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There's something deeply personal about this journey of mine, and I think you might appreciate where it’s led me. I’ve been working on a trilogy of books—Allison Jolley or The Tears of God—that stem from a spiritual journey I took, one that started with what felt like a prophetic vision. I remember it vividly. I was working on a painting of Christ, and as I painted, I saw tears. It shook me. I thought it was a sign, a direct message from God, and it sent me on a pilgrimage of sorts. This pilgrimage wasn’t the kind you imagine from...

With the support of a dear, anonymous friend, I’ve begun charting my journey to quit smoking—again—and reclaim my life. It’s not my first attempt, but I’m determined to make this one stick. Here are some of the thoughts I’ve had along the way: On Smoking and Rehab:“If I had a rehab, I wouldn’t allow smoking. It’s as bad as most drugs in my opinion. Teens vaping are becoming addicted and getting aggressive. It’s sad.” Honestly, I couldn’t agree more. The thought of teenagers getting hooked on vaping hits hard—it's like a new generation walking straight into the same old trap....

There's a common, yet misguided belief that homelessness is some sort of "careless camping," that people somehow choose this life. Maybe it's easier to believe that people prefer living in tents, under bridges, or in makeshift shelters, rather than confront the uncomfortable truth: homelessness is not a choice, but a consequence. Economic struggles, mental health challenges, substance abuse, ethnicity, and even immigration—these are the real factors driving people into homelessness. It's not a matter of personal preference. Very few would choose to endure the freezing cold, the scorching heat, the daily uncertainty of finding food or safety. Homelessness is not...

Right now, my life feels completely upside down. I don’t know where I’m going to land, but one thing I know for sure: if I can quit smoking, it will give me a lot of hope to look forward to. It’s been a constant battle, sitting around with cigarettes, feeling like they’re slowly taking my life, while not really caring. But I’m starting to care again. I’m starting to think that maybe, just maybe, there’s something better waiting for me. Quitting smoking is a big step for me. When I quit before, I remember how much better I felt. Exercise...

Recently, I found myself discovering an unexpected parallel in my artistic process with none other than Taylor Swift. It all began when I delved into her music, purely out of curiosity, after reading about how she uses journaling as a significant part of her creative flow. As an artist and writer myself, journaling has always been my way of processing the world—scribbling down thoughts, ideas, or random bits of emotion that eventually shape into something bigger. It turns out Taylor does the same thing, but she turns those journal entries into powerful songs that resonate with millions. Through this newfound...