Youthful Life: X

" Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation." Graham Greene I started seeing a therapist three weeks ago, and it has been the best thing I have done for me in a long while. There is a serious stigma around seeking external help. Compound that general social aversion to addressing our issues with membership in communities where that notion is amplified (masculinity, blackness, first-generation American), and it is easy to see why so many people do not explore the idea. It was midnight one night, and I just decided to find a therapist, setup an appointment, and give it a go. There was nothing stopping me, and I had all I needed to able to do it. I spent the night doing research on what to expect, and it was still nothing like I had been socialized to expect. There was a couch, and there were notes being taken ...

Truth - People change people. It's not our beliefs, opinions, or feelings but rather who we are and how we connect with others that makes all the difference. The ways that we approach conversations dictates the outcomes of those conversations. The more purposeful the intention, the more likely an expected outcome will be achieve. Centralizing conversation and genuine dialogue as the context through which you approach others is something truly profound. There is a massive distinction between calling people out, and calling them in to conversation.   "Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted" Ralph Waldo Emerson We live in comparatively the most progressive day and age. We have come a long way, and yet we still have so far to go. More and more we hear this dichotomy of arguments for celebration of diversity, equity, and inclusion being directly opposed to this notion of a censored, politically correct, hyp...

The 20s are all about realizing your personal importance. Self-esteem, self-image, and self-respect all have to come from you.  There is no one that can treat you better than can for yourself but recognizing that you need to do so can be an uphill battle. Sometimes it takes some prompting, reminders from others, and obnoxiously positive affirmations to let us know that we matter. It shouldn't have to come from someone else but it's okay if it does. You don't need anyone's permission to love yourself. Go team natural, let yourself be a little raw, and know you're imperfectly perfect. #NoFilter necessary.    " To be human is to sense and to be sensed." There is nothing more invalidating then sharing part of yourself and having your courage disregarded. In a world of barriers, disconnection, and aversion to contact, to give your memories to another is bold. Sharing our opinions face to face, from our lips to another's ears, with our unique voices bein...