My life has been feeling rather Charles Dickensish. It’s been the best of times and the worst of times. I don’t know from one day to the next what’s in the cue. Am I to adorn my cutest pair of earrings, or should I prepare myself to remove them while slapping vaseline on my face going into yet another battle…
I was on the phone with my soror following church. I shared with her I was attempting to write the weekly blog, but I was coming up blank. She went on to detail that during service, the broadcast was experiencing a small technical glitch. It resulted in the loop of what was happening in the feed to lag behind what…
I was always fascinated by Matthew 6:26, which reads, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Now, growing up, whenever we finished the loaf of bread and all was left were what we termed…
If you’ve been connected to this blog for any increment of time, you are familiar and well versed on my ongoing issues with the vehicles in my life. Here we are in the 23, and it is really trying not to present as my Jordan year. Nevertheless, on brand for me, on my way to the house of worship, with…
How y’all doing out there? Are you team #nevermissaMonday? Welp, if you ate like me, perhaps you should be. I actually worked out on Thanksgiving but paid for all activity post workout. I followed up to workout both Saturday and Sunday because I was feeling extra fluffy. đ We had family visiting from out of town and thus, I ate…
I was preparing to leave the house for work a few mornings ago. My mother said, “Stephanie, do you think it was a fire in the woods?” Some statements can literally stop you in your tracks, no matter how quickly you intention to get out of the house attempting to beat the traffic. I joined her on the back porch…
I noticed about two years ago a notification on my calendar that read, “pray,” with a crossed finger emoji. It randomly pops up on my calendar, but seemingly the right time, which is all times because as Luke 18:1 reads, “that men ought to always pray, and not to faint.” So now my calendar is out her in cahoots with…
Growing up I recall my friend, Briana had what we called a, “boom box.” We would listen to cassette tapes on it, sitting on her back porch for hours. We also listened to the radio on it as well. We experienced a moment one day that imprinted within my psyche. It was the moment when Eric B and Rakim’s song,…
Late last week, I was exhausted. I desperately wanted to exit my planned exercise session with my trainer. I started and stopped the text message of cancellation several times. Eventually I decided to just “suck it up” and set my alarm to wake up. I moved away from my phone and missed a text from my trainer that read, “Can…
While traveling over the weekend, I found myself at the mercy of the TSA agent. I wasn’t sure if she was having a not so great work day, or if us “travelers” had gotten on her last nerve. Mind you, it was only 8:30am, but nonetheless she wasn’t having “it.” At any rate, provoking fear was her weapon of choice.…
The other morning, I had an early flight to my beloved hometown of Chicago. As compared to other times, unfortunately I was traveling to a home going celebration. A friend who I call brother of nearly 50 years was preparing to say farewell to his mother. Concurrently, the post graduate student happened to be at home (North Carolina) visiting. She…
The weather is changing. I love fall but I’ve come to love summer a tiny bit more. Nevertheless, I can’t control the temperature, so I engage in what I can assume ownership of, looking for a few items to add to the closet in alignment with the climatic evolution. LOL! Hey, I was just trying to avoid stating that I…
Recently while reading “other people’s” comments on Facebook, I read that the option to edit one’s comment on Facebook was being removed. I later learned that clearing one’s cache could address the difficulty but that editing factor remained impressed upon my heart. I love a good edit, but less if I am on the receiving end. Years ago when I…
I’ve been wrecked all week in worship. It started last Sunday and just amplified as the week persisted. It was in my usual spaces – a few sermons, a 40-minute worship youtube experience, my prayer time and through dance. However, the unexpected place was a Marco Polo from a friend who recently moved. Just as they began settling into a…
Last week was a doozy for me. My pressure has been elevated for days. A situation in my workplace rocked me. I spoke with a few other friends and they shared similar sentiment. We were also saddened to learn of a loss by suicide for a local middle schooler. It made me reflect upon how much we individually carry and…
I was in a meeting a couple of weeks ago. Conversation was occurring and I elected to add my perspective for consideration. I suggested that “managing up” is a sound principle that may assist with some of the expectations we have that we’ve not expressed to those in positions that are more elevated. As I reflected upon that engagement, the…
I recall learning very early in life that all one needs to have is “faith the size of a mustard seed.” When I saw and held in my hand, an actual mustard seed, I was blown away. Faith always seemed large and looming, and something that no matter how much I had, I always needed more. Typically when I post…
