Several years ago, I realized I needed to share my lived experiences with the world to uplift others.
The love I have for myself is reflected by the character of those in my inner circle. Today, I love good people who choose to love me back. I am really appreciative of their love, care, kindness, and friendship. I feel really blessed right now.
I am claiming today as a good day.
I used to be so self-conscious of the way I looked. My nose and lips were too big, books and butt were too small, my smile was too different from everyone else, andIwas super-skinny. I wanted plastic surgery to fix everything I thought God got wrong. I really wish I could hug the teenage me.
Now, I see the lines forming around my eyes and have curves in some of the wrong places, lol. Those lines represent how much pain I have endured, how many smiles I have smiled, and countless times I have laughed with others. Curves in the wrong places? I love to eat good food! It's a pleasurable experience that includes great memories with people I enjoy spending time with.
I don't feel the need for plastic surgery anymore. The nose and lips are the same size, my smile is genuine and bright, these curves fluctuate, these lines around my eyes will become more prominent with time (God willing), yet when put together, it somehow works. With every trial and tribulation, I have still found reasons to smile, remain hopeful for the future, believe in the blessing of love and being loved, and remaining child-like with my approach to others and the purpose of life itself as if they're something to be explored. For the first time in my life, I am living the life I always wanted. I have a testimony, and I am truly blessed.
Sometimes, people forget how to treat the ones they love. It's so easy to respect the boss, colleague, or stranger. Once, a woman told me, "anyone can talk the talk, but go home with me." We're supposed to treat the ones we love lovingly; they deserve it. Be good to others; be good to yourself. Make time for those who matter most.
In this video, I discuss how to properly give someone you've hurt or angered a proper apology, when to think about giving an apology, and how to handle the p...
I am busy living my best life.
I was sitting on my porch when I started hearing car horns and shouting. The cars were slowly moving as if they were in a funeral procession, but they were celebrating. Then it hit me; they're celebrating Good Friday! I wish I had video, but it was nearly over by the time I realized what was happening. Happy Good Friday!
I am speaking a terrific Thursday into existence!
I messaged a friend from home today, and she had no idea who I was because I forgot to let her know I had changed my phone number. For any friends who tried to call or message me and couldn't get through, I apologize.
I am not in Lafayette for the semester. I have officially moved here, so along with changing my address, I changed my phone number too.
New name, new, address, new phone number, and new me. The days of grief, longing, and tears are over as I am enjoying my new life. Don’t get me wrong, I wish my deceased fiancée was still here, but he lived for a reason and a season. Now, I have put my life back together and am carrying on. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me.
Last night, I watched a screening of this documentary. I can't say I enjoyed it, although it was very well made. I can say I was absolutely horrified with what I saw and disappointed to learn how ignorant I was regarding how much violence and terror the Palestinian people endure on a regular basis.
Now, I am going to add the innocent Palestinian babies, school children, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents to my prayers, along with the innocent Israeli babies, school children, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents. Sometimes, I think we as Americans forget that there's an actual person behind the news footage. People who care shouldn't just offer thoughts and prayers. Action is needed, and this post is my attempt to do something.
There was a time when I allowed others to dictate my worth. Whenever I thought outside the box, I let others stamp out my shine and pick at my flaws. I am a flawed person, but so is everyone else.
Today, I know my worth and don't base it on material items but on my character. No one can tell me I am unworthy of achieving my goals, being in whatever room God leads me to, or interacting with whomever God puts in front of me. Flawed and all, I appreciate all of me and the person God has helped me to become.
I am so immensely happy by the blessing I just received. I had faith, even when He told me to wait, that He would come through. Now, my prayers have been answered, and I am full of gratitude.
Someone needs to hear this message. When I was 15, I learned the key to no longer feeling pain caused by my traumatic childhood: alcohol. My pursuit of feeli...
