Providing Nuanced Exposures to Static Worldviews
It's been thirty-four months since I started this blogging journey. And what a journey it has been. I've grown and I've evolved and this blog, the brand, has been one of the greatest catalysts for that growth. Despite the visions and hopes I've had for growing and continuing to develop this blog, I've made the decision to discontinue … Continue reading Better is the end of a thing.
Most people would like to consider themselves open-minded. I don't think it's a terrible goal for one to have for oneself, especially if you plan to be a bridge-builder or reconciler...or just a decent person. The only problem is that I've recently discovered this personality trait to be so much harder to attain than I … Continue reading Being “Open-Minded” is Harder Than I Thought.
On this coming Saturday at 10 am, I will be seated in graduation regalia at Liberty University, impatiently waiting for the moment I hear my name called. This is a moment that admittedly almost didn't happen. When I started my tenure at Liberty, I began as a student in the Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program. … Continue reading The Degree that Almost Didn’t Happen
...from the "calling". I was at my part-time job on Saturday where I work with preschoolers, a few with developmental disabilities and/or social-emotional difficulties. I had been having an ongoing conversation with a parent over the past few Saturdays about some concerns, something that wasn't necessarily outside of my job description but was maybe a tad … Continue reading A Passion to Run…
Hello and Happy Women's History Month to all! Also, Happy Dr. Seuss Day to all who celebrate! I come to you all today with a very particular problem in mind. I posted this very real interaction yesterday to my personal Facebook page: Him: Do you have any children? Me: No. Him: What are you waiting … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Questions…
It is so hard to believe that we are nearly a full month into 2016. I used to hear older folks say how much time flies but now I actually feel this sentiment and that's not always the best feeling. There was so much fresh excitement for me entering into 2015. After a hell of … Continue reading A Giant Among Years
On this day two years ago, I found myself on an AMTRAK train on my way to Richmond, VA to meet up with my best friend and take solace in being hidden in her Winston-Salem, NC home for the weekend. When I asked her if I could come down to NC for the weekend, I … Continue reading Thankful for Time – Looking Back with No Regrets
My father was elected to the Pastorate of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Southeast, Washington, DC on February 4, 2003 and was duly installed (so churchy!) on May 4, 2003. It's been twelve years. So in honor of this auspicious occasion, I thought I would talk about being a PK. The PK life is a … Continue reading Five Things I’ve Learned As A “PK” (…and Five Things PKs Might Want You To Know)
Happy New Year, loves! (It's still early enough in the year to say that, right? I know…*side eyes myself*). I think this three week period is the longest I've gone without posting since I started the Girl with Black Pearls. It has not been without good reason though; these past few weeks have been a … Continue reading 16 Weeks.
Just expressin’. Don’t mind me. I am amazed at how many ways grief manifests with different folks. I’ve been strangely aware of the world around me in a way that I usually have let it kinda pass me by. I’ve been ultra-sensitive to my surroundings and just…aware. I’ve noticed the subtle changes in people’s tone … Continue reading Good Grief