Today, I met the most incredible man and as I am writing this, I feel a little emotional (I’m not quite sure why), excited and pretty content.

I am excited because of the way we met and how my determination and consistency in ‘going with the flow‘ has brought into my life an experience (no matter how brief) with a man that not only held space for me in a gentle manner, allowing me to not only open myself up to myself (I can be extremely closed off:) but allowing me to interact with him in a way that not only felt authentic but was authentic. No man has ever held space for me like that before.

I’m kind of still processing because in the moment I didn’t even realise what was happening. It felt like he was just drawing me out of myself by randomly chatting with me in Piedmont Park. I asked and I received and I’m so grateful for that. I needed something to replenish my well of Hope because it has been running so dry the last week or so.

I am content for this very reason. As a black woman, my life is walking a line of extremes where I am either fiercely celebrated or deeply mistreated. I make the conscious decision to move to where I am valued – because at 38 years old, I know the value I bring. In fact, most of my haters do too. What did Drake remind us of in one of his albums: “jealousy is just love and hate at the same time.”

Personally, I love being of service and work hard to add value to each and every person I come into contact with – and I’m successful too. It’s not boasting; just an acknowledgement of a God-given gift (and one I do not make money off).

When that service no longer serves me, or servicing actually becomes detrimental to any attempt to fill my up cup, the life lesson has been: quietly walk away and course correct. My absence is always felt (I know this because of what happens in the aftermath and the conversations I have with people left behind). The challenge isn’t that one is no longer useful; just that you will be better employed elsewhere.

An aircraft is a tool, put it in the wrong hands, and you’ll kill everyone on board. If a tool is in the right hands and it is use it for its proper use, you will see the benefits.

It’s not rocket science. Know your value (whatever it is), take it where it’s needed and make sure it’s where YOU need it too:).

Be well. Live well.