A Thanksgiving Reflection on Giving & Receiving
Written by Jeremy Hawkins A Good Story I am a sucker for a good story. As Lynnie and I discussed what to post this week, we thought it might be fun and fitting to share this Thanksgiving story from over 80 years ago. What Does Turkey Taste Like? The family always gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. […]
Choosing a New Normal
Written by Jeremy Hawkins It’s All Good! Lynnie and I had the opportunity to hold a Zoom interview last week with Paula Cooper, a friend and local Social Studies teacher. The text thread shared minutes before our Zoom interview represents Paula well and is a fitting way to start this post. Lynnie told us she […]
Pruning Stimulates Growth
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Cutting Things Back With fall fully upon us, the focus in my yard has turned to cleaning out the garden, winterizing the sprinklers, pruning things back, raking leaves, and the like, so that everything is ready to grow again next year. The idea of cutting things back to help them grow […]
Choosing the Light Path
choosing the light path
It’s Time (To Write Your Own Eulogy)
If you were to write your own eulogy today, what would you say about yourself? Family Passing On My last two grandparents passed away in 2020. My mom’s mom, Grandma Hadley, passed in July, and my dad’s mom, Grandma Hawkins, in December. You all will remember that we were amid a global pandemic then, so […]
Father to the Fatherless — A Dream Turned Into Reality.
Written by Jeremy Hawkins. Mathias Mulumba is currently a student at Colorado Mesa University studying business management and entrepreneurship. He is also a father, a husband, a survivor, a fighter, a dreamer, an entrepreneur, a builder, a believer, and so much more. This is his story. Long & Difficult Days Mathias grew up poor in […]
Blooming in Different Seasons
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Blooming Patterns The other morning I was out in my yard after a workout when I began to think about things blooming in different seasons. I noted that our limelight hydrangea was getting ready to bloom. Down the fence line, the butterfly bush was in full bloom already. Our knockout roses […]
God is in the Details
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Jade Jade Duckworth is a former student of mine, having graduated nearly a decade ago. For better or worse, Jade was unique in the CMU athletic training program – she is black and CMU is a predominantly white institution. Because of the relationship that Jade and I developed, her entire senior […]
The Loads We Carry
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Many Hats Two hats I wore at Colorado Mesa University this past academic year came with the titles of Assistant Vice President of Academic Innovation and Director of Graduate Studies within the Office of Academic Affairs. At a university, an Office of Academic Affairs oversees the education side of things – […]
Sometimes You Just Have To Go Through It
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Sydnei Littrell is currently a second-year graduate student in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at Colorado Mesa University. I have worked with her as a professor and a mentor for a few years now and was grateful for the opportunity to interview her for this blog post. Inspired […]
Hurricanes – A Blessing or a Bother?
Written by Seth Hawkins Since he first started collecting house plans in high school, Seth Hawkins has been fascinated by the way people interact with the places and spaces in the world around them. Through a varied career that has spanned everything from financial planning and human resources to operations, product, event, and program management, […]
You Don’t Know How Far They’ve Come
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Bikes & Buses Throughout most of my education, my wife and I only had one car. We routinely found places to live that were either close enough to campus for me to ride my bike or that had easy access to public transportation so that she would not be without a […]
There is Joy To Be Had
Written by Jeremy Hawkins Mel Armendariz is married to a ‘husband with wings’ and is the mother of two beautiful children, a 9 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. This is Amazing! “Jeremy Hawkins this is AMAZING and simply how I’ve been living daily for the past 10 months.” This was Mel […]
Girls Basketball
written by Jack Rolfe Jack and his wife Lexie have 5 children and 15 grandchildren. They raised their family in Las Vegas, NV, and St. George, UT, and now live in Amman, Jordan, where they work as humanitarian service volunteers. They have a love and passion for helping others and enjoy doing that full-time as […]
Finding Your Flecks of Gold
Flecks of Gold Years ago I heard this story and the message has stuck with me. “Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849 was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he […]
Language Barriers: A Blessing or a Bother?
Written by Lexie Rolfe Lexie and her husband Jack have 5 children and 15 grandchildren. They raised their family in Las Vegas, NV and St. George, UT and are now living in Amman, Jordan, where they are working as humanitarian service volunteers. They have a love and passion for helping others and are enjoying being […]
Headaches: A Blessing or a Bother?
Freaking Out A Bit I think it was somewhere around 5th or 6th grade when I got my first migraine headache. I remember it freaking me out a bit. My arm and part of my face went numb and I had a hard time forming a sentence. Since then I’ve learned to pay attention to […]
[New Series!] Perspective: A Blessing or a Bother? Welcome! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jeremy Hawkins. I work at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) as an athletic training educator and have known Lynnie and her family for over a decade through our shared faith community. I got to know her personally in 2020 when […]
Do Compliments Make a Difference?
Introduction In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, one simple yet potent tool stands out for fostering connection, spreading joy, and cultivating a positive atmosphere—compliments. A sincere compliment has the power to uplift spirits, strengthen relationships, and create a ripple effect of positivity. In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of […]
Daily Acts of Kindness
Introduction In a world that often seems fast-paced and filled with challenges, there is a simple yet profound antidote – daily acts of kindness. These small gestures have the power to create a ripple effect, spreading positivity and warmth throughout our communities. They impact both individuals and society and can contribute to a more compassionate […]
Dreams & Vision Boards
One powerful tool for bringing our dreams to life is the creation of a vision board. This visual representation of our goals serves as a reminder of what we want to achieve. It can be a source of hope and inspiration throughout the year. The Basics of a Vision Board A vision board is essentially […]
The Power of Gratitude During the Holiday Season
Introduction: The Power of Gratitude The power of gratitude is evident four-fold at this time of year. As the holiday season unfolds, adorned with twinkling lights and the joyous melodies of festive tunes, there’s an undeniable magic in the air. Beyond the hustle and bustle of gift-giving and feasting lies a profound opportunity to reflect […]
Making Journaling Fun For Kids!
Introduction Journaling is a valuable activity for children that can help them develop essential writing skills, foster self-expression, and improve emotional well-being. However, convincing kids to keep a journal can be a challenge if it feels like a boring chore. To make journaling a fun and engaging experience, here are some creative ways to get […]
Journaling for Mindfulness: Exploring the Lesser-Known Techniques to Enhance Your Practice
Introduction Do you find your mind racing with thoughts, making it hard to focus or relax? You’re not alone. In our increasingly busy lives, achieving a state of mindfulness – being fully present and engaged in the moment – can be a challenge. One effective tool to help cultivate this state is journaling. In this […]
The Benefits of Journaling: Why Everyone Should Try It
Introduction Journaling is a simple yet powerful habit that can transform your life in numerous ways. It’s an activity that requires minimal investment but positively impacts your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. In this article, we will explore the many benefits of journaling and why everyone should give journaling a try. Mental Health Benefits of […]
Unlocking the Power of Visual Journaling: How to Combine Art and Writing for Personal Growth
Introduction to Visual Journaling We often turn to writing to express our thoughts and emotions. But did you know that there’s another powerful way to connect with your inner world? Visual journaling is an expressive and transformative practice that combines the power of art and writing to help you grow personally. This article will guide […]