Today – March 24, 2025 – is the 14th year anniversary of the first See Jane Write event. That’s right. See Jane Write is 14 years old today. Unfortunately, I’m not doing anything to celebrate except publishing the blog post – the first post I’ve published since January. Needless to say, life has been lifin’!

Last year I had a brunch with cake and balloons to celebrate Jane’s 13th birthday. But this year is different, because – life happens.

Usually, on See Jane Write’s anniversary, I reflect on what’s next for the community. But to be honest, I’m not sure what the future holds. Here’s what I do know:

The healing power of storytelling is real.

Maybe it’s the writer in me but it always seems my life happens in themes. Recently the theme has been the healing power of storytelling.

I’m reading a soon-to-be-released book on this concept as I’ve had the honor of being asked to write a blurb for the book cover. I just wrote an article about how storytelling can be used to aid in racial reconciliation. A couple of weeks ago I spoke at a women’s luncheon about how sharing my story helped me cope with my cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Right now, I’m navigating a tough time as both of my parents grapple with some major health issues.

I’m turning to words during this time — of course. I’m journaling. I’m thumbing out bad poetry in the Notes app of my phone. When I have no words, I read. And when I make my way home from the hospital I collapse into bed and get lost in the stories of my favorite television shows.

Storytelling has saved me, is saving me, and will save me again and again.

Gratitude changes everything.

About a week ago, after sitting in a cardiac intensive care unit for nearly 6 hours I heard the words I’d been praying for nearly 6 months that I would hear that day: “The surgery went well and he did great.” My dad had survived a very high-risk heart surgery. In fact, his heart had responded much better than expected. And my heart was filled with gratitude. But less than 24 hours later I let stress strangle that gratitude from my soul. My dad’s surgeon told me my father’s road to recovery would be long. My mom is also having health problems and isn’t as independent as she once was. I realized I’m now a caregiver for both parents and since my brother lives in Nevada I’ve got to go it alone. I was okay with that. I thought. But then a flood of texts and emails and phone calls reminding me of all my other responsibilities came crashing in.

Client projects that need to be completed.

Articles that need to be filed.

Community volunteer work demanding my attention.

Meanwhile, I need to clean my house, figure out what’s for dinner, exercise daily and try to remember to drink water.  Oh, and I had some goals for 2025 too but right now can’t remember what they were. I made a vision board for the year but haven’t had time to hang it on my wall.

I threw a pity party for a couple of days and let myself wallow in this feeling of being overwhelmed. But then I woke up one day and felt something inside myself urging me to get back to gratitude. Last year — in spite of my parents’ health challenges, the death of a close friend and the results of the presidential election — I fell in love with my life all because I chose to focus on gratitude.

So I journaled for nearly an hour before going to the hospital that day about all the things I’m grateful for – including all the things on my to-do list that were stressing me out and including UAB Hospital even though I get lost in that place EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I know this attitude will give me the strength to navigate all of this as I search for a new normal.

Gratitude really does change everything.

Here are the journal prompts that helped me shift my attitude:

How do you feel right now and why? What are you going to do about it?

Make a list of all you’re grateful for.

What I’ve been seeing as challenges are actually blessings in disguise because…

What’s your best-case scenario for today?

My community always has my back.

I may have initially felt like I was on my own through all of this, but I quickly learned this was the furthest thing from the truth. My husband was by my side on surgery day. My church family was praying for my father, my mother, and me. My closest friends have been sending texts, funny memes, encouraging words, and DoorDash gift cards. And many of those friends are women I met through See Jane Write.

So while I may not know exactly what the future holds for See Jane Write as a business, I know that the community we’ve built will last forever.

The Future of See Jane Write

Inspired by my community, I am recommitting to my goals. This weekend I’m going to finally hang up my vision board. I’m going to give myself permission to dream big again. And next week, I think I’m going to launch something new! (More to come on that soon.)

As I make future plans for See Jane Write, I would love your input. Please complete THIS SURVEY by April 15 for a chance to win a $75 gift card to Bookshop.org.