After TBI Then Colors I always thought I was the one in charge of my studio. After all, I’m the human with the opposable thumbs, the one paying the electric bill, the one who opens the paint jars and sharpens the tools. But apparently, none of that matters when the colors decide they’ve had enough of my plans. It started innocently. I laid out a perfectly reasonable palette on my table, soft peach, calming teal, a touch of gold shimmer. A polite little gathering. A palette yo

If you think you’ve tasted Mexican food in the U.S., Monterrey might make you rethink everything. I had some of the most delicious meals of my life there. Simple dishes bursting with flavor, cooked with love, and seasoned with a kind of regional pride you can’t replicate. None of the Mexican food I’ve had in the States (and I’ve eaten it in GA, TX, AL, SC, IN, CA, AZ, and NY) compares to the depth and freshness I experienced in Monterrey. One unforgettable stop was Buke , a r

Monterrey surprised me with its museums, not only the volume of them, but the care put into preserving history. In the historic center, you’ll find museums that feel like stepping back in time. Out in the countryside, you’ll find places where scientists from around the world gather to study ancient fossils and handwritten texts that have survived for centuries. One museum cost just 20 pesos to enter, less than what you’d pay for a cup of coffee in the U.S. And yet inside, the

One of the things that stuck with me most during my visit was the housing. I’ve seen adobe-style condos built for working-class families that would easily outshine some of the public housing and trailers in the United States. Thoughtful architecture. Practical layouts. A sense of pride in the spaces people call home. Travel gives you a chance to compare not in judgment, but in curiosity: Why don’t we do it this way back home? Could we? I’m not saying we need to adopt every so

Traveling has a way of shattering assumptions, and Monterrey reminded me just how many misconceptions we carry without even realizing it. In the U.S., I’ve heard people speak about Mexico as if it’s a single story, a single identity. But the truth is far more complex, and far more beautiful. Many of the people I’ve met in Mexico are deeply proud of their homeland. Industries have grown, local economies have strengthened, and entire communities have found a sense of stability

What what a Fun Trip and We lived there Awhile ! When I first visited Monterrey, Mexico, I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen photos, of course, but nothing compares to standing in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental with that warm desert sun on your shoulders. It’s the kind of beauty that makes you stop, breathe, and wonder why you never thought about this place before. Monterrey’s story stretches back to 1596, founded by Diego de Montemayor and later shaped by its

Change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s chosen — a new job, a new home, a new dream. Other times, it’s forced — a loss, an illness, or a version of life that simply falls apart. When that kind of change happens, it can shake your sense of who you are. You might find yourself asking questions like: What now? Who am I if I can’t do what I used to? The truth is, identity isn’t fixed. It evolves — and so does your brain. Through neuroplasticity, the brain has the remarkable ability

Meow As I pace the floors and slide my smooth soft Fur along the wall, I notice humans outside.  They always have these furry animals with them.  The furry thing makes loud noises or jumps around. Some have long tongues whereas mine Is so small. Some are so small I just wonder, would they play? I wonder why I am always in this big place that David calls house. I play hide and seek and lay in his lap. Does he think I can not visit those big animals? I know one day I will pop o

In a culture that rewards constant motion, stillness can feel uncomfortable — even rebellious. We’re conditioned to measure worth by productivity, to fill silence with noise, to keep moving so we don’t have to feel too much. But stillness isn’t the absence of progress. It’s the birthplace of it.When we slow down, we give our brains and hearts the chance to integrate, heal, and grow. The Neuroscience of Slowing Down Your brain is constantly processing — organizing information,

We often think of mindfulness as something that happens while sitting still — eyes closed, focused on the breath, quiet and calm. But mindfulness doesn’t have to mean stillness. In fact, movement can be one of the most powerful gateways into the present moment. When we move intentionally — walking, stretching, dancing, or breathing deeply — we give our bodies a voice and our minds a place to rest. We’re not escaping ourselves; we’re coming home to them. The Brain-Body Connect

There’s something unmistakably grounding about stepping outside — the smell of fresh air, the sound of birds, the light filtering through trees. It feels instinctively good, but that’s not just emotion; it’s biology. Your brain and body were designed to thrive in nature. Every time you step outdoors, your nervous system relaxes, your mind resets, and your body begins to restore balance. The Brain on Nature Modern life keeps us surrounded by screens, schedules, and noise. Our

Gratitude often gets written off as cliché — the kind of thing we save for Thanksgiving or self-help quotes. But beneath the simplicity is serious science. Gratitude doesn’t just make you feel good — it changes your brain. The Neuroscience of Gratitude When you focus on gratitude, your brain releases dopamine and serotonin , the same chemicals targeted by antidepressants. This creates a positive feedback loop: the more you practice gratitude, the easier it becomes for your

Trust is one of the most fragile things the brain can hold. It takes time to build and moments to break — and when trauma enters the picture, trust can feel nearly impossible to regain. Whether it’s trust in other people, in your environment, or even in your own body, trauma rewires the brain in ways that make safety feel distant. But the good news is that the same neuroplasticity that allowed trauma to shape the brain is also what allows healing. Trust isn’t lost forever — i

When we think of play, we picture children — building forts, telling stories, laughing until bedtime. Somewhere along the way to adulthood, though, we start to believe that play is something we outgrow. Work, responsibility, and survival edge out curiosity and fun. But here’s the truth: the adult brain needs play just as much as a child’s. Not only does it fuel joy, but play also stimulates neuroplasticity, helping the brain grow, adapt, and stay resilient. What Counts as Pla

Grief is one of the hardest journeys we take as human beings. It’s not just an emotional experience — it’s physical, cognitive, and deeply neurological. When we lose someone or something we love, the brain itself changes. That’s why grief can feel disorienting, exhausting, and overwhelming. But here’s the hopeful part: the very same brain that struggles with loss also carries within it the ability to adapt, heal, and grow. Neuroplasticity doesn’t erase grief, but it gives us

There are few things as universal as music. Across every culture, every age, and every experience, people turn to sound — to dance, to mourn, to celebrate, to heal. We don’t just hear music; we feel it. It can move us to tears, lift us out of sadness, and stir something deep in the body long before words can. And there’s a scientific reason for that. Music doesn’t just soothe the soul — it literally rewires the brain. How Music Shapes the Brain When you listen to music, you

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When people hear the word neuroplasticity , it can sound intimidating or overly scientific. But the truth is, neuroplasticity is simply...