Ironic. The day I decide to write a post on releasing control, my car dies completely. The old me would have been highly annoyed at this unplanned happening. The progressed me is slightly annoyed, but at peace because I talked to God about getting a new car this month, and it looks like He’s right on time. Releasing control is an ongoing challenge, but I’m observing my growth and noting the difference it’s made. Obsessing vs Living It’s no secret that I’m a recovering perfec

The way you do one thing is the way you do everything. My brother told me this a while ago, and the more I attend therapy, the more his words ring true. When issues rise in various aspects of life there is usually one common thread connecting all the problems. For me, it always starts with a lack of boundary setting. The idea of boundaries sounds limiting. No one wants to be told what they can and can’t do, especially as an adult. At the same time, I don’t know one person wh

Life has been poetic for me this year. It’s been full of melodies, structure, and prominent devices like repetition. Repetition in life is just as meaningful as it is in any poem. There are lessons, messages, and patterns on repeat, and I honestly believe it’s God’s way of getting our attention. He’s been trying to get mine over the past year in all three ways. Lessons: At this point I firmly believe we will face an obstacle until we learn how to overcome it. It’s no secret t

I stated last week that my year of 30 has been a year of shedding. I like the sound of that. It’s philosophical and artistic. In reality though, it’s been rough and uncomfortable, yet admittedly necessary and rewarding. Today, I’m inviting you in to the step by step of my shedding process. :Insert deep breath: Welcome... 1. Shedding is an active process. I wouldn’t say my lessons are in chronological order, but this is the first step. Habits and people don’t just fall from ou

It’s said that when a seed is planted, a significant amount of growth takes place below the surface before anything breaks through the ground. I would say the same goes for our personal development. There is an internal process that must take root before we start producing outside fruit. In 13 days, I will be 31. As I reflect on the last 352 days, I am most excited about the growth and shifts that are happening internally. Less than a month into 30, a gentleman I was dating

Over the weekend I had a poetry performance that went horribly. I performed two poems, but the first one did not engage the crowd. I stared at a room of blank faces that I basically had to prompt to applaud when I was finished. I wanted to sit back down and disappear, but the person who invited me told me to do another poem. She helped me live through it long enough to redeem myself, but BRUTAL was an understatement. As I walked back to my seat, no one said a word. I had to s

I finally realized why I haven’t found love. I’ve spent the last decade in search of something I’ve never defined for myself. I was chasing what my parents have: a man like my father and a 30-year marriage. Truth be told though, I’m not my mother, the world is nothing like it was 30 years ago, and I’m just starting to get to know myself. With all this unpacking, it just hit me this weekend that I have no idea what I want. I’ve seen this with women around me. We all know peopl

I often hear that most businesses take 3-5 years to get on their feet. Therefore, I spent this final part of the series talking to one of the Top 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business. Meet Dee Dee C. Marshall is the CEO of Diverse and Engaged who holds the title of certified coach, author, speaker, leadership trainer, and diversity consultant. She largely works with women who are somewhat successful but unhappy, unfulfilled, or in-transition. She helps them love their

When it comes to entrepreneurship, money flow is something I understand, but haven’t yet mastered. That said, I’m turning it over to two women whose money mindset and business growth led to admirable cash flow and sustainable businesses. Meet Sonia: Sonia is CEO of the first African American & woman owned student loan repayment company in the country. Her business, the Student Loan Doctor LLC, assists clients nationwide with student loan repayment issues on anything from affo