Dr. Karri Bryant & Teneshia Murray Butler: Leadership, Faith & Boldness in Business

 

Hello September 🍂

Hello September!!!!! 

August set us up for new beginnings. Now it’s time to push forth because it’s birthing season. 🙌🏽

While you’re doing all of the things this month let’s practice selfcare daily. You can’t be a blessing to others if you’re burnt out. 

Take care of you. 🥰 

Make it a September to remember. 🎊

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Thank You August

As August comes to a close, my heart is filled with gratitude for a month of rest, renewal, and quiet reminders that growth often begins in stillness. Thank you, August, for the peace that settled my spirit, the creativity that sparked new ideas, and the inspiration to continue writing, creating, and dreaming. You made room for reflection, for gratitude, and for trusting God’s timing in every season. Some blessings arrived in unexpected ways, while others came as gentle confirmations that every step of this journey has purpose. August was a beautiful reminder that God continues to perfect those things that concern me, and for that, I am deeply thankful.

Now, I welcome September with open hands and an open heart. There is something special about September—it has always felt like a season of new beginnings, fresh starts, and renewed focus. As the leaves begin to change, I want this month to be one of intentional self-care, choosing rest without guilt, protecting my peace, and continuing to become the woman God is calling me to be. My hope is that September will truly be a September to Remember—a month filled with wellness, gratitude, creativity, and the courage to embrace each new beginning with faith, joy, and expectation.

Thank You For Everything - Kirk Franklin

 

Today, It’s Working Together for Good - 8/28

 

It is August 28th, and I find myself thinking about the scripture that has anchored me through so many seasons: Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. At the end of 2020, I did two things that felt significant to me: I loc’d my hair and I got a tattoo. On my arm are the words “Y sabemos — R8v28.” Y sabemos comes from the Spanish translation of Romans 8:28 and means “and we know.” 

At the time, I couldn’t have known everything that would come after that tattoo. I couldn’t have known all the things I would experience, the things I would lose, the things that would change me, or the things I would have to learn to release. But every day, when I lay down and see those words on my arm, I am reminded: and we know.

What I know now is that “working together for good” doesn’t always mean that everything works out the way I wanted it to. Sometimes it didn’t work. Sometimes the answer was no. Sometimes the plan changed. Sometimes life changed. And sometimes I had to become someone new in the process. But I still believe that even if it don’t work, it’s still working for your good. 

Romans 8:28 doesn’t require me to understand how every piece fits together; it reminds me to trust the One who does. So today, on 8/28, I can look at the words I placed on my arm almost six years ago and say them with a different kind of knowing. Not because everything has been easy. Not because everything worked the way I thought it would. But because through it all, God has continued to work. Today, it’s working together for good.

Remembering Aaliyah 25 Years Later

 

Finishing Fervent

This evening I finished reading Fervent. I’ve probably checked it out digitally 3 if not 4 times. Prior to last night, I had read some of Chapter One. Last night was different. It felt as if Holy Spirit was guiding me to sit still and read. 

As I read the last 4 chapters today, I understood why I had to read this book. I think to some degree fear had paralyzed me and I could identify easily what I’ve made as idols in my life. 

Using the app, I made a study guide for future reference. 

Since, my illness reading has been challenging. Using the Kindle and Audible apps really helped me with finishing this book. 🙏🏾
 

VERZUZ Presents: Donell Jones vz Joe

 

No First Day: What I Wrote in 2019 & What I Understand Now

I wrote the following post on August 18, 2019

I don’t think I was prepared to not have a first day of school. I didn’t want to go to church yesterday but a friend pretty much questioned my reasons and he didn’t even show up. 🙄Afterwards I took a nap with Solange playing, because that’s a thing for me. Then I remembered that while I may not have a first day, Tyler does, Alex does and some many other people that I love do. 

Sometimes I want to be sad about the situation but those closest to me ain’t trying hear it. So with that being said I wish everyone a wonderful first day of school. I know that each of you bringing blessings to the building by simply pulling up to the school.

August 19, 2026

If everything had gone according to plan today would have been the beginning of my 25th year of teaching. At this moment it’s the milestone that is not happening. A part of me is sad and the other part of me encourages me to hold space for all of the things that have made me more resilient. It’s a moment to be gentle and loving to myself.

A couple of illnesses have taken me on different paths. I’ve had to learn to heal and to rest. I’ve also had to learn that just as seasons change so do our lives. With everything that I’ve been through I’d encourage teachers to take care of themselves and don’t over exert yourself. Practice self-care. Schedule your annual exams. Know your numbers. 

So today, there may be no first day of school for me and no celebration of a 25th year, but there is still a life worth of honoring. I can miss the classroom, grieve the milestone that is not happening, and remain grateful for the lives I touched along the way. I will celebrate every teacher who is pulling up to a school building and bringing a blessing simply by being there. And I will remind myself that although my season has changed, the teacher in me remains. Still learning, still encouraging and still using what I have lived through to help others. 

Mahjong - How I Relax