Tag: encouragement

Uprooted: Putting down the weight🏋‍♀️.

I’m done.

Finished.

Tapped out.

I’m done with:

Carrying the weight of the entirety of the black community/culture.

I was raised to spend my life walking on eggshells around white folk. I had to speak softly. I had to work extremely hard but quietly. I was NOT to exhibit too much fight or passion or try.

Why? Because I would not be hired for any decent job. I couldn’t make waves. I had to sit quietly, with my eyes down and hope/pray to be noticed enough to be chosen for a job I would not be able to advance in.

I did that. For years. For decades.

Even now, as a black woman, I am expected to keep it shut and keep it moving. For the most part I have and I do.

I made sure to ALWAYS bear in mind that MY actions, around white folk, would determine if other black women and other folk, who look like me, might be given a job, a chance, a loan, space to breathe without too much skepticism and scrutiny.

Since the tornado, I have been confronted by sooooooooooooooooooo much reality.

I’m thankful for this. Why? Because I have FINALLY found the strength, the courage, the temerity to look reality, to look the world, to look myself, to look God, to look Life, to look The Universe, in the eye and say:

Enough!

I’m done!

I’m finished!

I’m tapped out!

I’m done with:

Carrying the weight of the entirety of the black community/culture!

All I can be, all I CHOOSE to be is me!

Which happens to be black. Which happens to be a woman. Which happens to be a black woman.

I shall love the world the best I can and will leave it at that.

I am my legacy.

My try is my legacy.

My love is my legacy.

Simple as that.

Believe me.

Or not.

Believe IN me.

Or not.

Love me.

Or not.

Ready, or not, here I come 🗺 world!

here to stay,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: 🏋‍♀️🦅🥊❤️‍🩹❤️🎤

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Look past(it).

If you can look past the grief.

You can see the sun.

If you can look past the pain.

You can see Son.

If you can look past the anger.

You can see The One.

Ah, God. I see You. Even when I can’t see Your Hands moving in my circumstances.

Things happen. Hard things. Awful things. Discouraging things. Disappointing things. Embarrassing things. Lonely things. Unfair things. Hopeless things.

Look past them, beloveds. Look up and see all that is in store for your life.

It has been truly difficult making the choice to look past. I look upon that which has befallen me and want to cry out in anger and disbelief.

Instead, I look past. With hope. With Thanksgiving. These hard things are nothing but opportunities to stand on my faith and shout to the world that God is good. Even when things are hard.

Keep going. Even if going through a hard place you have no idea if you can make it through.

You CAN. You WILL.

going through hard things with you,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I wish I could rewind the clock. I can’t. All I can do is do my best with the rest of this thing called my life. Fresh hell.😳❤️‍🩹🥊

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

I’m a dope.

I’m a dope.

I like to call my wombie and say the dumbest things.

Why?

Because I’m a dope.

I like to say really dumb things that will make me laugh.

Why?

Because I’m a dope.

I love to think of folks and say ridiculous things to encourage them to keep on going.

Why?

Because I am a dope.

I get a kick out of loving a world who either does not care for me because I am a dope. Or, doesn’t like me for this, that or every other reason. I still love the world.

Why?

Because I’m a dope.

I STILL believe God is good. Even in the midst of trials that never seem to end.

Why?

Because I’m a dope.

I still believe I shall find love in my life. Even after being told I’m too loud, too black, too ugly, too poor. Too this, too that and every other thing. I still believe.

Why?

Because I’m a dope.

I adore daydreaming of all that I may, perhaps, might be. Someday. Somehow. Some kind of way.

Why?

Because I’m a dope.

I choose to love, laugh, hope, give, share and believe. Even in the midst of all these terribly unbelievable happenings.

Why?

Because I’m a dope.

I’m His dope.

I’m YOUR dope.

I can’t help it. God made me this way. God loves me this way. God continues to ask me to BE this way.

Too many folk are ashamed to live in their own skin. Too many are trying to change who they are because they feel ashamed to BE.

Life is short, beloveds. Be…YOU.

Receive you.

Respect you.

Love you.

God did NOT make a mistake when He created you. And, if you are not a believer, that’s okay. You are still you. He loves you anyway.

