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Sometimes the best vacations aren't the ones that take us far from home; they're the ones that remind us how much wonder has been waiting nearby all along. In this Wisdom for Wannabes blog voice note reflection, Jackie Morreale shares one of her favorite days of the summer: a family paddleboard adventure from Phil Foster Park to Peanut Island in Palm Beach County. What started as a simple staycation became an unforgettable journey filled with stingrays, tropical fish, sandbars, houseboats, unexpected kindness, one spectacular wipeout, and a reminder that life rarely follows the straight line shown on a map. The episode concludes with a 2-Minute Imagination Exercise: Your Seaside Odyssey, inviting you to picture your own island and reflect on the adventure you've been waiting to begin. Favorite Quotes: - "The map shows a straight line. Life rarely does." - "Sometimes the easiest way forward isn't paddling harder. Sometimes it's simply realizing that you can stand." - "We weren't really paddling to Peanut Island. We were practicing what it feels like to begin something we've never done before." - "Sometimes staycations are the best vacations." - "The greatest adventures begin with one simple question: 'Do you think we can make it?'"  Jackie Morreale with snorkel gear on her Peanut Island Odyssey
Peanut Island Odyssey By Jackie Morreale I would love to tell you about one of my favorite days of summer. We're not talking about an expensive vacation. It wasn't a cruise, although there was water involved. It was a staycation that turned into an Odyssey. Our mission was simple: Take one very well-loved paddleboard from under the bridge to another island in Palm Beach County, which called Peanut Island. Our paddleboard has seen better days. It's teal, as you can see, probably about four or five years old. Every foam pad on top of it is peeling from years of adventures. We strapped two dry bags onto the front of the board, one with food and drinks, the other one had towels, goggles, and snorkels. We made one promise before we left: 'Let's try our best not to flip the paddleboard.' Which, if you've ever tried balancing two children - one being an energetic little boy who loves doing backflips, and one adventurous daughter - two dry bags, and one determined mom on a single paddleboard, it is a pretty ambitious goal. The adventure started before we even touched the water. We carried the inflated board toward the beach until a lifeguard stopped us. 'You can't launch here,' we heard. Launch. It was such a funny word for putting a paddleboard into the water. It kind of makes you feel like you're preparing for an official boat launch, or maybe even a spaceship. So we carried our little spaceship further down the beach, past the snorkelers, past the white buoys, until we finally reached a place where we were allowed to begin. The moment we climbed aboard, all three of us, stable on one paddleboard, someone snorkeling nearby looked up at us and casually pointed beneath our board. He said, 'There are stingrays under you.' There they were. Just gliding. Quietly sharing the water with us. Nobody panicked, we simply smiled and kept paddling. Soon we reached the boating channel. The current was against us, and boats were moving through at 5mph. The three of us were moving considerably slower than 5mph. It felt like every paddle stroke gained only inches across this boating channel. One small motorboat slowed down and patiently waited for us to cross, which felt like forever. But that simple act of kindness somehow made me even more determined. Eventually we reached the houseboats. Not boats that look like boats, boats that looked like actual houses, little floating neighborhoods with windows, tiny boards tied beside them. Then something unexpected happened: The water became so shallow we could simply step off the paddleboard.
The water was crystal clear, warm, and turquoise. We walked in two feet of water. We laughed. We pulled the paddleboard across the sandbar together. And we found that sometimes the easiest way forward isn't paddling harder. Sometimes it's simply realizing that you can stand. When the water deepened again, we climbed back onto the board one by one without tipping it over. Back into the current. Back toward the island. Back on our mission. I paddled. My daughter used her hands behind me like an extra engine. My son jumped into the water and kicked underneath the board, to become our motor. Everyone helped. By the time the beach was finally in clear sight, we were exhausted. So we started counting. It was 41 more strokes. Forty more strokes... Thirty more... Twenty... Ten. And finally, the nose of the paddleboard touched the sand on this beach that is Peanut Island. Our Odyssey mission was complete! After an hour and a half, we had made it. The dry bags had stayed dry, and we went exploring underwater.  Mission complete! We made it to Peanut Island on the paddleboard. We drifted past needlefish. We floated beside boats that had arrived there the normal way: with motors. We reached the rocks near the inlet. It felt like swimming into another world. Schools of angelfish, clown fish, bright tropical fish of every shape. A lone barracuda quietly passing by. And my personal favorite, the blue-green parrot fish. So beautiful. Their scales shimmered with every color of the sea as they happily munched on sargassum floating nearby. The same seaweed that people, including me, complain about on the beach at this time of year, was a feast for them. It's funny how perspective changes everything. Around 6:30pm we looked at each other and realized: If it took us an hour and a half to get here, we should probably head back home. The return trip began slowly, really slowly. was paddling as hard as I could while my legs dangled in the water and we barely moved. Then another paddle border glided effortlessly past us, standing, relaxed, looking like she hadn't even broken a sweat. So I called out, 'How are you going so fast?' She smiled and said, 'Pull your feet out of the water.' I folded my legs on the board very carefully as to not rock the boat, literally. Suddenly we were flying! Well, flying for us. We moved pretty quickly. We stopped for pictures on the sandbar. We were brave enough to take out my phone and laughed and did cartwheels and had a blast. It was beautiful. We were back in the two feet of water sandbar paradise. A sunset painted the sky. We could see the beach under the bridge just ahead. Everything felt easy. Only 30 minutes of rowing this time. The current was with us. But maybe... too easy. As we approached the final channel, I folded my legs back into that same position, boarding the boat as to not rock it with all three of us and the two dry bags, which are still dry.  Back on the sandbar! Right before... Then... wipe out! All three of us tipped over. Our two dry bags, now suspended completely upside down by these things, were half in the water. A mask floated away, snorkels drifted. It was chaos. My incredible kids went into rescue mode immediately, swimming their hearts out, treading water, pushing the paddleboard upright with all their might, retrieving everything that floated away. We didn't lose a thing, although the dry bags were definitely not dry anymore. I refused to check on the electronics until we were safely back. When we finally reached the shore, it ended up that the key worked, the phone worked. Everything was heavy. Everything smelled like seawater. Our souvenir from our Peanut Island Odyssey, and somehow everything was perfect. We just had an island adventure. Later that evening after packing away the blow up paddleboard and rewarding ourselves with giant ice cream sundaes, I looked at a map and I realized something: From the park under the bridge to Peanut Island is less than a mile as the pelican flies. It doesn't look very far, but maps don't show:
The map shows a straight line. And life rarely does. Sometimes we look at someone else's success and think, 'Well, they only had to go a mile.' Maybe. But we have no idea what currents they paddled against. Looking back, I realized we weren't really paddling to Peanut Island. We were practicing what it feels like to begin something we've never done before.
