RiseUP Blog

Lately, I keep having thoughts that we shouldn’t have said “yes,” and that if we hadn’t become foster parents, then things would be different, calmer, and more peaceful. I wouldn't lose my cool ALL of the time.

Even if, like me, you see areas where you feel like you are failing, be sure to acknowledge your success and not just your failures.

I want to encourage you to take a look at the family that surrounds you. Each person is special and has a great deal to contribute.

Whatever you are working toward, I wish you much luck and hope the journey brings you satisfaction.

2021 has taught me to never give up on my dreams, no matter what they are or what others think about them.

I hope the holiday will be a good one for you, and more than any present you receive, know that YOU are the gift the world needs.

No matter how you express it, you were created with a special something that makes you truly unique. When you figure out what that talent is and use it to make yourself and others happy, you are fulfilling your purpose.

This week I want to talk about becoming self-reliant, which means doing as many things for yourself—by yourself—as possible...

Even though his mother declined his request to go overnight with his peers, he walked away from the conversation with confidence. Knowing what he could do to make the request a reality, he overcame his anxiety of asking for independence.

We should never stop dreaming, and we need to give ourselves permission to shoot for the moon.

Max is one of the most popular names for a male pet, and I have lobbied to name several of our animals Max, only to be outvoted. So, what did I do?

Unfortunately, people can end up bleeding in a lot of situations—whether a car accident, a mass shooting, or a knife injury in the kitchen. If more people knew how to respond to these situations, many lives could be saved...

This week I want to encourage you to be thankful for the people in your life. When Thanksgiving Day comes and you gather with friends or family, hug those around you one more time. Listen to the familiar stories one more time.

Be confident in who you are and what you can accomplish, but also know that your self-esteem isn’t tied to your present belief about yourself.

The older I get, the more I realize that I don’t need things. I’d rather have experiences with people, and I want to make sure they know that I appreciate them and am thankful for their presence in my life.

We have finally made it to that long-awaited October holiday, Halloween. Sunday night is sure to be a lot of fun. I hope your family enjoys the traditions you’ve created for this fall celebration.

The wisdom I wish to impart to you this week is about advocating for your own health needs. ... You know your own body, and it’s important to speak up if something seems abnormal.

My "tank empty" warning light came on 13 miles from the next turn of my trip, where I knew for certain I could find fuel. I had no idea if I had enough reserve gas in the tank to make it to the closest gas station...

What I want you to see is that if everyone in the world would pick just ONE THING that matters to them and then would step in and help, the world would be a kinder place.

(The presenter for  this teen workshop  was Lieutenant Daniel Francis, who has been working for 15 years in the Chattanooga Police...