A couple of weeks ago, I like many others was excited for Tabitha Brown’s collection to drop at Target. I was actually sitting in a meeting the morning of the release and spent a little time wandering the site and ordered a few items. One of them was an ottoman. When it arrived a few days to our home, I…
Whew. Just the title alone brings tears to my eyes. I had the opportunity to facilitate an experience with a team of folx recently. While responding to a prompt, one person shared an action that they would consider as ideal to functioning. They went on to add a small phrase at the end of the action which read, “Even when…
A close friend of mine and I recently employed the practice of reciting lyrics of hymns to one another. It is our way of encouraging each other, finding laughter in aspects of “lifing” that could otherwise prove difficult and a means of honoring our churchy upbringings and love for our ancestors. I suppose God wanted to get in on it…
If you’ve followed this blog for even a small amount of time, you know that vehicle issues are the non paying tenant that resides in our home; more like a squatter. Per usual, while awaiting parts for my car, I drove it, on a spare (that’s a story for another day). Per usual (again) I was navigating traffic on my…
Over the weekend, I had the sheer blessing to attend a prayer conference. The added bonus was that I was there with my mom, and it was her 89th birthday! God be praised! At any rate, during one of the sessions, Pastor Derrick Hawkins was preaching on the tenets of prayer from II Timothy 1 and asked us to participate…
Iâm not one to always keep up with the latest culturally driven vernacular. When the young adults moved out of the house, I lost access to that dynamic. However, every now and then, I can pick up the meaning of certain words and/or phrases by the result of context clues. Over the last few months, I have been inundated with…
I didn’t realize I kept receipts until my Mommy moved in. Apparently, I have a practice of not retaining receipts from purchases in my wallet, but instead in the bag that the item I purchased came in. When I use the plastic bag I look at the receipt and determine if I’ve “kept” what I purchased and then throw it…
As my mother would say, “Y’all have to hold my mule for this one.” The Holy Spirit has been downloading this blog post in my spirit throughout the week. I believe it’s baked enough to share it with you. Six weeks ago, I posted a picture of a nest that birds built in one of the hanging baskets on our…
Therein lies evil in the land. Some folx carry it around with them. Others have power and influence to cease it from going forth, but instead perpetuate it through silence or rhetoric. Still others spew it in their words and deeds. We don’t always know the reasoning, but perhaps we can agree that it operationalizes without seeking the assistance of…
A week ago, I answered a call. I think at first I thought it was spam. Admittedly, I may have ignored the call – dare I say even blocked the beckoning. But God. God has a way of interrupting. He knows how to get around the noise and the barricades that we erect. God sent a message of confirmation to…
I’ve shared on many occasions my love of watching programs on television. My daughter recommended that I check out First Ladies on Showtime. It did not disappoint! The acting and the manner by which the writers wove together narratives decades upon decades apart was remarkable. As I binged the show to catch up to where my daughter was, I noticed…
I had so much fun during the course of last week watching Dillon. Apparently, people associated with Dillonâs mom think more highly of Dillonâs behavior. The mother elected to record Dillon being placed in time out. While recording, Dillon pulled a large what appeared to be tortilla chip from underneath her shirt. Dillon had prepared in advance for her staycation…
It’s been a month – negate that, it’s been a year, but we’re not delving that deep today. While traveling to New York to assist the young professional settle in her new apartment, my Aunt Eloise, my mom’s sister passed. She’d been ill for a number of years, but experienced a decline over the last four to six months. Our…
Two weeks ago I was tasked with contacting the gas company for a refill for our propane tank. Unbeknownst to me, we were strikingly low, impacting our ability to have hot water or use the burners on the stove as they are powered by gas. At any rate, before I realized how low we were, I checked the unit outdoors.…
I may have shared before, but until I moved to the south, I’d never heard of Easter Monday. My friend, Dr. Savitri, schooled me and shared that one not only had an Easter Sunday outfit, but an Easter Monday one as well. I don’t know about outfits, but I do know that every year, I regret that I haven’t taken…
I was blessed to attend a professional conference last week. First in person experience in over two years. Suffice to say, I was excited and nervous. Being in a room with hundreds, even thousands made me a little queasy. However, I’d committed myself so, I got myself under subjection and went. I had a nice time overall, yet something was…
A classmate of mine responded in the comment field to last weekâs blog. Check it out if you havenât. He commented that the post was a gentle reminder that âifâ we listen closely, God will speak to us. I couldnât agree more. I replied, âI agree wholeheartedly! A lot of weight in that âif.â Shortly thereafter, I entered into my…