Maybe that's how every worthwhile adventure works. 2-Minute Imagination Exercise: Your Seaside OdysseyToday I'd love to invite you on your own 'mental' seaside journey. Close your eyes. Imagine warm sand beneath your feet. Hear the rhythm of gentle waves rolling onto the shore. Feel the warmth of the sun on your shoulders and a soft ocean breeze across your face. In front of you waits a paddleboard. Maybe it's brand new. Maybe it's scratched. Maybe it's exactly the one you're carrying through life right now. It's enough. Take one deep breath. And step onto the board. Feel it gently rock beneath you and begin paddling toward your own island. A dream you've put off. A painting you're looking to create. A book waiting to be written. A conversation you've needed to have. A healthier version of yourself. As you paddle, notice the current. Instead of fighting it, simply keep taking the next stroke. Notice what appears along the way. Perhaps a stingray glides peacefully beneath you. Bright tropical fish remind you that beauty often hides below the surface. A stranger offers exactly the advice that you needed to hear. A gentle breeze reminds you that you don't have to do everything alone. And if somewhere along your journey, you fall into the water... Smile. Sometimes it becomes your favorite part of the story. Now imagine arriving at your island. Step onto the warm sand. Take a deep breath. And look around. Notice what you've discovered, not just about this place, but about yourself. Sometimes staycations are the best vacations. Sometimes, the greatest adventures begin with an old paddleboard, two kids, two dry bags, and one simple question: 'Do you think we can make it?' That's all an Odyssey really is. Have a wonderful day!  Morreale Peanut Island Snorkel Crew
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 What if one memory could bring you back to who you really are? In this deeply personal reflection, Wisdom for Wannabes host, Jackie Morreale, shares what happened when she returned to her elementary school 30 years later—and why it moved her to tears. Inspired by a powerful insight from sports psychologists about our brain’s tendency to hold onto the negative, Jackie explores the importance of intentionally creating joyful, meaningful moments we can revisit throughout our lives. This story is about identity, gratitude, and the people—especially educators—who shape us long before we realize it. Read on for a heartfelt reminder to reconnect with your roots, reclaim your truest self, and say thank you to those who helped you become who you are. Topics: • The importance of positive memories for mental health • Creating intentional joyful moments • Revisiting childhood to reconnect with your true self Takeaways: • Our brains are wired to remember negatively, but we must practice recalling positive memories. • Revisiting childhood places can reconnect us with our authentic selves. • Creating meaningful moments intentionally can help us stay grounded and true to ourselves. Quotes: • "I realized that little girl is still me." • "I think I forgot her along the way." • "We need to create moments on purpose." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: A Memory That Brings You Back to Yourself 00:31 The Insight That Sparked It All 01:11 Walking Back Into Where It All Began 03:15 Remembering the Girl I Used to Be 03:41 A Different Lens on the High School Years 04:05 Creating Memories You Can Return To 04:57 A Simple Exercise to Come Back to Yourself 06:00 Say Thank You, Just Because!  Jackie Morreale reading Princess Tessa & The New Look to Ms. Meehan's students, March 2026 Transcript: Jackie Morreale (00:00) I went back to my elementary school after 30 years and I remembered exactly who I am. My name is Jackie Morreale and I'm the host of Wisdom for Wannabes. I wrote this and I'm saying this now because I don't ever want to lose this feeling. I had one of those experiences that I know I'm going to want to come back to. Not just to remember, but to actually feel again. It made me realize something. I think every single one of us needs to have a memory like that. One that we can return to at any age. One that brings us back to ourselves. I was interviewing these two amazing sports psychologists earlier this week and they said something that really stuck with me: "Our brains are wired to think negatively." We're built to remember the bad moment, the embarrassing moment, the failure. Maybe at one point that kept us alive. It was survival. But now, it keeps us stuck. They said, "If we don't intentionally create and hold on to those positive memories, we won't have them to pull from later." We actually have to practice remembering the good. It took me a day to realize I had just lived one of those life-changing, happy moments that I will want to recall for the rest of my life. So here it is: Last Friday, I went back to my old elementary school. Thirty years later, I walked in with a stack of my books and my family. From the moment we arrived, something felt different. We were greeted by the security guard upon entering the building who said, "Hello, so you're the author?" I paused for a second and thought, "Wow, yes, I am." There's something so powerful about someone else seeing you as something you've worked so hard to become and identify with yourself. The principal came right out, welcomed us in, brought us into his office. We were laughing because I realized this had been my first time to the principal's office, an idea that I once dreaded, and this time it was for good. It felt like a full circle moment. Then we walk down the hallway to my favorite teacher's classroom. My fifth grade teacher who still teaches there to this day, now teaching kindergarten. And how lucky are these students, this school, this community, how lucky am I to go back and see her and relive this experience? We get to the door. There's a big sign over the doorway. It says, "Welcome Mrs. Morreale!" And it includes my family members' names. And streamers! And all the autographs of the kids in the class, as well as the one for my teacher. We walked right through the streamers and there she was, standing there: My favorite teacher. She looked and sounded exactly the same, same presence, same person. I just lost it. Tears were instant. The kind of tears that you don't even try to hold back. The kids are all looking at me and saying, "Why is she crying?" My teacher just smiled and said, "They're happy tears." They were. Because in that moment, everything else disappeared. I was her student again. I sat down. I read my book to her class. My own kids sat next to me. The students were amazing. They raised their hands to point out rhymes, respond to my questions, and ask brilliant questions of their own. I even had a few belly laugh moments where kids say the darndest things. I just felt joy. Pure, simple joy. No pressure, no noise. Just being exactly who I am. And it hit me: That little girl, the one who loved writing, the one who loved stories and had felt seen by this teacher 30 years ago... she's still me. She never left. But somewhere along the way, I think I forgot her a little bit. Tried to fit in. Tried to be what I thought other people wanted me to be. Even tried to dim parts of myself. But going back there brought me right back to her. We said our goodbyes, more happy tears, and a whirlwind of an amazing experience. We went to revisit another special place, my old high school, to see the best art teacher in the world, the new art wing, the new students' work. It felt different. I remember feeling like I didn't quite belong back then. Like I had to change myself or keep up or try to prove something. Looking at the kids now, they seem lighter than I remember feeling. Somehow more in touch with it all. And I hope that's the case. It made me the pressure we feel isn't even real. It's just the story we're telling ourselves. And the teachers, they see it all. They see what makes each kid different, what makes them special. They nurture it, they protect it. And I surmise that most of the time, they have no idea how much of that actually stays with all of us. So here's what this experience gave me: We don't just need to remember those moments. We need to create them. On purpose. Moments that are so real, so grounded, so full of who we actually are, that we can come back to them later. When life gets loud or stressful or remind ourselves: This is me. I want to try something. Probably 20 years ago, I was fortunate enough to teach a group in Brooklyn, New York, not far from these schools, physical fitness. We would always end our practice with a visualization exercise, to end on a really beautiful note. So here's one for today: Close your eyes. Just for a moment, imagine you're back at a place that shaped you. Maybe it's your elementary school. Maybe it's your first job with a great boss. Maybe it's your favorite relative's house. Maybe it's a field or on a stage or in a studio with a paintbrush that dips into your favorite color. You walk in, people know your name. Not for what you've done, not for what you've achieved, but for who you've always been. People who believed in you before you even believed in yourself. And they're just happy you're there. And you're so happy to be there with them. You can feel it in your chest. That warmth, that calmness, that certainty. That's you! That's your core. That's what you can come back to; in this place, in this moment, in this visualization, anytime. For me, it's looking at the paper sign with streamers and 25 signatures that's now hanging on my office wall a thousand miles away from where it was last week. There's one more thing I realized walking out of that school and it's an actionable item. We don't say thank you enough to the people who saw something in us early, before the world got loud, before we started questioning ourselves, before we tried so hard to fit in. To the teachers, Ms. Patricia Meehan, Mr. Keith Gamache, countless others. The ones who stay late, the ones who make things special, who remember our names, our strengths, our quirks. Who shape lives every single most likely aren't reminded often enough how much it all matters to us. If you can, reach out, send a message, say "Thank you!" Tell them, "You made a difference in my life." Most likely it'll mean a lot to them and it'll bring you back to yourself as well. Have a beautiful day.