The world is lying to folk and trying to convince them there’s no such thing as right or wrong, up or down, or yes or no.

Be who you are. Be what you are.

I’m a dope. And, that’s okay.

being me,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Nuff said. Don’t be ashamed of you, beloveds. There is an entire world out there waiting to be loved and to love you back.

Just because you have been hurt by some, beloveds, does NOT mean you will be hurt by all!

Put yourself out there. Open your heart to give and receive love. Don’t leave your heart exposed to those who have and are taking advantage of it.

Life is short. Let your inner dope out. Asking for A Friend.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

God, I’m trying. To be.

Me: I’m trying.

God: Yea, I know you can be trying. 🥰😂

Me: I’m being serious.

God: My Bad. Trying to what and why?

Me: To be.

God: To be? What?

Me: That’s the problem. I’m trying to hard just to. Just to…ack!

God: To be what?

Me:

Me.

Genuine.

Authentic.

Loving.

Hopeful.

Helpful.

God: Why can’t you, don’t you, won’t you just be those things?

Me: Life keeps getting in the way. I keep getting in my way. I keep letting other folks expectations of me, or lack thereof, get in my way.

God: Well, why don’t you get out of your own way?

Me: What if I do and I fail?

God: Then you fail. What if you do and you succeed?

Me: Then I succeed.

God: So, beloved, is success your goal?

Me: I’m not sure what that success ought look like. Is MY success YOUR success?

God: Ah. Great question! Keep asking.

Me: Gee thanks for nothing. You were supposed to give me the answer.

God: I AM The Answer. Keep seeking ME, with ALL your heart, and the rest SHALL be added unto you.

Me: Aha! Seems like I have read that 📖 somewhere.

God: All you need to do is to keep doing what you tell everyone EVERY day.

Me: Drink coffee and eat chicken strips?!😳🥰

God: 😂. Tell her, Mags.

Mags: You are loved. You are NOT alone. Keep on being…YOU.

Me: Oh, yea. K

doing my best to be,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Nuff said.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Underneath it all.

Your dreams are still there.

Underneath it all.

Underneath:

The hard.

The long.

The trying.

The trials.

Love is STILL waiting for you.

Beneath it all.

Beneath:

The rejection.

The ghosting.

The dismissals.

Joy still lives within you.

Despite:

The hard.

The fear.

The doubt.

The wondering.

The wandering.

You are covered, beloveds, underneath it all.

Underneath:

God’s Care.

The Universe’ Blessings.

Life’s Bounty.

Be encouraged, beloveds. Things are NOT as they appear. Keep going. You are creating diamonds, in your shoes, as you continue to walk towards and up Joy Mountain. That which you think has been your toughest tests/trials, shall turn out to be your closest friends.

walking still,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Well I know, beloveds, how hard the way has been. Enjoy your day. Try not to focus on the hard. Focus on the incredibly YOU that is being created/fashioned/remade/restored/renewed as you walk your way through the hard! Ah, beloveds, you got this! What’s more, God has got us all. In case no one has told you today: I love you

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Everything IS going to be alright!

Everything IS going to be alright! https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8vgRngObWM/?igsh=MXA2bjllbG16Z2ttcg==

Nuff said.

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Keep going…

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Adapting: Going old school.

If nothing else, beloveds, I am learning how to adapt. Fresh heckamiah!

Without the internet, I have missed ALL of my shows!!….stamps foot. The US Open is this week!!!……..Ack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In desperation, I ordered a stupid antennae so I can see about, at the very least, finding a few digital channels so I can watch the last round or two of the Us Open.

Said antannae came. Have been fighting with the dumb thing for a day and a half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!

The stupid thing will find a few channels, will taunt me I can’t see them and will boot me off the correct Input channel.

WHAT IN THE FRESH HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, finally, FIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNAAAAALLLLLY, beloveds, I figured out that I had to turn off the Hotspot, on my phone, so the channels can register on the BLASTED TELEVISION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, after a day of agony, I am prepared to watch some golf come Sunday. If I have a Sunday. If the stupid antennae thingie willl even work already!!!

