I was 10 years old when I first learned how to assimilate. After summer break, I returned to school to discover the outdoor activities – swimming, riding my bike & hours spent on the playground – had a high price. I knew I looked different from my new classmates with my darker skin tone and coarse,Continue reading “Assimilation vs. Acceptance: Empowering Our Kids to Choose Well”
Category Archives: Encourage
Why Do We Feel We Have To Hide Behind A Mask? (Part 2)
My mask had become so much a part of my identity, I didn’t know who I was without it. The little girl from my childhood polaroids – quiet, confident, fearless – had been lost to an anxious, insecure shell. Before you continue, if you haven’t read Part 1, you’ll want to do so. It willContinue reading “Why Do We Feel We Have To Hide Behind A Mask? (Part 2)”
Why Do We Feel We Have to Hide Behind a Mask? (Part 1)
As I sorted through childhood pictures, I saw a little girl. She looked like me, dark eyes, curly hair and brown skin. But she was different. She had a quiet confidence about her. Although she was young, she knew who she was. She wasn’t scared to be herself. A box had not yet been assignedContinue reading “Why Do We Feel We Have to Hide Behind a Mask? (Part 1)”
A Prayer for Mother’s Day
God,Thank you for our moms and today we pray for them. We pray for young mom and the tired mom.For the mom who’s wondering if she’s doing it right And for the mom who suffers from depression. Encourage them. We pray for older moms Whose days of raising kids are passed, but whose children are never far fromContinue reading “A Prayer for Mother’s Day”
Let’s Talk About That…Empathy
Rico Melendez Shares His Personal Journey from Indifferent to Empathy Rico’s is a voice I’ve come to appreciate. He has a passion for truth, justice, reconciliation & Jesus. I love the way he weaves them together for his online community. His empathy for people of color and the marginalized are just a couple reasons IContinue reading “Let’s Talk About That…Empathy”
I Don’t See Color Means I Don’t See You
“I don’t see color. I just see you.” For years, I found comfort in those two sentences. They made me feel accepted, like I belonged. I eventually discovered the complete opposite was true. Because others didn’t see my color, neither did I anymore. I lied to myself for years, saying that was a good thing.Continue reading “I Don’t See Color Means I Don’t See You”
“I Just See You” – My Color-blind Experience
“I just see you.” For so long, this sentence brought a sigh of relief. When I heard it, I left safe. It was like a favorite blanket, a safe place to hide, a well-kept secret among friends. But recently, I’ve felt something different when I hear those words. What once brought a sense of security,Continue reading ““I Just See You” – My Color-blind Experience”
Am I Invisible? Longing to be seen in a filtered society.
Do you ever feel invisible? If we’re honest, probably each of us would admit to feeling invisible at some point in our lives. Maybe it was a parent who never took the time to get to know you.Maybe it was the significant other who said they loved you, but never had time for you.Maybe itContinue reading “Am I Invisible? Longing to be seen in a filtered society.”
My Mask ~ Embracing My Identity
Have you ever hidden the truth for so long you couldn’t tell where it ended and the lie began? I did…for 30 years. For a long time, the mask was easy to maintain. I’d worn it so long it wasn’t a part OF me, it WAS me. It was how I saw myself & presentedContinue reading “My Mask ~ Embracing My Identity”
How to Embrace Failing Without Embracing Failure
Have you ever felt like a failure? You didn’t get the job.You didn’t pass the test.They chose the other person.They walked away anyway. Yeah, me too. As a recovering perfectionist, it’s easy to find myself trapped by the fear of failure. I’ve felt its sting & embarrassment and being the smarty pants I am, IContinue reading “How to Embrace Failing Without Embracing Failure”