Whew chile. Less than one week with our rescue. Hold up. Going too fast. We had our beloved Sweet Diamond for 17 years before she crossed the rainbow bridge. We got her at four months old. Our daughter was 10 and I was…..17 years younger. đ I recall training and adjusting, but obviously, like childbirth, I recall it being painful,…
Over the weekend I was blessed to celebrate a sisterfriend on the 1st anniversary of launching her business (https://work4changellc.com/). It was an intentionally intimate gathering of friends and family who she wanted to honor and thank for supporting the vision God gave to her. At some point during the evening, she said, âGod is in the everythingnessâ of it all!â…
While binging on a show recently (Sweet Magnolias – you’re welcome), I noticed that as a new episode aired, there was an option to “Skip recap.” In other words, one could enjoy a synopsis of what happened on the episode prior (sometimes even further back). It encompassed memorable scenes, action and/or dialogue. Sometimes I’ve found this option helpful if I’ve…
As the preacher would say, I won’t be before you long; but I actually mean it. Sometimes a lot of words are not required because the message may be ascertained quickly. A soror of mine shared a post regarding over 700 and some odd days in this pandemic, and navigating the virus with her child who is quarantining. She ended…
This feels like the longest January on record. LOL! I mean, I really did not arrive in 2022 with high expectations. After all, we’ve been duped for the last two years. I made certain to sit still, not touch anything and behave to the best of my ability. However, as my mother used to say, “everyone doesn’t have home training.”…
I fell victim to an ad on Instagram. Deep sigh. I know. I purchased some foundation. The shade did not match. I sought instruction on returning the item, however I attempted to do so out of the window of opportunity so to speak. Unbeknownst to me, the foundation was a huge cost, and coming up at the end of a…
I may have shared that I’ve been walking daily over the last three months. I have a curiosity about looking at how people elect to decorate their homes, inside and outside. The choices, selections, colors, make me happy. Their artistic expressions and how they came up with something so polar opposite from me is fascinating. However, I just don’t do…
While on a walk a few days ago, I listened to a sermon by Bishop T.D. Jakes. I can’t recall the full context of the content, but I do recall that He admonished us to ask God for revelation. As I walked, I followed his instruction. God’s response was not only instantaneous, but overwhelming. Everywhere I looked, I heard the…
I would say during the last quarter of the year while listening to a sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick, I took notice to the words, “You will survive the sifting.” If you’ve never been in a season whereby everything you encounter seems to attempt to snip a little peace or piece out of you, just move along – nothing to…
I had one of those sleepless nights. I think my mind was focused on the fact that I needed to arise early in the morning for service. I went to bed with it on my mind and perhaps my intention awoke me â or so I thought. A few hours after I laid my head down, I awoke. At first,…
Dr. Seun Bello Olamosu has worked in higher education for more than 20 years. Dr. Seun identifies as bicultural, having been raised in Nigeria but living in the U.S for most of her life. Seun joined the Office of Undergraduate Education at Duke University in June 2019 as the Assistant Vice Provost. Seun earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy…
This episode of Praxis, No Filter: The Advent Edition features, Monica Moody. She is a certified life purpose and career coach, spiritual writer, trainer and facilitator. Monica is also the founder of Owning Change, an organization aimed at supporting the world with shifting towards love and grace. Most recently, she authored a book entitled, “Be Yourself to Free Yourself: Awakening…
I should have known it to be a set up. Our Pastor, who also happens to be my Soror (skee-wee), posted on social media, inviting folx to join her in reading the Book of Luke during the month of December; essentially a chapter per day chronicling the birth of Jesus. She requested those who were interested to post a âyesâ…
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Donna Sherrie understands this verse and is a living example of the love of God! Self-worth coach, author, mentor, minister of dance and believer of second chances joins Praxis, No Filter and unpacks…
I was on a zoom call a few days ago (original, right). While I was speaking and referring to something, I searched for the document which provided the explanation that my memory failed to recall. I searched and searched but to no avail, I couldn’t find the information I was seeking. I had no less than 20 tabs open. With…
It’s a new dawn. I have been wrestling with a sinus infection this week that has interrupted my sleep, and I ain’t happy about that at all. On last evening, I suppose the medications aligned and allowed me to slumber until around 5:30amish. I elected to hop on the “30 Days of Thanksgiving Prayer Call” by Pastor Arlene Mitchell of…