If We Don’t Talk About It

We can’t eradicate it. Today, I had the opportunity of a lifetime. Back before it was a popular buzzword, I was learning about human trafficking. What shocks me, truthfully, is that more people are not aware of what is going on in plain sight. It was an intimate group of powerhouses. People who are inContinue reading “If We Don’t Talk About It”

Faith and trust

There are seasons in which it’s easy to share, and then there are seasons wherein I go into turtle mode. Today, I know I need to share. As a matter of fact, I know I need to share more. Even though it seems like I wear my heart on my sleeve, I really don’t. Shocking,Continue reading “Faith and trust”

I can’t run from myself…

There’s nowhere to hide. For years, I was convinced that if I kept it moving, eventually things would be different. Better. As if miraculously, all of the baggage I was carrying around would be lost by the airline, and I’d be…happy. When I realized my baggage was attached to me, I tried to numb theContinue reading “I can’t run from myself…”

Strength, insecurity, dignity, grace, fear, faith…all the bloody things

There’s something in the air the week. It feels like a week of rapid transformation. Or deterioration. Or both. If I were to lay it all out, you wouldn’t believe the shit I’ve been facing. And it’s only Thursday. In general, I feel that I am a pretty selfless person. But man…this week…it’s been allContinue reading “Strength, insecurity, dignity, grace, fear, faith…all the bloody things”

Emotions happen, y’all

Over the years, I’ve been taught, encouraged, almost coached to suppress my emotions. Ok, let me be more specific. Happy was good. Anger was understandable. Fear was normal…but we pretended it wasn’t always sitting on our shoulder, holding onto our throats. Sadness was present quite often…but it was fed. Tears…that was the no-go danger zone.Continue reading “Emotions happen, y’all”

Triggered into the future

Years ago, there was a man with whom I was very much in love. We were best friends. We were basically inseparable. There was one huge, glaring problem between us. My faith. We had hours and hours of discussions, debates, tirades for and against God. Finally, one day, he asked me a question. “Deneen, ifContinue reading “Triggered into the future”

Life exfoliation

I have come to a realization. Bad times are good. What? Bad times are good if you use them to your advantage. If you choose to learn from them. If you choose to lean into the pain and find your strength. If you choose to not be a victim. See a theme? Your experiences areContinue reading “Life exfoliation”

Have you ever had a day that was so chock full of emotion that you are completely, emotionally hungover the next day? Well…that is me today. Yesterday my niece graduated from high school. I may be weeping under those sunglasses…but you can’t prove it! 😍😍 To say that I am proud of her is theContinue reading

Coming alive

There is a dream that has been inside of you for your whole life. It’s lingering just below your consciousness…every once in a while it bubbles to the surface, but you bury it out of fear. Then…you pull it up to see it, and laugh at it, writing it off as a childish dream, nothingContinue reading “Coming alive”

What is YOUR story?

Today, waiting for the bus, I met the most delightful woman. “Have you been waiting for long?” That’s public transportation code for I want to talk. She was coming from the doctor. Lawd Jesus…she was so wonderfully refreshing. I wanted to bring her home so that I could talk to her all day long. YouContinue reading “What is YOUR story?”