Summary Experience a heartwarming story time with Jackie Morreale, as she reads her second book, Princess Tessa & The New Look, to a group of elementary school students. This read aloud session is the author's first live reading for a school-age audience, and includes a brief but enthusiastic Q&A at the end with the students. This children's story is meant to celebrate friendship and confidence, and this session encourages students to write down their own stories. So grateful to Palm Beach Schools for hosting this amazing story time during Literacy Week, and for making these books accessible in the school library!
Transcript: Jackie Morreale (00:00) This is my dream come true. First, the dedication for this book. To my daughter, for always knowing how to bring style and people together. And to all the real-life Charlies, our BFFs, who know how to make you smile and feel confident on your first day no matter what. Even if you don't feel anxious or nervous, maybe you're that person who's a best friend, who can help somebody else get through it. And to whoever branded girls' glasses to make my daughter believe they are jewelry for the face, thank you. Let's start. This is written as a poem, so it rhymes, okay? Excited but nervous and almost late, I check my calendar. Today is the date. I'm starting first grade, get up, here we go. Grab my notebook, my backpack, fix my pink hair, just so. I wait for the bus, my daddy says, "Bye". I look out the window, new houses fly by. The bus makes a stop. What's that? Let me see. More children pile on. But who can they be? New faces, new backpacks, new worries. Oh my! The driver keeps going and I just want to cry. What is this new place? It can't be my school. It's big and it's noisy and I don't know the rules. I walk to the classroom, my name's on a line. (Tessa!) I carefully look to see which seat is mine. Rounding the tables, not here, not there. I peek toward the back. Is that the one that I'll share? With loads of new friends, all different than me. Some bigger, some smaller, some seem so ready. "Hello," says a voice, so glittery and fun. "Let's all introduce ourselves and get to know someone." I look beside me and who do I see? A girl with round glasses just like me. "I'm Tessa," I say, and I give her a smile. "I'm Charlie," she answers. "Have you worn yours a while?" "Today's my first day," I admit, feeling shy. "My mom made me wear them. I say, I don't know why. "I've had mine for ages. My mom made me, too. But now the world's clearer. It's how I see you." "Let's be glasses twins!" My new friend likes the idea. "So when we put them on, we'll always know we're near." We got through our first day. Math, reading, gym and art. It's always a little bit easier with a friend beside your heart. When I ride the bus home, I wave as Charlie goes. I know I'll see her very soon. The reminder is on my nose. The End. (Or maybe just the beginning of our BFF adventures.) That is the story of Princess Tessa & the New Look. Thank you so much for reading through it with me and sharing your own first day experiences! Now that we've gone through it, there's a Look & Find at the end. Let me ask you a couple of questions and see who was paying attention. What grade is Tessa starting this year? My gosh, okay you guys are paying attention. Student: First grade. Jackie Morreale: High five. Was everybody going to say first grade? It's right there on the cover. Good job. What friendly animal lives on Tessa's street? Was anyone looking at the drawing? Student: It was a squirrel. Jackie Morreale: You knew that? You were paying attention. Student: I knew that!  Learn more about this and other books in the series at www.princesstessa.com In this heartwarming episode of Wisdom for Wannabes, host Jackie Morreale introduces her daughter Natalia, the youngest guest to grace the show, who has just co-illustrated a new children's book with her, called, 'The Furry Christmas Miracle.' The conversation explores the journey of creativity, entrepreneurship, and the magic of Christmas through storytelling. Natalia shares her experiences and insights as a young illustrator and entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of family support and the joy of giving during the holiday season. Takeaways: • Natalia is the youngest guest on the show. • The Furry Christmas Miracle is the fourth book in the series. • The book is dedicated to children who believe in magic. • Natalia illustrates and co-writes the book with her mother. • The story emphasizes themes of gratitude and responsibility. • Natalia shares her entrepreneurial journey of selling shells to buy a hamster. • The importance of family support in creative endeavors is highlighted. • The book is available in both storybook and coloring book formats. • The conversation reflects on the joy of giving during Christmas. • Jackie expresses excitement for future stories in the series. Quotes: • "I can make ornaments for sale." • "Natalia is an entrepreneur at heart." • "One more high five for hope." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Princess Tessa and Luke the Duke Series 01:45 Reading The Furry Christmas Miracle 05:49 The Journey of Responsibility and Giving 07:37 Natalia's Entrepreneurial Spirit and Reflections In this special episode, Jackie Morreale introduces her daughter, Natalia Morreale, who is the talented new co-illustrator for "The Furry Christmas Miracle," a delightful kids book in the Princess Tessa and Luke the Duke series. This picture book is now available in both digital and print formats, perfect for reading. They share insights into the creation of these wonderful children's books, discussing themes like holiday cheer, giving, and making choices. ✨  Jackie Morreale and Natalia Morreale, and hamster, Lorenzo Podcast Transcript: Jackie Morreale (00:00) Hello and welcome to Wisdom for Wannabes. I'm the host, Jackie Morreale. Today, I am welcoming our youngest guest to the show thus far. She has just made her debut as illustrator for a newly published book: Book four in the Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke series, which is called The Furry Christmas Miracle. I am so proud to welcome, my daughter, Natalia Morreale. Welcome to Wisdom for Wannabes, Natalia! Natalia Morreale (00:32) Guys, I'm so happy to be here. This is the fourth book so I want to show off one, two, and three from my mom. Jackie Morreale (00:40) Thank you. Natalia Morreale (00:40) The first book she ever made was Princess Tessa Meets Luc the Duke. The second book she made is Princess Tessa and the New Look. And the third book she made, Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke: Trick or Tiara Halloween Surprise. Jackie Morreale (00:58) Number four, we have Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke: The Furry Christmas Miracle. It's available in both coloring book versions so that you can fill in the pages with your own special colors, pencils, crayons, paint, whatever you like to make it match your own holiday experience. Or you can purchase the book version, which includes our collaborative illustrations, which are on the wall behind us. Do you want to do some story time of