Making Waves

Clean, comfy, and cozy high thread count sheets. Free coffee refills. Free popcorn refills – it’s a movie lover thing. Brunch.  Yoga.  A good book. A warm hug. A great movie. Recently getting approached with, “I don’t mean to bother you, but are you single?” It’s flattering even when disinterested… #bachelorettelife #notpicky #justselective  Having good health, food, shelter, and clothing.  Meaningful conversation. Knowing who I am and owning it. Knowing my purpose.  A peaceful night’s rest. Prayer.  Writing, of course. Beautiful photographs.  A relationship with Christ. A refreshing word. Good scripture. Quality music. Healthy and genuine relationships. Helping people believe in themselves. Cool, crisp fall air. Paying it forward. Giving.  Accomplishing goals. Women and mentors who inspire me to be better, know better and do better. God-given promotions and opportunities based on integrity ...

I enjoy reading great content from different bloggers and writers delivering incredible material. Below, are some great sites worth looking into for inspiration. Check them out…  Tamera Mowry -  http://tameramowry.com/ Sarah Bessey -  http://sarahbessey.com/ Lysa TerKeurst -   https://lysaterkeurst.com The Single Woman - https://mandyhale.com Millennial Evangelical –  http://www.millennialevangelical.com Lauren Conrad -  https://laurenconrad.com/ The Honest Open Letters -  https://www.thehonestopenletters.com/ Debt Free Black Girl –  https://www.debtfreeblackgirl.com/ A Curry Girl -  https://www.acurrygirl.com Ayesha -  https://ayeshacurry.com Wonder Forest -  https://www.thewonderforest.com/ Traveling By Faith -  https://www.justinemfulama.com/ The Blissful Mind -  https://theblissfulmind.com Be More With Less -  https://bemorewithless.com Christian Minimalism -   https://www....

I’ve had different people ask me about how to start blogs of their own. I’m certainly no master blogger, I’m just a writer who happened to get into blogging, and I enjoy creating monthly content, sharing stories, and allowing readers to get to know a little about me through some of my work. However, some people who’ve reached out have expressed concerns, fears, and reservations about pursuing blogs of their own. Just recently, an acquaintance came to me for advice about some writing material he was filled with fear, guilt, and shame about sharing. He was scared he’d disappoint and hurt different people’s feelings in his life if they knew what he wrote. I empathized with his reservations, but I also told him other people’s feelings are not his to own. He can’t control what others think or how they’ll perceive things. He’s not God. What he doesn’t know, that I’m continually learning as a writer, is that some of the stories he might be scared to write may be the key to someone else’s hea...

Earlier this month I saw  A Star Is Born . It was incredible, and while emotionally gripping, it embodied a blend of pain, inspiration, and beauty all wrapped into the makings of a great story. The soundtrack is incredible too. I’m a huge fan of both Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga and enjoy their work, so it wasn’t shocking to find the film enjoyable as well. If you haven’t seen it, be advised that it may make you smile, and may certainly make you cry. I was impressed with Bradley Cooper’s singing and portrayal of a likable yet haunted musician in search of something more, and Lady Gaga’s portrayal of a rising star who inevitably soars to incredible heights. Seeing the two connect in the films love story was beautiful too, but tragic when tested by fame, addiction, and a number of other conflicts that would shake the foundation of a somewhat complicated love story. If you haven’t seen the film, check it out. It’s worth the admission. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yoursel...

I was a child from the ‘90s. It was a good time. Life was simple. And I thought it’d be fun to show some appreciation of different things from a decade that certainly had an impact. Things I miss from the ‘90s? Blockbuster.  I love movies. Believe it or not, there was a time before Netflix and Hulu. Going to Blockbuster was an adventure. Whenever my family had family nights, we would mix things up and rent a movie, watch it together, and be  present . Renting movies with friends was fun too. It was an experience. I miss video stores. I wonder if they’ll ever make a comeback?  TGIF Lineup.  Back in the day, before a lot of some of the not-so-great programming that’s out now, ABC had a quality line up of good, clean shows that children and their parents could watch together. Show’s like  Boy Meets World, Family Matters,  and  Full House  were wonderful. Some of the stuff out today that kids and teenagers are exposed to and can easily access...

Different people laughed at me when I got business cards made when I was in undergrad, but one of those same business cards landed me a job interview with an interviewer who was impressed with the confidence I brought to the table. I believed in myself and doors opened up for me.   When I took time off from college, I had no plans to go back. I couldn’t afford school. I had a delayed start and finish. But having visions of myself walking across a stage and having a college degree, along with lucrative employment opportunities wouldn’t escape me. So, I worked hard. More specifically, I collectively worked three part-time jobs (at the same time) at one point, and finished my bachelor’s degree in May 2017. I was 27. I had to fight for that degree because I had plenty of insecurities, discouragement, and a number of people implying I couldn’t do it and that I should just remain where I was, but deep down I always knew I could do better. And I did. I’d been on a ton of job intervie...

