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So far Carol has created 274 blog entries.

Reading Out of Order: Trusting the Journey, Not the Path

Recently, I listened to someone call out those of us who read the ending of a book first, preaching that we’re ruining the story, robbing ourselves of the experience. I 100% disagree. Reading the ending first makes me more excited, more invested. If I know I like where the story is going, I want to see how it gets there. It reassures me that my time won’t be wasted. Karl, my husband, is laughing at me right now because I was just reading Chapter 5 of The Healing Energy of Your Hands when I realized, out loud, that the chapter [...]

By |2025-02-25T04:19:56-06:00February 25th, 2025|Categories: Journals|Tags: , |Comments Off on Reading Out of Order: Trusting the Journey, Not the Path

Si’kono She’va Alah’vast’nu: The Artist’s Invocation

True art is an expression of the soul. It is a calling that cannot be contained, an energy that must be released. To withhold it is to create a dam within the self—one that builds pressure, causing unease, anxiety, and tension in both body and spirit. Art is not always logical. It does not always arrive with clear purpose or explanation. Yet, it must be expressed. To create is to move, to breathe, to align. Before the masterpiece can emerge, the clutter must be discarded—the noise, the distractions, the stagnant energy held within. One must empty the vessel of its burdens so that the soul’s true essence may flow freely like ink in a pen.

By |2025-02-21T04:19:09-06:00February 21st, 2025|Categories: Art, Writing|Tags: |Comments Off on Si’kono She’va Alah’vast’nu: The Artist’s Invocation

Beyond Form: Exploring Presence

Energy in Motion Beyond Form: Exploring Presence Energy in Motion Beyond Form: Exploring Presence (series) Left: Presence: Within the Frame Takayama, Japan | 2024 Right: Absence: Elsewhere Takayama, Japan | 2024 Photography has always been more than just capturing moments—it’s a way to explore movement, energy, and presence in ways that push past the obvious. I’ve been playing with these ideas, experimenting with how distortion, negative space, light, and texture can reveal something deeper. These latest portraits of Karl and me, taken in Japan, are part of that journey. I wanted to see what happens when form dissolves, [...]

By |2025-02-21T02:21:44-06:00February 21st, 2025|Categories: Art, Photography|Tags: , |Comments Off on Beyond Form: Exploring Presence

Photography as a Spiritual Practice: Capturing Energy in Motion

Everything is energy—light, movement, even the essence of a place. Photography, at its core, is about harnessing light, freezing fleeting moments into something we can hold onto. But what if it could go deeper? What if, instead of just documenting, we could capture the energy itself—the pulse of a space, the feeling of a moment, the unseen forces at play? Lately, I’ve been experimenting with motion and light painting, not just as a technique but as a way to tune into the spirit of a place. By letting the camera move with me, I’m starting to capture something I’ve always [...]

By |2025-02-21T04:38:46-06:00February 17th, 2025|Categories: Photography, Writing|Tags: |Comments Off on Photography as a Spiritual Practice: Capturing Energy in Motion

Why Photography Challenges Are More Effective Than Assignments

The Problem with Traditional Assignments Photography assignments are a standard part of learning, but they often lack excitement and personal engagement. Many students and photographers approach assignments as tasks to complete rather than opportunities to explore. The result? A focus on checking boxes instead of truly pushing creative and technical boundaries through the joy of discovery. But what if we could change that? Reframing Assignments as Challenges Turning a traditional assignment into a challenge or quest immediately shifts the mindset from obligation to adventure. Instead of simply following instructions, photographers are given a goal, puzzle, or constraint that makes the [...]

By |2025-03-06T09:15:14-06:00February 6th, 2025|Categories: Game-Based Learning|Comments Off on Why Photography Challenges Are More Effective Than Assignments

Ludic Learning Beyond the Classroom: Play as a Lifelong Practice

Level Up Your Curriculum Series – Part 5 // Learning doesn’t stop after school, and neither should play. Ludic Learning fuels creativity, career growth, and lifelong curiosity. From gamified workplace training to storytelling and problem-solving games, play enhances innovation, resilience, and self-discovery. This post explores how play remains a powerful tool beyond the classroom, shaping personal and professional development through interactive learning. Let’s keep growing—through play!

By |2025-03-05T17:00:35-06:00January 19th, 2025|Categories: Game-Based Learning|Comments Off on Ludic Learning Beyond the Classroom: Play as a Lifelong Practice
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