our new book? Natalia Morreale (01:26) I would love to. Jackie Morreale (01:45) Okay, let's start. The Furry Christmas Miracle, Book Four in the Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke series, was written by me, Jackie Morreale and illustrated by Jackie Morreale and Natalia Morreale. This book is dedicated to all the children like Natalia, who dream, give, and believe in magic. Merry Christmas to all, especially Nonno Sal and Nonna Maria, all the aunts who spark conversations about Christmas at Thanksgiving dinner, and our cousins who share our love for pets. Page one, Christmas is coming. I feel it everywhere - in the twinkling lights, in the songs in the air, and in the way my heart beats a little faster. Natalia Morreale (02:10) Before Christmas arrives, it's Thanksgiving week. School's out. Our house is busy and full. Jackie Morreale (02:16) Voices and laughter fill every room. The air smells warm and delicious. Nonno hugs me tight. Natalia Morreale (02:23) Nonna kisses my cheek. "Gioia mia," she whispers. My joy, in Italian. Jackie Morreale (02:29) Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful, but my thoughts drift all the way to the magic of Christmas. While grownups talk and cook, I dream. I dream of something soft, something furry, something sprinkled with fun, a pet hamster that could be my very own. Natalia Morreale (02:48) We talk about gratitude. I'm thankful for my family and for the biggest Christmas wish. Jackie Morreale (02:55) After dessert, my aunt leans close. "What do you want for Christmas, Tessa?" She asks and smiles. Natalia Morreale (03:03) I take it breath. "A pet," I say. My heart thumps loudly. Jackie Morreale (03:08) Mommy and daddy listen carefully. Mommy smiles kindly. Daddy looks concerned. "Maybe next year, Principessa," he says. Natalia Morreale (03:16) "We already have you and baby Luca to take care of," he adds. "Our hearts are too full." My heart sinks. Jackie Morreale (03:24) Later, Mommy and I have a heart-to-heart. "If you can show us how responsible you are," she adds, "we will think about it." Natalia Morreale (03:31) That night Christmas decorations come out, lights sparkle, hope sparkles, too. Jackie Morreale (03:37) Luc the Duke and I place ornaments all over our tree. Daddy lets me decorate the high branches. "Principessa Tessa," he says, "You are the star." Natalia Morreale (03:46) As I hang ornaments, an idea grows. A big idea. Jackie Morreale (03:49) I can make ornaments for sale. If I can make enough for a hamster, that will show them how responsible I am. Natalia Morreale (03:57) Luc the duke and I open our own Santa workshop We press our hands in glitter and paint. High fives forever! Jackie Morreale (04:06) (Yeah!) We use our high five hands to make hearts, stars, and angels. Each sparkly ornament shines with love and remind us that there is always hope. Natalia Morreale (04:17) We set up a little ornament shop right outside our house. One dollar each. Jackie Morreale (04:21) Cars pass, we wait, my stomach flips. Natalia Morreale (04:25) People stop, they smile. they buy our ornaments. Jackie Morreale (04:29) Every dollar feels like progress. I count carefully. Luc claps proudly. Natalia Morreale (04:34) We go to the pet store. I see her. My shy black and white hamster hiding quietly. Jackie Morreale (04:40) A man gently lifts the hamster to show us. Suddenly, splash! She pees right on his hand. Daddy gasps. Mommy laughs. I giggle and think she might be shy, but she's definitely brave. Natalia Morreale (04:54) She hides again, but I know deep inside, she will be a wonderful part of our family. I just need to show I am responsible enough. Jackie Morreale (05:04) That Sunday, Mommy stops at a tree after church. Small handmade ornaments hang from its branches. But different than our high fives, each ornament has a child's wish written on a paper dove. Maybe some kids won't have Christmas gifts this year. I read the notes. My chest feels tight. I imagine how that would feel. I want to help. Natalia Morreale (05:26) I think about our I think about those kids. We make a choice. Jackie Morreale (05:32) "Give the ornament money to grant the children's wishes," I say. It is hard, but it feels right. Natalia Morreale (05:38) Christmas Eve arrives. We prepare milk and cookies. We sing carols and laugh and dream. Jackie Morreale (05:44) I fall asleep peacefully, not hoping, but full of wonder and belief in the magic of Christmas. Natalia Morreale (05:49) Christmas morning comes. Luc the Duke and I bounce excitedly to our tree. Jackie Morreale (05:54) Close to the tree there's a... Look online wherever you buy books to find Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke: The Furry Christmas Miracle to find out what was under the tree. Although we won't tell our listeners what was under the tree in the story, we will give you a sneak peek of Luc the Duke's first POV, a short story at the end of the story, with Luc the Duke's perspective on it all. Natalia Morreale (06:24) May I read it? He sounds like this. Jackie Morreale (06:29) Of course. What does he sound like? Then you have to do it in his voice. Go for it. Natalia Morreale (06:36) I'm Luc the Duke! I crawl, wobble, and explore. Tessa has my big sister. She laughs and dreams. She's always busy. The house smells amazing today. Ham, potatoes, and something sweet. I push my toy car across the floor. Vroom. Tessa giggles. Tessa shows me high five hearts. I clap. I squeal, I bounce. Outside people buy our ornaments. Maybe this will get us a furry friend for Christmas! Christmas morning comes. Tessa runs to the tree. Under it sits... Jackie Morreale (07:21) You'll have to find out when you get your copy of The Furry Christmas Miracle, available on Amazon in coloring book and anywhere where you buy your books online, in storybook for children. Any learnings from this, Natalia, being your first illustrated published book? Natalia Morreale (07:37) I do want to add something. Do you know how Tessa works to get the money for a hamster? When I was little, I wanted a hamster, too. I went to this beach and there was shells everywhere. They were really pretty. I had the idea to collect them and sell them. We collected all the shells, we got home, we washed them really went outside and tried selling them. Not many people came, because no one was really walking and wanting to buy things. We sold them online and then I raised enough money to get my own hamster, Leia. Jackie Morreale (08:10) Exactly. Natalia is an entrepreneur at heart. She's always been a creative and always looking for ways to make people happy. I'm so excited to see where this book debut takes her. Excited to share the Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke stories with the world. Thank you, thank you to those who have purchased the books, read the books, shared the books. Excited to bring stories from our home to your home. We're very grateful for the support and can't wait to make more Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke stories. One more high five for hope. Thank you very much for listening to our story time. Thank a great day. Natalia Morreale (08:49) Bye.
