Good Little Black Girl

I’m finally allowing myself to cry. The pain is real and it’s raw. All my life I’ve tried to be “a good little black girl.” Don’t rock the boat. Don’t speak your mind. Don’t do or say anything that racists can use against other black people. I’m exhausted. I’m tired. I’m furious. I will be silent no more. Instead of a good little black girl, I will focus on being a strong black woman, who treats others with respect, and speaks out against injustices all. No more. Say goodbye to the good little black girl. She is a grown damn woman who has seen/heard/had enough!

Random Thought of the Day: Salon Pedicures

Not being able to go to the nail salon has caused me to think about how to give myself a quality pedicure. During that thought, it occurred to me that although the techs use liners on the tubs, they use the same tools on everyone without any type of cleaning in between. The same buffers, cuticle cutters, foot files, etc. And now I feel grossed out. Welp, guess I am doing my own moving forward.

Image displayed is from a completely random salon that I found online. I am not referring to this specific salon in my random thought of the day.

Get Off Your Damn Phone

One of the best signs I’ve seen was on daycare center door and it said something to the effect of “Get off your phone. Your child is happy to see you. Aren’t you happy to see your child? Get off your phone.”

I don’t think any parent means to not give their child the proper attention but the addiction of our cell phones has unfortunately taken priority.

Cell phone addiction tied to feeling like everything must be viewed or responded to right now has taken over our common sense.

Today, my daughter and I went for our tri-weekly trip to the nail salon. It never ceases to amaze how others at the nail salon can’t break away from their phones long enough to get a manicure. Many have their phones on speaker which is rude to the rest of us. In addition, they never take the time to greet and change pleasantries with their nail tech.

And don’t even get me started on people being on their phones while driving?!

There is absolutely no phone call, social media post, or text that cannot wait until you have safely arrived to your destination. Risking yourself is one thing but risking others is unacceptable.

And here is one more...have you ever been out to lunch or dinner with someone and noticed another couple or family who spends their entire time on their phones? To each their own, but we have truly become over the top with our addictions to the point we can’t seem to break away.

How can we help each other overcome this?

Where are we headed if we don’t overcome it?

What does it take for some of us to prioritize and get off the damn phone?!

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Image obtained from makeameme.org.

Conversion Therapy Should Be A Crime

While sitting in the lobby at my dentist’s office this week, there was a news show on with a lady talking about the harm that conversion therapy caused to her life.

If you are not familiar with conversion therapy, here is a link to an explanation as defined on the public knowledge sharing site, Wikipedia.

The woman on the show advised she paid $270 weekly for conversion therapy to help her transition from her natural homosexuality to becoming heterosexual. The end result of the therapy did not change her nature. It caused psychological harm.

This story disturbed me for many reasons:

1) The existence of this therapy suggests that homosexuality is wrong. I do not agree with this. And yes, I am a God-fearing woman, who believes we all exist to be loving and helpful to one another.

2) This woman was being charged this fee by her church. These people took her money and tried to psychologically get her to change a part of who she is. A church is a place of healing. Not a place to be swindled.

3) Homosexuality is not some illness that people go to a doctor, or any other type of healer, to change. This day and age we have so many young people committing suicide due to not being accepted for who they are. A church should not be adding to this.

4) Sexuality is personal. It is a natural part of us that we self-identify. It is not something that someone else dictates.

5) Charging someone money to try and psychologically change who they are to fit who we think they should be should be a crime. We are not talking about killers, thieves, rapists, or others who seek to harm others. Those who seek to harm others need psychological help. Not people who are attracted to the same sex.

Ugh....I could go on and on about this but I will leave it here.

I know many people will disagree with my stance on this and I understand. Post your comments. Let’s try to be understanding with one another.

Image obtained from festivalclaca.cat

Kobe Bryant - This Hurts

When my niece called me this morning to see if I had heard the news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I was speechless.

Although I do not personally know the legend that is Kobe Bryant or anyone near him, I have admired this man for so many years.

It hurts to hear of his passing, along with the passing of his beautiful young daughter, and 7 others whose names have not yet been released.

My heart hurts for Vanessa Bryant who is now grieving the loss of her husband and child. There are no words.

I can only thank this man for all he has meant to the world and pray for supernatural comfort for his family and the families of all who died in the crash.

***Here is the information as reported by The NY Times *** https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/sports/basketball/kobe-bryant-dead.html

Social Media is NOT the Benchmark for Your Success

So many of us have a love/hate relationship with social media. We love how it helps us keep in touch with our loved ones who live far away. It helps us follow our favorite celebrities, get updates, news, etc.

The hard part comes in when we realize that after surfing our favorite social media sites, we begin to feel bad. For example, how many of us have seen relationship posts from certain couples and began to question your own relationship, or perhaps feel lonely or unloved?

We could write a whole book on this topic. However, just allow me to quickly say, social media is NOT the benchmark for your success. Not in any way, shape, or form.

And while there are so many reasons why I will give you a quick three:

• No matter how long you have known someone, do not assume their social media account is an accurate reflection of their household. If it is, then be happy for them. Just understand it may not be and those posts should not impact how you feel about yourself or your own household.
• Have you ever noticed how many angles we will take of pictures to make ourselves look as awesome as possible? Please do not make the mistake of measuring your own appeal off of pictures that are posted. I take these angles too..LOL. If someone really does look that good, then that is awesome. Realistically, there are a few things being hidden.
• The only benchmark for your success is YOU. It is only You. Focus on being a better version of yourself. Your only competition is you. Be better. Do better. We got this! We are all capable, smart, and awesome.

Enjoy the good parts of social media and leave the rest. Nothing on social media defines you. We define ourselves. 

Thoughts or comments? Post below.

Exit Strategy: A Poem

When you catch yourself drowning
When you find yourself reflecting on how the hell you got here in the first place

Nice girls finish last

It is time to gain your power back
It is time to get your spirit back
That fire is not gone

You made some bad decisions but who hasn't
Let it propel you
Excellence is waiting

The hardest part is the uncertainty
This is not who I am

It's not real until it is written so here it is.
The exit strategy....