Sometimes, life sucks, but that's okay because with God, everything is a lesson or a blessing. I'm so grateful I appreciate the lessons as much as I do the blessings.
https://youtu.be/vT6a8q0zr6s?si=MbDiBvaANZVzzVKU
One of my subscribers, an eleven-year-old, asked that I make a video on bullying. How could I say no to such a request? Hopefully, she gets something from it.
There's no good reason to be a bad person, even if you're a kid. Being mean to others, bullying others, is not nice and hurts people. God does not want His k...
My experience in a nutshell
Psychotherapist and Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) expert Rebecca C. Mandeville returns after a 7 month medical leave of absence to share her personal insig...
I have chosen to live my life as I see fit. I answer to no one; God is my guide.
Ask Facebook: What are your thoughts on bullying in schools?
I realized that the devil couldn't phase me, so he began attacking me through family and friends. I had a Job moment where I lost everything, but I'm still p...
I realized that the devil couldn't phase me, so he began attacking me through family and friends. I had a Job moment where I lost everything, but I'm still p...
I hope I don't make too many people mad with this one.
This video questions if feminism has gone too far as some women use feminism to argue in favor of having casual s*x without regard to reality. Our society st...
The toughest part of walking away from toxic people is dealing with the love you still have for them. I honor my feelings by acknowledging them. That's how healing takes place. I feel blessed knowing God removed certain people from my life because He knows better than me.
A portion of "Family & Friends in Quotation."
I really enjoyed reading my poetry last night. I hadn't read anything publicly in years, so I was very nervous. Overall, it worked out. I read my work and didn't pass out or slip & fall. Here is "Don't Call Me Out My Name."
Last night, I spoke of how difficult my life was this Summer. I lost my fiancée, fell out with certain family members and friends, left my dream job, and was homeless.
I'm admitting all of this because people compare themselves to others without knowing what's behind the smile. For me, I may look like I have it all figured out, but I don't. I smile because I don’t need to have anything figured out.
I have a personal relationship with God, and I have faith that He has my best interests at heart. He orders my steps, and I trust Him. I knew that my situation this Summer was temporary. He gave me strength and told me to have faith.
I knew a woman who used to say, "Once you think you got it, you just lost it." That’s how I look at life. If I ever figure it out, then I won't need God. The thought of developing such a huge ego is frightening.
I pray I will remain humble with full knowledge that if I continue doing His will and maintaining my relationship with Him, then I will never have to "figure it out." That’s God's job, not mine.
Well, I read several of my poems this evening and will be sharing a video of all but the first two for friends. The first two were not recorded, but one was about my first great love and the pain I felt once I realized he wasn't my soul mate. The second was about an older woman I didn't like (the feeling was mutual) but came to appreciate after trying to view life through her eyes. My experiences with both people taught me great lessons: It doesn't matter how much I love someone if that person's actions aren't loving...I should always try to put myself in someone else's shoes to have a better understanding of where she/he is coming from before I make a snap judgment because sometimes, people are struggling with issues they leave unsaid.
God has ordered my steps, and I won't let distractions get in the way of doing His will.
The best thing I learned to do was how to set boundaries. The days where I allow others to manipulate me, disrespect me, gaslight me, or try to convince me to think differently about God and how He interacts with me are over. I no longer make myself smaller to accommodate anyone's ego.
I'm still here.
Lafayette, LA
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A portion of "Family & Friends in Quotation."
"I'm Sly"
I really enjoyed reading my poetry last night. I hadn't read anything publicly in years, so I was very nervous. Overall, it worked out. I read my work and didn't pass out or slip & fall. Here is "Don't Call Me Out My Name."
I've gotta praise His name. He's been carrying me through life.
Because I endured childhood trauma, I believed that some wrongdoings were unforgivable. When people hurt me or crossed certain lines, I withheld forgiveness as if it was a punishment; this led me to therapy. Now, I have come to believe in letting go of the anger, turning the situation over to God, and moving forward with my life without baggage.