Hello, my name is Jackie Morreale and I am the host of Wisdom for Wannabes. Today I am tuning in with some very special news: It is October 31st, which means it is Halloween. Happy Halloween to everybody out there! It is also the last day of Dyslexia Awareness Month. That is why I have this extreme clash of an outfit on. We wear red in October. We also wear orange in October. I want to share some great news. I have published my third book! My first two are Princess Tessa Meets Luc the Duke, and Princess Tessa & the New Look. Today I am publishing Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke: Trick or Tiara Halloween Surprise. This can be found on Amazon in paperback, soon to be hardcover and eBook. I'm very excited to also say I have added a coloring activity book to the fun, so that little hands can also make the Halloween surprise reflect their own trick-or-treating experience. This is my new Halloween surprise story, appropriate for ages three to eight, and their parents to read to them. Without further ado... read-aloud storytime: Princess Tessa and Luc the Duke: Trick or Tiara Halloween Surprise, written and illustrated by me, Jackie Morreale. Dedication. To our Trick or Tiara friends and family from over the years who helped us make the best Halloween memories. Sending love. To the grandmothers, especially Nonna Maria and Glama Lorette, who always make the holidays more fun. October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. To all my superheroes out there, keep thinking big. Page one, in Tessa's voice. Halloween is my favorite time of year. Why? It is the creepiest and also the most fashionable time of year. We dress up however we want to. We see all our friends. We walk through the neighborhood late at night. But the best part? The candy! Some houses in my neighborhood even give away full-sized candy bars! But this year is different. My little brother, Luc the Duke, is one. Talking a little, walking, well, practically running most of the time. He's ready for his first real Halloween to join us trick-or-treating, or how I prefer to call it, trick-or-tiaras. I think and I think about what I want to be for Halloween this year. A puppy? Too silly. A ghost? Too scary. A pumpkin? Too babyish. An artist? Maybe. Or just me, Princess Tessa, as a snow princess. I have all the sparkle I need and third time is a charm. And for Luc, mom has the pumpkin suit. "Not the pumpkin suit," I groan. "You looked so cute in it when you were little," she says and smiles. Poor Luc the Duke. "Luc can be the pumpkin prince and you'll be the snow princess. Better together." I am not so sure, but it does sound kind of cute. I like when my mom thinks like a royal. At five o'clock, we meet our friends at the corner. It is a Halloween fashion show. The twins are dressed as love bugs. Rachel and Zoe are an angel and a devil. Michael is a superhero. Evan is a robot. Charlie is a cat and her big brother is a monster. The pumpkin prince is riding in style. A blow up dinosaur and a wolf in flip flops arrive. "Roar, roar," says Luc the Duke. "Roar, roar," echo the dads underneath. The Halloween fun has already begun. Our parents (always) want pictures. Smiley ones, scary ones, silly ones. But we're a little distracted. So off we go. Mom and dad follow with a wagon in case any of the little kids get tired, of course. House number one. We run to the door and knock. No one answers. Luc spots a candy basket. Take one or else, the sign says. We all take one apiece. Luc the Duke tastes his very first chocolate bar. It's already the best day ever. House number two, a cat lady. "How do you do? Take two," she says. Two nutty buddies each. House number three, a skeleton man. "Look and see, take three," he says. House number four, a ghost guards an enormous bucket. A sign says, "Take four, no more." That's 10. Then House number five, with the full-sized candies. We ring the bell. A dim light flicks on. The door creaks open... and a queen appears, but not just any queen. She has fangs and nails and a crown bigger than mine! Plus, a whole tray of full-size candy bars. --- If you would like to hear what happens at house number five, six, and seven on Princess Tessa and Luc the Duke's Halloween Surprise adventure, check Amazon or make it your own with the new coloring book version. I want to skip ahead and give you a sneak peek of the end of this story. There is a look and find, where you can go back through the book and answer questions with your little one as to how many pumpkins there were, how many times we saw the black cat, et cetera. But what I really love is that there's a little bit of fun history added to this story,to those who might experience Day of the Dead in different parts of the world. This is new for this story and I'm excited to include: A Note from Nonna. Princess Tessa and Luc the Duke's Nonna and Nonno (Grandma and Grandpa in Italian) come from Sicily, which is an island in southern Italy. While they didn't grow up trick or treating on Halloween like Tessa and Luc do, they would celebrate Il Giorno dei Morti, the Day of the Dead, every year on November 2nd. The day is a celebration of the memory of family members who have passed away. Families gather over stories and of course delicious foods, especially sweets as gifts for children. including Pupi de Zucchero, which means sugar dolls, and Ossa di Morti, which means bones of the dead, which are cookies. Thank you so much for your support. I'm very excited to share this new Halloween Surprise book with you all. Have a wonderful day, and Happy Halloween! New Kids Book Launch: Princess Tessa & The New Look - First Glasses, First Grade, and Friendship10/6/2025 Hello, my name is Jackie Morreale, and I am the host of Wisdom for Wannabes, the podcast series that seeks to discover wise words in business, beauty, and betterment. I'm very, very proud to announce the launch of my newest, latest and greatest book, which is called Princess Tessa & The New Look: A Tale of First Glasses, First Grade, and Friendship. It's now available in paperback and ebook on Amazon and soon to be coming to hardcover. Let me put on my new look before I tell more about this particular tale. This tale was inspired by a new pair of glasses. Could anything be scarier on your first day of school than having a new look that means a new pair of glasses right there on your face for everyone to see? Sometimes all you need is the help of a friend to get you through the day. That is just what we found with our character, Princess Tessa, when she met her BFF in this story. This story was illustrated with the help of ink on paper and colored with markers. I would like to talk directly to all my young artists out there: Keep drawing, keep coloring, keep exploring. Very excited to bring back this first day of school poster that we actually used back in the day and revive it with Princess Tessa. So Princess Tessa in this story is six years old. Date in the story is September 2025 now. Her favorite day was when her brother was born. When she grows up, she would like to be a veterinarian. She's very sweet. I'm very excited to bring this character to life with my new book. For those of you who've been following the Princess Tessa saga, I wanted to share an exciting update that Princess Tessa meets Luc the Duke is now available in hardcover. It's great for little fingers. It'll keep longer. It's a great book, a great gift for any big sisters to be, especially if a little brother is on the way. So that one is available anywhere that you buy books online as a hardcover in addition to ebook and paperback, soon to be on Audible as well. Without further ado, I would love to read some excerpts from Princess Tessa & The New Look, which is written in rhyme. Let's see how this goes. Excited but nervous and almost late. I check my calendar, today's the date. I'm starting first grade. Get up. Here we go. Grab my notebook, my backpack. Fix my pink hair just so. I wait for the bus. My daddy says, bye. I look out the window, new houses fly by. The bus makes a stop. What's that? Let me see. More children pile on, but who can they be? New faces, new backpacks, new worries. Oh my! Whe driver keeps going and I just want to cry. What is this new place? It can't be my school. It's big and it's noisy and I don't know the rules. I walk to the classroom, my name's on the line. I carefully look to find which seat is mine. Rounding the tables, not here, not there. I peek toward the back. Is that the one that I'll share? With loads of new friends, all different from me. Some bigger, some smaller, some seem so ready. "Hello," says a voice, so glittery and fun. "Let's all introduce ourselves and get to know someone." I look beside me and who do I see? A girl with round glasses, just like me... If you'd like to explore more from Princess Tessa & The New Look, pick yours up today and you can see how this story concludes. This book is dedicated to my daughter, for always knowing how to bring style and people together. It is also dedicated to all our BFFs, who know how to make you smile and feel confident on your first day, no matter what. And to whoever branded girls' glasses to make my daughter believe that they are jewelry for the face, thank you very much for making life easy. Thank you all for reading my stories. I really appreciate it. I hope it brings you together with the little ones in your life! Have a wonderful day.
