Anda Unscripted
At 40, my life took a drastic turn. This is my unfiltered account of navigating the uncertainty of a career change, divorce, and a cross-country move back to where it all began. Let's prove it's okay to start over, again. Join me, Anda, an author, former park ranger, and breast cancer survivor, as I share insights from my adventures and embrace the unknown in a beautiful, chaotic world.
“I must write it all out, at any cost. Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living.”
Lessons from the Seashore
Standing at the threshold of autumn, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons written into the sand and salt spray of this coast: five invitations from the seashore on how to slow our pace, soften our grip, and hold steady when everything around us is in motion.
The Geography of Legacy
Legacy is what is handed down to us and we in turn will hand down to others. I’ve been thinking about this alot lately and am beginning to understand my stewardship with the Park Service and my personal family are my legacy. In a state of transition between the mountains and the coast as well as between solely focusing on publication to also including project management, I believe I have a lot to offer when it comes to nature and emotional regulation. When I am relieved of duty, I hope only that I have left it all better than I found it.
The Rainy Replenishment
When your soul starts asking for rain.
The weather in Eastern North Carolina is overcast and rainy today, and honestly, it’s exactly what my spirit needed. I’ve been moving at a high-energy pace lately, but today I hit that "soul-level" tired—the kind that tells you your foundation is starting to crack from a lack of nourishment.
I’m realizing that if I don't take the time to rest, I’m compromising all the hard work I’ve put in over the last few months. We can’t manifest a new chapter if we’re too depleted to write the pages. Today, the rain is my cue to hydrate, replenish, and just exist without an agenda.
It’s supposed to get warm soon, and I’m ready for it. But for now? I’m choosing to be like the soil—quietly soaking up what I need so I can shine again tomorrow.
Ranger Rhythms: The Art of Holding On
What do you do when the ground disappears?
At Kalaloch in Olympic National Park, there is a tree that shouldn't be there. The earth has washed away, leaving it suspended over a void—yet it stands. It doesn't just survive; it thrives.
In this entry of The Ranger’s Rhythm, I’m sharing why the "Tree of Life" is so central to my story that I’ve made it the namesake of my brand and even tattooed its roots onto my back. It’s a lesson in holding on when the world feels hollow.
Ranger Rhythm: The Rising Sap - The Rhythm of Discernment
The Sap is Rising.
There is a window in late winter where the air is bitter, but the trees know something we don’t. Deep inside, the sap is starting to move. It’s a quiet, internal reclamation of energy before the world sees a single leaf.
I’ve realized my own growth works the same way. Coming home to myself this year wasn’t just a move; it was an act of discernment. I’m learning that a bright light in the forest draws everything in—and it’s up to the one holding the lamp to decide what to let close.
I don’t need to fear the shift in my relationships or the "bitter" air of transition. I am just busy becoming my own Spring. 2026 is just getting started, and the momentum is building in the quiet.
Ranger Rhythms: The Sacred Pause
I’m sharing this rhythm of the 'Sacred Pause' to remind us that being stuck isn't a failure—it’s an invitation to listen to the silence and remember that we are part of a world that knows exactly when to stop.
Weather Report: The Song of the Sun
Six species of birds and a foot of snow. ❄️🐦
The sun is finally out, and while I’m still wading through the aftermath of the snowstorm, my heart feels light. This "sacred pause" has been a masterclass in being present. I’m trading the stress of the schedule for the song of the woods. Sometimes being "buried in" is exactly what we need to find our breath.
Weather Report: The Sacred Pause
Today’s forecast: Lean into the stillness. If you’re stuck, don't just wait—reflect. Quiet the noise and listen to the silence. You’ve got this!
Weather Report: The Gift of Free Play
Today’s forecast: Trust your decision to stay safe. If the weather has given you an unexpected moment of 'free play,' take it. The world can wait until the plows come through.
Weather Report: The Perimeter Walk
Walking the perimeter.
After the ice storm, I went out to see what the gravity of the situation actually looked like. There are limbs down, but there’s also peace in knowing exactly where the hazards are. I’m choosing to stay warm and focus on my writing today—the cleanup can wait for a warmer sun.
Ranger Rhythms: The Architecture of Winter
What if the weight you’re carrying is actually protecting you?
In 2023, my RV was buried under 8 feet of Yosemite snow. It was heavy, dark, and silent. But in that "entombment," I discovered the rhythm of insulation. The very snow that felt like a burden was actually the blanket keeping the warmth inside.
In this week’s The Ranger’s Rhythm, we’re exploring the "Architecture of Winter." We’re talking about those seasons where life feels heavy and the world goes quiet. It’s a lesson in trusting your own strength and finding peace in the "underneath."
Come inside the drift with me and take a Ranger’s Check-In to find your quiet center today.
Ranger Rhythms: The Art of Waiting
Are you waiting for life to start, or are you living while you wait?
In the high desert, winter is a season of sharpening. The red rocks freeze, and the world goes silent. It’s easy to spend that time just wishing for the thaw—waiting for the "until."
But there is so much life in the in-betweens. Whether you're waiting for a phone call, a change in weather, or a sense of security, don't miss the clarity that only comes in the quiet.
In this week’s Ranger’s Rhythm, we’re exploring "The Art of Waiting" Let’s stop treating the wait like a waste of time and start recognizing it as a sacred season of its own.
Join me on the frozen trail at Pipe Spring National Monument and take a Ranger’s Check-In to reclaim your today.
Ranger Rhythms: The Internal Permafrost
What do you do when your nervous system feels like a forest after a fire?
Right now, I’m living in the "Internal Permafrost"—that shaky, mud-filled season between a hard decision and a new beginning. My heart is racing, and my security feels fragile. But as a Ranger, I know that this undergrowth is exactly what’s needed for the spring to bloom.
In this week’s The Ranger’s Rhythm, we’re getting real. We’re talking about the "Rhythm of the Threshold" and how to find power in your own fragility. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about breathing in the crisp air and trusting the season you’re in.
Join me in the woods for a moment of raw honesty and take a Ranger’s Check-In to find your footing today.
Book Review: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Emily Henry has crafted a story that is as much an ode to the power of storytelling as it is a romance. From the very first page—which opens with a poignant quote about the "multiple sides to a story and then the truth"—I was completely hooked. It is one of those rare, immersive reads that stayed on my mind whenever I had to put it down.
Book Review: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
Patti Callahan's "Once Upon a Wardrobe" is more than just a piece of historical fiction; it is a profound meditation on the power of story itself. This book is a true inspiration, stirring an impulse to create and reminding readers that imagination can transform even deep tragedy into a narrative of heroism and overcoming obstacles.
The Intentional Balance: Three Pillars for Protecting Your Peace as a Caregiver
Caregiving is a study in contrast: intense highs followed by crushing lows. You can navigate the stress and burnout. In my new article, I share the three essential pillars for creating a sustainable structure that allows for true emotional processing and fuels your resilience. Self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary! Read how to build your lifeline.
Create Space: Your Compassionate Anchor in the Flow of Grief and Life
The path toward self-regulation is paved with intentional action. Don't wait for the space to appear in your busy, emotionally taxed life. Take 30 minutes, open your notebook, and Create Space—for your energy, for your emotions, and for the peace you deserve.
The Power of Subtle Tension: Tuning In for Energy
Tension is not a flaw, it is a guide. Following your body as a guide, allows you to heal.