Some films are so real to the point where they’re painful, heartbreaking, and horrifying. Such was the case when I saw  The Hate U Give.  This film is one of the most important films to come out this year. It tells a story that many in the black community, unfortunately, know too well. It’s a story about an innocent black teen killed by a white police officer. The film is heavily inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and definitely hits home on some painful issues with politics, police brutality, racial profiling, and the controversy surrounding race and what it means to be black in today’s America. When I was watching the film, I could identify with a number of things the films main character, Starr, was coping with. I wasn’t raised in the hood and didn’t go to a private high school, but I can certainly identify with her struggles being a young black girl feeling torn between handling her blackness at home and attending a learning institution with white prep schooled...

Seeing what another creative soul has envisioned and brought to life makes my heart leap. And my heart was overjoyed when I visited Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. The sculptures, paintings, and glass art were all breathtaking. And one of the bonus things I learned from my trip? Admission to this museum is free! Although, they kindly accept donations, so if you do visit, why not be generous for what you’re getting in return? There was so much rich culture and history throughout the entire museum and I’m definitely looking forward to going again soon. I highly recommend visiting museums in your own hometown and in other locations too. Why not be cultured and explore great art? I guarantee you’ll enjoy the experience. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF! 

My mom and I have a running joke about breaking up with each other. We playfully break up whenever one of us is getting on the other’s nerves. I break up with her almost every week, and on different occasions, I’ve accused her of cheating on me whenever she hangs out with someone else. In return, she usually replies, “We’re already broken up.” While this is a joke for us, some people who go through breakups for different reasons may not find things so funny. The joke my mom and I share prompted me to think about different people I’ve broken up with as 2018 is coming to an end, along with different things, habits, and choices I’ve chosen to break up with too. This has been a challenging year. I’ve had some wins, but I’ve definitely taken some L’s (losses) that felt painful, confusing, and awful. Admittingly, my faith in people and quality relationships has dwindled, and honestly, my overall faith feels unsteady these days. I’m working on it, though. I’m still down with the Lord, but I’...

Every now and then I believe everyone should indulge in pampering themselves. Why? Because it’s important to take breaks and do something special for  you.  Pampering may mean something different for everyone, but below I’m sharing different and relaxing things I’ve enjoyed doing to pamper myself. ·       Massages- I  love  massages. They’re not only relaxing, but they help get rid of tension that's been carried around in the body. And depending on where you go, they’re not too expensive. Affordable relaxation is wonderful.  ·       Facials- It’s good to take care of your skin. I have a skincare regimen I try my best to be consistent with, and lately, I've been enjoying doing facial masks. Facials are a treat to the skin. I’ve even noticed how much my skin glows afterward. ·       Silence- I enjoy silence during solitude. Sitting in silence is a great way to enter into medita...

When I learned there was a sunflower field about an hour away from my hometown, I had to hit the road and experience it for myself. A friend and I hit the road and arrived in a beautiful place called Smithfield, Virginia. It was gorgeous and quiet, and I felt like I was on location for a film based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Did I already mention this place was beautiful? When we arrived, we were bummed to see the sunflowers weren’t in the best mood (due to some harsh weather conditions) but the rest of our day trip was a blast, and our sights consisted of some of the cutest shops in town, strangers who possessed the true definition of Southern hospitality, gorgeous landscapes, breathtakingly beautiful homes, and incredible nature trails. It was one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever visited and although the beach has my heart, the country life is just as appealing. The visit to Smithfield for sunflowers ended up turning into more than I could’ve anticipated. My friend and I eve...

Some women would make beautiful brides but horrible wives. I’ve known more women who’ve been excited to dress the part and decorate the scenery, than to closely examine and inform themselves of the realities of what it means to be a  wife.  There’s a huge difference between a bride and a wife. And being a wife seems like hard work. I’ve talked to different men and women who felt like they got duped after they said  I do.  We’re not all called to be someone’s spouse. This is an area many Christian leaders and Christians fail to acknowledge and  accept . Some are called. Some are not. It may not be fair but it’s life. While Genesis 2:18 reads that, The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him,” it does not say that God wants  all  men and women to be married. It’s dangerous when churches and leaders preach and encourage that marriage is for everyone, especially to young women at an early age. It sets ...