I landed an ideal job while I was still in grad school: Assistant Director of Development at the Renaissance Theatre. I was completing a master’s degree in Arts Administration in Virginia at the time of the job posting, so to get hired in my field of study in my husband’s hometown was a dream come […]
Colleen Cook, Thrive Correspondent
Posted inWellness
For the new mom who ‘should be enjoying this more’
I love being a mother, I adore my children, but new motherhood didn’t come easily to me. I didn’t enjoy pregnancy and I struggled through being a nursing, working mom of an infant. Before I go any further, it’s important I acknowledge what a tremendous blessing it is to bear children and to have three […]
Posted inWellness
Self-Care: A Healing Balm for the Soul
My best friend and I began a sacred tradition years ago for bad days: a chick flick (usually “Beaches”), a pint of ice cream, followed by a solid cryfest about whatever was burdening our hearts. Bette Midler, Ben and Jerry have been able to walk with both of us through some pretty big heartaches and […]
Posted inWellness
Six Things You Need to Make a Change
We all know that we should eat healthily, exercise regularly, drink lots of water, practice mindfulness, reduce our screen time, floss regularly, and wear sunscreen, and yet we often stop ourselves from embracing all of these healthful habits in our daily lives. Habits are rarely changed by simply making a decision to change. Transforming our […]
Posted inWellness
Expectation vs. Reality: Parenting in the Summer
When I think about summer, I’m flooded with memories of swimming, camping, sunshine, vacations and countless hours in a hammock with a book. The summers of my childhood were incredible. So, when I began my career as a teacher, my perception of summer carried over into early adulthood, and I didn’t hate it one bit. […]