Passionately Managing Life

​ The death of the student at Lincoln University has me feeling pretty down. As a parent who had a child at the school, I feel incredibly sad about the situation. The fact that a student lost his life in a dormitory is pretty upsetting. To know that there was a fight that precipitated the death in the dorm hall, that non-students were involved and allegedly stabbed individuals at will in the dorm has me feeling uneasy all around. A dormitory on campus is supposed to be safe. The thing that really bothers me is the perception of safety is lost. It is bothering me because as a Black counselor who sends students to this particular institution yearly, as a mother who sent her child to the school it saddens me to know that this type of behavior happens frequently often going unchecked and that it seems as if the life of a black male student is not as valuable. I kept checking news channels to see what the coverage would be like for this young man who was killed, because he was from Philadel...

I spent today counseling and advising students, colleagues, former students, and family members. All day giving advice and talking to people. I talked so much today. I actually only taught for about two hours but I felt like I spread myself out to reach as many people as I could. when I think of the word impact I think about how what I do and say can breathe life into someone else so much so that they can go on and do the impossible. A huge highlight of today was being able to celebrate former students and highlight them for black history month. Young adults in their mid-20s who are starting in their careers, who graduated from college, trade school or began business ventures. Being able uplift them in this way made them happy. Hell it made my day as well. Coupling those feelings of excitement with some disappointment. The fact that there was one thing today that I wanted to attain but wasn’t able to impacted me pretty deeply. It always hurts to fail at something but knowing that I tri...

​ Sometimes the simplest things can make you feel real good.     I know my worth. I know what I can do. I know what is possible. I can encourage so many people. I sit and give advice all the time, but I can take advice too. I love to be challenged and I love when I get inspired by my surroundings. The motivational words people speak whether directly to me or in my presence and I love feeling like I can do anything. I love it when others believe in me too. I am who I am because of those that came before me and those that push me along the way. I honestly and truly love it. My feel-good thoughts for today.  

Being married is underrated. I love the partnership that my husband I have where we plan and make goals together. Sometimes it’s hard for us to find like-minded couples to fellowship with as we are constantly working on our connection to each other and the world that surrounds us. You see, I never want people to feel like I’m bragging about us or to think like we have a perfect union because we don’t. I choose to see good in all situations my marriage included. We have been a work in progress over the last 11 1/2 years. We have had our shares of high ups and deep deep deep downs, but through love, we have decided to stay and build a life together. That to me is the epitome of marriage, building together through thick, thin, ups, downs and being there for each other through your weakest points. Learning how to be yourself in consideration of someone else and becoming a better version of yourself in service to your partner, is what marriage means to me. Not considering having one foot ou...

​ His name is Curtis McKnight. He is not a nameless victim. Someone hit him after he got off the bus on his way home from work and drove away. He was a hardworking father who touched so many lives. He was a survivor on so many levels and to be taken out like this is unfair for all of us. He was the life of every party. He was the glue to every gathering. Every time he left he said, “I love you.” He was my husband’s big brother and a meaningful person to so many. Curtis, I am so sorry this has happened to you. That you were taken away from us at 41. Like this. This just seems so unfair.   I am just so hurt and confused. This is the sentiment shared by so many. At the viewing and celebration of life for my brother yesterday I saw how many people he touched but we all are still so hurt and confused. Why? Why did he have to be taken away? I saw the hurt in everyone’s eyes, especially my husband’s. It was his big brother. The thing about Curt that I loved so much was that he made sure t...