At the age of ten, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be a journalist and report the news on television, but something happened. Self-doubt reared its ugly head. Instead of believing that I could, I found all the reasons why I could not. Sadly, I did not have anyone that…
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Overcoming Self Doubt in Recovery
Self-Doubt As a woman in active recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and eating disorders, I have been provided with an incredible opportunity to help others through my own experiences. Watching the women and men that I work with open up like beautiful flowers, dropping the shackles and chains of their self-made prisons, has become…
Questioning Myself
Sometimes I doubt myself. I mean I try to listen to my inner voice yet I begin questioning myself. Sound confusing? Try listening to my inner monologue that sounds like a dialogue and make sense of it! During this time of new normal, I find myself questioning many things. What is my purpose? What should…
Ending Structural Racism – An Earnest Conversation
I want to start a conversation. Recent events have galvanized us with widespread outrage congealing into a consensus for change. That is good. My concern, though, is that a narrow focus on police brutality will eclipse the need for more sweeping reform. Of course, police brutality must end, but that alone will never compensate African…
Islam and Racism – Forbid What’s Wrong and Enjoin What’s Right
We find racism everywhere, in all peoples and even among the adherents of every faith. Much like an invisible virus, it invades our minds and hearts. It’s an ugly whisper within us that we are better than another. No child is born infected. Rather it is taught and transmitted by parents, family and society. Even…
Finding My Voice-for Good
How many times have you heard someone say “I’m at that age now where I can say what I want and no one can stop me?” I’m guessing they refer to finally “finding their voice” or finding someone or something to defend. Whenever I read or hear someone make this comment, I often wonder,…
Finding your Voice while Living Alone
Perhaps this is an article more relevant to the older women among us, but it’s a reality we all will face in the future. Whether because of the death of your spouse, divorce, break up of long-term relationships and sometimes by choice, women statistically are more apt to live alone than men. Whether introvert or…
FINDING YOUR VOICE AND KNOWING WHEN TO SPEAK—OR NOT
Ever since I was a little girl, I have had the courage to speak out. Sometimes this was encouraged and applauded and unfortunately, sometimes, my verbal candor was frowned upon. Ok fine, yes, my mother told me more than once, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.” And yet I felt…
Finding My Voice While Traversing Two Career Paths
It has taken me over 30 years to find my voice and to believe that I truly have one. Why so long, you may ask? For those who know me, it is not because I did not voice my opinions or that I was not passionate about my work during those years. My voice was…
