Happy Self-Love Sunday!

It’s funny how we all have a picture of how we hope our lives hope our lives will be, how things would turn out, who we will marry and end up with forever. And yet these plans alter. Sometimes, because we want them to alter or because life happens and takes over. And because of these changes, we end up discombobulated and upset, but things will always work out in the end.

No one saw this virus coming. Or maybe some people did and their voices were not heard or simply ignored. Things changed in a matter of seconds when this virus really became a public concern. Stores were out of stock of tissue paper and paper toilets, there was no Lysol or hand sanitizer for days. All the meat left shelves and people were in a state of panic and frenzy. We became confined to our houses and apartments and we ventured outside more than ever to simply take a walk and enjoy the scenes of nature.

Yesterday evening we drove to Piedmont Park because it was a beautiful day and we wanted to get out the house.  As I sat in the passenger seat (which I love) while Rico drove and Nova (his dog, my adopted dog) sat happily in the back, I looked out of the window and took in all the scenery. For some reason, it felt like I was taking everything in for the first time. Or maybe I was really taking things in for the first time and truly seeing. And as I looked at every tree and branch and every house and building, I begin to think about how life kind of happens sometimes. And when life just happens, it can uproot everything we thought we knew to be true and can sometimes leave us lost, confused, and in a state of panic.

Looking out the window inspired me to reflect on life and changes. I am so thankful for life. And even though my life has not always been what I expected or wanted, everything has turned out the way it was meant to be, the way it needed to be. I’m sure many of you can attest to this too. Sometimes, we have try to combat the changes that life brings by kicking and screaming. But what does this do? We have to realize that things won’t always be picture perfect and we can’t always be in control. But there is always hope that better days will come. That the sun will shine in the midst of darkness.

I have faith that COVID-19 will end. When? I am not certain, but I know that it will. Things may not ever return to how they were before but we will have some sense of normalcy again. If you watched my last A Word Wednesday video, I highlighted this quote, “This is a pandemic not a productivity contest. Rest and relaxation should count too.” Please keep this in mind as we continue to combat this pandemic. Don’t feel obligated to be productive every moment of every day. But if that is what you feel, then do so! Just remember, you are not in a productivity contest and it is okay to rest and relax.Do what feels best for YOU and do not be pressured by others or the media. And remember to always love yourself, because you deserve to be loved.

Happy Self-love Sunday my loves!

On Friday, March 6, Jhené Aiko released her album, Chilombo. I’ve had the album on repeat since it’s been released by the way. I would definitely recommend that you all give it a listen. Anyways, in an interview about the album, Jhené discusses that she utilized crystal alchemy sound bowls on each track of the album. This was to emphasize music healing and how the keys of the vibrational hum correlate to different chakras. This really resonated with me because we all listen to music for healing, intentionally or unintentionally. So today’s topic is entitled healing.

Webster defines healing as the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again. Meaning that something occurred and impacted someone in a way that requires healing to move forward. We have to heal from heartache/heartbreak, loss, damage, words, circumstances, experiences, and so much more. But how do we heal? How long does this take? What does it look like? Will we ever completely heal and move forward?

The questions mentioned above are all questions I’ve personally had regarding my healing process at different moments and during different healing circumstances. And honestly, the answer to all those questions varies. Healing varies from person to person. Healing also varies based on the situation one is trying to heal from. So unfortunately for us, there is no set answer. But what I can say is that healing is absolutely necessary and worth it. Don’t be discouraged if healing doesn’t happen on the timeline you planned for it to. That is not realistic nor is that how life works. When we get sick, we have to first recognize we are sick to allow ourselves to get better. We take medicine, we rest, and take care better care of our bodies so we can feel better again. Healing is so similar. First, we have to recognize that we need to heal. Then, take care of ourselves accordingly. The process just looks different for everyone because none of us are the same and we all experience hurt and pain in different ways.

We live in a fast moving world and some of us live fast paced lives. Therefore, we don’t always take the time needed to heal. We try to continue living like we did before, ignoring the pain that is weighing down our shoulders and mind. We try to move forward without acknowledging that we have been hurt in some kind of way and need to address this hurt. I’ve been guilty of this so that is why I’m saying it. Before my senior year of college, I experienced a hurt I never thought I would. And I attempted to address it, got impatient, and ignored it for months. I tried to keep moving like things were okay, like I was okay. But I was not okay and I did’t really address that until much later. Ignoring the healing I needed only prolonged my healing process. However, it also made me realize the importance of healing. Because healing was important for me to focus on myself again and all my dreams, goals, and my life.

