What is life teaching you right now?
It feels like I haven’t had the words since my last post—since I spoke about the fight of our lives, about how the 2024 election was more than just a political event; it was a defining moment. And now, here we are.
Things shifted on November 5th, and if I’m honest, something deep in the pit of my stomach knew they would. There’s now a weight in the air, especially here in the DMV this week, and as the world continues to turn, life has thrown its own grenades my way over the last two months. The exhaustion of simply surviving it all has been overwhelming.
I am allowed to feel the fleeting emotions of sadness and pain, but I no longer have to assume it as my identity.
I’ve found myself slipping into that familiar “woe is me” mindset—because when you’re in the thick of it, it’s easy to lose sight of anything beyond the moment. But before spiraling (again), I took a step back. I let myself just be in this moment, no matter how uncomfortable it felt. Because sometimes, the only way forward is to pause, to take a breath, to reassess and see the way to move forward.
At War With Ourselves
Our country is no different. The political climate feels like a reflection of this personal turmoil—chaotic, overwhelming, and dangerously distracting. We’re so caught up in the noise that we can’t see what’s unfolding before our eyes. We are at war, and most don’t even realize it. Not in the traditional sense, but in a war of narratives, of values, of identity. Negativity breeds negativity, and the division is growing. The first step? Pay attention. Stop letting the chaos pull you under, and see it for what it is.
Lessons from the Fire
Life, for all its unpredictability, has a way of teaching you exactly what you need to learn—even if the lessons are painful. Here’s what I know for sure right now:
You don’t realize how much you miss something or someone until they’re truly gone… So, hold on tight because one day memories will be all you have left..
Sadness is an emotion, not an identity. Feel it, but don’t become it.
The power of “no” is real—people will piss on you and call it rain. Believe your feelings, not the words meant to gaslight you.
Forgiveness brings peace, even if the person never deserves it.
Your voice matters— stop silencing yourself. You are the change, so be it.
Worry about the little things first. They add up.
Step by step. Just keep going.
The road ahead, both personally and politically, feels uncertain. But if this moment has taught me anything, it’s that clarity comes in the stillness. No matter how heavy this week, this election, this year has been—forward is the only way.
Rest in love Grandma Jennie V.
- The guilt I feel is immense, but I now know you are at peace.
Yours truly.
Until Next Time…
The Fight For Our Lives
As we approach what could be the most significant election of our lifetimes, a Black woman is running for the highest office in the country. For many, this election isn’t just about politics—it’s personal, especially for those of us who see pieces of our own journey in her fight. This election reflects a deeply resonant truth: we, too, have to fight for our lives every day. This moment in history feels like a call to reclaim what is ours, to protect ourselves and push back against narratives that don’t serve us.
Being a Black woman in America often feels like being asked to overcome a world designed to crush you before you even take your first steps. We are told what we’re worth, how far we’re supposed to go, and how we’re meant to think. Many of us, myself included, have struggled with mental health and wrestled with self-doubt because of it. When life deals you such cards, you find yourself surviving instead of truly living.
This election is about taking back our lives and our voice in this country. By voting, we are standing up and saying we refuse to simply accept the cards dealt to us. We want to thrive, to live in a world where we don’t have to continually prove our worth or struggle for basic respect and opportunity.
Voting for Kamala Harris: Protecting Our Future
Kamala Harris represents a future where our voices are seen and respected. Her platform addresses critical issues that matter to all Americans, but especially to Black women—issues like healthcare, mental health, and equity. In Harris, we see someone who is unapologetic in her ambition, grounded in her identity, and unafraid to speak out on issues that we hold dear. Supporting her is about aligning with someone who understands the fight intimately and is prepared to advocate for the most vulnerable.
Supporting a Black woman candidate also means advocating for an administration that values inclusivity and understands that systemic change is essential. Voting for her is a statement that we believe in leaders who reflect us and who will push for policies that protect us. Voting for Kamala Harris isn’t just about her; it’s about believing in a world where we are seen, heard, and respected.
Protect Yourself: Knowledge is Power
Protecting yourself means being informed. Ignorance may be bliss, but knowledge is the key to change. We need to know what’s at stake, what policies impact our lives, and who will fight for our futures. Educate yourself on the issues, speak out, and take action. Your life, your voice, and your future are worth fighting for.
Take Your Life Back by Voting
Your story is not defined by the obstacles you face but by how you choose to navigate them. You are whole and you are perfect, and you are worthy of protection and support. This election is more than a political decision—it’s a step toward taking control of your narrative and shaping a future that aligns with your truth. Vote for Kamala Harris, vote for your voice, and vote to reclaim your life.
