In my young adult years, I had a hard time being seen for who I was.
I was always identified by where I grew up, whose sister I was or who I hung out with. Although I loved those aspects of myself, I was more.
As years went on, I had to make choices for my happiness. Choices often opposite of what I thought was expected of me. That meant becoming vulnerable to change and criticism.
That shift came with a yearning to experience more of what life had to offer. I began to look outside the walls put in place by others and myself to live a life God wanted me to live.
I began to capture these experiences in my writing. This became a way for me to purge, process and heal.
This blog is that journey and it continues. A journey full of love, tears, pride and lots of laughs.
Thanks for joining me.
The Imprint Left on my Heart from The Congo - Hospitality
The two-week emotional ride in the land of my ancestors with a rich, complex history, can’t be fully explored in a single blog post. But there is one thought that rises to the top of the entire experience:
What does it mean to extend hospitality and what does it mean to receive it?
Hip Hop - a Keeper of History
Recently, I watched “Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop changed the World”, a 4-part documentary produced by Chuck D., member of the legendary rap group Public Enemy. I found the documentary by accident scrolling through television channels. I was captivated. I love music and history. This was an event that used both to remind some and educate many on the social context the genre of Hip-Hop was birthed out of.
Another Mile Marker with “the Void”
I walked into my local grocery store and was greeted by a display of beautiful flowers. “I don’t recall seeing those here before,” I thought as I shared my admiration of the bouquets with another shopper.
I continued to shop for the few items I needed and remembered one item not on my list. Making my way to get that item, I heard someone say, “There are a lot of Mother’s Day cards this year!” I stopped in my tracks; frozen. A well of emotions made its way from my heart and begged to be released in a surge of tears along with a loud scream. “You better not lose your shit now!!” said my reasonable self.
Celebrating One Year of “Lessons and Revelations”
This month I celebrate one year of my blog, “Lessons and Revelations”.
When I began, the blog was a way to share some of my challenging life experiences for readers to know they are not alone. Often, life experiences grab a hold of us and keep us stuck. As much as we want to move on, we can’t. Our emotional responses in these times may be contrary to what the world tells us we should feel. These are the reasons I write.