The Icon

Posted on April 14, 2023 by msw blog

I can’t possibly pinpoint one person who stands as my icon, but I find the sheer power and beauty that’s found withing and around Black women to be truly otherworldly. To me, all Black women thriving and surviving in this world are true icons. – Campbell Addy

My current icon is the urban designer Emmanual Prat, cofounder of Sweet Water Foundation, who has helped to transform some vacant lots on Chicago South Side into a vibrant small neighborhood with an urban farm, a gallery and collective educational and meeting places.

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Aroma

Posted on April 14, 2023 by msw blog

A woman stopped on the side of the road got out of her car and picked a stem of wild lavender. She was late to work- she didn’t have time for such things- but, nevertheless. She put the lavender in her cup holder. Late that night, as she drove home, the broken stem gave off its aroma she looked down and smiled…. find something beautiful keep it close by   

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Modern Day Lynching

Posted on April 13, 2023 by msw blog

I was struck by the brazenness of it. The length of time. It was something that stuck with me. The defiance of the people who are pleading for assistance. The indifference to the pleas of the victim. Because if you look at a lot of these cases that involve a shooting, it happens in an instant. You know, there are many questions to be asked about them, but there’s always this idea: This is a decision that’s made in an instant. It doesn’t excuse it. But, you know, the idea that somebody could say “Well, I was startled and reacted” is present in a shooting-style case. In this one, it was slow. Agonizing. It was—it was shocking. –KEITH ELLISON Minnesota attorney general

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Sex Life Transformation

Posted on April 13, 2023 by msw blog

Expecting Your Partner To Be A Mind Reader: Sex isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it’s a learned skill that has to be taught and developed. Sex is a personal and unique experience, so if you don’t share your needs in the bedroom with a partner, they won’t intrinsically know how to bring you the pleasure you crave and deserve.

Treating Sex Like A Performance: Sex isn’t a performance. It’s an intimate act that isn’t like what you see in adult films. It takes tries, gets messy, and each time won’t always be perfect like how Hollywood portrays sex. So, have fun, definitely enjoy it but don’t romanticize it.

Slut Shaming Yourself: Your sexual wants, needs, and desires are normal (which should be amongst two consenting adults). So, freely and confidently embrace your sex and sexuality; don’t let societal narratives or opinions of others have you shying away from the pleasure you seek in the bedroom.

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Tasteful Memories

Posted on April 12, 2023 by msw blog

 “The family loves my chicken and dumplings,” she says. “Everyone always wants my recipe. But I’m not even gonna leave it behind when I’m gone. I want them to always say, ‘This doesn’t taste the same. I miss Dolly’s.’ ” – Dolly Parton

Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…

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