Grudges. They are so easy to pick up and so hard to let go. The cause of grudges can range from the minor offense of ‘not speaking’ to the greater abuses that plagues many of our communities. But the results of long-term unforgiveness (holding grudges) are the same—the upheaval of our physical and emotional health. Science Says … [Read more...]
Another Dating Fail? How to Bounce Back from a Bad Date
“I’d like to have four to six children; I intend to be a stay-at-home mom; I want my husband to be home every night in time for dinner; and he has to help out around the house.” That’s a sentence I was able to weave into one of the first few dates with the guy I was dating. To say that was a bad date, would be an understatement. In hindsight, I probably should have kept the … [Read more...]
5 Often Overlooked Places to Find Mr. Right…or for Him to Find You!
The Good Book, says “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord- Proverbs 18:22.” The thing I love about this verse is that there are no qualifiers—find a wife, get favor. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. The problem is, sometimes it feels like the brothers aren’t working hard enough to do the finding. So I put my thinking cap on and asked my … [Read more...]
How to Raise a Black Son in America: Part II; Tips to Grow Boys into Men
Last time, I shared with y’all my fears and frustrations about raising a black son in America. On the one hand, I’m excited about the possibility of being a parent. But, on the other hand, I wonder how my children will navigate a society that sometimes views them with an air of suspicion. So I decided to do some research. From a basic Google search, I only found one study … [Read more...]
How to Raise a Black Son in America: Part I; 10 Rules for Raising Black Boys
My husband and I want to start a family in the next year or two. On the one hand, I’m excited to start this new phase and raise children who will be our lasting legacy to the world. On the other hand, I’m a little afraid because I cannot escape the idea that a large part of society will look at my little brown babies, especially boys, with an air of suspicion. Black Parents … [Read more...]
Athletes & Activism: Remembering the 50th Anniversary of Glory Road
It is unfortunate—but it is a fact—that some Ethniks, both white and Negro, already are referring to the prospective national final as not just a game but a contest for racial honors. That’s how Frank Deford of Sports Illustrated described the prospect of Texas Western (now known as University of Texas at El Paso) playing in an NCAA final against the all-white teams of … [Read more...]
#BlackGirlMagic: 3 Documentaries Every Black Woman Should See
On Wednesdays, we watch documentaries. My husband and I try to be selective about the amount of TV we consume, so one night a week, we set aside time to watch documentaries about the black experience. These films combine education with entertainment, and I always walk away with a new perspective of what it means to be black. But most recently, there were three documentaries … [Read more...]
Black History Spotlight: The City of Nashville and the Man that Trained the Movement
Nashville is famous for country music and hot chicken. However, few people know the pivotal role the city played in the nation’s civil rights movement. After seeing Selma last year, I had a newfound fervor to get conscious, so I started reading Walking with the Wind by the Honorable Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. Y’all, I was shocked to see he had dedicated three chapters of … [Read more...]
Ballin One Minute, Broke the Next: The 3 Main Problems with Overnight Millionaires
If your ship didn’t come in with last week’s Powerball...we’re in the same boat. But maybe that’s a good thing, because it will give us time to get our financial house in order. One study found that big lottery winners were more likely to go bankrupt within five years of winning. But it’s not just lottery players that lose big. In 2009, Sports Illustrated reported … [Read more...]
Devon Franklin and Meagan Good Share the Importance of “The Wait”
Even after God told Meagan Good that DeVon Franklin was her husband, she waited nine loooong months until he asked her out to pursue a relationship. They waited until their third date to kiss. And they waited until they were married to have sex. Why They Waited Harnessing the power of delayed gratification is the theme of their new book, The Wait. It is all about: … [Read more...]
Here’s What Kirk Franklin’s Testimony Taught Me About My Faith
We know Kirk Franklin is a hit maker. When you rack up hit after hit like “Melodies from Heaven,” “Revolution,” “Stomp,” “Smile,” and now “Wanna Be Happy”...it's an indisputable fact. But over the past couple of months, I’ve also come to the realization that Kirk Franklin has a real and personal relationship with Jesus. I should have known this, after years of listening to … [Read more...]
Women: 8 Reasons Why the Desire to Be Married is Not a Sign That You’re a Thirsty Single Sista
“No man wants to be around a bunch of thirsty Christian singles.” That’s what a lady said to me a few months ago when I asked her about singles ministries. It was the second time in one week I’d heard someone use that phrase. And it bothered me. It bothered me because these two ladies felt there was something wrong with them because they wanted to get married. They had … [Read more...]
5 Empowering Lessons on Being Black in America that We Must Teach Our Children
Before Ta-Nehisi Coates won the National Book Award, was named a MacArthur Genius, and had a New-York-Times-Bestselling Book, he was a father, and he was a son. In The Beautiful Struggle, he details growing up in Baltimore during the "Age of Crack" and his father’s fight to raise his seven children. In Between the World and Me, Mr. Coates writes a letter to his son … [Read more...]
3 Quality-vs-Quantity Time Activities That Could Save Your Marriage and Family
Does mom time matter? That was the topic of an article published in the Journal of Family and Marriage earlier this year. The Washington Post explained the study in detail. But here’s the gist: Researchers claimed that the amount of time spent with mothers is not linked to the well-being of children ages 3-11. The study points to similar findings for father time. Now, I don’t … [Read more...]
How Eating Meals with Your Kids Can Literally Change Their Lives
“Maaaaaan, y’all ain’t gonna believe what we did at school one time.” That’s how my younger brother prepped us for one of his college escapade stories. He played division one basketball and was always getting into excitement (read: trouble). We were all are sitting around for mealtime and it was his turn to share. The Prank of the Century This particular evening my … [Read more...]