Mental Prep for a New Era
I admit that it's been hard to find my footing in 2017. Maybe that's because it feels like I'm stepping onto unsettled earth. We will be saying goodbye to Barack Obama in a couple of days and I'm in complete denial. I'm worried about the policies of the upcoming administration and I'm sickened by the divisiveness that's splitting our nation open afresh like a wound that never really healed.It's so easy to give in to fear, or the idea that this country is irrevocably changed, but the truth is that the only thing to do is to continue living as closely in alignment with your personal purpose as you can. Be outspoken in what you believe and push forward in your truth. You can already see that the Trump administration wants Americans to feel lost and hopeless. They want us to lay down helpless and let whatever violations of human rights, human dignity, and core American ideals they choose to commit wash over us like a tide. The latest episode of tv-show Black-ish entitled "Lemons", Dre, played by Anthony Anderson, pretty much sums it up.https://youtu.be/6862O6wQFHIYes, if you speak to a lot of Black people, they will tell you that having the odds stacked up against us is nothing new.The best option is to keep doing what's in your heart and to do it to the best of your ability. Don't hide from your purpose or tell yourself that you are not good enough to achieve what you want. Life rewards those who take chances on themselves, the plucky folks who refuse to take less than their worth from this life. Take action on causes that you believe in, whether it comes in the form of a donation or challenging a hateful and hurtful narrative. Continue to shine and refuse to let any bully take that away from you.
Mental Health and Mindset
This year I'm moving forward with purpose and self-care. I'm more determined than ever to create the kind of content and that I want to see in the world and curate digital spaces for Black women to talk about mental health. I'm also looking for a new therapist so that I'm taking care of my mind while I work hard on my goals.I've come to realize that at the end of the day, the only person that can bring my visions to light is me. It's essential that I continue to practice self-love so that I can honor the gifts that I have been given. I encourage you all to do the same!Here's a quote from my journal:
"I always knew that in the end it would be me. Always knew that I would keep me, brown-skin-loving, afro-touching, talking like I know my shit. Whenever I want to cry, I cry. Whenever I want to smile, I smile."
Loving this journal, by the way. It's a Moleskin that I won along with several self-published books by a diverse array of female authors!Here are the self-published beauties that I won at my first ever Book Swap party organized by Alana Marilyn.
De Caelo et Tellure - Divya PersaudGlxtch - Realms of Dissasociation - Lana Marilyn
Rich Inner Life by SapodillaThe Path to Dawn - Miri Castor
Wet Sand in an Hour Glass - Lana MarilynEvoL - A collection of personal essays, short stories, and poems by various authors, edited by Wanderers, Witch-Talkers by Najia Khaled