring among the wintry beauty of the Northern Lights and a …
Stay or Go?
Experiencing life with an Abiding Friend like Tara typically brings a bit of whimsy, and I dearly hope you have a friend like her in your life. Although we don’t have the opportunity to spend as much time together in this season of life, Tara is a gift threaded throughout my memories and scrapbooks, and …
Meet in the Middle
On a recent road trip, I utilized a streaming service to select my music, which can often lead to befuddlement as I question the algorithm’s choices. However, for the most part, the songs seemed to align with what I was hoping to hear and even allowed for some reminiscing about college days. One song that …
Flourishing @ Life 