Erin Parker

One of my favorite quotes is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s, “Scatter joy.” Those two words have found a way to completely encompass all I believe in. I believe in kindness and the duty we all share to scatter it around to those we know and even to...

My name is Erin Parker, and I am a recovering perfectionist. I have a feeling that I am not the only one in this self-help group. "Healthy striving is self focused--How can I improve? Perfectionism is other-focused--What will they think?" – Brené...

I was at the La Porte County Fair, and it was there that I found the topic for my column this week. It wasn’t legend Willie Nelson, the food, or the sights that stuck out to me. It was a little girl who made the biggest impact on me and left me...

Hi, everyone. Growing up, my parents always told me that when I visited somewhere I was to leave it in better condition than when I first arrived. As a kid, I took it on a literal level like I did with everything else. As I grew up and became more of...

Unless we decide to move to a remote part of Antarctica or become a self sufficient recluse, we will be surrounded by people daily. While it's important to always set a good example for everyone, we need to be extra cognizant of the little eyes...

Going along with the purpose of La Porte County Life, this column will only focus on the good, which is my piece of advice today. You alone have the power to choose what you see. You can see the beauty in others, or you can see the imperfections. You...

It is an honor to be able to write for La Porte County Life, so I first want to extend my sincere gratitude to them. This gives me the extraordinary opportunity to expand my thoughts and beliefs outside my classroom walls to all of you. I want this...

My students started the Kindness Campaign one day at La Porte High School. We treated lunch ladies to home baked cookies, gave janitors donuts, make goody bags for secretaries, and showered our favorite teachers with compliments. We do not want it to...