Everyday Selflove

  Grief and loss are recurring themes in my life, often accompanied by the dark night of the soul. This past season was the darkest and most profound, profoundly impacting my spiritual journey and calling me toward a faith-centered walk of self-love. For many years, I cared for and loved others as best I could. As I reflect, I realize I was traumatized at an early age, and much of what I did was driven by fear-based beliefs learned in a violent world. There are caring, good, and kind people in the world. Unfortunately, my experience did not always reflect this, especially regarding children of color. Since I’ve known myself, I have loved the Holy Spirit, God, and my elder brother, Jesus Christ. The teachings of Jesus centered on love, caring, sharing, and helping one another. In reality, the world tries its best but often struggles to do this wholeheartedly. This created grief in my young mind that later led to depression, anxiety, and panic attacks throughout my life. I did not kn...

 The legacy of my family is rooted in my paternal grandmother, who was a constant and loving presence throughout our many challenges. Even when she disagreed with our choices—including mine—she made her love clear and expected us to strive for more than she achieved. Though our family faced struggles, we supported one another, maintaining love even when we disagreed. My grandmother’s love for God guided her life. She read the Bible faithfully and enjoyed reading, an uncommon skill given her humble beginnings and the era in which she grew up. With all this in mind, I was recently asked to write about a moment in my early childhood, and this is what showed up: What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite memory is story time at the public library. That’s when books started to feel magical. I saw reading as a way to explore new worlds. My grandma loved books and shared that joy with me. She passed away this July. She was 102 years old. She was the heart of our family. She taugh...

One thing that’s helped me find my way through a confusing season is leaning deeper into my trust and faith in God. I pause to reflect, figure out what truly matters, let go of what no longer fits, and slow down. Right now, I’m moving at a snail’s pace when it comes to big decisions, and that’s okay. Just today, I gave myself permission to be fully present with everything I’m feeling. I’m offering myself the same compassion, kindness, and care I’d give to those I love most: my children, my family, my friends, and my support circles. I’m learning to live fully in this season. I don’t want to miss a single moment. I rushed through the first half of my life, stumbled, got back up, and tried again each time a little differently. What I’ve discovered is that ambition often leads to chasing things, people, or approval. But a purpose-driven life? It sparks hope, invites aspiration, and frees the spirit from the chase.