Hi there, my name is Jackie Morreale and I'm the host of Wisdom for Wannabes, a new podcast series that seeks to discover wise words in business, beauty, and betterment. Today I am tuning in to share a very exciting update: I recently fulfilled my dream of becoming an author, illustrator of children's books with the new title called, Princess Tessa meets Luc the Duke: A Tale of Sisterly Love for a New Baby Brother. The book is 40 pages. It is appropriate for children ages four through eight. It is based on real life adventures, a little bit of creative license. I'm so excited to start this literary journey through Princess Tessa and all her sassiness and her adventures with her little brother and how her life completely changed that day that she no longer was the only princess in her castle. For anybody who's interested in the art making process, I used ink on paper. I used these wonderful markers right here. I encourage anybody who loves to draw to pick up some markers and see where it takes you. This story has been on my mind for many years. I can't wait to keep Tessa's adventure coming. But for now, let's read the tale of Princess Tessa Meets Luc the Duke: A Tale of Sisterly Love for a New Baby Brother, written and illustrated by Jackie Morreale. I can't believe I just said that. I'm so excited! Turning the page. The dedication is to my children who inspire me every day, wishing you a lifetime of adventures together. And to my brother Kevin and his growing family, especially big sister Quinn and the new baby. I'm going to read in Tessa's voice. Let's see how this goes. Hi, my name is Tessa. I'm five years old. I just started kindergarten. I love my teacher. I love my family. I also love fashion. My school is so big it has seven playgrounds. Plus, my bus driver is so grand her name is Ms. Grande. I love my Girl Scout troop. Math is pretty cool, and all my besties live right on my block. I like music and movies. (Please tell my mom I need a cell phone like the big girls.) Yep, my life is super busy. The best part? My dad calls me his "principessa". That means "princess" in Italian. The pink crown above my bed proves it. There's the crown. I was picking out my school outfit for the next day after a sweet strawberry scented bath. (For us fashionistas, it was a metallic gold skirt over pink printed leggings with a gray tee that had a bedazzled heart.) When my parents both entered my bedroom with the look. And the sit. I knew something was up. Was I in trouble? How could this face be in trouble? Or was it a surprise? I'd been asking for a puppy for ages. Lately I was even negotiating for a hamster. Could that be it? Yay, I'd name her Lucy and I'd take care of her every day and be the happiest girl in New Jersey. "Tessa, we want to tell you something," my dad said. "Come sit with us." "Okay, Daddy," I said, curious. I went to sit on my rocker with Dad while Mom sat nearby on the bed. "We have some exciting news," my mom said. I gulped. "We are going to have a new member of the family soon," she said with a smile. "Is it a puppy? Can we name her Lucy?" I blurted out. I could not believe this was happening. Finally! Dad tried not to laugh. "Ah, not right now." "How about a hamster?" I asked. "Not exactly," said Mom. "A goldfish?" "Well, no," Dad said. "You're going to have a baby brother soon!" What? The shock, the horror, a baby? Big surprise: Parents, one. Princess Tessa, zero. "Well, what do you think?" Dad asked. What can you think when your world is instantly turned upside down? A brother, oh brother. "What's going to happen to all my stuff?" I asked. Everything I have is so high fashion, a brother does not fit my style. A baby? So four years ago. What else would I have to share? Mom laughed. "Nothing will happen to your stuff. In fact, a baby means more stuff. We'll be preparing the room next to yours for him. That will be the nursery." There goes my playroom. "Fine," I said with a pout. "But why can't it be a girl? You can even borrow my good luck name, Lucy." "That's not really how it works," Mom said with a laugh. "A baby is a gift from God. You and he will have a lifetime of adventures. You'll always have a friend at your side and someone to have your back." "I guess that doesn't sound too bad," I said. "And about the name," Mom added, "funny you should say that." She winked. But I couldn't stop thinking about the doom of it all. Diapers, noise, a brother who might smell like the boy in my class who tooted during Twister. Ugh, boys smell... weird. The next day at school, I couldn't stop thinking about my problem. I may have been thinking about it when my teacher asked me to draw a heart on the board, my favorite shape, and I drew bunny ears instead. Behind someone's head in their school picture. When the librarian asked me a question, I answered in duck quacks. I even fell off my chair during science while applying slime to my toes. All I can say is he'd better like purple, and I'm not sharing my stuff. Or Daddy. The dreaded day came before I knew it. Mommy had to rush to the hospital with Daddy and Grandma came to stay with me. "What is he waiting for?" I said, "Just be born already." Grandma took my hand as we walked in. "All in good time, Tessa," Grandma said. "Now are you ready to make some cookies?" Grandma always knew what to say. Finally, we went to the hospital for The Meeting. What if he was a baby monster instead of a baby brother? That would make a great story for school, alright. Grandma took my hand as we walked in. Be brave, Tessa, I told myself. This is a royal moment. Of course, I made sure to arrive in pink scrubs with Princess Tessa embroidered over the front pocket. Dr. Princess in training. The room was full of light blue boxes and balloons. Everything felt strange. Then I saw Daddy next to Mommy. She was holding something small, wrapped tight like another blue package, and she was smiling at it. Then she looked up and smiled at me. He couldn't be that bad if my mom and dad were this happy, right? "Principessa mia, come meet your baby brother," said Daddy. I walked over slowly, slower than a sloth... And if you would like to meet Luc the Duke yourself, go on Amazon or wherever you find your eBooks, paperback, and soon to be in hardcover. It's the perfect gift for any little princess becoming a big sister. Have a great day! Keep on reading!
