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 …
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.
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 …
Inner Scarlett
Do you ever long to release your Inner Scarlett? I’m almost certain that most people would reply in the affirmative if I were to provide an image of how I define an Inner Scarlett. Imagine if you will an absolutely perfect summer day in Palmer, Alaska where the sky is such a rich blue that …
Borrow a Map
On this pilgrimage to discover what it means to Truly Flourish and live a life of meaning, the traveling imagery has arisen often, and there are notes all over my reading any time a reference like Blindspots, Detours, and Dirty Windshields appear. However, this week may have been a Defining Moment when I began my …
Fillers and Dippers
Have you ever taken the time to reflect on the influence you have on those around you? To genuinely ask yourself if you are a Filler or a Dipper? When I was introduced to Don Clifton’s theory of the Dipper and the Bucket, what you might recognize as a strengths-based approach to life, it provided …
Truly Flourish
Attempting to settle on one definition for what it means to Truly Flourish at life is a bit of a challenge for a multitude of reasons. Research will have me travel down paths related to happiness one day and then life satisfaction and positive psychology on another, all with their own unique perspectives of what …
Mentoring Communities
When my friend and colleague, Laci reached out on that cold January day a few years ago, she had no understanding at that time what her call was unleashing. Perhaps she regrets that call now, but since we are still chatting regularly, my hope is that she still finds our conversations as beneficial as I …
Wrinkle Free
Once upon a time I teased my mother when we would be out clothes shopping and one of the determining factors guiding her choice was whether or not it would require ironing after being laundered. Now, I am in danger of becoming the ideal candidate for those Progressive commercials about not becoming your parents. Admittedly, …
Fragile Faith
A week into the break between the spring and summer semesters and I’m confident that no one will ever employ me to be a domestic engineer. An exasperated, “You’re fired, Julie!” would have escaped my lips today if I’d had an alternative, because not only did a glass storage dish escape my grasp while dividing …
Flourishing @ Life 