A Girl Made of Affirmations & Self Love

Love Radio💗 📻

This book is a love letter to Black art- Black films.

Black music. Black literature. And I loved this for us!

As a 30-something Black woman, there was so much nostalgia that came barreling through those pages.

I recently fell in love with YA books but this one is easily my favorite I’ve read so far !

Prince has always dreamed of becoming a DJ and falling in love.

But being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners.

Until he meets Dani Ford.

- [ ] Dani isn't checking for anybody. She's focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. Dani has suffered trauma which has made her become very jaded when it comes to boys but something about Prince intrigues her even though she does all she can to fight through it.

Prince convinced her to allow him to take her on three dates to prove she can and will fall in love with him…

Baby, you have to read this book to see if he’s successful but let me tell you now this was one helluva ride .

One True Loves by : Elise Bryant 💗

All About Love By: Bell Hooks is easily one of the most impactful books I’ve read in a long time. In fact, it’s such an amazing read I actually just reread it because I felt like the first time I read it, I didn’t fully appreciate it. Learning that affection doesn’t equate to love and that a lot of us weren’t even shown love as children so we don’t actually know what it should feel like had me just sitting staring at my hands for awhile. 😅

On this week's episode of MyCurlsSpeak With Key I discussed being thankful for all of the great things and not allowing the negative emotions I have been feeling lately to overtake the positive. It is so easy to get lost in every bad thing that's going on, and we do that we forget to be thankful for everything and everyone God has blessed us with. Yesterday my car got broken into for the second time in a couple of years and I'll be honest it negatively impacted majority of my day. But even the police officer who came by the house extended something for me to be thankful for. He said," I know you're blaming yourself because your car was unlocked but aren't you thankful that there wasn't any damages done to your car? No one knocked out a window. They took what they took and left. He was right. Things could've went so much worst but now all I lost was a pair of shoes, something that can be easily purchased again.

God sends us so many messages by random people. It's up to us to be able to receive them. When you look back over your life, for every door that closed are you able to now see why they had to. There was a period of time when i really truly didn't understand why certain relationships I had ended. It may have taken me a few years but I see now that, if they didn't end when they did, the outcome would've hurt must worst because me and those people were not meant to be. A year ago today, I was working a job I absolutely hated. Something happened that made it where I had to quit to avoid from termination and I will be honest, I struggled for awhile because I quit that job without a backup in sight. I didn't work for a couple of months, but then I received a call for not only a job with better pay but one that allowed me to work from home.

I don't know who needs to hear this but you have to get through to get to. Things may not be perfect but have you sat with yourself and counted all of the things that are. Have you thought about those flourishing friendships you have, that one person that's always a text or a call a way? Have you thought about the weight you lost? Maybe its three pounds but you're three pounds closer to the weight you're trying to obtain.. Let's have a moment of gratitude and truly dwell on what is going right and not what's going wrong.

I want to share some scriptures that highlight gratitude with you:

1 Samuel 12:24

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

Ephesians 5:20

Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 13:16

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Forgiveness can be a difficult process, but it's important for your own healing and growth. Remember that forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or condoning the hurtful actions of others. It means choosing to let go of the anger and resentment that can hold you back. Take all the time you need, and remember to be gentle with yourself. You deserve to find peace and happiness again. 10 ways to work on forgiveness:

Acknowledge the hurt: Recognize the pain caused by the person who hurt you.

Take responsibility for your own feelings: Understand and accept your own reactions to the situation.

Practice empathy: Try to see the situation from the other person's perspective.

Let go of resentment: Release the negative feelings and thoughts towards the person who hurt you.

Focus on the present: Don't dwell on the past and how things could have been different.

Communicate your feelings: Have an honest conversation with the person who hurt you.

Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to prevent future hurt.

Practice self-care: Take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.

Seek support: Turn to trusted friends or family members for support.

Consider forgiveness as a process: Forgiveness may take time, be patient with yourself as you work through it.

Acknowledge the hurt: Recognize the pain caused by the person who hurt you.

Take responsibility for your own feelings: Understand and accept your own reactions to the situation.

Practice empathy: Try to see the situation from the other person's perspective.

Let go of resentment: Release the negative feelings and thoughts towards the person who hurt you.

Focus on the present: Don't dwell on the past and how things could have been different.

Communicate your feelings: Have an honest conversation with the person who hurt you.

Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to prevent future hurt.

Practice self-care: Take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.

Seek support: Turn to trusted friends or family members for support.

Consider forgiveness as a process: Forgiveness may take time, be patient with yourself as you work through it.

Acknowledge the hurt: Recognize the pain caused by the person who hurt you.

Take responsibility for your own feelings: Understand and accept your own reactions to the situation.

Practice empathy: Try to see the situation from the other person's perspective.

Let go of resentment: Release the negative feelings and thoughts towards the person who hurt you.

Focus on the present: Don't dwell on the past and how things could have been different.

Communicate your feelings: Have an honest conversation with the person who hurt you.

Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to prevent future hurt.

Practice self-care: Take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.

Seek support: Turn to trusted friends or family members for support.