Until Next Time…
Useful Resources:
Where Kamala Harris stands on 10 key issues, from immigration to guns: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx924r4d5yno
Column: The Top 10 reasons to vote for Kamala Harris for president: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-10-27/election-kamala-harris-top-10
176 Reasons Donald Trump Shouldn't Be President: https://www.gq.com/story/176-reasons-donald-trump-shouldnt-be-president-olbermann
I woke up one day, and I was in my 30s
During the pandemic, time felt like it stood still. It was as if life froze, and we all were forced into survival mode, simply trying to make it through each day. Seasons passed, leaves fell, but I remained in a loop, clinging to routines that once made me feel safe. Now, as life resumes, the expectation is to function as we once did.. which feels impossible in this moment, as the life that I once knew, no longer exists.
A few weeks ago, I turned 31, and the feeling of unfamiliarity is evident. It feels like I’ve just woken up from a long fever dream, suddenly realizing that I no longer recognize the life I have. My body has aged, but my spirit feels like it’s been stuck, waiting in a loop. I have found myself in a world that feels out of place, and it feels uncomfortable.
But discomfort is where growth happens.
This phase of my life is forcing me to confront the unknown, teaching me lessons in faith and intention. The fear of the unknown is real and can be paralyzing at times, but I’ve realized that the same cycles that I’ve relied on for comfort are no longer serving me—they’re actually contributing to my sense of unease. The distractions and unhealthy patterns are no longer hiding the grief and uncertainty; they’re feeding into it.
So, I’ve made a decision. I’m choosing to take my life back, to live with purpose and mindfulness. I want to be so rooted in faith that nothing can shake me. I’ve decided to believe in magic again—the kind that happens when you break free from old habits and create space for something new.
Creating this new space will be difficult… but below are some tools that can help one navigate through life while practicing intentionality and mindfulness —one step at a time:
1. Daily Meditation Practice
A few minutes of meditation can set the tone for a mindful and productive day. Focusing on your breath or a point of awareness allows thoughts to pass without judgment, grounding you in the present.
2. Body Awareness
Always check in with your body throughout the day. Whether you’re walking, eating, or sitting, notice how your body feels in that moment. This effortless practice brings you back to the present and strengthens the mind-body connection.
3. Mindful Breathing
Whenever stress or distraction creeps in, pause and take a moment for a few deep breaths. Focus on the sensation of air entering and leaving your lungs. This can quickly calm the mind and help you regain focus.
4. Intentional Action
No matter how small the task, do it with intention. By giving your full attention to even the most mundane activities, you bring mindfulness into every aspect of your life.
5. Monitor Emotions Without Judgment
Pay attention to your emotions without trying to fix or judge them. Simply noticing how you feel can build emotional awareness, allowing you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
6. Gratitude Practice
Each day, take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for. This shift in perspective from what’s lacking to what’s present cultivates a more positive and mindful mindset.
7. Be Present in Conversations
Practice active listening by fully engaging in your conversations without distractions. This deepens your connections and ensures you’re truly present with others, enhancing relationships.
By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, mindfulness becomes a natural way of living, not just something you do. These small steps can help you feel more grounded, balanced, and in tune with your emotions and well-being.
Even though uncertainty still exists, staying intentional and mindful will allow for life to truly unfold in your favor. It’s not about having every answer or controlling every outcome. It’s about trusting the process, showing up for yourself, and believing that you can create a healthier, more meaningful life moving forward.
So, decide today. Decide that life will unfold for you, and not just happen to you.
Until Next Time…
Hold On to Anger Long Enough, It’ll Tell You Its Real Name—Grief
Hello, my name is grief.
Life is made up of repeated cycles — Recurrent patterns in behavior that we often undergo without recognizing their existence. Cycles derive from how we’ve learned to survive and shape us more than we realize. As children, we are taught how to adapt to the world around us. We intuitively move throughout life balancing the ups and downs, while being guided by the lessons our upbringing, our culture, and our experiences have taught us. But what happens when these learned behaviors… these cycles become less about survival and more about stagnation?
Many emotions that we hold on to, are echoes of the past, buried deep within us. Overtime, we harden… Forming scars that shape our outlook on the world around us. The hardening isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. The layers we build around our hearts derive from the repeated cycles of hurt, disappointment, and unmet expectations… And to cope, we begin to blame the world for our sense of brokenness, as though it is something the world has done to us.
But the truth is: those repeated cycles often stem from unresolved grief.
Grief isn’t always recognizable. Sometimes the signs are not as obvious as when the loss of a loved one or a traumatic life event that has happened… It can manifest as anger, an easier emotion to hold on to. Anger can make one feel powerful—it can make us feel in control… But if we hold on long enough, it all will eventually reveal its true form. Beneath those layers, beneath hardened exterior, anger often carries the heavy weight of grief.
