November

Civil rights march on Washington, D.C. 8/28/1963. Original black and white negative by Warren K. Leffler. Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Unseen Histories

We’re eight days out from the biggest election of our lives, and nearly 60 million Americans have already cast their ballots. But Trump’s 2016 skinny, dumbfounding defeat over Clinton underscored the adage that every vote counts.

I’ve had a love, hate relationship with politics over the years, and at times, none at all. I voted for Hillary, but I could have and should have done more. The past four years under his lack of leadership has taught us a lesson the hard way.

Government matters. We can’t let conflict aversion create complacency, and we must never let feelings of indifference or helplessness keep us from speaking up for what’s right.

The late Congressman John Lewis told us,

"The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it."

I’ve found inspiration in the words of voting rights champions Lewis and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but it’s the work of Black women that’s waking this white girl up.

Women like activist Wendy Caldwell, author Brittney Cooper, advocate Angela Rye, Breonna Taylor’s mom Tamika Palmer and the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement are using their voices to push us closer to liberty and justice for all.

Black women, particularly mothers, are our nation’s unsung heroes. They’ve been hit the hardest by the pandemic and the patriarchy, and yet they keep fighting because they can’t afford not to.

It’s time to for all of us to join them in the ring to fight for our democracy, for our rights, for the lives of all of our kids. Our nation’s soul is on the line, and we can all do something to save it. Please vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and use whatever platform you have to do the same. Now is not the time for political correctness or passive politeness.

We can’t let the fear of stepping on toes keep us from taking a step towards equality.

Please read and share these posts as a reminder that the stakes are too high to stay silent.

October

I launched my first website just over a year ago to market my business, and now I’m relaunching it as my blog. And while I’m the first to admit that I change my mind like I change my shoes, this particular makeover reflects a change of heart.

Author Elizabeth Gilbert says in her enchanting, motivating book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear,

“Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”

Writing and sharing my thoughts as my own brings me to life, but it brings with it a wave of self doubt. What if people think I’m crazy, unoriginal or untalented? Or worse, what if they think nothing of me at all?

The month of October seems fitting for facing your fears, so I’m proud to come out of the closet today as a writer and creator. And while I still have my business as a brand consultant, I no longer hide my art behind it.

There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a pretty terrifying year, but if you’re reading this now it means you’re still standing which is something. If you’re already following your fascinations, please keep going. If you’re not, please get going and save the pretending to be something you’re not for Halloween.

Because here’s what I believe, only when we have the courage to do what we love will the world become a less scary, more loving place for us all.

Check out this month’s featured posts…