Last Night of September

It seems like this month came and went in a flash. I view September as a month of newness. School starts and the weather begins to change. As a student and someone who is very close to school age students I feel like this is kind of like a new year. You set new goals, you have new books to read and blank pages to fill, new teachers, and new classes. It's all very exciting. Everything is brand new and it's a sign of how far you've come.

I get excited when this time of year comes around. I love all the fall holidays, going back to school and watching students go back makes me very happy, and I'm so grateful for the cooler weather that's coming.

I started working towards my Masters degree this September and the nerves and excitement are still here. I haven't been in school since last December so this is a very interesting change for me. I'm still getting the hang of being back in school. A new month begins tomorrow so we'll see what October brings me. Every day brings its gifts and I hope that some of these October days can find me a cure for procrastination.

I had to put this song here because it makes me so happy. So in case you needed to dance your way out of September, here's the perfect jam for you!



Be well♥

World Suicide Prevention Day: I'm so happy that you're alive

Today, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. The love and support and compassion shown on this day has always meant so much to me. I think this day serves as a reminder that mental illnesses are real. I think this serves as a reminder that you're not alone in what you're going through. Seeing love written on someone else's wrist reminds me that there's someone who cares and they'res someone who has possible been in the same place that I've been. There's a possibility that we'll all rise above our thoughts that trap us in the middle of the night. Today is a day to be aware and spread awareness. This day is reminder to share resources and be there for one another. Every and any ounce of your strength and hope can help another person and you can achieve that just by being yourself and being there. Listen, talk, share your experiences, spread hope. Every bit counts.

Your life matters always. You deserve to be here always. Every bit of you is important and every bit of you deserves to be here. In your pain, your stress, your sadness, depression, you matter and you deserve to be here. At 4am, 5pm, 3pm, 24/7--you matter, your life matters, and you deserve to be here! During finals week, first week of school, first day at a new job, or in between careers---your life matters and you deserve to be here! When you don't know what you want to do with your life or when you're finding that adulthood is not what you expected, remember that your life matters and you deserve to be here! Bad day, bad week, bad month, bad year--your life matters and you deserve to be here. No matter what, you matter. Your life matters and you deserve to be here!

♥

"You are a child of the universe! No less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here."

 --- 

Resources:

• suicdepreventionlifeline.org
• 1-800-273-8255 (Suicide Hotline US)
• thenicestplaceontheinter.net
• talkspace.com
• 7cupsoftea.com
• thequietplaceproject.com
• http://thequietplaceproject.com/thethoughtsroom/
• Crisis Text Line: Text “SUPPORT” to 741741
• Suicide Prevention Help Guide 
• 11 Facts About Suicide 
• International Association for Suicide Prevention
• Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts

Happy Motivation Monday!

"I am stronger than my past experiences, downfalls, mistakes, rough days, bad habits, disappointments, anxieties, and sadnesses. While some days they may get the best of me, I am continually growing and learning how to cope with what comes my way."

This line in Pearl Cleage's lastest book found a special place in my heart. I read it over a few times before I moved on.

"I will claim myself for myself..."

♥

Celebrating Me: September 6th

I took my selfie yesterday on the 6th but I never got the chance to upload it! I had a great day. I went to a family potluck and really enjoyed myself. There was great company and great food so no complaints.

So yesterday, and this past month has been very interesting. I feel as though now I'm becoming a lot more comfortable with myself. I finally feel like I'm settling after having moved from Florida to New York last December. I'm really getting the hang of things.

I also have been experimenting more with bright colors and accessories that I feel compliment my personality more. So I really wanted to make sure my new favorite lip color made my September selfie!

This month I've been making sure I edit myself less. As I'm growing, a daily process, I realize the importance of being my authentic self and loving my authentic self as much as I can. I think it's really important to be myself. I can't edit myself for anyone. Take me as I am!

I started grad school last week and while I am a bit nervous, I couldn't be more excited to be going back to school and furthering my education. I would say 60% excitement and 40% nervousness. I'm only in my second week though so I believe that will change.

I go back to work tomorrow so that's one major thing I'm looking forward to. I missed my students so I'll be happy to see them again.!

I'm happy to be alive and I'm ready to see what this month brings me.

Goals for the this month:

• Stay focused
• Spread happiness and positivity
• Avoid procrastination

Self Care Reminder: August 23, 2014

Remember this: It's perfectly fine to remove toxic people from your life. It's okay to walk away from situations and relationships that make you feel anything less than the wonderful and deserving person that you are.

Under no circumstances are you obligated to keep negative and toxic people in you life. You do not owe anyone a relationship. You don't owe friendship to anyone who does not value you. You should not have to be something you're not to make someone else happy--especially when they are negatively impacting your life.

I think that one of the most important things to remember about "toxic people" is that they may not necessarily be bad people and sometimes these people are not always negatively affecting your life. It's important to know yourself and know when you need to take a break or when you need to be selfish with yourself. People's personalities tend to change. Think of the wide range of human emotions. Some people release very harmful and negative energy when they are stressed or overwhelmed or angry. Sometimes they say things that they don't mean. If you love these people, it's important to be there for them always but you have to be very careful not to get hurt in the process. Take breaks when things are uncomfortable for you. If it's not someone you love or feel any attachment to, walk away. You don't even need that stress. It's important to try to avoid negativity that hurts you when you're only try to love someone else.