Consider forgiveness as a process: Forgiveness may take time, be patient with yourself as you work through it.

I wouldn't be me if I didn't include affirmations. This week I will actually pull the affirmations from this week's podcast episode.

Forgiveness Affirmations: I am willing to forgive. Forgiveness is a gift to myself. As I forgive, I set myself free. I now choose to release all hurt and resentment. I release anger and forgive for my own well-being. I let go and allow my heart the space it deserves to thrive. The more I forgive the more I relax into inner peace. I let go of the anger and pain and welcome new beginnings. I forgive those who have harmed me in my past and peacefully detach from them. I am forgiving, healing and finding a peaceful path forward. I forgive and set myself free from suffering. I liberate myself from my past. I choose to be happy and free.

Counseling or therapy - speaking to a mental health professional can provide guidance and support in managing emotions and improving emotional health.

Mindfulness meditation - practicing mindfulness can help increase emotional awareness and regulation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

Physical exercise - regular exercise has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase overall emotional well-being.

Social support - building and maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends, or a support group can provide a sense of connection and reduce feelings of isolation.

Self-care activities - engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as taking a bath, reading a book, or getting a massage, can help reduce stress and improve emotional health.

Counseling or therapy - speaking to a mental health professional can provide guidance and support in managing emotions and improving emotional health.

Mindfulness meditation - practicing mindfulness can help increase emotional awareness and regulation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

Physical exercise - regular exercise has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase overall emotional well-being.

Social support - building and maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends, or a support group can provide a sense of connection and reduce feelings of isolation.

Self-care activities - engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as taking a bath, reading a book, or getting a massage, can help reduce stress and improve emotional health.

Mindfulness meditation - practicing mindfulness can help increase emotional awareness and regulation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

Physical exercise - regular exercise has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase overall emotional well-being.

Social support - building and maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends, or a support group can provide a sense of connection and reduce feelings of isolation.

Self-care activities - engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as taking a bath, reading a book, or getting a massage, can help reduce stress and improve emotional health.

Here are some websites you can utilize for online therapy: BetterHelp, Talkspace, Amwell, 7 Cups, and Regain. It's important to note that some of these services may require payment, so it's best to research and compare before making a decision. Some websites that can help you find an in-person therapist near you include:

You were apart of my everyday routine ...

Just you and me :..

I’d wake up and you’d say “how did you sleep”

And I took advantage of those moments

Because now I wish you were here with me ..

I miss you.

Three words that don’t even come close

To describing how I feel...

I love you..

Doesn’t even seem like an explanation either

Because here we are idle

You’re constantly pushing me away and telling me

That you can’t handle the thought of me

Me sitting here going in circles

Scared that you’ll forget

Forget our first kiss

I’ll first date ..

The first time for everything

They say if you love something let it go and if

It comes back you’ll know

But I already know you’re it for me

I find myself looking for excuses to hear the sound of your voice

Even if we have to argue

Because you became part of my regular routine

And life without you in it

Just doesn’t feel like living

Crying in the shower has become my favorite thing to do...

I can cry as loud as I want and not be judged ...

And I don’t have to hear anyone say I should just get over you .

I can sob uncontrollably and fall down to my knees

And ask God aloud why me

What have I done to be heartbroken like this ...

What did I do to deserve it ?

Because this has to be karma

No one tells you that heartbreak is physical

That your chest hurts ...

You feel it all in your throat ..

Because I was totally unprepared for this

And if I had one wish

I would go back to the day I met you..:

And even though I’m hurting I wouldn’t undo it

I would’ve kissed you a little longer

Held you stronger

Because I would be prepared for the day that you no longer wanted me...

I would’ve gotten all of my “I love you’s”

Out of the way

That way when you left I wouldn’t be begging you to stay

But I can’t go back...

And you don’t wanna start over

So here I am crying in the shower ...

And it’s literally my favorite thing to do

I’ve never been one to drink aside from socially and smoking isn’t a habit of mine but you ...

The person who hurts me the most is also the one who provides me with comfort

And as the days go by

And You’re not by my side

I find myself wishing for one more fix

One more conversation

One more memory of you and me

And I know you’re not good for me but I just can’t

Imagine my life without you in it...

Everyday being harder than the last

Because you’re not here anymore ...

The lies ...

They should’ve turned me against you

But all I want for you to do is tell me they aren’t true

So I can go back inside of my bubble

The bubble that only consisted of you, me, the kids

My perfect family ...

Addiction

As I long for one more hug, one more kiss, one more I love you ...

Addiction

That’s the only word that quite explains how I feel

And now I question if anything you said to me was real...

But I promise my words I meant.

Your person ...

You literally called me that two months ago

Just to break up with me and tell me you don’t want us

Anymore .

Am I delusional?

Did I not see the signs ?

Because all I wanted was for you to be my last ...

For you to always be my guy

Addiction ...

I sleep away the pain...

I fight my urges to call you crying telling you that I miss you...

I lay on a pillow with my eyes filled with tears

Because this just doesn’t seem real