HeARTtalk – Healing Through Art and Story

October 14, 2019October 14, 2019

Say. Her. Name.

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October 7, 2019

What this Pain Feels Like: Day 94

A two-ton elephant periodically sits on my chest. And with every other breath there is a remnant of heaviness that refuses to not announce itself on every exhale. "I'm here!" it shouts. Tempting me to tears or rage or whatever emotions are sitting right on the surface. Of course the more agitated I become, the …

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October 4, 2019October 4, 2019

On Forgiveness…again.

There’s certainly a pattern. Black person dies at the hand of white person. White person may or may not be held accountable. Black person’s family members announce that they have forgiven said white person. The majority of people oooh and ahhh. Tears are shed. Scriptures are quoted. Rinse and repeat. Yes, there’s definitely a pattern of black folks being praised for …

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October 2, 2019October 2, 2019

What This Pain Feels Like: Day 87

It’s a vise grip. I try to breathe into it like they taught me but there is no release. In fact, it further denies me any respite by pulling my scalp tight over my eyes and then back again. My ears fill with air. It feels like my eyebrows are furrowed even though I just …

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September 25, 2019October 1, 2019

The Thing About Grieving…

The worst part of grieving, maybe even of grief itself, is not necessarily the event that caused the pain. It’s what happens after the funeral, after the diagnosis, after the “I’m so sorrys” and “thoughts and prayers.” It’s months later when active support fades. It’s a year later when a tidal wave of memory and …

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December 21, 2018December 21, 2018

Death by Social Media

I love social media. Between FB, Twitter, and Instagram, I am regularly posting, reading, and sharing with friends and followers alike. As a writer, educator, and indie publisher, social media has proven to be a great way to crowd-source ideas, promote work, and build relationships and communities with readers and other writers. As a person …

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December 16, 2018December 17, 2018

Take the Limits Off

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..." Zechariah 4:10 Facts: Your personal insecurities can be huge stumbling blocks when it comes to pursuing your purpose dreams. There was a time when it never occurred to me that I couldn’t do or accomplished something. I remember when I …

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