All posts tagged: THOUGHTS

A white car at the scene of an accident.

We have freedom, but we’re not independent

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I have been a journalist for 25 years. In fact, this year marks my 25th year of being in the journalism industry in some area, starting in college at a local radio station and later as a paid intern at a newspaper. This also marks the 20th year of my college graduation.

In the last 25 years, I have covered a variety of stories, including homicides, fires and car accidents. I was good at establishing trustworthy relationships with law enforcement, but I have never really enjoyed covering spot news.

A woman sits in nature writing in a notebook.

Living a life of gratitude can change your perspective on the world

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Gratitude has attracted a lot of attention from psychological researchers in recent years in the field of “positive psychology.” It examines topics like quality of life, virtues, character and happiness, said Stephen Southern, professor and chairman of the Mississippi College Department of Psychology and Counseling.

“One day, I thanked my dad for always staying calm even though he raised three girls,” she said. “Last night, I had a rough day at work, and I said I was thankful for beer,” she laughed. “But I try to be thankful for things that have made a difference in my life. Doing the updates really makes you think about it every day.”

A Star Wars movie poster graphic.

Awakening the Force Within: What Star Wars taught me about strength, courage, and growing up

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In 1983, my life changed forever. I wasn’t in a galaxy far, far away — but I might as well have been. That was the year I saw my first “Star Wars” film: “Return of the Jedi.” It was my personal origin story. And like many girls growing up in the ‘80s, I didn’t just want to watch Princess Leia — I wanted to be her.

I dreamed of flying speeder bikes through the mossy forests of Endor, living among the cuddly-yet-fierce Ewoks, rescuing Han Solo from a block of carbonite, and learning to wield The Force like a true Jedi Knight. Leia wasn’t just royalty — she was resilience, intelligence, and quiet power, wrapped in cinnamon bun hair and white robes. She gave girls like me permission to imagine ourselves as heroes.

The black dog

The Black Dog and the Breeze: A simple moment that reminded me to embrace the present

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Today, as I drove home from the Japanese restaurant over the Reservoir, I noticed a black lab in the back of a black Chevrolet Silverado wearing an orange collar. As his owner drove, he ran back and forth on each side of the truck, stepping up and sticking his head out on each side to feel the cool breeze.

His movement was repetitive. Over and over again, he moved to the left, then to the right. I guess he thought the wind felt better hitting his face the first time, so instead of standing still, he ran from side to side, creating a pause, before sticking his neck out into the air again.

The mysterious wizard.

The mysterious wizard

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As I was driving home from work the other day, I saw a wizard on the side of the road.

Well, maybe he wasn’t a wizard. I’m not exactly sure. Perhaps he was Father Time. I’m just not positive. But he was wearing a long purple robe, a pointy matching hat and a long white beard.

The unicycle-riding banana

Unicycling banana spotted in Mississippi suburb: A delightfully unexpected sight

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I generally write about popular culture, so this is a little off-topic. But as I was driving home from the bookstore today, I saw something yellow coming down the sidewalk near my apartment complex.

As I got closer, I realized that among the walkers and bikers out enjoying a beautiful, sunny Mississippi day was — believe it or not — a banana on a unicycle. Yes, a banana. On a unicycle.