There is a specific frequency to May in this part of Texas. The “blackland” is vibrant, the mornings still hold a lingering coolness, and the world feels like it’s humming a brand-new tune. As a songwriter, I can’t help but listen for the rhythm in it all—the way the wind catches the fence line or the steady, rhythmic chirping of the birds before the afternoon heat settles in.
By May 1st, we aren’t just “planning” for growth anymore; we are living right in the middle of it. If April was about the quiet work of the roots, May is the full-blown chorus.
Listening to the Layers
In a good song, the layers have to work together. You have the steady beat of the drums (the daily chores, the family schedules, the “must-dos”) and the soaring melody (the dreams, the creative sparks, the “could-bes”).
Lately, I’ve been practicing the art of listening to those layers without getting overwhelmed by the noise. The Steady Beat: The familiar sounds of a full house—the laughter, the front door swinging open, the clatter of life. It’s the anchor that keeps everything else grounded.
The Creative Counterpoint: That sudden lyric that hits you while you’re folding laundry or the melody that starts to form while you’re out walking. It’s the reminder that even in the busiest seasons, there is room for a new song.
Changing the Key
Sometimes, life asks us to change the key. Maybe the pace is picking up, or the “sound” of your season is shifting from a quiet acoustic ballad to something a bit more upbeat and demanding. That shift isn’t a bad thing; it’s just a transition. I’m learning that you don’t have to fight the change in tempo. You just have to find your footing in the new rhythm.
Whether you are navigating a career shift, a creative milestone, or just the changing needs of your family, there is a melody there if you’re quiet enough to hear it.
What is Your Song Today?
Take a second today to really listen—not just with your ears, but with your heart.
What is the “hook” of your life right now?
Is it a song of peace, a song of hustle, or a song of quiet resilience?
As we step into May, I’m keeping my notebook close and my heart open to the music of the everyday. There is so much beauty in the transition if we just stop to hear it.
I’d love to know: if your life had a soundtrack right now, what would the genre be? Let’s talk about the music of our lives in the comments!
The Dinner Table Conversation We Avoid… But Shouldn’t There’s something sacred about the dinner table. It’s where backpacks get unpacked, where stories spill out about teachers and tests, where we remind our kids to eat their vegetables and ask about their day. It’s where life happens. Messy, loud, beautiful life. Between the “Did you finish your homework?” and “Don’t forget practice tomorrow,” we’re building something bigger than routines. We’re building a sense of safety.
But here’s a question most of us never ask in those moments: What would happen to all of this if I wasn’t here tomorrow?
Peace of Mind Isn’t Just a Feeling. It’s a Plan. We spend so much time protecting our families in everyday ways. Locking doors, checking grades, making sure everyone gets where they need to be.
But real peace of mind comes from knowing your family wouldn’t be left overwhelmed, confused, or struggling to pick up the pieces if the unthinkable happened. Grief is hard enough without paperwork, court dates, and unanswered questions.
A Conversation I’ve Already Started I’ll be honest. I’ve had these conversations with my family. I have a document ready with all my important logins and passwords, and I keep it updated regularly. Someone knows where it is. That matters more than people realize. I’ve talked through the hard things with my husband and my older kids. Not because I want to, but because I need to. And yes, sometimes it gets uncomfortable.
Like when I told my kids I changed my mind about insisting on cremation. I told them, “Do what you guys want.” There are five of them, so good luck with that decision. But I did give them one non negotiable. At whatever kind of gathering they have for me, they must play “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” (They don’t need to know how it ties back to an episode of ER I watched with my mom that left us both bawling.)
My youngest gets so uncomfortable every time I bring it up. He tells me, “Mom, tell the others, not me.”
Oh, I do!
I tell all of them. Often enough to make sure they know. Because As Much As It Sucks, It’s Necessary I know this isn’t a fun topic. It sucks. But it is necessary. If I leave this world suddenly, I don’t want my family sitting around asking:
What do we do now?
Where is everything?
What would she have wanted?
I cannot be here forever with them. But I can guide them through these choices now. We all die. That is the truth no one likes to say out loud. But I can ease some of the frustration, some of the confusion, and even a little of the pain that comes after.
I can declutter my own things, so they don’t have to. I can give them sentimental gifts while I am still around to know they enjoy them.
The Reality Most Families Aren’t Prepared For:
Without preparation, families are left trying to figure everything out while grieving:
Where are the bank accounts? Who gets access to what? What were the wishes? How do they even begin?
