I was raised to believe that society works when everyone has an equal place at the table and our job as Americans is to keep making room so everyone is welcome, acknowledged, and equal.

The tradition I carry on ismaking tortillas! Coming from a Mexican family the first thing that you had to conquer was making flour tortillas! I remember my grandmother teaching me to make them when I was about 7 years old. Not an...

The tradition I carry on isbaking an angel food cake for friends when they've suffered a tragedy and there's not much else you can do. When I was a child, I noticed that my grandmother made and delivered an angel food cake to anyone she...

What keeps me up at night iswondering what kind of world I've brought my children into. I worry about the kind of destruction and devastation they may see in their lifetime. From climate change to national and global political tensions. Sometimes I feel selfish having had...

What keeps me up at night isthe idea that I may never amount to anything substantial. I am trying my hardest to build a career based around social media, but I often wonder if I am on the wrong path. I am also on a journey...

What keeps me up at night iswondering if I will ever live up to my true potential. As a child, I was the type of kid who always got straight A's and was quick to answer teacher's questions. Everyone assumed I would be extremely...

Most days I feelLike I am ready for a new challenge. As a secondary school educator, every day is exciting, and different. Unexpected occurrences keep you on your feet, and reaching your own goals make the struggle worth it.

Most days I feellike an actor in a movie waiting for the next pages of the script. not knowing if I have a part in my own story. I returned to college at 50 to find my voice. I am the American Dream, having overcome my...

Most days I feelmoderately hopeful, despite the issues that face us all. Sometimes I worry (briefly) that I am just a Pollyanna. I always shake off that idea because, because, because... I am not sure. I will think some more about it.

Most days I feelas if the polarizing of America has become normalized. The America that I knew; the America I defended; the America that stood for freedom was worth dying for. Now we are living in a time that challenges the...shining light of hope on the...

A day's work iscalling fellow Americans and making them aware that our Government is Legally kidnapping Children for federal funding. It's human trafficking for federal dollars. States are holding children in Foster cares at rates of 400,000-600,000 PER STATE on average each night based on FBI...

My parent(s) wanted me toto be happy and follow my dreams. They always supported me, whether they agreed with the directions I chose or not. They were there to celebrate when my choices worked out and there to help pick up the pieces when they did...

My Saturday night looks likevolunteering. Recently, I signed up to read stories to kids during story time. Some of my fondest memories were of my mom and I sharing stories before bed. I don't have kids of my own and still want to give back so...

My Saturday night looks likeboard games with my friends!

My American story started whenI was privileged to be born in this country. My parents too were born in this country, their ancestors coming from Germany and Ireland. I was born 2 years before WWII ended.

My American story started whenmy daughter was first diagnosed with having a stroke and epilepsy. My world felt like it was spinning and I was unable to find a balance, I felt alone. I thought, “No one gets this. No one understands.” I was barely hanging...

My American story started when I was 13 years old. My parents uprooted their whole life and brought their children to the US of A in pursuit of freedom to practice our faith and for a better life for the family. So often I saw my...

My American story started whenmy grandfaher died in 1951.. In racially segregated Richmond, VA, he was "the policeman" in Fulton Bottom, the oldest, poorest, mostly-minority part of town, widely known and loved. The chapel pews were filled with friends and family; people from...

My American story started when Having prepared for adult independence by graduating from The National Outdoor Leadership School and Williams College, settling in to a career as a buyer for Abraham & Straus with a very active social life as an Upper East Republican (who voted...

My American story started whenmy great great great grandfather (born 1793) must have had a dream of what he wanted for his children. He was a coal miner in Wales, as were the next three generations. By the turn of the 20th century, the coal mines...

You don't know what it's like to ..1) Alabama Power, CHECK 2) Alagasco, CHECK 3) Make it to class on time in Tennessee, CHECK! You don't know what it's like to be an 18-year old out-of-state college student and return home for summer unable to unload...

You don't know what it's like toweigh 500 pounds. So many people only see me for my size, and fail to look past that. You see people on tv that look like me, having weight loss surgeries, and being seemingly miserable. But we are not all...

You don't know what it's like tolive with Lymphedema... In 1991 I had major cancer surgery. A malignant melanoma was removed from my thigh & my lymph nodes were removed. My life was changed forever. I almost died from malignant melanoma. The oncologist said, "This is...

You don't know what it's like tobe an autistic child in an all autistic family. To be unwanted & have a mother who was an Ayn Rand follower, who believed that I existed for her benefit. The greatest tragedy in life occurs in genetic disorders, when...

What gets me out of bed in the morning isknowing how blessed I am to be able to simply get out of bed and be pain free. I get to be in service to my family, friends and community. 25 years ago I used to be...

What gets me out of bed in the morning isthe joy of helping students become better writers. I love my job teaching English at a community college. I learn so much from my students.

What gets me out of bed in the morning isan upbeat song, a cup of french press coffee and a plan for the day!

What gets me out of bed in the morning isexcitement about starting another day of the work I love, as a freelance writer/editor and the author of over 100 books (not including books ghostwritten for clients). No wonder I work 7 days/week!

The people I relate to are other chameleons because I am one. I can relate to everyone, therefore, everyone believes that I am their own kind. This isn't problematic because people reveal themselves to me. Problems begin when they assume my allegiance to how they see...

I took a risk whenI quit my full-time job at the age of 26 to start a business. The position I left was my first real job out of college and I gave up a steady income with good benefits to go after my entrepreneurial passions that may not...