Journey Around the Sun: Reflections on a Year of Growth and Resilience

On my birthday, I can’t help but sit here in reflection. What has this journey around the sun taught me? How have I evolved? What new layers of myself have I unpeeled, embraced, and cherished? Every trip around the sun carries its lessons, but this one...this one has been an testimony of self-love, resilience, and empowerment.

I began my 38th year by lending my voice to the universe on a podcast, sharing my story, my journey, my growth. There's a unique kind of liberation that comes from owning your narrative, acknowledging your growth, and recognizing your strength. The process was akin to shedding old skin, letting the light filter through the cracks, illuminating my path as I moved forward.

I also brought a panel discussion about clean beauty for black women to life. It was a platform that inspired dialogues about empowerment, dignity, and the celebration of natural beauty. This panel in DC wasn't just about beauty; it was a testament to unity, inclusivity, and the enduring strength of black women.

And of course, my birthday! Celebrated rooftop style, surrounded by my cherished tribe of old and new favorites. I saw friendships evolve, love blossom, and relationships mature. I wouldn’t yet know I would also be nearing the end of some of those friendships. 

I danced in the rain at a festival with my chosen family and savored every drop, every beat, every moment.

I lost myself in eight glorious hours of a spa day. Every tick of the clock was a beat of tranquility, every second was a whisper of peace, and by the end, I emerged as a woman renewed.

But, it wasn't all tranquility and peace. I found myself invited into the elite side of the DC social scene, sampled its flavors, and understood that it wasn't for me. And that's okay. Life is about exploring different paths, acknowledging our true desires, and learning to say no to what doesn't resonate with our essence.

Through the year, I had a love affair with my body. We fell in love, out of love and back in love again. This journey made me realize how vital it is to be comfortable in our skin, to embrace our flaws, and to celebrate our uniqueness.

And then, there was Cabo! It was there that I bumped into my heart-string. Love, like life, is unpredictable. But that's what makes it thrilling, right?

I wrote a children's book. A message from me to the little ones about hope, dreams, and the limitless expanse of their potential. 

This year, I genuinely learned to enjoy my own company. I embraced solitude as a friend and realized that it's in these quiet moments we truly discover ourselves.

During this journey, there were milestones, there were missteps (the boot on my car comes to mind or losing the income I relied on to survive), and yet there were still moments of sheer, unadulterated joy. From the humble pride in watching my child start his first job, to the exhilaration of live poetry, the immense satisfaction in standing up against undetected family racism, and the simple joy of discovering that I don't like gnocchi - every experience added a unique shade to the vibrant tapestry of this year.

As I close this chapter and welcome a new one, I want to leave you with an insight I've gleaned from this journey. "Live your life, your dreams and desires are never going to be wrong". 

It's okay to stumble, to fall, and to get back up again. Vulnerability is not a weakness; it's a conduit for connection, a pathway to growth, and the key to embracing the vast spectrum of our human experience.

I once struggled with negative thoughts and self-doubt. They were uninvited guests that lingered too long and whispered discouraging words. However, I learned to stop them in their tracks, question their origin, and release them with grace. No longer am I willing to be a passive recipient of these intrusive thoughts; I became the curator of my own narrative.

I started speaking gently and lovingly to myself. I reaffirmed my worth, my strengths, and my capacity to show up authentically. I told myself that it was okay to take up space, to express myself freely, and to be who I truly am without fear of judgment or rejection. 

And, most importantly, I gave myself grace - the permission to make mistakes, to learn, and to grow at my own pace. This shift in self-dialogue was transformative, empowering, and utterly liberating.

During a moment of profound meditation, I experienced a revelation. I was struck by a wave of deep, unconditional self-love. I felt an overwhelming affection for the woman I had become. I was a woman who found stillness amidst chaos, who discovered her superpower in her softness, and who chose to radiate love because she was, indeed, the embodiment of love. I was awash with pride for this woman. She was me.

So, as I embark on another journey around the sun, I invite you to embrace your dreams, lean into your vulnerability, and find joy in your own company. Let's make this trip a testament to resilience, growth, and self-love. 

Here's to another year of living authentically, loving unconditionally, and growing unapologetically. Because, the truth is, our dreams and desires are never wrong; they're the compass guiding us towards our true selves.

In love, light, and immense gratitude.