" Welcome to Books & Black Coffee. Join two bookworms for conversations that center on the power of knowledge shared and its application. Each episode is an open door into lessons through books that carry messages which transcend generations. Together we learn, we explore and we leave with much more."
I have become more intentional with listening to podcasts since the Winter of 2020. Just like my reading habits, my listening habits have been diverse. It has ranged from wellness podcasts to self-help/personal development and deep conversation podcasts.
After the Books & Black Coffee podcast launched, it made me curious if there are more bookworm-centered podcasts out there. Podcasts that take books and turn them into valuable conversations; conversations that can be, enjoyed by non-bookworms and bookworms alike. Please comment with your favorite bookworm, book club, conversation about books, or new releases podcasts below (I want to listen too!).
Check out the first few episodes of Books & Black Coffee below.
I started with an idea for tweets to post after I watched the last conversation on Sisterhood. I had this plan in mind using the event hashtags and tagging the speakers in careful succession to create a beautiful thread. I soon realized I had more than a few lines to share, so this post was composed.
Can I take you on a journey?
This is a safe space and all comments are welcome.
Don't use your service to others as an excuse for not reaching your full potential because of fear. What is on the inside of you requires accountability and stewarding - you have to take responsibility for your life. Responsibility for what you are wasting, ignoring, dismissing, and getting comfortable with in playing small. There is a day where you will knowingly or unknowingly sit with yourself, evaluate and question what you've done with your days, years, youth, and strength. Don't let that moment be one - full of regrets, sorrow, or shouldawouldacouldas.
If there was ever a time that you should care about the credits at the end of the seasons of your life, it should be today. It should be now. Don't let the credits be a whole lot of names, main characters, stunt doubles, and extras with your name close to the end because you always supported others and never showed up for yourself. Stop watching all the greatness around you be the only greatness that is known - while nobody knows about the greatness within you. Stages aren't for everyone, but I know moments, seasons, impact, and purpose ARE for EVERYONE.
What moments will those with paths connected to yours experience because you showed up?
What seasons will you manifest in so somebody knows they are not alone? So somebody can thank God for your life & existence. So somebody can be seen, impacted, loved, understood, and have problems solved.
What impact will you stand up and make in this world? What impact will you make in YOUR lifetime?
Show up, and let people know that your purpose is KEY to something within the puzzle and portrait of this world. You are what people are yearning for when you show up in season, each season.
No matter how many mistakes you have made. The things you didn't know. The places you went that you shouldn't have gone. The storms you endured, the pain that crippled you. All the things you can't seem to forgive yourself for. How much you should have done, achieved, or accomplished. How far you should be. Remember to be glad that you didn't give up.
Dead people don't worry about these things. Be grateful for your life and the opportunities you WILL have to change it, reflect on it, learn from it, learn new ways, and make improvements.
Last but not least, practice that self-talk. Practice it until you get comfortable saying positive things out loud to yourself in your space. Use that self-talk to reaffirm that you are Worthy. You are worthy of respect, love, truth, community, laughter, fulfillment & beautiful moments.
What is a boss?'Boss' definitions differ from one woman to the next, so don't uphold the standards and responsibilities of another woman as your own. Recognize or learn to recognize where holding space will drain your capacity and lead to burnout. To prevent burnout, delegate - delegate in as many areas as you can to ensure that when you are serving - your best service is what we receive.
To pour from a cup - you haven't had the chance to fill so others can receive from it - turns them into thieves. We make people thieves when we make a habit of giving away what we need for ourselves (paraphrased from an Oprah & Iyanla conversation).
Being about your business is taking care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is being about your business. Your business covers various areas in your life, it is different levels of needs in your life, and it is the pieces that make the whole of your being. It is also the things that do and do not define you. This part also has a definition that differs from one woman to the next, so take your time. Take your time navigating - identify and define what your business is & how to be about it. Identify what each piece requires and start caring for yourself by meeting those needs.
Defining yourself and what is so beautiful about you stretches beyond the titles, jobs, money, and responsibilities - it is about who you are at the core when all those things are gone. When you forget about the title, jobs, money, privileges, and responsibilities - Do you like who you are becoming? Do you recognize that woman? Do you know her? Do you know what SHE loves, what she enjoys, what makes her happy? *don't wait for a burnout, breakdown, or rock bottom to reach that reconciliation point with yourself.
Use. Your. Tools. Calendars, reminders, notifications for self, timers, alarms - whatever works for you and centers you back to living in each moment, as well as giving your best to your work & responsibilities. Do that.
Sisterhood is about participation and celebration. It is showing up in spaces where you are the missing link in your sisters' stories, businesses, brands, growth, healing & more. Sisterhood is the creation of safe spaces where you are encouraged to evolve, grow, pause, heal and talk. These safe spaces are therapy - they care for where you are personally and professionally.