You deserve the best.

Humanity.

There's a struggle in this country over humanity. Over who gets the right to feel human. Over who is allowed to have their humanity protected and not questioned. The struggle is getting this point across to people who do not see this because they have never had their humanity questioned. The reality is that people are literally fighting for their human rights. The point is that people are being told that their lives don't matter. That although we live in the land of the free, people are still living their lives without the satisfaction of knowing that whatever happens to them, they will be treated fairly and with justice wherever they go in this country. Nothing about it is okay and it's incredibly frustrating to know that there are people who will never understand that and no amount of words or acts of violence and discrimination, or stands for justice will ever remove them from their own ignorance of the matter.

While we fight for our rights and for ALL of society to see our humanity, I want to remind you that you are an important beautiful powerful human being. If I could, I would tell you all every day your lives matter. Your life matters. Black lives matter. Black women, your lives matter. Black men, your lives matter. Black youth, your life matters. Your experiences are valid. Your stories matter.

OUR LIVES MATTER.

Add caption

Friday Night/Saturday Morning Affirmations

It's important for me to treat myself with love and with kindness. It's okay to reward myself for my milestones and successes. I deserve to treat myself. I'm worth it. I've always been worth it.

♥

You're worth it. You deserve to be treated and to be rewarded. You deserve the opportunity to enjoy the little things. You deserve to be able to celebrate yourself and you should. Celebrate yourself every chance you get! The world is grateful to have you. I'm happy you're here. ♥

Celebrating Me: August 6th/7th

August Selfie = Birthday Selfie!!

I'm 22 years old! I really tried to post on my birthday but I got in after midnight and went straight to bed. So my selfie post is a day late but who says celebrations have to end?

I did the very stereotypical playing of Taylor Swift's 22 as I got ready for work. I actually only heard it once before on the day before my birthday because I wanted to see if I liked it before I made it the first song I listened to on my birthday. It is a very cute song and I'm glad one of my best friends, Mia, reminded me about it.

I started the self care presents by treating myself to a delicious bodega breakfast sandwich with a cup of coffee. Then I went to work and I made sure that I had on the beautiful skirt that I got for my birthday. I wore it all day even though I had time to change before going out after work but I wanted to feel special and it's my special day to celebrate me so I really tried not to feel guilty about anything."Treat yo self."

I got so many wonderful birthday wishes. Some of the students even sang happy birthday to me. It was great and so cute!! After work, I went out with my momma and two of my aunts to dinner and a movie all of which was wonderful as well. I think I fell asleep in the car on the way home. I was so tired. This was my birthday outfit.

 

Overall, I had a phenomenal birthday. I was a little apprehensive at first about working on my birthday but I'm glad I went to work. All the beautiful faces I got to see at work and the well wishes made my day so much more special. 22 feels different. I can't really explain it. I looked in the mirror after I woke up and I felt that I looked different--older. However, I'm not sure if I trust what my mind is really thinking at 5 in the morning. 

Most importantly, on my birthday I was in love with the skin I'm in. 

I'm happy to be here and to be alive.

21 brought me graduation, my Bachelor's degree and a move to New York.

I'm thankful for another year of life. I'm excited to see what 22 will bring!



---

Post birthday(today):

Today was an okay day. I was so tired from the night before and I think my lack of sleep gave me a headache that is only just now going away. Besides the headache and some overwhelming moments at work today, I had a good day. I'm happy that tomorrow is finally Friday. The weekend is near!

I've been  reading Pearl Cleage's latest book and I really can't put it down. I love it so far. There was something she wrote about writing and how creativity and laziness really battle it out all of the time. I strongly identified with that entire page. I'll write more about the book when I finish it. Every page is another piece of her life and that's just so cool to me!

---

Leaving you with a special quote. I hope you have an amazing and safe weekend!!

♥

I Am Human

"I am a human being, nothing human can be alien to me."

-Maya Angelou

On The Come Up by Hannah Weyer

"It came to her just before sleep, an idea crystallizing in the dark--how maybe the size of your world ain't what matter, whether it expand or shrink up or expand again. Hurdles to jump. You jump. Erase the lines, draw new ones. Chart a course and follow." (p290)

I recently finished reading On The Come Up by Hannah Weyer. I found out about this book when going through the Our Song tag on tumblr. This book is based on the life of Anna Simpson, one of the girls who stars in the film. Because I loved the movie, I had to make sure I found this book and I am so glad I did. This was a real page turner. I couldn't get enough of it. I really appreciated how honest and real this story came across. I also think that this is the first story I've read in a long time that really takes place in NYC and I especially loved that because I'm living in NYC again. I think that made it feel more real to me. I also loved any part of the book that was set while they were filming the movie. It felt like I was going behind the scenes of one of my favorite movies!

I loved reading this book early every morning during my commute to work. It was so easy to get lost in this book. I'm so glad I found it!

I recommend this for readers who:

• like to read biograhpies
• enjoy oral histories
• like stories that take place in urban settings
• want to read a story that takes place in NYC/Far Rockaway
• want to read a story about aspiring actresses/singers
• enjoy "coming of age" stories
• are interested in reading about teenage pregnancy/parenthood
• liked the movie "Our Song"
• are interested in reading LGBT stories
• love books you van get lost in

Because it is one of my favorite movies, here's the trailer for Our Song.

♥