We spend our lives searching for ways to fix what we feel is broken… looking for people, places, and things to make us feel whole again… to fill in those cracks that life has left. And overtime, we’ve learned how to maintain that — we have learned how to keep those broken pieces together by managing. Not healing, but managing and maintaining (a band-aid solution that allows the wound to fester underneath).
We fail to realize that managing often does not fix any problem —it doesn’t address the root cause of the damage. The foundation for our pain is often built on unresolved grief, masked by the layers of anger that we’ve learned to use as protection. We’ve become stagnant.. stuck in survival mode, too afraid to dig deeper into what’s hiding beneath the surface.
It’s only when we allow ourselves to confront our grief head-on with true vulnerability, that we begin to heal. We must sit with it and understand it before we can begin the real work.
Breaking free from the cycle means letting go of the impulse to manage our pain. This means no longer searching for those external fixes, but instead doing the hard work and exploring our inner wounds. Only then, we can begin to heal the foundation and be released from the cycles that have kept us in a survival mindset.
By no means is grief a weakness —it’s a testament of how deeply we’ve lived, loved, and lost in our lifetime… And while anger may feel easier to hold onto in the interim, it will only be through recognizing our grief, we will be able to truly begin to heal. So, the next time you feel the fire inside of you.. the next time when anger arises, ask yourself: what is this anger masking? Is it grief? What wounds am I trying to protect?
We stall our own healing by holding on to anger… But as we acknowledge our grief, we open the door to allow for transformation and healing. So now, it’s time to break all the cycles that hold us back. It’s time to let go of the hurt and confront the grief that’s been there all along, waiting for you to set it free.
Until Next Time..
Authentic Self
Living in your own skin can be tough at times… not because it’s impossible being you, but because the world makes us feel that way. We see ourselves through the eyes of others rather than through our own. Our decisions about who we are, who we want to be, and who we ultimately become, can be influenced by those around us if we’re not careful.
Authenticity. To be authentic is to be genuine - it is to be yourself. To be authentic means to be you, in spite of what everyone else thinks you should be.
Being who we are truly meant to be is no easy thing, especially in a world that values what is fake, what is easy, what is quick, and what is on the surface.
- Sophia A. Nelson
To live an authentic life, means that you are now understanding or defining what makes you, you. During this pandemic, I have spent most of my time alone. Life seemed lonely in past moments, but I also had ample time to think about who the hell Jazmin is. The more time I spent alone, the more in tune I became with myself.
What did I stand for? What was Jazmin’s “Code?"
March 13, 2021
March 13, 20210To have a life code is to have a contract with yourself that cannot be broken. Every person lives by a code that can either propel you into abundance or keep you down. Remaining loyal to your code becomes mandatory once you clearly define it. Realizing and honoring my code allowed me to begin being more comfortable in my own skin, living accordingly and authentically. Developing your code, and sticking by it may cost you people or things but remember that God always makes space when preparing your life for something new.
Advice for the next three months
Slow down, breathe, relax..
Look within when searching for answers to your life.
When you realize that we are only living on borrowed time, life becomes less confusing and living authentically becomes an instinct.
To my soul sister,
February 13, 2021
February 14, 2021More than just a sister; you compliment my soul. A sisterhood birthed through authentic love, and loyalty. I never have to question it.
Thank you for being the breath to fill my lungs when I need it the most. To the nights where I thought depression would take over my mind, and you refused to allow me to manifest it.
Thank you.
Thank you for helping me realize my inner, most authentic self. Maturing into the woman I am destined to be with you in my corner, I see no limits.
I pray this type of authentic connection on everyone - it is truly one of a kind.
February 14, 2021
February 13, 2021My best girl in my world, my muse, my sister - i owe you a whole lot.
Stay true to you.
Until next time…
Jazmin
The Woman Code: 20 Powerful Keys to Unlock Your Life
Sophia A. Nelson
The Sky is The Limit
“Have the courage to do what works best for you”
From a young age, I was told that I was different. I had that spark, that crazy personality… there were so many unique pieces of me that perfectly fit together but when I was younger I was taught to dislike certain things about my self.. Every year I learned that something new was wrong with me it seemed like - every piece of me criticized from every angle.. Thank GOD I had my mom but damn did that make my light shine less bright. I think that’s what triggered this onset battle of losing myself.. Years go by and before you know it, life hits you and you’re looking at a stranger when looking in the mirror. Thats how I felt 1 year ago, on this day.A year ago today, I chose me. I chose God, I chose to confront myself, and I chose to get healthy. It wasn’t easy but over the last year I have gathered those pieces of myself that I had lost along the way. Now, I choose to be happy no matter what. I choose to love, even if I am not loved back. And I choose to share my gifts to help others. So thats why I started sharing my art - to remind others that there are still amazing things in life to look forward to. One lesson that I can share with everyone reading this right now:Follow your heart and go after your dreams."The worst they can say is no."- Tonya Chapman