Even though the word “confidence” has roots all the way back to the 1300’s, when it meant trust and reliance on someone else, it shifted to more focus on self in the 1500’s. Then, in the last 60 or so years it has morphed again into a word emphasizing self-assurance, boldness and many times lack of compassion and grace with a big side of sass and stubbornness.

I love learning about the history of language.  It gives me perspective on the initial intent behind something when the first person ...

A few summers ago, my family and I were hiking in the Appalachian mountains.  It was fun, beautiful, serene even… except for my one daughter who really didn’t want to be there and somehow was the only one to acquire legit stinging nettle wounds that only reinforced her anti-everything adolescent mindset of the afternoon.  After stopping for a bite to eat and catching our breathe from a steep, off trail, climb my husband challenged us to, we got underway again.

With dogs running zig zag patte...