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Tag: #CHOOSE_LIFE

THROWBACK: Echoing 1776: Can Words Unite Us Again?

THROWBACK: Echoing 1776: Can Words Unite Us Again?

Published by S.M. Ulbrich on 11/03/2026

Throwback: Today feels like the perfect time to revisit Echoing 1776: Can Words Unite Us Again?

VOTE TODAY if you haven’t voted yet! I mailed in my ballot already. Whatever your views, let your voice be heard.

3rd Place Contest Winner: Echoing 1776: Can words unite us again?

The Contest: Write a declaration or fictional story about planning for an insurrection of any type that will begin exactly one year from today (July 4th, 2026). 500 words minimum.

In the musty attic of a Philadelphia library, where Revolutionary pamphlets whispered from dusty shelves, the Echo Society huddled under a flickering bulb. 

It was October 20, 2025, and their hearts raced with a bold dream: a peaceful “insurrection” of ideas, set to launch on July 4, 2026—one year away. 

They weren’t plotting chaos or violence, but a revival of the Founders’ spirit, uniting a nation torn by red and blue. 

Elias, a history professor with Jefferson’s fire in his eyes; Maria, a progressive activist exhausted by partisan venom; and Tom, a veteran whose Trump support stemmed from policies that saved his town’s factory, vowed to draft a Renewal Declaration—a call to heal America’s soul.

Elias unrolled a replica of the 1776 Declaration, his voice thick with urgency. 

He said, “The Founders faced a tyrant king, yet they united diverse colonies with words, not swords.”

Looking directly at each member of the group, Elias continued, “Today, we’re fractured—families split, neighbors estranged. Our insurrection starts now: a year to rebuild ‘We the People’ with empathy, not anger.”

Maria, once quick to dismiss Trump as a divider, hesitated. She’d marched for equity, fearing his policies hurt the vulnerable. 

But recent news stirred her: Trump’s Gaza ceasefire, earning Israel’s Presidential Medal of Honor and Egypt’s Order of the Nile on October 13, 2025, freed hostages and silenced bombs, reuniting sobbing families.

“I’ve mocked his style,” she admitted, “but that peace deal… it’s the kind of bold compassion I fight for. Maybe I’ve missed something.”

Tom, his faded Trump hat tucked away, nodded. “His trade deals brought back 7 million jobs, including mine, and record-low Black unemployment—5.4% in 2019—lifted folks like my neighbors.” 

He paused, eyes glistening. “But I see your side, Maria—division hurts us all. Let’s build forums where stories trump shouting, like Braver Angels does.”

Their plan unfolded like a scroll. By January 2026, they’d launch “Echo Dialogues”—podcasts blending tales of Trump’s overlooked wins, like the First Step Act freeing 3,000 nonviolent prisoners, with progressive stories of social justice. 

February: Virtual town halls, role-playing Founders debating modern woes—Hamilton’s economic vision mirroring Trump’s tariffs, Madison’s federalism easing partisan gridlock. 

March: Library reading circles, pairing Paine’s Common Sense with Trump’s Operation Warp Speed, which vaccinated millions in record time. 

Maria scribbled a timeline. “April: Youth camps teaching kids to disagree kindly, like Braver Angels’ games.”

She continued, “May: Essay contests—‘What Would Jefferson Do?’—highlighting Trump’s $35 insulin cap for seniors, a win for fairness.” 

Tom added, “June: Picnics, not protests, sharing meals and hopes.”

Tom went on, “Then, July 4, 2026: We unveil our Declaration in Independence Hall’s shadow—term limits, civics education, bipartisan councils.”

As dawn broke, they clasped hands. Maria’s voice cracked: “I still cringe at Trump’s tweets, but his results—jobs, peace, justice—make me rethink my lens. This is about us, not him.” 

Tom’s eyes softened. “Exactly. His grit showed what’s possible; now we make it ours.”

