Sharing the lesson I've gleaned from 2+ weeks of shelter-in-place: learning how to tackle the psychological and emotional toll of COVID-19, what I call, the "ugly reckonings." These equate to the realizations of busying myself so much, that I never truly had to face the person I saw in the mirror. That I didn't have to do the work of accepting her where she is, understanding her needs, and unpacking what's holding her back from the life she wants.
To My Beloved Forthcoming 2020,
As I embrace 2020, I take time to also thank and acknowledge 2019 for my growth.
How to Have More Meaningful and Loving ::RELATIONSHIPS::
December 2018, I had three conversations with intelligent, wise, and loving women that fundamentally changed the way I view relationships. On a holiday trek through D.C., New Jersey, and Jamaica, I put these lessons into practice and was astounded at the results. My journey to manifesting more mutual, spiritual, and meaningful friendships, mentorship, and romantic … Continue reading How to Have More Meaningful and Loving ::RELATIONSHIPS::
How to Have More Meaningful and Loving ::FRIENDSHIPS::
I can proudly say that exercising empathy is one of my greatest strengths. I can be open-hearted and loving to a fault of my own. Countless times I've found myself devastated at how the love I poured into others wasn't returned back to me. TD Jakes refers to this archetype as "big hearted people" and … Continue reading How to Have More Meaningful and Loving ::FRIENDSHIPS::
Overcoming Periods of Self Doubt…or How to Win a Fool’s Game
DISCLAIMER: It has come to my attention that some folk believe that I "have it all together." Please accept this disclaimer as my way of saying three things: 1) I am figuring this out (and making this up) right alongside you dear reader; 2) I am not immune to feeling completely lost in tasks that … Continue reading Overcoming Periods of Self Doubt…or How to Win a Fool’s Game
How a Dream Becomes a Vision
In Nigerian culture,** parents typically assemble grandparents, close friends, a pastor, and relatives for a naming ceremony for the child, 7 days after birth. It is an occasion full of celebration, prayer, and inspiration as everyone revels over what the child's name will be. Typically, the child will have several traditional names, an English (or name … Continue reading How a Dream Becomes a Vision
STAY Ready. Don’t GET Ready.
Allow me to provide you with some more spiritually-guided unsolicited advice. If you've interacted with me recently, at some point you may have heard me talking about how I "stay ready, so I never have to get ready." I want to break down what this means to me and why it's been so important in … Continue reading STAY Ready. Don’t GET Ready.
Claiming Your Expertise: How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
This topic is close to my heart, because as a Ph.D. Candidate these are the crossroads that I currently find myself at. I've done a little research to save you the time, dear reader, and help you on your journey. However, lest I remind you that I am but a lowly Ph.D. Candidate, my unsolicited … Continue reading Claiming Your Expertise: How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
Want to Change the World? Just Show Up.
It's so dastardly simple that it's also a bit hard to accept as an answer. But so much of what we need to do in life can be boiled down to just showing up. Bringing all of your attention, heart, and body into the space where you're working. Relationships, presentations, acts of service would all … Continue reading Want to Change the World? Just Show Up.
How I Got Into Stanford…I Think
This is the age-old question that I ask myself and constantly gets asked of me. I would like to believe that it was my strategic foresight, research and leadership experiences, and all of  my ambition. And while that may be part of the story--a large part--it it still far from complete. When I originally wrote … Continue reading How I Got Into Stanford…I Think
D42: Why Fellowship Applications Should Be a 3-Credit Course
The weeks leading up to the 2015 NSF GRFP deadline were consumed by editing personal statements with a writing tutor, drafting research proposals with my advisors, and tracking down recommendation writers for the application. If this story resonates with you--if you even know what "NSF GRFP" stands for, then I'm sure you were in a … Continue reading D42: Why Fellowship Applications Should Be a 3-Credit Course
Be Excellent. Celebrate. Repeat.
If there's a young child in your life, I want you to try this experiment or do an observation (in a non-creepy way) of a healthy parent-child interaction. EXPERIMENT: Watch the child do or say something that makes others laugh, smile, or offer a lot of positive reinforcement and celebration. Make note on whether or … Continue reading Be Excellent. Celebrate. Repeat.
Five Things Incoming Grad Students Get Wrong–A LOT
Okay, I know the title comes off a bit harsh. I mean, who do I think I am telling other grad students what they struggle with? Well, kudos to you for being intrigued enough to continue on anyway. To attend to my earlier question: I am an incoming fourth year Ph.D. candidate in ME that has … Continue reading Five Things Incoming Grad Students Get Wrong–A LOT
