“Don’t paint me into a corner!” I have friends, and even students, who have uttered some variation of this idiom (hope that’s the correct term for my English teachers) when the discussion of assessment tools arises. Whether the assessment is investigating personality, love languages, or career anchors, some people are opposed to being classified into …
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.
The Three, the Twelve, the Others
It’s a daunting challenge to equip younger generations with the essential skills that are required to navigate this world when so much learning comes simply with experience and age. Living through seasons of floundering and even failing relationships are necessary occurrences to develop and grow into the person God created us to be, but because …
RQ
Walking along the two-mile route on campus early the other morning, as Christie and I were discussing a myriad of topics, attempting to solve all the world’s problems in one hour, she posed a vital question to me; and it’s one that I have invested hundreds of hours over the last year attempting to answer, …
Confirmation Bias
With a wrinkled brow and pursed lips (maybe even with an Elvis side curl), has the question ever popped into your mind, “Were we in the same meeting?!?” Has this thought ever materialized after listening to another individual describe their perspective on something you both heard? If not, then I question your honesty! For real, …
Fight to Flourish
Since encountering the word flourish in this research over a year ago, the term has repeatedly appeared, almost daily, in my life since; and as I described in the blog post What’s Your Word, the word is becoming foundational to my writing and study. During this same time frame, I have continued to listen to …
Shift the Spiral
Imagine, if you will, these two scenarios: (1) your toddler is throwing a fit in the produce section of your local grocery and the situation is spiraling downward quickly; or (2) your name was accidentally omitted from a document related to reaching a milestone at your employer which results in a few tears being shed. …
Unfinished Misfit
“Hello, my name is Julie, and I am a Misfit.” A blessed and Unfinished Misfit; but still a misfit, at least according to culture’s current standards when contemplating the expected milestones which measure a typical white, middle-class American’s lifespan. In previous seasons of life, I would have irritably snubbed such ridiculous pigeon-holing, but after plunging …
Armor Off
In a previous post entitled Armor On, we address the relevant issue that life will more than likely include a variety of personal and professional struggles, and in order to wrestle with and overcome these struggles, we might consider following the guidance outlined in Ephesians 6 and put on the armor of God. But what …
Armor On
There is no way I will make it through this blog post without a reference to one of my favorite movies, Gladiator, so just let me alleviate the anticipation now. (Referenced previously in Face Down in the Arena). If you’ve never seen this epic saga of ancient Rome, I encourage you to view it from …
Bump the Tree
“Let’s say you’re like Mother Teresa (or me, for that matter) and you don’t feel God’s presence often, if at all. What if, somehow, you knew that this would always be the case, for the rest of your life? What if you knew you’d never get the warm feelings others get, you’d never have your …
Flourishing @ Life 