Happy Siblings Day!
It seems like these extra holidays just started appearing a few years ago. I don’t remember seeing anything about National Siblings day when I was growing up. However, I’m happy to pause and take a moment to celebrate the Fabulous Four (my siblings and I). Who else knows your dysfunctional family secrets and keeps them because there shared? Who else knows your embarrassing childhood moments and ignores your complicated temperament? Siblings push your buttons like no one else can, yet know one else better because they’ll have to answer to your siblings. My siblings are my best friends, my travel buddies, my go to confidantes, my advocates, and my mirror.…
Monday Musings: Laugh More
You know that feeling you get when you’ve just had a full-on, tears streaming down your face belly laugh? The endorphins that rush through your body and the euphoric high are nature’s way of healing what ails you. Allow laughter to medicate your pain away instead of reaching for those other vices. #laughmore
Monday Musings: EC-ism #1 #NoCasualties
My mother is a wise woman. She drops little nuggets and then walks away like she hasn’t just wrecked your entire world. We had one such moment this weekend. So, I’ve decided to begin a collection of “EC-isms” in her honor. An EC-ism is a quote or thought inspired by Effia Casenia Stripling (AKA mom). This one hit home. How many moments, ideas, and relationships has the pursuit of perfection stolen from us? How many laughs, memories, precious breaths and glimpses of sanity have I been robbed of chasing the alluring yet elusive promise of perfection? Well, I say enough is enough. I refuse to let another thing become a…
Monday Musings: Live in the Now!
I went through a season where I kept putting things off. I was waiting to buy a house, waiting to start writing, waiting until I felt more confident to accept certain speaking engagements. Then, a series of people close to me died. Death has a way of making you embrace life. I decided to stop waiting. To begin crossing things off my bucket list. Every day I make a conscious decision to enjoy the moment I am in now. Friends, Stop waiting on all your ducks to be in a row before you step out. Live in the NOW!
Black History Month Series: Living Legends
Growing up, he used to intimidate me. He was so tall and intense all of the time. The tides turned one Thanksgiving. Someone said or did something that was hurtful to me and he came to my defense. The way he laid into that other person, I almost felt sorry for them; but inside I was secretly grinning. MY uncle had intervened. I remember him picking me up and placing me on his shoulders. I put my hands on top of his head and felt like I was on top of the WORLD. At the time, I didn’t realize that Uncle CurVie would make a career out of helping people…
Monday Musings: A New Chance
Today’s a new day. We have a new opportunity to do better; to be better. Seize it!
Black History Month Series: Living Legends
I was sixteen years old when my parents divorced. My mother packed up her four children and we moved to Dayton, Ohio. It was my Sophmore year in high school. I was thrust into a new environment. I was worried about my mom and my siblings. I was heartbroken that my seemingly perfect life wasn’t so perfect anymore. But, most of all I was ANGRY at my father. One man stepped in and filled the immense void that was left when my father fell from the pedestal of my heart. This month I honor my spiritual father, Bishop Truman L. Martin. He took us out to MCL, inspected our report…
Monday Musings: Beach Cure
A few pictures of the magnificent beaches of Grand Cayman:
Monday Musings
All of us have experienced that embarrassing moment when an IT professional comes in and asks “Did you try turning it off and turning it back on?” It is embarrassing because of its simplicity. It is also embarrassing because most of the time it WORKS! My fellow human, you should give it a try. TURN OFF, UNPLUG, DISENGAGE!! I guarantee that when you restart or reboot you’ll perform better.
Monday Musings: Wasting Water
Stop wasting your precious, life-giving, sustaining, and refreshing resources on dead things, people, and relationships! There are plenty of other plants to water.