Authentically Teresa Funke – Never AI
My Younger Self Doesn’t Need My Advice
They say with age comes wisdom. Which is why we so often like to brag about the advice we’d give our younger selves. But lately, I’ve been wishing I could have lunch with my 22-year-old self not to lecture her, but to connect over shared concerns and longings. I think my 22-year-old self (let’s call...
Hey, Let’s Discuss
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Ah, Eleanor, nothing will ever knock you off your perch as my hero, but I’ve got to challenge you for a moment on this one . . . I’m convinced even great minds occasionally discuss events. I’m sure, for...
The Next Right Thing
Some would say I’m too old to be watching Disney movies, but a while back I was flipping channels and landed on Frozen 2 at the part just before Anna sings the song, “The Next Right Thing.” It’s a pretty heavy song for a children’s movie. Anna is expressing deep depression and grief brought on...
Bridgerton Delivers a Writer’s Fantasy
I’ll confess I was a late arrival to the Bridgerton fandom. When the show first debuted, plenty of people recommended it to me with glowing praise. “You have to watch it,” they said. “You’ll love it.” Maybe that’s what kept me away, my rebellious nature’s knee-jerk reaction to not being told what to do and...
What Is Your Soul Telling You? – Revisited
This post originally ran on May 27, 2023 “I paint to let my soul know I am listening.” That’s a comment a friend posted on one of my social media pages in response to one of my blog posts. I’ve seen her work, and its beautiful and unique. It brings me joy just looking at...
What Even Is Normal?
I seem to be pondering this subject a lot lately. Maybe it’s because I had a birthday this week, and whenever you turn a year older, it makes you think a bit more about who you have become. I was talking to my daughter the other day, and she mentioned she’s been falling asleep earlier...
Are You Showing Up as Your Authentic Self?
I have a friend who is one of those rare people who can speak her mind without causing offense. Who can walk into a room full of friends as her authentic self, true to whatever mood she’s in, and be accepted. Whose hugs feel sincere, and whose wisdom you seek. She can call me on...
The Best Equation for Creativity
One of the definitions of faith is, “the complete trust in someone or something.” Each January, the members of my women’s group choose a personal word for the year. This year, I chose the word “faith,” as defined above. Why? Because in 2023, I was operating from a place of faith regarding multiple projects for...