Happy July, Family.

Is it just me or has the first half of the year been a whirlwind at lightspeed?

Good things mixed with rough spots.
Sunshine swirled with rain.

It’s amazing that I’m still strapped into this 2023 rollercoaster because I don’t like rollercoasters. The feeling that my stomach is tunneling toward my eyes does not give me excitement. I hold purses and drinks; my friends know that.

In the past, I rode a few and the anticipation was nice until it was real. When I heard the click of the “U”-shaped over-the-shoulder restraint or lap bar, I immediately wanted to get off. It was evident I had reached the point of no return.

Except at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park in Rossville, Georgia. I rode almost every ride at least twice and went through the scary house so often I could tell others where the ghostly actors were planted. The repetition created familiarity which decreased my fear and amplified my anticipation. The faces were also familiar as my church took our youth department there numerous times.

Just like the trip to Lake Winnepesaukah, I’m learning to let God create a new normal that consists of opportunities and miracles. That the seeds I’ve planted are growing into a harvest. I am challenged to believe the floor will drop beneath my feet at any moment, but that instant need to recoil is becoming more of an anomaly. I open my hands to receive because I accept the joy of the Giver’s intention.

June was such a beautiful testimony of this new normal. Here’s 30 ways it was good to me and some moments captured along the way.

1. Concert: Sheila E. – she ate and left no crumbs, yet again. Her concerts are always nourishing.

2. Workmanship Incorporated celebrated 11 years of ministry and outreach. So grateful.

3. Gradient Dance Theater‘s production SPECTRA was amazing. Thank you, Taylor and Joanna, for respecting and commissioning my work. The best way to express my gratitude is to highlight my fellow choreographers and dancers. Remember their names and book them (see Program screenshots). So good to see my circle in the room and create new ones.

4. My next-steps meeting with Birmingham Public Libraries went well. Get ready for a dynamic self-care community program this fall.

5. Spoke to camp students at the Shades Valley YMCA. Thank you, Neena Speer, for the opportunity to share about Juneteenth and me.

6. Saw my SoRHOr shining like a pretty poodle as she supported entrepreneurs on Juneteenth.

7. Laughed and talked good things with my friend Patrick Packer from Datus Henry Industries . More good things coming.

8. Reflected on my Aunt Janice serving coffee at the A.G. Gaston Motel and the beautiful defiance of entrepreneurship.

9. Performed with Nathifa Dance Company & Outreach in the West End and Collegeville communities.

10. Trusted with fathers and husbands for Father’s Day. Grateful to facilitate their rest through massage therapy. Thank you to the ladies for including rest into their special day.

11. Taught an introductory step class for The Dance Foundation‘s Dance Exploration Summer Camp. Super fun.

12. Hung out with my dear SoRHOr, actress, songwriter, and educator Annie Joe Edwards and laughed… a lot

13. Hosted and debuted a spoken word piece at New Awakening Recovery Services‘ Recovery Monologues. Thank you Martina Dailey for trusting me with your program. Thank you friends for speaking my name when I wasn’t in the room.

14. Caught up with the incomparable smiling dancer Christina Davis. Great conversation.

15. Hugged my beautiful big sister Monéca Reid and my extended family at Word of Faith Love Center (GA) – Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary again, Team Garmon!

16. Loved on my new village kids, my Tau Beta Sigma sorors, and my WINC sisterfriend in Georgia

17. Ate Maggiano’s – my favorite must-stop once a year. 🙌🏾

    18. Walked and talked with my sweet little chapter sister Holleyanna at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

    19. Paid off an old credit card that I used to need to keep up with medical debt in college. 🙌🏾

    20. Got a call that a medical bill went to $0 due to a billing coding error. 🙌🏾

    21. Chuckled with my pRHOphyte

    22. Enjoyed real talk and chuckles with my creative sisterfriend Maya

    23. Planned outreach with WINC (Save The Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023)

    24. Laughed with my Frat brother Charles that I haven’t seen in about 16 years

    25. Talked good things with my sweet friend and collaborator Jasper. More good things coming.

    26. Great catch-up convo with my Sigma Gamma Rho Line Sister

    27. Enjoyed a hug, laughs and my favorite lip care and more goodies from Mia

    28. Served new + recurring clients and confirmed new contracts

    29. Still got my massage, nails, and pedicure appointments in.

    30. Received more divine download about next steps for my businesses (yes, including new books).

    And that’s just June, or what I call Halftime.
    The Grace and Blessings came in different cloaks.
    Some were monetary and some were emotional deposits.
    Some were on my calendar and some were impromptu.

    Let’s get ready for the harvest that belongs to us. I’m all in. I encourage you to look for goodness this month and pick them like wildflowers for the journey ahead. Look for the small and the grand. Appreciate all the ways harvest grows. Normalize it. That’s what I’m doing.

    And what did I do for 4th of July? I had massage clients, a writing coach client, enjoyed lunch from a client’s delectable kitchen menu, then I journaled about a memory. What a great way to kick off the second half.

    Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all.