Really Rita

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” “Put on your big girl panties and get on with it.”  You can’t mope around forever…snap out of it.” Ever heard these bits of wisdom from well-meaning people before?  You probably agree that it is one thing to spout these adages, but quite often another to act on them.  But we try.  We… Read More

  Why a journey to joy?  I’ll tell you friends, the last few months have not been particularly joyful.  Work life is extremely stressful right now, and I wish I could say “this too shall pass” and “it’s only for a season.”  But when you in the middle of a hot mess, platitudes do not cut it.  When it comes… Read More

Hi friends! I’ve taken some days off from my day job for a stay-cation through July 7. I’m committed to using the next 10 days to refresh and renew my spirit. Join me on this Journey to Joy!  Look for a fresh reflection each day on finding and keeping our joy.

Recently I took the red-eye from San Francisco, California to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.  As we neared the end of the flight early on Sunday morning, people starting waking up and opening the window shades.  I took off my sleep mask and realized that the sun was about to rise over the horizon.  I love sunset and sunrise photos.  Every time… Read More

Every movie, play, or television show has a theme song.  The theme song is supposed to be memorable and give you some indication of what the movie or show was about.  I attended a women’s leadership event a few years back, and the lovely Jesica Averhart shared that every time she enters the room, she has a theme song playing… Read More

I love the look of high-heeled shoes.  I just don’t like the way my feet feel after wearing them for any amount of time.  If it were up to me, I’d wear flip flops all year long. But even wearing them for a while can become irritating.  What’s a girl to do? Comfort is something we all need and desire… Read More

Somedays the struggle is real.  I mean really real.  You hit the snooze button one time too many, so now you have to rush to get ready.  You realize you forgot to preset the coffee maker the night before, so no hot coffee.  You knew you should have stopped for gas the day before, and now you have no choice… Read More

It seems that everyone has an opinion about what leadership is and isn’t.  I don’t know about you, but I am so over those graphics that try to differentiate the characteristics of leaders and managers.  Invariably, management is seen as the lesser of the two.  According to the graphic, at least, managers are focused on the things, while leadership is focused on the… Read More

I’ll admit it, I like things orderly and structured.  I’m that person who pre-plans.  I have to-do lists, calendars, multi-colored notepad and pens to enable my ultra-structured life.  Yet one day my tried and true systems didn’t feel so comfortable anymore. You know that same feeling when you look at your favorite jeans and wonder why you ever bought them… Read More

A sister in my church has recently endured the loss of her only sister and her mother in the past six months.  They were all very close.  This morning I woke with a heaviness on my heart wondering why one family would be given such a dose of loss in such a short period.  Then an old Walter Hawkins’ song… Read More