In the pursuit of responsible family planning, many women turn to birth control as a reliable and effective option. While it serves its purpose of preventing unwanted pregnancies, some individuals, including myself, experience unexpected side effects. 

There are still many Black Lives Matter protests happening across the world and allies and activists that are rightfully confronting the issue of what constitutes a substantial change. 

Photo by Johnathan Kaufman on Unsplash

There comes a time when being brutally honest to others can make you look and seem like an asshole. I've been there time and time again. It's also not a good feeling. I've struggled with defending myself after being brutally honest with loved ones, coworkers, strangers, and even friends. I have also had moments after just being truthful with someone that I then apologized and tried to sympathize with that person out of empathy. I wasn't always someone who just spilled my truth to someone at all. 

Photo by Etty Fidele on Unsplash

I don't know what hurts worse seeing my mother for the first time in almost two years see her grandson and seeing her eyes filled with tears. Or seeing my mother looking ill and not being able to fully grasp if she knows that she has a serious underlying health issue that needs to be treated immediately. Today I cried a painful cry filled with so much pain once I made it home from seeing both my mother and uncle Louis.

I still can vividly recall the day when the landlord to my husband and I very first apartment placed the keys in the palm of my hand. I felt empowered. I felt overjoyed. It was a feeling of victory. Seeing my name on the lease and turning the knob to a place that I could call home felt great.

Setting boundaries can be difficult only if you allow it to be. I have learned the hard way to value and respect my own space from others. When I use to allow mixed and toxic energies into my space I ended up burned and frustrated. It took me realizing the power that I had already had within myself to choose my peace and happiness before sacrificing it to be cool with anyone.

You want to know an honest truth? My sister and I use to crave for lemonade so bad. We would break yellow highlighters and remove the ink. 

“Y’all come on inside a get some of this sugar water! It’s too hot outside and y’all sweating.” My mama would yell over me and my younger sister’s laugher in the backyard. 

Allow your praise to be a down payment on your blessings that are on the way! During the time of waiting it can be difficult. It’s like sitting in a waiting room to see your doctor in an uncomfortable seat. Then what if your surroundings bothered you as you waited? 

If you did not get an opportunity to read my previous blog post just click here. This past weekend was Essence Fest and I had the opportunity to work as a YouTube brand ambassador for two events. I worked for both events on Saturday.