​Life is a journey, and every new chapter starts with a leap of faith. We all make decisions in our professional and personal lives, with lessons learned at every step—opportunities to grow, learn, and redefine our path. Change can be daunting, but it’s also where we discover what we’re truly capable of. Growth begins with a single thought and unfolds through development; it's about embracing the unknown and forging a future that aligns with your passions, ideas, and purpose.  Here’s to moving forward, taking risks, and creating a life that’s as meaningful as it is fulfilling. What’s your next big leap? Happy New Year!

Image Reference: Adobe Express

Upon this rock, where dreams reside,
Through storms that howl and fears that chide,
Plant your feet, steadfast and true,
The path is hard, but it’s made for you.
With each step taken, doubt will fade,
For courage blooms where hope is laid.

​Walk forward now, the dawn will rise,
Past shadowed fears and clouded skies.
The weight you bear, the scars you keep,
Will forge a soul both strong and deep.
Upon this rock, your spirit soars,
Step by step, the world transcends more.


Selah


Image Reference: Adobe Express

There was a time when I would post on IG to encourage and inspire sending positive messages of hope to whomever would read them. I quickly realized that encouragement comes from within, from the people who are near and dear to you, from the Higher Power that you are in awe of for every day that passess each year. So every day is day ONE. 

Music is powerful. It has a way of speaking to our hearts, stirring emotions we sometimes can't put into words. A gentle lullaby can calm or put a baby to sleep, while an upbeat song can lift our spirits. Music is always there—in elevators, waiting on hold for a customer service rep, at weddings, funerals, and other events—ready to cheer us up, comfort us, encourage us, or make us feel understood.

Science shows that music releases dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical in our brains. But it's not just about biology. Music connects with the soul. A sad song might help us feel less alone in tough times, while an energetic beat can push us to keep going when life gets hard. Music helps us feel—and it helps us heal.

It's also amazing how music connects people. A song can bring strangers together, whether it's at a concert, a street performance, or even online. When people sing or dance together, they share something special. In those moments, differences fade away, and the world feels smaller and more united.
​
Music reminds us we're not alone. It's a language everyone can understand, no matter where we come from. We share stories and emotions that bring us closer as we listen, sing, or play.
So here's something to think about: Could music be the key to creating a kinder, more connected world?

Listen!

Image Reference: Adobe Express

Grief is an unwelcome companion that arrives unannounced, bringing a profound sense of loss and a storm of emotions. You may think of it as an unwelcome friend or relative; others think of grief in other ways. It changes the landscape of our lives in ways we never imagined, leaving us to navigate a new world where everything feels different. It's okay to feel lost, overwhelmed, or even numb. Grief has no timeline, and its journey is as unique as the bond we share with the one we've lost.

In the early days, grief can feel like an unrelenting wave, repeatedly crashing over you. Even the simplest tasks may feel impossible. But in those moments of deep sorrow, it's important to remember that feeling this pain is a testament to the love we hold. Grief exists because love does in exponential depth. Allow yourself to feel. Cry if you need to. Scream if it helps. Go to a grief counselor. There is no "right" way to grieve.

I believe in God, and in times of grief, He did not leave me because of His love for me. Whether you believe in God or not, do not isolate yourself in the abyss of loneliness during times of grief. It does not help your passage through the experience. 

As time passes, grief doesn't vanish, but it transforms. The sharp edges soften, and moments of peace begin to filter through. Memories that once brought tears may start to bring a bittersweet smile. You learn to carry your loss, finding strength in honoring your loved one's memory through stories, traditions, or simply by living in a way that would make them proud.
In the quiet moments, when the weight feels unbearable, know that you are not alone. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups. Share your feelings, even if words feel inadequate. Healing comes in connection.

Grief reminds us of the depth of our humanity. It hurts, but it also reveals the beauty of love and resilience. With time, patience, and support, you can find your way forward, carrying their memory in your heart forever.

Image by Leopictures from Pixababy

Recently, I had the privilege of collaborating with a couple of my colleagues in my cohort in a roundtable discussion during an educational research forum on CoP and CoI. I could be wrong, but I don't think many people know what the acronyms or terms mean or imply, so let me try to put some context around what I think they are getting at.
​
In today’s world, learning isn’t just something we do alone—it’s a shared experience. Two powerful ways people learn together are through Communities of Practice and Communities of Inquiry. Though they may sound similar, each has a unique approach to building knowledge, and together, they make learning more affluent and meaningful.

