Leading With Love and Compassion
This blog is for the individual that desires more of themselves + the people in their lives.
The journey of being in community with my parents has been nothing short of, let’s just say, interesting. For most of my life, I've rarely had both of them present at the same time, and now is no different. When my father came back into my life during COVID, it felt like a turning point.
Read MoreAs a Black woman, the complexities of our experiences are both profound and deeply nuanced. We are often the pillars of our families and communities, socialized and indoctrinated to be caregivers, nurturers, and the steadfast shoulders upon which others lean
Read MoreRest and joy have become my guiding lights, my ministry. I discovered their transformative power during one of the darkest periods of my life, right after my first marriage ended. With my kids' father gone, I faced the daunting task of starting over. In that turbulent season, it was reading and seeking joy that sustained me. I vividly recall the relentless pursuit of happiness, finding reasons to smile even when it felt impossible.
Read MoreAs we celebrate Pride Month, I want to take a moment to share a bit about my journey as a Queer Black woman navigating the intersections of life. For many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community, our experiences are diverse. Some navigate the world freely, while others live their lives more anonymously. Yet, a shared experience for many of us is the need to come out multiple times, even after our initial coming out.
Read MoreI'm a bit late in penning this post, but honesty is always the best policy, right? Mother's Day took on a different hue for me this year. While my children and wife never fail to shower me with love, it's also a time for reflection, a dive into the complexities of my role as a mother, influenced not only by my personal experiences but also by the intricate threads of matrilineal lineage.
Read MoreAs I reflect on my journey through my thirties and eagerly anticipate the dawn of my forties, I can't help but marvel at how life has surpassed my expectations. In those earlier years, I had a clear vision of the woman, wife, and mother I aspired to be.
Read MoreParental wounds, huh? They're like these deep grooves carved into our souls, especially when you've felt their sting firsthand. My wife and I are no strangers to this. We've spent countless hours unpacking the baggage from our relationships with our folks, especially our moms.
Read MoreNavigating marriage, pursuing my passion, and aiding others in their journeys has been a profound commitment. My wife and I embarked on this path without the guidance of role models, dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to personal growth.
Read MoreRecently, I've found myself drawn to reflect on the journey of women and the essence with which we navigate life. This introspection takes me back to a poignant moment when my daughter embarked on her first menstrual cycle. It was a time when I felt compelled to gather the women in my life, forming a circle of community to guide her into this significant phase of womanhood.
Read MoreAs a Black woman raised by a single mother, navigating the complexities of my family history has been an integral part of my journey. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the destructive power of anger woven into the fabric of our family lineage. My father's abusive behavior towards my mother left scars not only on her body but also on my psyche.
Read MoreBefore my wife and I reunited and embarked on this journey toward marriage, I held onto a profound belief in my inherent worthiness of love. It wasn't just a hope or a fleeting desire; it was a conviction that resonated deep within my soul. Despite finding contentment in my solitude, there was a quiet anticipation building within me, like the calm before a gentle storm, signaling that love was on its way.
Read MoreIn my quest for longevity and fulfillment, I've come to realize that the cornerstone of such a life lies in the profound embrace of love. Reflecting on my journey, I can't pinpoint the exact moment when this revelation dawned upon me, but I vividly recall witnessing my mother's valiant struggle with love—a journey marked by single-handedly raising me, shouldering the burden of caring for her family, all while neglecting her own needs and battling with the shadows of depression.
Read MoreAs a Black queer woman, I've traversed a complex landscape of love, identity, and understanding within the context of my marriage. I vividly recall observing my wife's interactions with her nephews, sensing a tender longing for something she felt she lacked. Despite her deep love for her father, their relationship was shadowed by the complexities of alcoholism, divorce, and a blended family.
Read MoreAs I reflect on my journey as a Black queer woman, obedience emerges as a guiding principle, a profound invitation to align with the Divine. It's not merely about following rules but about surrendering to a higher purpose, mainly when life's challenges test our faith. Join me as we explore the transformative power of obedience, discovering how it leads us to our most authentic selves and ignites our souls' profound passions.
Read MoreEmbark on a riveting exploration into the intricate tapestry of love—a journey that defies conventional norms and redefines the very essence of connection. In the shadows of my upbringing, where love was laden with invisible strings, and my wife's struggle to reconcile her authentic self with societal expectations, we found ourselves navigating uncharted waters.
Read MoreDive into the intricate tale of blended love, where the dream of a larger family clashes with the complexities of reality. As an only child, the allure of noisy holidays and unfiltered laughter was irresistible, but my journey through blended families unfolded as a nuanced narrative.
Read MoreAfter a brief hiatus filled with life's twists and turns, I'm ecstatic to share some exciting news. Starting next year, our weekly blog rendezvous resumes! Brace yourselves for the grand return with THREE new posts on January 1st. 🎉
Read MoreMaintaining friendships as we age can be challenging, but it's essential for our mental health and well-being. In this blog, we'll explore why friendships can be hard to maintain as we age and share some tips for staying connected with the people we care about. We'll also discuss the importance of having friends who are easy to be around and genuinely love spending time with and how this can make staying connected much more accessible.
Read MoreWhy not love, or fun, possibly ease? How about a nap? Let’s relax and do nothing. Better yet, let’s skip a day of seriousness and be silly. I have always been quite hilarious; it’s one of the things I could do effortlessly in my life. It didn’t require anything of me. It took little to no effort, and I always got people to laugh. Then I realized that when you are known for certain things, people don’t want your truth, and they sure don’t want the weight of what it costs you to smile all the time. So, I stopped. I came to a screeching halt. I began to take like seriously, or maybe it just got severe, but whatever it was, I decided over 15 years ago to grow up.
Read MoreToday I pause to acknowledge a beautiful black woman that has been a part of my life for 17 years. The mere notion that two black women who met when they were young, relatively immature, and still learning to love themselves, yet have managed to witness the evolution of one another, is impressive. I met Kupae [ coo-pay] when we were both newly married (at the time, I was married to a man), and we were both attending the same church, trying to create the “perfect heteronormative life” or at least one that felt worthy of what society thought of us. We immediately hit it off because when you show up as your authentic self, even as you have so much more to learn, the core of your friendship is immediately cemented.
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