Don’t Lose Your Imagination

Awhile back, I had the chance to watch the film Christopher Robin. While I’d never seen it before, I was already familiar with some of the film’s background, as I grew up being a Winnie the Pooh fan as a little girl. So I thought the film would be worth checking out. About an hour into it, I wanted to cry. Not just because the film was well done but because of what I gleaned from different points throughout its story. More specifically, a reminder to not lose one’s imagination.

When Christopher Robin becomes a grown man, he’s no longer preoccupied with hanging out with Winnie the Pooh and Pooh’s friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. As he shouldn’t be since he’s an adult with a career, a wife, and a child of his own. He’s officially come into #adulting. However, he later becomes reacquainted with his pals from the Hundred Acre Woods and sets off on some new adventures.

At first, Christopher Robin has a hard time stepping into the childhood world he once spent his days in, but then, he begins to use his imagination again as he helps Pooh reconnect with his friends. Sometimes, some adults forget to have fun and dream, to have ridiculous adventures, and to use their imaginations in creative ways. Yes, we all have different responsibilities and demands and families and obligations, however, we must make time to tap into the good using our imaginations can bring. And while using your imagination won’t take you to the Hundred Acre Woods with an adorable and honey eating bear like Winnie the Pooh, perhaps it may take you to other exciting and peaceful places worth looking into.

Don’t lose your imagination. Use it and allow it to enhance your creativity and bring you some adventures and joy.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

The Day I Made A Will

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Making Waves