What is a Community of Practice?
A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who come together because they're interested in the same topic or skill. They learn by sharing their experiences, discussing challenges, and working together on real problems. Picture a group of teachers meeting to share tips on managing classrooms or developers coming together to discuss coding solutions. In a CoP, learning happens naturally through these conversations and hands-on experiences, making everyone in the group better at what they do. It's practical and informal—just people helping each other improve their craft.

What is a Community of Inquiry?
A Community of Inquiry (CoI) focuses more on discussion and deep thinking. It's a group of people who come together to explore a topic, ask questions, and understand it at a deeper level. Imagine an online class where students and teachers actively discuss ideas, challenging each other to think critically. In a CoI, people support each other and engage in thoughtful discussions that help them see things from new perspectives. It's about learning through questioning, listening, and reflecting on ideas together.
​
Bringing the Two Together
Learning is well-rounded and balanced when Communities of Practice and Inquiry work together. The practical focus of CoPs helps people gain real skills, while the reflective discussions in CoIs make learning more thoughtful. This combination creates a powerful learning environment where people become not only more skilled but also more insightful and connected.
​
Reference
Image: Adobe Express

Water is one of nature’s simplest yet most powerful forces. Its fluidity shapes landscapes, carves mountains, and sustains life, embodying strength and adaptability. Just as water flows and changes course, aging teaches us to embrace transformation. With each passing year, we gain wisdom, experience, and a deeper appreciation for life’s subtleties—gifts that, like water, nourish and strengthen us.
 
As we age, we understand that growth is more than physical. Aging invites us to reflect, to deepen our sense of self, and to let go of what no longer serves us—much like water, which flows around obstacles and clears away debris. Aging gracefully is about resilience, like how rivers weather rocks into smooth pebbles over time. What might seem like a limitation, aging becomes a blessing, offering us perspective, patience, and inner peace.
 
Just as water adapts to every container it’s poured into, growing older encourages us to be flexible, to find harmony in the flow of life, and to appreciate the moments that make us feel alive. Each gray hair and wrinkle represents a memory, a lesson, or a triumph, reminding us that life, like water, is a continuous journey.
So, let us celebrate both the power of water and the beauty of growing older. Together, the power of water and age teaches us that strength lies in flexibility and that with every new chapter, there's an opportunity to grow and evolve.
 
Selah
 

​This summer is blistering hot. It’s no wonder that people are trying to get as close to beaches or cooler climates as much as possible. Media plays a role in message design. The information we take in and understand. Do you know what message design is about? More importantly, do you know what Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is all about?
​
We experience message design on social media, art, education, and other fields where learning takes shape, and we, as learners, go through a metamorphosis of information that we may or may not know about. CLT is a framework that helps us understand how our brains process information and learn new things. We have working memory, which, for me, at times, has limited capacity, and becoming overwhelmed with too much information is exhausting. There are three types of cognitive load – intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is the complexity of the material itself, like when you are trying to learn something, in your opinion, hard to understand. Extraneous load is unnecessary information or distractions that make learning harder, like watching a YouTube video to learn something. The curator has too many elements, including lousy background music, making it hard to concentrate, and you become annoyed. Germane load is when we put effort into understanding and learning the material. The point is the goal of the three. The goal is to reduce extraneous load, manage intrinsic load, and maximize germane load, making learning more effective.  

Humans learn in diverse ways - visually, auditory, kinesthetically, through reading/writing, socially, and logically. Mayer’s Multimedia Theory underscores the power of combining words and pictures in learning, showing that this approach is more effective than using words alone. When multimedia is thoughtfully designed and relevant, it reduces extraneous cognitive load and bolsters our comprehension. 
So, the next time you watch a video or visit a website to learn something, etc., check your learning to see if it is overloading you.

I recently talked with someone who asked me about my educational pursuits. I expressed that my voice didn't matter and then needed to explain my meaning. Of course, MY VOICE matters; however, framing it in the context of scholars' voices that have gone before me and who have shaped theory and philosophy is helping me find a different perspective on my voice. My understanding of theory and philosophy is growing and deepening like a fine wine. I know learning a deeper understanding, appreciation and questioning for different theories will be enhanced in the coming years.

Recently, I read an article about affective computing to detect and interpret emotions, and according to the article, it was forecasted to become a 37-billion-dollar industry by 2026. It was noted that this was mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic increasingly disrupting our lives and forcing us to live online to some extent. There are many positive aspects of the expansion of technology. The explosion of immersion experiences with artists like Monet and Van Gogh has been prevalent in today’s culture to invoke emotional responses that allow multisensory reactions for those who go to one of the shows. It is on my list of things to do in my lifetime.