By July 4, 2026, thousands gathered—red hats beside rainbow flags. The Renewal Declaration rang out: “When division threatens our Union, we reclaim empathy…” 

It listed shared grievances—corrupt lobbies, silenced voices—and solutions rooted in unity. 

A liberal teacher whispered, “I scoffed at Trump, but those peace medals? They’re real.” 

A conservative mechanic nodded: “Maria’s heart showed me there’s more to fight for.”

The crowd roared, not in victory, but in hope. 

Elias smiled. “This is our insurrection: hearts united, echoing the Founders.” 

Evergreen Springs, once split, bloomed anew—proof that stories, not swords, heal nations.

Word count: 612

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A New Novel Is Quietly Taking Shape

A New Novel Is Quietly Taking Shape

Published by S.M. Ulbrich on 09/27/2026

I’ve spent the past several months living inside a building that doesn’t exist.

At least not the way I’m writing it.

It’s an apartment building in Cincinnati, populated by bricklayers, widows, schoolteachers, bakers, artists, maintenance workers, immigrants, flood survivors, and countless ordinary people whose names never appeared in history books.

And yet, the more time I spend with them, the more convinced I become that their stories matter.

Perhaps even more than the famous ones.

The novel I’m currently working on is called The Collector.

At its heart, it asks a simple question:

What survives after we’re gone?

A photograph?

A letter?

A favorite recipe?

A journal?

A building that remembers the people who once lived inside it?

As I’ve written, I’ve been surprised by how often the story returns to the same idea:

Most people believe their lives are ordinary.

But ordinary does not mean unimportant.

In fact, the people history forgets may be the very people worth remembering most.

I’m not ready to share many details yet.

The mysteries are still unfolding.

But I can tell you this:

The story begins with a young immigrant bricklayer in the 1850s and stretches across generations of lives connected by a single Cincinnati apartment building.

And somewhere within those walls lives a question that refuses to go away:

Who remembers the people no one else remembers?

More soon.

For now, I’m heading back into the past.

The characters are waiting.

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What If Following Christ Means Trusting Him Without the Full Plan?

What If Following Christ Means Trusting Him Without the Full Plan?

Published by S.M. Ulbrich on 09/25/2026

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to follow Jesus Christ.

We often talk about faith as if it’s a destination, something we arrive at once we’ve learned enough or become good enough. But the more I reflect on my own walk with God, the more I realize it’s a lifelong journey. God isn’t looking for perfection overnight. He’s patiently shaping us, teaching us, and changing us one step at a time.

One phrase that has stayed with me is the idea that God is preparing a people who know His voice, feel His Spirit, and are willing to follow Him wherever He leads.

That kind of discipleship is both beautiful and challenging.

A few years ago, I found myself facing a decision that felt overwhelming. I had prayed for direction, but no clear answer seemed to come. I wanted certainty. I wanted a detailed roadmap. Instead, what I felt was a quiet assurance to simply take the next faithful step.

Looking back, I realize God wasn’t asking me to see the entire path. He was asking me to trust Him with the next step.

That experience taught me something important: faith isn’t always knowing where God is leading. Sometimes faith is choosing to follow even when you can’t see very far ahead.

I believe Jesus Christ lives. I believe He knows us personally, loves us completely, and is actively involved in our lives. Even when I don’t understand everything that’s happening around me, I find peace in knowing that He does.

More than anything, I want my life to reflect a simple but profound choice:

I choose Christ.

Not just on Sundays.

Not just when life is going well.

Not just when it’s convenient.

I want to choose Him when prayers seem unanswered. I want to choose Him when life feels uncertain. I want to choose Him in the ordinary moments that rarely make it into anyone’s testimony but often shape who we’re becoming.

One of the most moving thoughts from this message was the desire to be able to say to the Lord:

“I am Yours, totally and completely, without reservation or condition.”

If I’m honest, that’s easier to say than it is to live.

There are still dreams I cling to, plans I want to control, and questions I wish God would answer more quickly. Yet every time I try to hold too tightly to my own expectations, I’m reminded that God’s perspective is so much greater than mine.