Summary: In this episode of Wisdom for Wannabes, Jackie Morreale discusses the challenges of fitting in, especially during the back-to-school transition. She reflects on her own experiences with self-doubt and the importance of growth through discomfort. Jackie offers valuable advice for middle schoolers, emphasizing the significance of belonging, being present, and embracing one's individuality. She encourages listeners to find their community, not sweat the small stuff, and enjoy the journey of personal development. These six areas of advice apply to not only starting middle school or a graduate degree program, but also to anyone starting a new role, business venture, or chapter in their life. This message has been lovingly made, and (thankfully) approved by my daughter. Go girl! Takeaways: • The transition back to school can be challenging for both parents and children. • Self-doubt about fitting in is a common experience at any age. • Growth often comes from discomfort and challenges. • Creativity can be a powerful outlet for frustration and anxiety. • You belong in the spaces you occupy; trust your journey. • Being present is crucial for personal development. • Embrace your uniqueness and let it shine. • Building a supportive community starts with being a good friend. • Don't let small setbacks overshadow your progress. • Enjoy the journey of growth and learning. Quotes: • "You belong here." • "Keep going." • "You got this." Chapters: 00:00 Navigating the Journey of Fit 04:14 Words of Wisdom for Middle Schoolers, especially my daughter! 08:35 Embracing the Journey Ahead  Transcript: Hi there, it's Jackie Morreale, the host of Wisdom for Wannabes. I am here today with some thoughts to continue in the area of fit. This time, let's talk more about fit in terms of fitting in. With back to school looming on most of us, here in Florida, we had back to school this week. We're on day three. To all the parents out there who have survived changing schools: Congratulations. This week some new stuff happened. I started middle school for the first time, for the second time in my life. I also started a graduate program for the second time in my life. It seemed to me that either being 40 years old or 30 years old or 20 or 10, where you're going into middle school for your first day and everything is brand new, social structure is brand new. It's totally different than the sheltered beautiful experience that hopefully you had in your elementary years. The question is always this: Am I going to fit in? Why is it that we place this self doubt on ourselves about our fit as an integral piece of whatever community we're in? So whether that means:
Why is this, that no matter what program in school it is. If we're starting a new program, we have all this programmed self-doubt into ourself about our fit. Is it the right fit for us? Will we fit in? Am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Am I dedicated enough? Am I interested enough? Do I even care? So let's talk about that for a second. Do I care? As parents, we care a whole lot. It really stinks when you see your child going through some of the stuff that you hoped were just part of your own experience of adolescence, that you're hoping will just be irrelevant. So why? Why God have you put this middle school experience into all of our lives? Why do we have to go through these years where we're constantly questioning ourselves and our fit and if we're wearing the "right" thing, if we're saying the "right" thing, if we're listening to the "right" music, if we're watching the "right" programs, if we have the "right" technology.... Why... can't we just skip it? Wouldn't that be nice, moms and dads out there? I have given this some thought. I think the reason is: Change is hard, but we're here on earth to learn. Our evolution is necessary. On the other side of discomfort, there's growth. If you are a creative person, try to take any sort of frustration that you might feel with going back to school or discomfort in a new role or a new situation, a new office. Try to take that extra energy that you're wasting on feeling frustrated, lost, anxious, and put it into your art, and create something really beautiful. Maybe you'll look back on it later in your journey and say, Wow, wasn't that an interesting time that I was able to take those emotions and really make something beautiful from it. There will be challenges, especially if you're a motivated person. If you're an ambitious person, expect challenges. How else are we to grow? Are we to go from cute little babies in elementary school to functioning adults? There has to be something in between. There has to be this weird, ugly growth period, this place with padded walls, and all these blessed individuals who have chosen to go work with all these pre-teen and teenage people that are experiencing things in their lives. Despite all these insecurities and trauma that comes out of this adolescent period in our life... How I can fit in my own way, and be myself authentically? At the end of the day, I would like to offer a few words of advice for my child who just started middle school that she can watch any time that she wants to and who knows, maybe think a little bit differently about her own experience. Words of advice that I wish that I could go back in time 30 years ago and tell myself on my first week of school. Number one. I just got this in my own graduate degree program orientation and it was a really great reminder. You belong here. You've already paved the way. You've worked so hard. You are an integral piece of this community that you just joined. You belong here. No self-doubt about it. You are in the right place, for the right reason. This is your path that has led you here. Everything that you have done up until this point has led you here. Just continue on your path. Stay positive. So lots of cliches coming our way. So first one, you belong here where you are. Number two. Be present. The past is over. Close it out. Close chapter. Learn from it. The future is a gift. Don't worry about it. It'll come. Be present. Today is the perfect opportunity to be the best version of you. Don't let anything behind you tie you down or anything in front of you slow you up. Be present today. Stay focused. Limit your distractions. Know what you want. Our life is about knowing what we want and paving the way there. In Alice in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat asked where she wanted to go, because any other path will take you there if you don't know where you're going. But if you do know where you're going, you'll get there. It's about manifesting. So be present. Keep moving forward. Every day is a new opportunity to be you. Number three. Let's talk about you. You're amazing. Be yourself. Let yourself shine. Just like the Rihanna song, Shine bright like a diamond. Everybody else is taken. We're so worried about fitting into what our little small box is, that we can fit into. No small boxes. Be you. Be big, shine bright. Don't let anybody dull your sparkle, as one of my special colleagues has told me before. Don't let anybody tell you who you are. You are the only one who can define who you are at that moment in your life. Let's talk about community. Number four. Find your community. It all starts with One, really. You're never alone. If you want to find good friends, be a good friend. I wish somebody had told me that too. It's as simple as that. Put it out there, be a good friend, and you'll find your good friends back. Let's talk about the Mean Girls. Unfortunately, that is a reality. I thank Tina Fey for putting out there her Mean Girls movie that's gone to Broadway. It's such a quintessential adolescent drama that we can all watch and relate to. I love that she took that experience and made it creative, from a hardship that we can all identify with. Mean Girls. Are they your friends? Do you know their names? Do you know anything about them? If they're not your friend and you don't know anything about them, why would you care what they think? What does it matter? If we're not friends, whatever your thoughts are, are great for you only. Number five, speaking of small stuff. Don't dwell on the small stuff. You're on such a big journey, a big path. Don't let anything keep you down. It does not matter. If nine good things happen to us in one day. Why does the 10th thing anchor us and distract us from being productive or happy? Why can't we cut the cord with that