A Balance life is not an Act

Dear Readers 

The balancing act of life is easier said than done. How do you balance work, productive social life, and in my case finishing a Masters, while being  chief cook and bottle washer at home. Since the end of the covid shelter in place and as we slowly resumed a new normal, I have discovered that my old practice of organizing my daily schedule on a planner no longer works. We are six months into 2023 and I have fallen ill three times and I lack the energy and motivation I had pre covid. I assumed that once I started working five days and finally had my weekends free that life would be more enjoyable, however it has not worked out the way I planned in my head. 

I think the difficulty individuals have with a balanced life is because we live in a society that doesn’t promote good mental and emotional health. I live in New York City where people adapt the theory because they live in a big city where life is about rushing and constantly moving. The results of rushing and a packed schedule affects quality of family life, intimate relationships, and friendships, because people are increasingly discovering they have very little quality downtime.  

Most of the time I feel like I am on automatic and the things that used to bring me joy are no longer of interest because I don’t have the time. I used to exercise no less than three times a week. My health used to be a priority; however, I have noticed a decline in how I take care of myself.  I used to read at least two books a month. Now I am happy if I read one. I used to go out to meet friends at least once or twice during the week and my weekends were full of creative juices. I would post at least podcasts, blog and work on a book manuscript. Now I have a couch potato and don’t let me get started with the junk food I eat. 

I am at a standstill trying to understand how I got here and what am I going to do to get out of the rut. And yes, there is some good news. I am in the process of building a tiny house and heading for the country.    Stay Tune.

Thank you for reading.

Stolen Innocence

Dear Readers,

We are becoming a society that is creating the next generation of dysfunctional women. Take a look around, we are pushing little girls into women-hood before they are ready. We are all to blame, however, this misguided introduction on how to become a proper lady begins at home. Today’s parents are lost between satisfying their children’s needs and being a cool parent. Regardless of the tasks parents are up against there is no true reasoning for them to financially support and give their seal of approval for their daughters to dress in a manner that is not age appropriate. The consequence for young girls between the ages of 10-16 dressing inappropriate is that they are subjected to being negatively labeled, and there are men in this society who have no regrades to approaching under age girls. The foundation of family is the root where children learn how to mature into adulthood. It is the duty of  mothers, grandmother and aunts to be positive role models and guide young girls how to conduct themselves in the appropriate manner by teaching them what is acceptable. Most people place blame solely on reality television, rap video’s, and social media because these outlets expose  young girls to a fastidious glamorous life style that requires them to be ” sexy”.  Reminder,  Kim Kardashian become ” famous” not for pro….. any true talent, but she made millions from a sex tape.

There is no rational for young girls between the ages of 8 to 16 to go through the horror of sitting and being fitted for a full weave, full set of nail tips that are shaped like lethal weapons, in addition to waking in 8 inch heels and tight clothing. I have seen 12- 14 year old girls wearing pom pom shorts that expose their butt cheeks, and halter tops exposing the outline of young developing breast, and women around them encouraging them by complementing how cute they look. I recently attended a junior high school graduation for a friends daughter. What I observed during the ceremony was shocking, appalling, and shameful. Young girls wearing micro mini dresses revealing their inner thighs, and the print of their panties lines. Some wore shoes with heels so over the top high that they had to hold onto a friend or family member to walk. Their was cleavage and exposed butt cheeks, hanging out of shorts, and young innocent faces plastered with make up.

The message we are sending to young girls is that enhancing and altering their appearance is the only way society will except them and exposing their private body parts is the standard by which the male gaze says that they are beautiful. We are taking away their innocence and most important we are not allowing them to go through the natural stages from childhood to adolescence to becoming a young women. As adults we are supposed to protect our young girls. The reality is that there is more evil than good in this world.The wolves are out there ready to devalue the minds of young girls. Let’s go back to the old saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”. In this village our young girls will know that they are loved, protected and that they are valved for their inner beauty, intelligence, gifts and talents, not for their bodies.

What say you?

ReplyForward

Half Time

Dear Readers,

Football season will soon be upon us. Oh yes, the joys of trash talking, wearing my favorite  team jersey, eating buffalo wings, and drinking lots and lots of cold beer. This sounded great until I was reminded about the kneeling controversy during the singing of the National Anthem. Don’t get me wrong I’m not down playing an individual right to express their opinion about how he/she interrupts the National Anthem or the raising of the American flag.  To quote Collin Kaepernick, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag, for a country that oppresses black people, and other people of colour.” He took this stance because of the police brutality and the unfair treatment of people of colour.

In all honesty did he think that the football field is the place to bring attention to these issue that affect the black population? This subject had clearly become an uncomfortable situation for many true football fans to talk about.

I recently moved in with my fiancé and he is opposed of me wanting to watch football. He said, “I’m being insensitive to the movement.” Movement? When did this kneeling during the singing of the National Anthem become a movement? The last time I checked a movement is a group of people who shares the same ideas and work together to advance their shared political or social ideas to begin about change.

Yes, there is a social issue, which is the unfair treatment of black people and other people of colour. What change do these football players expect to take place? If these highly paid professional athletes believe that they have the right to bring attention to the plight of the black societies then I suggest that they use another platform to do this.

Please pay attention to what I am saying and not what you think I’m saying. I support the rights to protest against injustice, but when Kaeperick voluntarily walked from his multi-million dollar contract, what did this accomplish? Did his action solved the inequality between the races? Do the few hundred black people boycotting the NFL by not watching, do they honestly think that this will make a difference to this billion dollar sport franchise?

These players are making millions in a country that has made strides in many areas for the improvement of the lives of people of colour. And yes, there is room for more improvement. These players might not believe in “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” we do live in one of the greatest countries in the world. And regardless of race there are people on the front line everyday sacrificing their lives to keep us safe and free.

So to that I say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVE.  God Bless America. And ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

What Say You?