About This Blog

No one is chasing after me. I’m chasing after myself. I’m not here to preach, complain, sell you anything or solve your life’s problems. I’m here being me…all of me. Everything is part of my unfinished story. For some crazy reason, in spite of myself, I’m experiencing something profound and completely undeserved. And, I can’t stop thinking about the need to share it all — what I’ve already lived, and what’s yet to come. I hope the story of this journey compels you to chase after yourself and find your place of fulfillment, faith and joy in the craziness. Life is so much more than what others tell you it should be, or needs to be…but only you can find it.

Who is the author anyway?!

Born and raised in Minnesota, Dawn thrives on making memories with her best friends, living life with her brilliant and selfless husband, and cuddling her sweet Bailey-dog. She currently owns her own communications consultancy, called Simplicity, and serves as a lay pastor for Bloom Church in St. Paul, Minn. Dawn spent 11 years working in corporate communications and holds bachelors’ degrees in public relations and print journalism from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul). She’s a foodie, TV aficionado, authenticity seeker, aspiring writer and fanatical communicator passionate about Jesus and thankful for God’s grace. She’s determined to be all of who she is in every moment of life, and help others – especially young women – do the same.

Random Snippets about Dawn Marie Bryant

My Mississippi-born, video game playing, uber technogeek of a husband is the most generous and selfless man on the planet.

I rediscovered my love for reading after I left my corporate job, learning that there is more out there than cookbooks, cooking magazines and trashy tabloids.

I never miss episodes of How I Met Your Mother, House, Burn Notice, 24, Psych, Monk, Amazing Race, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, The Closer or Deadliest Catch…I know it’s a lot of television…l choose to call myself a connoisseur.

I believe there’s a buttload of truth to the statement, “courage comes before confidence.”

I can’t imagine having children that I love more than our dog Bailey (although we desperately want to be parents to real kids someday!).

I love food — talking about it, reading about, watching it on TV, cooking — all of it. I often read cookbooks cover-to-cover, and when my cooking magazines are delivered, other things get put on hold. I even I try to seek out local farmers’ markets and other places to find artisan food products whenever I visit new cities.

I think way too much.

I love movies, but they often make me fall asleep.

Cheese is my favorite food. Ever. I love trying new kinds, even if they stink and taste like an outhouse smells.

My family and friends are more priceless to me than anything on the planet.

I think I’m addicted to my iPhone.

I am maniacal about communicating clearly, and get frustrated when people can’t get to a point quickly.

I love being barefoot.

I want to be like Jesus. Loving everyone and living grace. I believe God lights my path and has a plan for me that is greater than I can comprehend. I believe he heals me, protects me, gives me favor and doesn’t think I’m stupid (even when I think I am). I want more people to know the God that’s proven himself to me.

I hate details. I’m a big-picture person.

I love complimenting people, but would never say anything I don’t mean.

I’ve traveled to the state of Mississippi more times than I can count (visiting my hubby’s family).

I love grocery shopping.

I began drinking coffee at a young age (about 2). My Swedish grandmother always made me Toffey-woke…a little bit of coffee, a lot of cream and a ton of sugar.

I love uncovering cool things about people, but I usually ask too many questions.

I believe that love and respect are two of the most important actions in life.

My husband claims I’m a little obsessive compulsive — compelled to constantly delete shows and schedule recordings on the DVR, alphabetizing our DVDs and organizing our digital photo files.

I have four books outlined, but am still looking for time to write them.

I shop at Ann Taylor Loft way too much.

The fourth toe on my right foot really bugs me. It’s too long.

I have a reoccurring dream about bouncing on a trampoline and jumping so high that I’m in danger of hitting birds, planes and power lines. When I look down, I always wonder if I’ll land on the trampoline or the ground, but always wake up before I begin falling. (Feel free to figure that one out for me!)

I think everyone should drive the entire U.S. Pacific Coast sometime. It’s crazy beautiful.

I like salt. A lot. People usually can’t believe how much I use. I blame it on my dad…it’s more endearing that way.

I communicate with most people electronically, or in-person. I’m not a big phone person. (I think I wore that out when my husband and I spent hundreds, maybe even a thousand, hours on the phone before he moved to Minnesota.)

I love birthdays. I think everyone should celebrate for a whole month…I do!

I believe that if you’re not living life with other people in mind, then you’re not really living life at all.