Authentically Teresa Funke – Never AI
Go Beyond Yourself
I was listening to an On Being podcast in which poet David Whyte was recalling a story of a dinner with his writer friend John O’Donohue. He mentioned he was thinking of giving his father money and said the amount, and John said, “Oh David, go beyond yourself. Give twice that much.” David Whyte’s larger...
Why Not?
The other day, a friend told a story of a mentor who once said to her “Why not?” when she doubted she could do something. Two simple words, and yet where do we go from there? Well, typically we launch into a laundry list of excuses. All the reasons why not. And sometimes we can...
Magic in the Mess
Back-to-school ads brought a childhood memory to mind. In eighth grade, I was disappointed to get a certain English teacher. He had a reputation for being boring and dismissive and not too bright (although I’m sure 8th graders had harsher terms for him). And he proved to be all of those things. But halfway through...
All Good Things Must Come to an End, or Must They?
When I was a little girl, I was struggling with the concept of forever. I’d heard it mentioned in church that morning. The priest had said, if you were in good standing with God, you’d live forever. I couldn’t grasp this idea of forever, so I thought I’d test it out. I sat on the...
Six Images a Day
I haven’t written much poetry since high school. I would never have described myself as a poet, nor did I think I’d ever want to. But recently I wrote a poem that sort of came gushing out, mostly because it was something I’d been wanting to write about for years, but the topic was too...
You Make it Look Easy – Revisited
Beginner’s luck is defined as “unexpected success for someone who has taken up a new pursuit,” and we have all experienced it. For example, the first article I wrote after quitting my job to become a freelance writer was picked up immediately. The second article landed on the front page, and was quickly acquired for...
Is the Grass Really Greener in Ireland?
I’ve had the pleasure of counting many makers, artists, creatives, and writers as my friends. And every week, I meet more. Today, I met a woman from New Zealand who is currently living in Ireland and working as a woodturner. She sells the Christmas ornaments, bowls, candlesticks, and vases she makes, and I assume she...
Is it Time Yet?
I’ve often said everyone should get a year off when they turn 50. A year to just reflect, rejuvenate, re-evaluate, and regroup. A chance to travel and explore and learn and do before old age or infirmities or plain old life interfere. I’ve had the privilege of spending a lot of time with people in...