Normally I keep my opinion to myself, on a lot of subjects. But I can’t let my silence stand. Because as everyone has been quoting as of late on social media, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”

So I have to speak the best way I know how .

Enraged. Frustrated. Sickened. Hurt. Fed up. Sadness. Anger.

These emotions are only a few to describe how I’ve felt over the last few days. And I’m sure many others have felt this way too.

Words can not describe how the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and countless others have made me feel over the years. And what sucks even more is that we only know these names because they were in the news or footage documented their demise. While many others lost their lives in silence. While many others suffered injustices we know nothing about. But we want to stand for them all, we have to.

I am always in support of a peaceful protest, you can have your opinions on that. But looting is what I do not support. Especially not from the very businesses owned by black individuals that your protest is supposed to support and protect.

I understand that violence can be the only way to make certain people listen. Just as much as I understand the importance of peace. But what is being depicted when violence is involved? Who hurts? What is our goal? How can peace elevate that or how do we feel violence can?

Can we ask ourselves these questions on our journey for change for the black community?Can we take these questions into consideration before we act?

We are frustrated, angered, outraged. I get it. We want change. I get it. I want change. Get that.

I want change for my black father, my black brothers, my black uncles, my black male cousins, my black boyfriend, and the future of black men in my family. I want change for all black men and women. I want change for future generations.

I’m tired of videos of injustices against the black community. I want us to stop being viewed as a threat, so much so that death is viewed as the only means to remove our threat.

I love my blackness. It’s something I can not and refuse to be ashamed of.

And I want to make a difference.

I don’t know how we get it done. I wish I did. But I do want us to stop gaining information from the news or what others are telling us to be true. I want us to form our own opinions and thoughts. And not feel ashamed to share them. Everyone won’t always agree and I know that dialogue may seem redundant but it’s a starting point. And we need to start somewhere to make a change.

My heart is heavy.

This is my platform. I have shared a snippet of the fifty plus emotions and thoughts these scenarios have invoked.

But just know if nothing else, I believe and will always believe black lives matter.

“You can’t be everything to everybody.” It’s impossible to be everything to everybody, you will run yourself dry. It’s okay to care for others, but also make sure you’re caring for you, too! Love yourself & know that you don’t have to be everything.

Being vulnerable isn’t always easy. It takes true courage to demonstrate vulnerability. Having the ability to be vulnerable with yourself will allow you to truly love yourself, as you are. Self-love means loving all parts of yourself, not only the good. So today, I challenge you all to be truly vulnerable with yourself!

Happy Self-Love Sunday!
I am backkkk. Sorry for being MIA for some weeks. Blogging is something that I’m beyond passionate about. But being a full-time, active college senior is no joke. I was torn between writing a blog just to say I’m being consistent every Sunday and with providing quality, heartfelt pieces. Therefore, quality over quantity won this battle. I just want y’all to know that I’m back with our regularly scheduled programming & I have some pieces lined up for you all.

I needed to recharge before I could post anything for you all. How many times do you get consumed with your life & become overwhelmed with all the things that seem to be going on? Do you ever feel like there is too much on your plate? Or as if you can’t do it all. Or do you just wish for some days where you can just lounge around, stress free. Well, maybe you need to take a step back and recharge yourself.

When our phone’s battery is low, a notification appears that notifies of this low battery mode. Because of this notification, we know that it’s time to put our phone on the charger. However, if we do not place our phone on the charger in a timely manner, it will die. Just like our phones, sometimes we need to be charged in order for us to gain more power on our battery, which is our level of energy that we use to complete tasks every day. See, I was running on a low battery for a good minute. And the battery was sufficient enough to get me from day-to-day. However, it wasn’t what I needed to complete any extra circular activities that really required effort from me, such as writing heartfelt blogs because my body and most importantly my mind were too tired and drained from all of my school related tasks. And when I received the low battery notification for my energy, I just kept moving instead of allowing myself to charge.

Trust me, I know all about being involved and fulfilling obligations. But, I also have learned that it’s important to take time for YOU. At the end of the day, the only person ensuring your own safety is you. You can go support all your friends, attend every event possible, but sooner than later, you have to allow yourself some time to rest. Maybe resting means missing out on one event or taking a lazy Saturday to yourself. Resting and recharging looks different from person to person. But I promise you it is a necessity! Without some R&R, you will burn yourself out, there is no doubt about that. And I am living proof. I would go to class, work, and events and whenever I got home, I would instantly touch my bed and sleep. I love supporting my friends and family, but I have to support myself as well and my need to recharge.