Healing is for you and no one else. So don’t make it about anyone else but YOU. Be selfish with your healing process. Focus on you and your feelings and how you can move forward in a healthy manner. Focus on what you need so that you can heal, so that you can let go. Unfortunately, sometimes situations are just what they are. They end unexpectedly and now how we planned or wanted and life continues to move on. So we have to address this pain or loss we have felt and when the time is right, let it go. This is all a process but it is worth it for your own sanity and wellbeing.

Today, I challenge you all to heal. It can be easy or it can be complicated. Regardless of how that process looks for you, it is so worth it. It’ll allow you to give your all and be your best self moving forward, without being held down by past pain. So acknowledge what areas in your life require some healing and do what you need to begin that healing process. Have hope and faith because the rain won’t last always and healing is available to us all.

Happy Self-Love Sunday!
I know it has been a minute since you’ve seen a blog from me. But writing a blog has been heavy on my mind for a minute. I just didn’t know how to start or what to title it. So I am just going to write and release, because that is why I started this blog after all. Enjoy, and remember to always love yourself because you deserve to be loved.

I will start this blog off by saying I decided to take a month hiatus from Instagram. I’m still on Facebook & Twitter,  but I feel Instagram is my kryptonite. Why, I don’t know? Or maybe I do, subconsciously.  But I know that I spend WAY too much time on Instagram (Facebook & Twitter not so much). So mid-January, I decided I need to give myself a break from Instagram. Because no matter what, my hands always seem to gravitate to the little Instagram icon. And once I am on there, I am on there. So February 1st, after honoring my grandma on her birthday, I deleted the app. A few people have texted me noticing that I haven’t been on Instagram and asked if I am okay, this is something I truly appreciate.  I am just taking time to focus on myself and live in my moments and not worry about what the latest IG story is or who posted what. I’ve had way more time to read and work on things I truly love. Therefore, I truly believe we all should take a break at one point or another from a thing that seems to consume most of our time and attention. Watch how product your life will be lol.

So far over the course of this hiatus, I have been inspired beyond measure to write. BUT I’ve been inspired in bits and pieces. Therefore, I didn’t want to share with you all an incomplete or rushed idea of a blog, rather than an actual blog.  So here we are.

I’m a real prideful person and I always have a wall up. However, I understand that you can’t keep a wall up forever (a blog about this will be on the way soon). And all of these recent deaths and losses have reminded me that vulnerability is essential in relationships. And one of my favorite relationships, is the relationship I have with writing. Therefore, I will be pouring my soul out even more in these blogs because they are my heart (get ready).

There is a gospel song by Kirk Franklin that says, “Come back to your first love. Come back home, back where you belong.” While I have been writing this blog, these words have been screaming at me. God is my first love & I feel my relationship with him has been hindered by so many distractions. So another goal of mine during this hiatus has been to focus on my relationship with God MORE. I am dedicated to giving him the time he deserves in my life each day, no matter how busy or tired I am. And I promise you, God has been moving in my spirit and my soul. He’s also been moving mountains in my life. Another love of mine is writing. I didn’t know if I would be able to write anything, because I haven’t for so long and I’ve honestly been putting it off as well. But as soon as I started typing, the words started flowing (and are continuing to flow). Reminding me why I have a blog in the first place and how much I LOVE to express myself through written words.

So what am I trying to say? Life happens. It happens hard and unexpectedly. It can hurt and leave you paralyzed by the various pain, hardships, and sufferings. But a favorite scripture of mine states, “Weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning.  (Psalm 30:5)” So yes, hardships and pain will happen. But they will not always last. They won’t always consume you or weigh you down. Have faith in God and faith that joy is coming, because it is. Today, I challenge you all to reflect on some changes that need to be made in your life. I know that change isn’t always easy or seamless, but it is necessary. I also challenge you all to act and begin to make a positive change in your life and watch the impact it will have.