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Because Everyone Deserves A Voice
Fun fact: I do not plan my outfits for work. I have a drawer that is specifically set aside for my work attire. I take whatever t-shirt/pant combo that is at the top of the drawer and go about my day. There are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, we have spirit week at work, and I need to wear a certain t-shirt. When that happens, I’ll pull out the right t-shirt the night before. Those weeks are few and far between. My routine nowadays is consistently to grab and go. Yesterday morning, my outfit consisted of my black t-shirt that has my speech-language pathologist credentials printed on the front of…
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Racism and Religion
When I brush my teeth in the morning, I see my image reflected in the mirror. Brown skin and a squashed afro. A sermon or gospel music plays in the background as I prepare for the day. After my shower, I add my special concoction to the edges of my hair and use a brush to smooth my hair. I take my head wrap or pantyhose (whichever suits my mood) and pull my hair into it’s signature puff. I stare at my reflection as I smooth moisturizer onto my skin….my very brown skin. While I’m prepping, I’m praying. Praying for guidance…direction…grace. Because while life is difficult for everyone, it holds…
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Wheel of Emotions
In December of 2019, I had my first experience with group therapy with strangers. How did I arrive at that juncture in life? I’m happy to tell you. My first experience with individual therapy occurred when I was nineteen. I was finding my place in the world and making choices that my mom thought was not in my best interest. In her mind, I needed to speak to a professional to sort through my feelings. She found me a therapist and work began. Over the course of a year, I saw the therapist once a month. He was a nice man. However, I didn’t spend my time talking about my…
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Endurance
At some point earlier this year, I made a commitment to myself that I would exercise four times a week. I felt that was a reasonable lifestyle change that I could maintain. I didn’t come to this conclusion on my own. My friend wanted someone to hold her accountable for her weekly workouts. I said that I was in need of the same thing and an alliance was formed. Every week, I would make my way to the gym. Let me just tell you. There were some ugly days. If you want me to be honest, I had a couple of days that I drove to the gym after work. …
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What Convinced Him?
Sunday’s sermon took us back to the cross on Good Friday. Luke 23:32-47 begins with Jesus hanging on Calvary’s cross between two true criminals. Jesus was scourged, mocked, and ridiculed. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. He was rebuked and scorned. Ultimately, he died. And when the centurion, the Roman soldier, tasked with carrying out this punishment saw the events unfold…he cried out and proclaimed, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” So, what convinced the centurion that Jesus was who He claimed to be? Maybe, he was convinced by the way that Jesus maintained His composure on what was surely the worst day of…