 

You can still recharge, rest, AND conqueror your battles. You don’t want to be running off 5% battery life and trying to make life changing decisions. You want to be all together so that you can make the best possible decisions for your life when those moments come. And even though I love to be out and about, I also love my naps. For me, naps are a way for me to allow my brain to momentarily rest and awake rejuvenated and ready to conqueror what is waiting for me. Honestly, if I didn’t nap, I am quite sure I would be very, very grumpy and my decision-making would not always be the best. This Christmas break is also a chance for me to further recharge and get ready to tackle 2019 and all the things associated with that year for me, such as graduation and the whole after college life.

Self-care is a vital component of self-love. You have to take care of the self that you love! And that is why recharging is so key. As we embark on this holiday season & new year, you don’t want to be stuck with your old battery life and barely any motivation to complete any tasks. We all want to enter in the new year and accomplish our new hopes, dreams, and goals. And in order to even have a chance at doing so, we have to come recharged and ready to act! Recharging is a constant process, so take time to do so as often as needed. I challenge you all to actively recharge as you go throughout your life, sometimes you need to slow down & allow your body, mind, and soul some time to rest and recover from the various tolls of life!

Happy Wednesday!
I hope your week has been going well, and if not, I hope that your week turns around for you. On Sunday, I briefly mentioned the topic for today’s blog. But I’ll do a little recap for you all. I am currently participating in a 21-day prayer journal challenge. The prayer journal that I am using was written by Sopha Rush (@livedeeplyrooted on all social media) and is entitled, “21 Days of Intentional Prayer.” So today I am going to discuss the importance of this challenge to me, how this journal has impacted me, and most importantly, how this all relates to YOU.

I have been on a journey of bettering my relationship with God. And one day on Instagram Sopha Rush announced her prayer journal pre-sales, so of course I jumped on the chance & here we are. This journal is everything I hoped for and so much more. For the first ten days, she has given us prayers, two reflection questions, scripture readings, a place to write a journal entry and a place to declare what you proclaim victory over. And for the remaining 11 days, she has left lines for readers to fill in their own prayer and associated readings. This journal creates a guide for setting up a daily devotional routine and then allows you to write a prayer yourself and to look for scriptures you value and can relate to. I feel you all should definitely look into purchasing this, especially if you want to better your relationship with God or if you just want to make purposeful change.

Participating in this challenge, has really challenged me to be honest and real with myself and with God. I’ve had no choice but to open up, because you have to evaluate, reflect, and make a change in order to move forward, in order to do better. I’ve had some amazing moments of praise and worship following my prayers in the morning, from this journal and the prayers from my heart. All these things that have occurred, occurred with the help of this journal, but they did not occur only because of this journal. I whole heartedly wanted to make a change and be the person God has called me to be (I had purpose for my change). I already had these desires and I saw the journal as one tool (of many) to allow me to press on toward this goal.

Now, I am not saying you have to buy this exact prayer journal to improve yourself or make a change. I’m not even saying you must buy a prayer journal, or anything for that matter. But what you must do is: be willing to commit to making a change and to do so with purpose. I had to stop being lazy and consciously make an effort to seek the Lord and talk to him daily. Even if I am sleepy from work, even if I’m in a rush in the morning, even if I can make up twenty more excuses, I’m able to make time for what I want, so why not make time for God? He always makes time for me, and you.

Life and death lies in the power of the tongue. This power can be just as powerful when it’s transcribed on paper, if not more. I just want you all to realize that prayer journals are significant, or any type of reading that challenges you and elevates you to purposefully make a change in your life. Especially writings that motivate you to get closer or to even just lean on God.

So if you have some free, or even if you don’t, take some time to get closer to God. If to you that means buying a prayer journal, devotional book or praying more, going to church and listening, do whatever best fits you and your needs. But remember the power of these actions, their importance, and the purpose behind why you are doing what you are doing. Try God out and watch him transform your life.

Happy Self-love Sunday!
I know that I have given you all my personal story and discussed loving yourself, and then discussed knowing yourself, but I haven’t discussed the actual act of taking care of yourself. And that is very pertinent in the whole purpose of this series and in self-love.

You must take care of home, which means yourself. Before you can fully love anyone else, you must love yourself. Before you can take care of others, you have to take care of you. We are so quick to check in on friends and make sure they’re fine, especially after traumatic events. But why don’t we do the same for ourselves? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with caring for others and ensuring they are okay, that’s the type of person I am. However, you must understand it is important to take time for yourselves to check in with your feelings, your emotions. And if you’re not okay, be able to reach out and receive help.

I personally put others before myself. I’m constantly checking in on others and seeing what I can do for them. And while I am still going to care for others, I am going to care for myself just as much as I do for other people and check in on me first. One way that I am doing this is by bettering my relationship & journey with God through a 21 day prayer journal written by the lovely Sopha Rush (@livedeeplyrooted on all social media). I have just begun this journey and realized how thirsty & desperate my soul was for the Lord. I go to church, I pray, and I talk the Lord. However, I have fallen short & I do not go to the Lord like I need. And that is why this journey is allowing me to take care of self, but I will speak more on this on Wednesday so tune in!

