The gratitude could be for something big or something small even down to something you are wearing. My mind immediately went to the Pandora bracelet I was wearing.

Over the years I have lived in some pretty dark places emotionally and mentally. Struggling to have regulated nervous system. Never believing I was worth love from myself or anyone else. It took years to evolve, grow and start to love me.

Folks really don’t like Black women. The truth is, folks get real uncomfortable when Black women become too successful. It feels like you start winning too much, it’s like, “Who does she think she is?”

How many times have you heard, “Follow your dream?” Without a plan, consistency sprinkled with a whole lotta work, the dream stays just that..a dream. I’m learning everyday I have to silence the noise, work in the dark sometimes alone and dig in so I can see the dreams of the 8 year old Jee come true.

The way that you speak to yourself in the quiet times matter. So be gentle with yourself. The world yells the cruel, mean and hurtful things to us. Learn to speak to yourself with kindness and understanding, especially on the tough days.