ONCE UPON A TIME is usually not how our stories begin. I can remember vividly as a child hearing my father tell my brother never go to these places after dark. You never want to be DRIVING WHILE BLACK across the bridge. I thought that I would never be faced with the same situation until 25 years later when I was pulled over by a police officer for having out of state plates. My offense: driving while black in Michigan….
I spent the last two days visiting with my great aunt and we giggled the entire time. Listening to her tell stories about my grandmother and their siblings was priceless. I’ve been missing my granny a lot lately so this visit was needed. As I wind down and reflect about the conversations from this weekend I am so elated that God allowed me to take this trip (the snowstorm the night before had us spooked). It was by far one…
The first story of the year. Make it good right?Okay. After my dad died my soul was empty. I was numb and it took me a few months to gather myself. I went on this journey of self-discovery that very few knew about. I was in class one day and my classmates challenged me to tell my story. There I was in the front of the class; frozen. I didn’t have a clue of who I was or where I…
“She may be quiet but she’s a warrior and her prayers can move mountains.” – Unknown I flew into San Diego, California this past weekend to be with three of my closest friends and the newest addition to our family. This trip was well overdue, and after the few weeks I’ve had…I DESERVED IT! As our flight began to descend Into the San Diego airport I raised the shade on my window (because Erykah Badu told me to…
Have you ever thought, “I don’t want to seem brag-uh-do-shus, but I’ve accomplished a lot in my life.” Yeah…Me Neither… Lol. Seriously, do you find yourself being too humble because you are trying to accommodate others? WHY?????? I was on a social network this week talking about this very thing. I found that I don’t always “BIG UP” myself. I never talk about my accomplishments! The fear of offending my superiors, or coming off as Ms. Narcissist or Ms. Brag-Different….
In our teens we had all the right answers. You know, when we turned 18, we were smelling ourselves. Everything that our peers, and parents wanted us to believe or say we rebelled. Some of us… The twenties are the time when you’re finding yourself, or the period of risk taking. Right? Well, what do you do after you turn 30? You can either decide to play it safe, or GO FOR IT! Risk it all, or nah? Traveling with…
I try to always be honest with you. Seriously, I spend my time putting together the events of my life or those around me in order to encourage you every week. But… Ummm… This fourth quarter has snuck up on your girl. :-/ I spent the 3rd quarter of 2017 preparing for the most crucial time of the year, and I can’t believe that it’s here. And the coach of all coaches is saying, “RJ, I need you. Get off…
“Reclaiming My Time!” The statement by “Auntie” Rep. Maxine Waters is probably the quote of the year…or shoot the decade if you ask someone else. Even though the quote was used during a heated political session it can pertain to so many areas of our lives. If you were around for previous posts I talk about how much I learned from working in Dallas. The work schedule was rigorous, and let’s be honest it’s hard to find good help. There…
This one is for my sistahs! If you are working at a 9-5, think about your office dynamic. When something pops off everyone looks at you to react. Especially if you are the only brown face in the office. Let’s see how the “black girl” is going to respond… I can remember when I was the only black in the office, and I can also remember situations when the brown faces were the majority. It doesn’t take away from the…
On my Great-Aunt’s 90th birthday I told her that I wanted to see her before the summer was over. April 1996 was the last time I saw her, and for years I’d been begging my dad to visit her in California. So… I watched plane tickets EVERY WEEK since our conversation in May. Months ago I vowed not to let any grass grow under my feet. Then at 5:00 am one morning I saw that the airline ticket price dropped….