Dena Jansen

Exactly one week ago, my two children and hundreds of other kiddos came together with their rabbits, goats, lambs, steers, chickens, ag mechanics projects, art, baked goods, and my favorite, pigs in tow, to compete in our annual county livestock show.  Every year, I walk away from the show, struck by the life lessons being…

This month kicked off with a bang for the U.S. of A. and as I decorated my home with lots of red, white, and blue, freedom was top of mind.    For many years of my life, I didn’t consider my own freedom. Quite opposite actually…I focused on all the people and responsibilities that depended…

My thirteen-year-old daughter rocked my world in a conversation I didn’t see coming.  “Mom, directors have to work like 12-14 hour days when they’re filming.” This piece of info was new to me but sounded reasonable. And since my daughter has decided she dreams of directing teen tv series, it also did not surprise me…

You are no joke. We kicked off this month with the ever-popular (or not-so-popular depending on which side of the jokes you were on) April Fools’ Day. And as we wrap up April, I still have jokes on my mind. On that nutty day just 30 days back, I hope no one got you too…

One sunny morning in October 2015, I picked up the phone and called him–a man I’d grown emotionally attached to that was not my husband. I shared that my husband and I had made some big decisions together, and with a shaky voice and anxious gut, I said, “We admitted that we aren’t in a good place…

Three years ago today, on February 2, 2018, I walked out the doors of Maxwell, Locke & Ritter, an award-winning, highly respected, Austin-based accounting firm that I called home for the last seven years of my corporate career. I’d climbed up the corporate ladder and was perched on a top rung serving alongside other partners,…

If you are anything like me you find yourself in this week in between Christmas and New Years, where not much of anything gets accomplished. I actually love this week because the main push of the holiday season is finally through and there are just a few days to truly settle in and rest.   …

I’ve always prided myself on being honest, even if it feels uncomfortable. So, here it goes.   I’m not a good drinker.   I think I have my recovering alcoholic father to thank for many prayers that his children wouldn’t succumb to his same struggles. Answered prayers and the fact that I think most alcoholic…

“I didn’t know your life was so bad.” That’s what my husband said to me after reading some of my recent emails and blog posts that I share with folks like you who I’m honored to call my community. I guess he saw words like lonely, stuck, and full of despair and didn’t think they…

Just the other day as I listened to this podcast, on The Art of Gathering, my ears began to ring with an uneasy truth I didn’t know I needed to hear. I’ve listened to it multiple times since confirming what I need to do.    I need to apologize.    For what you might ask?…