My post wouldn’t follow the pattern if I did not lace it with transparency. I am greatly disturbed by the election as well as the results. It’s not so much that I am concerned with the violence and “racism” that may occur as some predict. If we allow truth to further prevail there has always been an uncanny way about our government and politics. I honestly don’t want to make this a “race thing” but let’s skip down our country’s timeline: there was slavery, American-based concentration camps, Jim Crow, the infiltration and destruction of Black leaders, terrorist groups trained by the US government, school-to-prison pipelines, the list continues. Television has a way of distorting reality; it makes us believe that what we see “live” is real-time when there are some conspiracies and actions that were in the makings behind the scenes before the media is ever involved. Our government has some mess with them. Do I want to “go back to Africa?” Heck no; but let’s face the facts.
Read MoreI’ve always been better at expressing myself in written form. I’ve also always found comfort in writing my feelings; while my primary purpose is to encourage readers to consider the power of writing I have to throw a couple of things out there as there is a “pro” and “con” to nearly everything. The biggest “con” to keeping a journal is the possibility of a breach of confidentiality; as a child, I cringed at the thought of someone reading “my diary” with the mini padlock that anyone could pick with a hairpin. I still cringe at the thought as an adult. There is freedom when one can express their innermost thoughts and feelings without any inhibition; in fact, I don’t believe journaling can be 100% effective without “the nitty gritty.” It’s in these types of lines and writing that we are able to remove masks and lie back in honesty. Otherwise, we may as well continue walking around in hiding.
Read MoreI believe it’s human nature to gravitate towards people we identify with. It’s not always physical characteristics; it can be beliefs, political parties, tax brackets, age groups, etc. This is what has prompted me to consider #NoLivesMatter closely. Some may hate the very thought of such a concept but the issues that we are seeing today present all the facts. Based on my observation, everyone wants to be acknowledged. There’s nothing wrong with wanting acknowledgment. It becomes problematic when one group (or person) cannot allow another group (or person) to “be great.” There is a growing controversy between #BlackLivesMatter and #AllLivesMatter. In the wake of cries for justice, some believe that identifying the significance of black lives is an attempt to omit the importance of other lives. The very fact that lives matter has to be mentioned should raise concerns. Our society is self-centered. It seems that no life can matter without being interpreted as a threat to another. The problem with “lives mattering” is the absence of balance and consideration for others. As long as humanity continues in self-centered perspectives and actions, no lives will ever matter except for an individual’s own. We were prepackaged to love and be loved. Here’s my take:
Read MoreMay 31, 2016, will be a day that two worlds collide. I tried to keep them apart as long as I could but this moment was imminent. The fact that there will be no casualties is a bonus, but it doesn't make me any less anxious. On May 31, 2016, my first book entitled "Beauty for Ashes: The Introduction" will be released. I use the phrase "two worlds collide" because it means my world of semi-introversion will collide with the world of others: family, friends, colleagues, consumers-everyone. Quite a few people ask me what I like to do "after hours;" my response is always the same: "writing and sharing poetry." This project will allow people into my journey, one that was well guarded. Make no mistake, my book is not a "tell all" but, it shares my thoughts, my heart, life's lessons of tough love, my observations, and plenty more. I've gone through multiple cycles of giving myself the third degree: "Am I ready?" "Am I dope enough?" Of course, the "What if's" have a series of their own.
Read MoreDear Marisha,
You’re such a sweetheart… I wish you would allow more people to see it. Imagine how different things would be if people knew how much you laugh and joke behind closed doors and circles! Sometimes life has a way of hitting hard. Don’t lose that smile. Don’t lose the life in your eyes. We both know that parents don’t know everything, but they know a great deal. Listen to them. It will keep you out of harm’s way. It’s imperative that you get to know and accept yourself as soon as you can.
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