If things are not set up properly, it can all end up in probate. This is a long, expensive, and emotionally draining process. Just ask my sister. We learned the hard way. And it does not have to be that way. Simple Steps That Change Everything
This is not about fear. It is about love. These are simple, practical ways to protect your family:
✔️ Financial Protection Have life insurance or burial coverage Consider prepaid funeral plans ✔️ Direct Beneficiaries Make sure all bank accounts have designated beneficiaries This allows access with just an ID and death certificate ✔️ Protect Your Home
File a Transfer on Death (TOD) deed
This helps your home pass directly to your chosen person without probate The Documents That Speak for You When You Can’t Putting your wishes in writing is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind:
Living Will outlines your healthcare wishes
Durable Power of Attorney handles legal decisions
Healthcare Power of Attorney handles medical decisions
Last Will and Testament determines who receives your belongings
Funeral Planning Declaration states your final wishes
These do not have to be complicated. They just need to clearly reflect your wishes.
Make It Easy for the People You Love One of the most overlooked steps is also one of the most important. Create a master list of:
Bank accounts
Investments
Credit cards
Bills and utilities
Make sure someone knows: Where your life insurance policies are Where to find titles for vehicles and property How to access your accounts and passwords
Because in today’s world, access is everything.
The Conversation That Matters Most
Talk to your family. Even when it feels awkward. Even when they do not want to hear it. Tell them your wishes. Explain your decisions. Let them ask questions. What feels uncomfortable now becomes clarity later. It’s Not About the End. It’s About Love. We cannot control what happens tomorrow. But we can control how prepared we are today. So maybe tonight, between dinner and dishes, you start a different kind of conversation. Not a scary one. A loving one. Because true peace of mind is not just knowing your family is okay today. It is knowing they will be okay no matter what.
Love and light! 😉
I write this not to be a sales person, I write it because I have LIVED IT, and I have seen up close too many loved ones left grieving with no plan to follow. It matters.
Ever been in a room where everything felt a little off—too loud, too dark, too uncomfortable—only to realize later that it wasn’t the room, it was just where you were sitting?
Life is often like that.
Sometimes, we find ourselves stuck in frustration, fear, disappointment, or burnout. We look around and think, This situation is hopeless. This is never going to work. Nothing is changing. But maybe, just maybe, the problem isn’t the room—it’s our seat. Our perspective.
When we’re in the thick of a struggle, it’s easy to forget that what we see isn’t all there is. We mistake our limited view for the full picture, and we let that shape our choices, our emotions, even our identity. But a shift in perspective—like walking to the other side of the room—can transform not only how we see things but what we believe is possible.
As the writer Anaïs Nin once said, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
A Better Seat, A Better View
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Change your mindset, change your life.” That’s not just a motivational quote—it’s a practical truth. When we step back, pause, and actively choose to look at our situation differently, new options begin to emerge. Where once we saw dead ends, we start to see doors. What felt like defeat now feels like a detour toward something better.
One of my favorite lesser-known reminders comes from author Mary Schmich: “Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.” It’s a quote about boundaries—but it’s also about clarity. Sometimes, perspective is recognizing that the discomfort we’re feeling is a signal, not a sentence.
Perspective Doesn’t Deny Pain—It Reframes It
Let’s be clear: changing your perspective doesn’t mean ignoring reality or pretending things are okay when they’re not. It means being honest about your circumstances while also being open to seeing them through a different, more empowering lens.
Poet Mark Nepo captures this beautifully when he writes: “To listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear.” And that includes listening to ourselves—our stories, our patterns, our pain. Because sometimes, the shift in perspective comes not from looking out but from looking in.
How to Shift Your Perspective
Here are a few simple ways to change where you’re “sitting” in the moment:
Zoom out. Imagine advising a friend who’s in your exact situation. What would you tell them?
Seek contrast. Talk to someone with a totally different experience. Their viewpoint can shed light on angles you hadn’t considered.
Ask better questions. Instead of “Why is this happening to me?” try “What is this trying to teach me?”
Get physically moving. A walk, a drive, or just stepping outside can break the mental loop and bring clarity.
As the philosopher Epictetus said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Not flashy. Not romantic. But deeply true.
In the End…
Perspective won’t magically solve every problem, but it will change how you carry it. It will determine whether the weight breaks you down—or builds you up.
So the next time life feels impossible, unfair, or too heavy, ask yourself: Is it time to change seats?
Because sometimes, a new view is all it takes to do better—and be better.
Mothersense and Miscellaneous 