The invitation Christ extends isn’t merely to believe in Him. It’s to trust Him. To know Him. To follow Him. To place our lives in His hands and believe that wherever He leads is better than anywhere we could go on our own.

Today, my prayer is simple:

“Lord, help me hear Your voice. Help me recognize Your Spirit. And wherever You lead, help me have the courage to follow.”

Because at the end of the day, above every other choice life offers, I want my life to say:

I choose Christ.

Reflection: Can you think of a time when God asked you to trust Him without showing you the entire plan? Looking back, how did that experience strengthen your faith?

Sometimes the greatest testimonies are built not in dramatic miracles, but in the quiet moments when we choose, again and again, to follow Him. ❤️

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THROWBACK: Do You See Yourself as a Leader? My Journey of Leading with Heart

THROWBACK: Do You See Yourself as a Leader? My Journey of Leading with Heart

Published by S.M. Ulbrich on 09/14/2026

Leadership continues to surprise me…

These days, I find myself leading in quieter ways, through my writing, my blog, and the conversations I share with readers. Every story I write is an opportunity to encourage courage, kindness, and hope. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t always standing in front of a crowd. Sometimes it’s simply showing up, sharing your experiences, and inspiring even one person to keep moving forward. If my books or blog help someone smile, dream, or feel less alone, then I know I’m still making a difference.

What unexpected ways has leadership shown up in your life? I’d love to hear your story.

— Shirley

A Year Ago, I Wrote:

Do you see yourself as a leader?

As the author of Discovering Misty: The Mermaid of the Emerald Coast and George and the Brave Eagle, and a blogger celebrating 500 visitors, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about stepping up to make a difference. When asked, “Do you see yourself as a leader?” my answer is clear: as a parent, I’m automatically a leader. But the scope of that leadership, shaped by my history, stretches far beyond my home, touching lives through advocacy, service, and storytelling. Here’s how my journey as a leader has unfolded and how it fuels my writing today.

Parenthood thrust me into leadership from the start, guiding my children with love and purpose. Raising two daughters and five sons, three of whom became Eagle Scouts and two who worked toward it, I took on roles like Cub Scout leader in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Those years taught me to lead by example, fostering resilience and teamwork—qualities I weave into my children’s books, like George’s courage or Misty’s determination. My leadership extended to managing our family’s 25-acre LDS church park, where we hosted 600-800 Boy Scouts each year for six years. Picture a week-long campout on your front lawn—tents, laughter, and chaos! Organizing those events honed my ability to lead with patience and vision, skills I now use to manage my blog and book projects.

Beyond family, I found my voice as a political leader with Overpassers for USA, serving as California’s representative. Coordinating rallies across the state to promote patriotism and free speech was exhilarating. Every weekend, my family and I stood on freeway overpasses, waving flags and signs we kept ready in our van. I helped build the organization’s website, listing rallies nationwide, and watching our movement grow filled me with pride. Those moments of unity and love for American values inspired the hope-filled themes in my stories and blog posts, where I aim to uplift readers young and old.

My leadership also shone in foster care. For over 14 years, my husband and I were medical foster parents in Sacramento County, caring for more than 200 infants and children, many medically fragile. We held the first baby in the county to pass from AIDS, loving him for all eight months of his life. That experience taught me leadership through compassion—a thread that runs through Discovering Misty and my advocacy for hope and suicide prevention. As Vice President of the Sacramento branch of the California State Foster Parent Association for seven years and Editor of its monthly publication for six, I led by amplifying voices and sharing stories, much like I do now through my blog and books.

Leadership, for me, is about impact, not position. Whether rallying for free speech, guiding Scouts, nurturing fragile lives, or writing stories that spark joy, I lead by showing up with heart. My blog, my GoFundMe campaign for George and the Brave Eagle, and my books are extensions of that leadership, inviting readers to find courage and connection.

If you’ve ever stepped up to guide, inspire, or serve, you’re a leader too—shaping the world one moment, one story, at a time.

Shirley

Overpassers USA
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