Today in #BlackHistory– on August 29, 1920, the jazz musician Charlie “Bird” Parker was born. Also today in 1958, the entertainer Michael Jackson was born.
Today in Black History – March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place. You can read more about it here.
Daily Inspiration – My Gratitude Journal Habit
I started a Gratitude Journal again after not having one for several months. I used up my last journal, and I never got around to getting a new one. I finally bought one yesterday. It’s a simple, spiral notebook that can fit in my purse, nothing big and fancy. I wrote my first entry in this notebook today.
I have three lists in it that include:
- “I’m so grateful that…” – a list of good things that happened in the last 24 hours. Five to ten items.
- “I’m looking forward to…” – a short list of things I’m looking forward to doing in the next 24 hours. Three to five items.
- My Goals – a quick, intuitive list of my wants, dreams, and desires. This goal list can change from day-to-day. It’s my DREAM BIG list. I don’t think about it too much. I just write down what I am feeling at the moment. Ten to Fifteen items.
Do you keep a Gratitude Journal?
Today in Black History – Count Basie
On August 21, 1904, William “Count” Basie, the jazz pianist and musician, was born.
Learn more about him here.
Today in Black History – Jamestown
On August 20, 1619, a group of twenty enslaved Africans were brought to Jamestown, Virginia. This marked the first arrival of enslaved Africans in English North America. You can learn more here.
I am going to attend a commemoration of this event this weekend, and I hope to provide a post of my experience there.
Daily Inspiration – Live to the Fullest
We only get one chance at this life, and so let’s work to live life to the fullest. It’s easy to get caught in the weeds with all the distractions out there today, but we can make small steps to create a life that we love.
That can include calling a loved one to repair a relationship, going for a walk for better health and well-being, choosing to laugh instead of complain.
What is one thing you can do today to create your best life?
Daily Inspiration – Congratulate Yourself
Be proud of how hard you’re working. Life doesn’t always have to be hustle, hustle, hustle all the time. We should slow down and pat ourselves on the back for what we’ve done & for who we are.
I tend to overwork myself, and I don’t stop to congratulate myself. Western, patriarchal culture rewards action, achievement, and hustle. It doesn’t reward being-ness, self-appreciation, and self-love. That’s something we have to do for ourselves. To stop and tell yourself: “Good job” pushes against cultural norms.
So celebrate yourself today. You deserve it.
Happy Release Day, Angelia Vernon Menchan!
WOMANISH: AN ANTHOLOGY
Womanish, the Ish Women Survive…
Womanish: An Anthology is a no holds barred look at the things women endure and survive. This collection is an honest and revealing look at the ‘ish’ Black Women come through… marriage, family, abuse, sexual trauma and LOVE, ultimately. There are seven disparate voices, sharing and revealing to heal, themselves and others.
Angelia Vernon Menchan, Jevia’l Allen, Laduann, Nadine Singleton, Shawn’e Jackson, Shawntey Alfreda and Tiffany Towns.
AVAILABLE ON
AMAZON
EXCERPT
On Being Married
by Angelia Vernon Menchan
For years I have been asked to write about marriage. I guess in large part because I have been married more forty years and I love my husband and my marriage. I am also prone to sharing snippets on social media about marriage.
However, I did not become truly convinced I had anything to say until I sat in a room with several women who bared their hearts to me and listened as I shared mine and that made me realize my marriage was part of my ministry…
Before we jumped the broom, I knew we often get what we allow. I made it clear at the gate that no one was disrespecting or beating me. There were myriad other things we discussed like infidelity, talking about our business with others, especially family members and even borrowing money. I felt borrowing money from people, especially parents gave them too much leverage in your business. Unless it was life or death, no borrowing. We had to own ourselves and if we were grown enough to marry we were grown enough to BE married. It has served us well.
ABOUT ANGELIA VERNON MENCHAN
Angelia Vernon Menchan… Woman. Author. Publisher. Mentor.
