A 16-Year-Old Talks the 6 Evils of Social Media

on September 11, 2023

Is This As Good As It Gets?

There have been hundreds of blogs about the negative side of social media but the other night, as we hung out at the kitchen table with friends, a 16-year-old shared with me how he thought social media was essentially bad for you. I thought I’d share his remarks as they speak to a failure on the part several generations. First, he admitted that social media can be fun, especially for sharing pet videos and practical jokes (that don’t cause physical harm or injury). But beyond that use, is this noted “time suck” valuable, or contributing to the betterment of humans any way? My young friend answers his own question with a resounding, “NO.” Here are his points primarily in his…Read More

8 Reasons To Be Nice To Your Mom and/or Dad When You’re 16

on July 17, 2023

Survival Tips for Teens

Let’s face it, teen years can be hard—on the parents that is. For teenagers, they get lots of new responsibilities and freedoms, and their parents are financing the fun. It really doesn’t get any better even if you have to take SATs. So teens, if your parents are decent people—you know, they don’t beat you, or lock you in the closet under the stairs—then let’s be real and give them a break. And if they’re not, this blog does not apply to you. Why you should consider being a more fun and engaging housemate… 1 – COMFORT: It just makes day-to-day life more pleasant for everyone. Be polite to them the way you would if they were a celebrity you…Read More

“Just Be Yourself” a.k.a. Worst. Advice. Ever.

on July 3, 2023

Discover the Teen Stress That You Just Made Worse

Until you’ve aged a little and accomplished some awesome things, and come to a place where you know you are fierce and can kill it in any situation, “being yourself” is really stressful. Especially if you want to be a lot more than “yourself.” As a teen, I never wanted to be myself. I wanted to be the “self” that fit in and was liked for being myself. If I was actually myself, I would have never engaged in conversation, or done extra curricular activities, or been responsible with my chores. I only did those things to appear normal, to have the hope of being a better ‘self’ someday, and so that my parents would get off my back and…Read More

16 Things Girls Need To Know About Guys Before They Turn 16

on May 8, 2023

The 16 for 16 List

They want you to think they are funny and cool as well as athletic and hot. But they’ll take funny and cool if the rest is not in their cards…yet. They don’t care that much about makeup—on them or you, but a welcoming smile that makes them think they are funny, cool, athletic or hot goes a long way. They can’t express it but they want to be accepted as they are—just like you—even when they can’t accept themselves. If boys see you value yourself and your dreams they will secretly and sometimes openly admire you. Men love confidence in a woman. Boys respect confidence in a girl and are often drawn to her for it, but can’t explain why….Read More

Introducing the Heroes of Glimmer: The Black Swan Files 001

on April 23, 2015

Jocelyn Esperanza Albrecht: Optimistic Orphan, black swan, top secret experiment – she can biotransmit enough energy to kill a person, but would she?   Seth: Social outcast, smooth-talking survivor, and a new experiment at Camp Holliwell   Georgie: High school senior, super sleuth, and crusader for justice   Graeme: Software engineer, softhearted protector, and tenacious truth-seeker   Brittany: Georgie’s best friend, expert in snark, and sustainable fashion designer   Alastair: Georgie’s cousin, former Army Ranger, and general badass   Lena: Computer scientist, passionate cryptologist, and pie connoisseur

What’s Your Heritage?

on November 16, 2014

When I was asked to write the Story of My Family at a retreat, there were many ways to approach it. For whatever reason on that day, I didn’t think of my country or ethnicity or the many anecdotes that now have become family legend. The two words that popped into my head were Honor and Service. I could likely write a book on each, and I’m sure others have. For me, in that moment, they were the words that immediately made me think of my parents. And when I think heritage, I think of those things that I want to pass on to my children, nieces, nephews, etc. I suspect Honor and Service is the heritage of many families…Read More