Are there any phrases spoken in your family that only a relative would understand? Perhaps, a word usage that pinpoints to a specific geographical area? Your ears possibly perk up a little because they are so unique, or it takes a few seconds to process? While volunteering in Calgary with West Jackson Baptist Church, my …
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.
Saying Grace
When the announcement was made that the summer series at West Jackson was entitled God is Great, God is Good, my mind immediately recited the entire prayer from my childhood. There was no pause, the words flowed easily, which proves the importance of teaching children to Say Grace and other prayers early in life. Struggling …
Benefits Package
Typically, when I hear the phrase Benefits Package, my mind wanders first towards the employment world, and the advice I usually give to students to be mindful that while they are engaging in the job-seeking process, it is wise to consider not only a base salary, but to be deliberate about gaining knowledge regarding the …
Weeds of Ingratitude
There is a lengthy crack that runs through a large portion of my driveway. It’s not pleasing to the eye, but it stays because many attempts I’ve seen at repairing other pebbled surfaces really don’t seem to improve the aesthetics. During cold seasons, the crack rarely draws my attention, but in the warm months when …
Be A Spoon
One of the amusing challenges in working with Emerging Adults is navigating how to sprinkle a dose of reality into their lives without destroying a professional dream. In one classroom assignment, students are expected to create a personal budget for a first-year employee with a bachelor’s degree for their aspiring career field. It’s fairly simple …
Whine or Worship
Next to the crinkling sound of a thin water bottle or witnessing someone being rude, a pet peeve of mine is hearing children (or adults for that matter) whine. It may be the high-pitched voice, or it may be the person’s disposition that makes me wince, but my initial reflex is to do just about …
Exemplar of Selflessness
After engaging in a conversation with my neighbor, Mike, the other day about his upcoming high school reunion, I was reminded of how fascinating group dynamics can be, especially considering that at the same time, I was reading Joan Ryan’s book Intangibles about team chemistry in sports. Whether discussing groups of school alumni, high-performing athletic …
5:1 Ratio
At this point on this pilgrimage to investigate what it means to have a flourishing life, I should no longer be astonished when concepts repeatedly appear from unconnected resources; however, I admit that once again while listening to a message on a church podcast while enjoying a cool, summer morning walk, a simple thought burst …
Emotional Adolescent
Perhaps, like me, when you see the term Emotional Adolescent, your mind conjures up memories of your own teenage years and how much turmoil seemed to exist on an hour-by-hour basis. In a small space of time, life goes from being abundant and flourishing to something more akin to Raging Seas. I’m grateful that my …
Come Clean
Does your body have a visceral response such as a gigantic lump in your throat when someone hesitantly utters the words, “I need to Come Clean with you!” Personally, my preference would be that those words were intended as an act of service which might result in removing dust from my furniture or soap scum …
Flourishing @ Life 