How Creating creates Joy

I’ve been exercising my creative juices for the past month on a small, but special project that I’m excited to share with you soon.

What I’ve loved as much as the process of refining the words and getting the aesthetics just right (with a gifted artistic partner) are the friends and fam who have offered feedback and edits, burned the midnight oil with me to ensure that I create in excellence, and reminded me that as “Ms. #LifeUntapped” not only CAN I think and move outside the creative box of titles and genres, I betta!

This is what rising together takes.

Iron sharpens iron.

Vision multiplies vision.

Shoulders lower so you can climb aboard.

What matters most is the art itself.

There’s a tired-but-happy place feeling that centers you as you’re producing it, and eventually the joy that comes with hearing readers express renewed hope or joy or value after experiencing your words. 🙏🏾

More to come on this project in early October. In the meantime, thank you to my tribe! When it’s your turn, the rising, sharpening, encouragement and lowered-shoulder moments will come full circle.

Why Reading Matters

During my childhood summers in Arkansas, my older sister Sandra would take my nieces and me to the public library every two weeks to check out books, and I would excitedly borrow as many as possible and finish them all before the next visit.

Books stretched my imagination and took me around the world back then, and for many years I’ve supported adult and youth literacy programs in Richmond and nationwide. (Shoutout to The Read Center and to Reach Out and Read.)

Yet, it felt like a full circle moment this past summer to help champion reading on the other side of the globe with a likeminded tribe of friends.

Thank you to my journalist friend Shelby Brown with WTVR CBS 6 for sharing my experience in Kenya with viewers on #NationalReadABookDay.

Center Yourself to Soar

Trees offer a reminder of the importance of finding balance in life – standing tall, resilient and beautiful on your own, yet being planted close enough to a neighbor, friend or loved one to send encouragement, share special moments and extend some love.

This week, may you succeed with both. Enjoy your time alone and make room to dance with others.

For it is in spending time with you that you discover how you’re meant to uniquely impact the world. And it is in doing life together, with likeminded souls on a positive trajectory, that we rise. Embrace life’s duality and enjoy this season of your journey.

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