Here is where I would normally insert something incredbily inspiring and insightful about using the tough moments to teach you new things. Or, something equally as true and dumb about using the old to bring back things you enjoy. However, ALL I want to do right now is scream at the stupid non working tv because I do NOT HAVE THE INTERNET BECAUSE TWO DAMMED TORNADOES CAME IN, STOLE ALL MY EXPENSIVE FOOD, RIPPED UP MY FLIPPING YARD, STOMPED THROUGH ALL MY STOMPING GROUNDS AND HAVE LEFT ME WITH NO WORK CHECK BECAUSE I CAN’T WORK BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE THE STUPID INTERNET AND FOLK ARE OVER CARING ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I AM ON MY OWN DEALING WITH THE FACT I COULD HAVE DIED IN THE STUPID TORNADOES!!!!

Ehem, scuze me,…coug….oooppps.

Me thinks it is time for a coffee break.

In the meantime, beloveds, it’s okay to have a bit of a flip out whilst your life is being flipped about. I would offer to share a cup of coffee but I wouldn’t blame you for saying no about now.

Be encouraged.

I’m hoping all is well. If not, come over my way and have a scream, er, cup of coffee with me.

here still(I think),

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I love you. Nuff said.


One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Pick up the phone.

Sis sent a text.

She wanted to talk.

I did NOT want to talk.

I wanted to hide.

I picked up the phone.

I dialed.

We talked.

We shared.

We loved.

We lamented.

We cared.

Ah, God. Life is hard just now. I don’t want to talk to You, just now. You let that damned tornado tear up my damned yard!

God: Pick up the phone.

Me: K.

picking up the phone,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Keep picking up the phone, beloveds. We all need each other. Even when the very last thing we want to do is to reach out. Reach out anywho. Asking for A Friend. Asking for ME.


One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Ten steps forward. Fifty steps back.

Ten steps forward.

50 steps back.

Rinse.

Repeat.

Fresh hell!!!!

I’m a bit fed up, beloveds.

With having to be positive.

With having to be about being about it when the LAST thing I want to do is be about it.

Geeeeeeeeeeez.

So, what am I DOING whilst having these feelings?

Being about it, of course.

Shhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuttttt!

It’s a have to now.

I want to quit.

Badly.

Right here.

Right now.

I just want to flop down in this dead spot and say so what and who gives two hoots and leave me alone.

I won’t.

I can’t.

I have thangs to do.

Crapola.

What shall I do instead?

Take out the trash.

Make coffee.

Make chicken strips.

Hmm.

brb,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Life is short. Keep taking your two steps forward. Not your fault when having to take 50 back…*shrug*. Be encouraged. In case no one has told you today: I love you.

And, if you get a few extra pieces today…*shrug*. It’s either encourage you and me or stay in bed all day lamenting how hard life is. I did that yesterday. Booooooooooooooooooring. Let’s go, beloveds. We got thangs to do.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Reality can kick rocks!

I told Reality to take two seats!

Kick rocks!

Let GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO of my dreams!

I will NOT give up.

Not yet.

Ah, God.

I’m tired.

Ah, Life.

You are hurting soooooooooooooooooo much.

Ah, Universe.

When in the fresh hell shall you work FOR me and get me from underneath Reality’s Laughter.

I stopped my pitiful, beloveds, long enough to remind you that it’s perfectly okay to not be okay until you are okay. Ok?

Right now, I am looking at some gorgeous waterfalls and uplifting and TRUE scriptures to feed my tired and weary soul.

I made myself a cup of coffee so I can have a good yak with mom and let her know how haaarrrrrrrrd life is being right now.

My headphones are pumping out some fantastically hopeful music. Ah, beloveds, hang on in there!

I know. I know. I sound like a broken record. I am boring me with the sameness of these words. Doesn’t make them less true. Just makes me less interesting….hahahahahahahaha.

Ah, beloveds. Be sure to laugh. Don’t allow ANYTHING to steal your joy, take your laughter, make you run away from the awesomeness of your life. Things shall get better. They shall.

The trick is learning how to maintain and rejoice in the meantime.

I HATE IN THE MEANTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT TAKES FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait, beloveds. Just wait. Your turn IS coming. Your turn IS here. In the meantime, make some coffee. Read a book. Take a break. Take a breath. Then, get on back in there and live. Rinse. Repeat.

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I love you.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!