one thing and just focus on the amazing other things that are happening on our path of growth? So don't sweat the small stuff. Don't dwell on it. It doesn't matter. We're talking big picture here. Three years of middle school, it's quick. It's this chapter that's amazing and you're learning so much. You're growing up, you're going from baby to now teenager. And it's scary for all of us, including you. Don't dwell on the small stuff. Dwell on the great stuff! In fact, if you have a mirror in the morning, tell yourself how great you are. You are so beautiful. This last one is probably the hardest because it's fleeting and we don't realize until afterwards. Number six, enjoy the journey. You're going to learn so much and do so great. This is a stepping stone towards the next stepping stone, towards the next stepping stone. So you belong here. In summary: Yesterday I took my children to this fun play place where they have climbing walls and ropes and slides and all sorts of other ways to spend the day. We have a ton of fun and use up a lot of their overflowing energy, which helps them sleep really well at night. We're there at this play place and it's all renovated, and both kids are so excited. Everything's brand new. What they thought it was going to be was different. They find this climbing section of the play place. The climbing section has five different climbing walls, as well as this set of stairs that are something like wooden pylons, obviously child-friendly version of wooden pylons, covered in some sort of a child-friendly material. They have these 10 pylons that are ascending like a staircase and maybe two or three feet away. A kid that's maybe around 10 would have the right leg span, or gait in order to get all the way to the top. Once you're at the top, you're in your harness and you just get to enjoy this lovely free fall feeling of enjoying going from about 20 feet up in the air back down to the ground, so that you can repeat the whole process over again and enjoy this ascending staircase and then the freefall at the end. My 10-year-old daughter, who's so brave in so many different ways, is attempting to do this pylon staircase over and over and over again. Every single time, she gets blocked at that ninth pylon. It was just the last pylon she could do. She's big enough to go from one to the other. She did nine previous steps, but there was something, some fear, something blocking her from getting to that final step, from breaking through to that final hurdle, from breaking through that glass ceiling, where she could enjoy that full free fall from the top. Must have gone on like this 20 times. She's one, two, three, four. Still going. Five, six, seven, eight. Then nine. Then I see her on the fifth or sixth time, I see her putting a foot up, okay, testing the waters. Then a couple more times, and I see her trying to sit on it. Okay, she's sitting on it. Yay, we're at the tenth, but we're kind of half invested in it. Then I see her put her feet back on nine and take the free fall from there. It went on like this for a few hours. We had a lot of fun. It wasn't the only activity that they did at this play place, but she kept returning to it. She was stuck on it. She wanted to get there so badly. It was just blocked, just a mental block, some sort of a fear of getting to that top rung and having nothing on the other side to and keep going. Had there been 10 more pylons after that 10th one, I am positive that she could have kept going. She would have gone to that 19th one and had that same feeling when she was about to go to that last pylon, of having nothing around it and the idea of putting two feet on a very small surface. There's about 10 minutes to go. I collect the kids and say, "Okay, 10 minutes, everybody. Let's get in whatever you want to get in." I see something click in her brain. I've just given her a deadline, a timeline, and she's like thinking about the staircase and how she wants to get to the 10th pylon. She says to me as somebody who documents every moment of her beautiful life, she says to me, okay, mom, get your phone. I'm ready. Record me. I see her go over there and she gets in the harness. She's ready. She's thinking about it, takes a deep breath. Does her ritual, whatever that is. She goes for the first one and steps up to the second one and the third one. Slowly, deliberately, she does her thing. She gets to the ninth one. She does what she's done before, puts one step up. I said, "Is she going to make it?" Then I'm yelling, "Go girl! You got this thing." And... she... did it! She got the second foot up there, all the way up to that last pylon! I see this look on her face that's pure joy and pure excitement at what she just did. I see that she's so surprised that she did it. She knew she could do it. She had done nine before, but she did the last one that had been this block for her. She got over her fear when she had a little timeline. A little enthusiasm behind it, a little challenge behind it, and she got over her fear. She's hanging out up there. Of course I captured it. She's so surprised. This is pure elation on her face. I see her take this amazing free fall and just enjoy herself on her descent back down to the bottom. Once she had done this, she decided to keep going. So if she had done this 20 times before and only gotten up to nine, now... She went 20 times again and gotten up to 10. Up until now, there's a line of very cute little kids who are inspired by her, wanting to do the same activity and waiting for her to be done. Made me think about creative projects:
Once you've done a project well and you've completed it, you know that you can take that next step. I think about it in my own running journeys. I've hit a lot of plateaus. I started running when I was young. I was on the track and field team. Now as an old lady, I think about some of those early on experiences of running because endurance has so much to do with your clarity, your confidence, your mental strength. I think even more so than your body, you just have to be able to plunge through it. I think about my high school coach and how did he work with this bunch of teenage kids that had so many different things going on and hormones and different levels of energy, how did he formulate us into a team? It seemed to me that whenever I was super tired, whenever we hit any sort of a plateau was when he took out something like a tool to change it up, right? Like a suicide, which for anybody who doesn't run, it's not that morbid. It's just basically the hardest training tool that I ever had to do. Running, sprinting for your life halfway through a field and back, and then sprinting all the way across the field and back. They usually came in groups of 10. By the time you're finished with the tenth one of going halfway through the field, all the way through and back as fast as you can, you're just ready to keel over and basically die, hence the name, suicides. But not that morbid. It builds you up and it gives you strength and it makes you better and faster. In high school I did hurdles and I did the high jump. Man. Falling down on a hurdle or hitting your back and taking down the bar as you're descending in this free fall and you know you're going to hit the bar with your back on this high jump. I have so many fears from that and mental hurdles to getting to that 10th rung, getting to that 10th pylon. In business, it's the same: - How do we take it from 90% to 100% and beyond? How do we break through that glass ceiling? - How do we see this bigger picture in which we can truly grow and do something that's unique and special in the marketplace? For everybody, it's different. I do think that you need to have that light, that clarity, that confidence in your thoughts. It's so important to believe in what you're doing because no matter whether you believe in it or you don't, you're right. There's something about having that little timeline. Give yourself a timeline and see if that will give you the strength to know that you can do it. You've already done this nine times. How do we get to the 10th? Believe in it, do it. It's as simple as that. Have a wonderful day!
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Jackie MorrealeJackie writes from her own experiences and reflections on her journey in seeking wisdom, creativity, spirituality, and life in general. This is "putting thyself out there" at its finest. 
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