Dear Dr. Buckingham, I am going through a lot in my life and my mind is all over the place. At times I reflect on my miserable childhood and sometimes I focus on moving forward. I read a lot of your articles and know that you are a psychotherapist so I decided to write to you. I want to prosper in my life and not allow my past to haunt me. This sounds simple, but I struggle, … [Read more...]
Lifestyle
A Dozen Great Ways to Keep Your Relationship Fresh
As I reflect on my relationship (which I have been in now for over 16 years, more than a 1/3 of my life), I am so grateful for the fact that it doesn’t feel that long. In fact, the longer we're in it, the better it gets. And as I take a step back to reflect, there are definitely some intentional things that we did that have kept us both happy, fulfilled, and feeling like the … [Read more...]
Honoring Trailblazers – 5 Women Who Have Made Real and Lasting Change
It’s March and one of my favorite months of the year because it is Women’s History Month and my mama’s birthday month. In the spirit of Women’s History Month and my mother, we are honoring five trailblazers who blazed a path for all women (and humankind) to follow. With so much attention paid to high-profile women, it's easy to lose sight of lesser-known women who are … [Read more...]
10 Reasons My Mother Is Such an Extraordinary Woman
It’s Woman’s History month, and although I typically don’t need a designated month to encourage me to celebrate anything, this month does make me reflect on all the phenomenal women in my life. From friends to cousins to public figures and more, I have recently been thinking a lot about the many women who have done so much to bring me to where I am today. These are women who … [Read more...]
Breathing Black History: My Trip from Madam C.J. Walker’s Mansion to the National Museum of African American History in DC
Black history lives and breathes through us each and every day, and though often compartmentalized as something other than American history, it's vital to know our origins and our "real" story. While we often hear the stories of our struggle, rarely do we see examples of our triumph. I'll share a few of those with you in a minute, but first the background. Recently I was … [Read more...]
5 Things You Could be Doing with Your Money Other than Having a Pricey Wedding
Your wedding day is a BIG day. I get it. When I got married, over eight years ago, I wanted everything to be perfect. I dreamed about that day for years. And as someone who didn’t grow up knowing any happily married couples (and hardly any married couples to be honest), I was determined to make my wedding pretty magical. And it was. I don’t have a single complaint about … [Read more...]
10 Current-Day African-Americans Who are Making Black History
Black people are and have been doing it big, not only for African-Americans but for the nation and the world. Below are ten African-Americans who are making history...right now. Be inspired, be empowered, chase your dreams, and don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. We are great, we are powerful, we can do anything we set our minds too...we can do the impossible. … [Read more...]
True Love, Chocolate, and Jill Scott: 3 Perfect Ingredients for this Valentine’s Day
February is truly a celebratory month for me because two of my kids were born in February and then there's Valentine's Day. And although I am not one to go overboard by spending lots of money or planning super elaborate activities, I can appreciate these special times that are set aside to celebrate my loved ones. As a busy wife and mom of 4, special occasions give me reason … [Read more...]
Time Does Not Heal All Wounds…You Have To
“Time Heals all Wounds,” has got to be one of the most annoying sayings ever as far as I’m concerned. I’m not quite sure when it started, but it’s just not true. Although its origins are probably well intentioned, it really does set people up for a lifetime of pain and unresolved issues. If you are married or in a serious relationship, there is a chance you’ve been hurt … [Read more...]
10 Inspiring Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that Will Help Us Get Through These Next 4 Years
Not only is it a new year, but it is also a year of governmental transition from what we’ve known and loved to the unknown. We are entering into uncharted territory with the change of administration this month. And, at best, many of us are left with a sense of unease and concern, as if we are holding our breaths hoping nothing bad happens. This isn’t a great way to feel at … [Read more...]
6 Tips to Help Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick
Every year, like clockwork, I ask myself four very important questions: What did I learn from the last year? What do I want to accomplish next year? How am I going to do it? And, how will I stick to it? In my opinion, it is the last question that is really the most important. Because if you don’t stick to your resolutions, none of the other questions and … [Read more...]
5 Tips for People Who Love to Give But Just Can’t Swing it This Year
I have an announcement to make, and I hope everyone I love gets to read this post. I WILL NOT be buying Christmas gifts this year. It’s not because I don’t love you or don’t care. It’s because I have a third child on the way. There are plenty of things to do with our money that are far more important than buying gifts people can do without. Every year, so many of us get … [Read more...]
3 Tips to Survive the Holiday Season When You Can’t Cook a Lick
Anyone who knows me knows I don’t cook, despite the fact that I LOVE to eat. The holidays are one of my favorite times of year for many reasons, and that's mostly due to the abundance of food and family that is around. So how can I, as a non-cooking person, pull my weight in social settings where everyone is expected to contribute? Here are three tips I have used to survive … [Read more...]
7 Tips to Avoid Drama with Your Mama Over the Holidays
As we approach the holiday season, some of us just can’t wait to reconnect with family and friends. But that’s not all of us, though. Some of us are planning our escape routes because we dread the stress and drama that comes with the holidays. Although this should be a peaceful, joyous time of the year, we all know it doesn’t always go down like that. Sometimes, the holidays … [Read more...]
Fellas, Take Notes: 24 Things Ladies Love About Men’s Facial Hair
Brothers listen up, the ladies have spoken and the majority agree, your facial hair just does something to us! In addition to looking good, this month those mustaches and beards actually speak to a men’s movement we’re all talking about. The movement is "Movember," an annual event encouraging men to grow out their mustaches and beards for cancer awareness. The goal of the … [Read more...]