I want you all to know that it is not selfish to ensure that you’re okay. But for you to adequately be there, supporting others, you have to ensure your foundation is together. And the foundation is you. Take some time to pamper yourself, do a good face mask, read, relax and bask in your thoughts, meditate, create or find some affirmations that fit you & your life. Do whatever makes you feel good & enables you to think of yourself, your feelings, and wants.

It’s always good to care for others. But it’s even more important & essential to care for you. Always remember to take time for you, no matter the length. Sometimes you have to put yourself first. So this week, take some time to stop & take care of home, and then go on with the rest of your day.

Greetings my lovely readers!
I have been absent because I was participating in the Miss Black & Gold pageant at my school, which we will discuss more as the blog continues 🙂

At the beginning of the year, I shared some goals with you all that I had for 2018. One of them being stepping out of my comfort zone. And participating in this pageant is definitely the prime example of me stepping out of my comfort zone. I am always in the audience, supporting others, but never in a million years did I see myself on that stage because I doubted myself. I had to stop belittling and down playing myself and truly believe in the power that I possess. It was a tedious process, it was scary, but more than anything it was so empowering. I didn’t let my fear dictate me and I couldn’t be any more proud of myself.

For those of you who know me personally, you all know that my boyfriend is a motivational speaker. And one of his talks that he developed into a YouTube video, “Live Your Best Life” inspired today’s post. He is such an inspiration because of his ability to connect with others by sharing his story.
So today, I hope by sharing my story that you all will feel inspired to step out of your comfort zone & live your best life.

In the song Best Life, Chance The Rapper said, “Turned all my L’s into lessons.”
So as you continue throughout your day, week, month, how can you turn your L’s into lessons? How can you continue to persevere and overcome your problems? You may fall down, but you can always get back up. Never let one discouraging moment or situation define your destiny or future. You are so much more than that mistake.

I want to Live my Best Life. So I’m praying more, drinking more water, and eating less junk. I’m staying encouraged and trying to encourage others. There are tough days, but they won’t last forever. Always remember that.
What can you do today to ensure that you live your best life?

Love,
J.Alane

Hello my lovely readers! I am approaching the end of my Spring Break and of course I have to share.
I had the honor and privilege to participate in a Spring Break service trip to New Orleans to assist in rebuilding homes that have been damaged by natural disasters. And when I tell you this trip has been so rejuvenating and life changing, I feel like a new woman.

One of my current favorite quotes is by Gandhi and it states,
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others.” 

And I couldn’t say this any better myself.

I have a strong passion for service and so learning about this trip last year, instantly sparked my interest. Being able to attend, assist so many, and form so many bonds just made it even more worthwhile.
While in NOLA, I was able to prime a house, utilize a saw amongst other power tools, and put up siding on another house. I don’t want to disclose too much information about the people we aided, because that is their story. And you would have had to been there, interacted with them and witnessed this for yourself. However, nothing feels better to help someone and see the look on their face when they acknowledge that you took time out of your day to help make theirs. That is a priceless look and feeling. And what made it even better, was to do it with about 63 peers from my lovely college, who thought it not robbery to give their time too.

It is important to give back to your community, in whatever way you find possible. Any little act helps. Even if it’s as simple as giving your leftovers to someone on the street who has no food, or giving your umbrella to a homeless lady and her children while it is raining.

You never know when you could be in need OR how differently your life could be if you weren’t blessed the way you are, because trust me we are so blessed. The Bible also states the importance of service by stating that service is an action of love and when we serve, we demonstrate this love (Galatians 5:13).

So I challenge you to continuously give back. And if given the opportunity to participate in a service trip, participate. It will be so impactful on your life and the lives of others.

Love,
J.Alane

Words can’t express how much you mean. Regardless of how it may seem, to you.
You are more than enough, just the way you are.
You are beautiful, you are strong,
You are all these things, even if you don’t think that you are.
Smile more, be discouraged less.
And most importantly, don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
Everyone’s struggles and battles are different, some may not be visible,
no one is picture perfect.
We may not always succeed, but it is important to continue.
To continue being and loving you for you;
for who you are only YOU can be.
Even when the goings get tough, 
just remember, you are enough.

Something in my soul and spirit told me to write this quick little poem. And most importantly, to share it today. Because I guarantee those thoughts you feel, that you think only you feel, others feel too. I’m writing this to let you know that I can relate. Because often, I have felt inadequate too. But most importantly, I wrote this to reassure you that you are more than enough, the way that you are.

Share this with a friend. Encourage someone, because you never know who may need to see or read this.

Love,
Janna Alane