***TRIGGER WARNING*** THAT WASN’T LOVE Dear Journal, I didn’t know it was a trigger until it demobilized me. Thoughts of doubt, insecurity, shame and feeling unwanted chased me down the hallways of my already cluttered mind. I didn’t know it wasn’t love because I never thought about it not being Love. It was just…yeah. Fast […]
Category: MUSINGS & WITTICISM
THE MOTHER OF HIS CHILDREN | Relationships
POSITION OVER PERSON Respect has to be earned. This we know. Yes. True. Some situations are not that easy. Very cloudy. Gray. Even painful. Painful to rehearse, relive, revisit. Absolutely. It is VERY difficult when she (as far as what he told you) was/is this, that, and the other. There comes a time when YOU […]
I’VE BEEN THINKIN’
I’VE BEEN THINKIN’ I’ve been thinkin’. Licensed but my collar has been adjusted and my pulpit has changed. I’ve been thinkin’ about influence. What it looks like, what it’s looked like, what it can look like…what it should look like. I’ve been thinkin’ about the sacred text of old that describes the mundane being granted […]
POST ELECTION PRAISE: THIS IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL
Nope. Can’t say that I remember. I couldn’t tell you where any of my stickers from previous elections were hiding (if kept); nor have I ever been inclined to take a picture of one. Nonetheless this keepsake is from the recent United States 2016 presidential election. What I do remember is the first election where I was […]
I ONCE KNEW NEW
My heart is full and my mind is all over the place. It is racing a million miles a minute, but in a good way. I don’t feel worried, I feel needed. As though there are millions I’ve yet to meet who need what God has deposited inside of me at the disapproval of those […]
THE LITTLE GIRL IN ME
THE LITTLE GIRL IN ME Written by Ericka Arthur & Shaquana Gardner So here it is… The Little Girl In Me Bright eyes and night cries Sang the song of my Childhood lullabies Mirrors of beauty and pain Reflecting the puzzled image Of my young heart’s stain Did they see it in my smile?? Feel […]
THE MORNING AFTER
November 9, 2016 Blog | http://www.authenticiteespeaks.com IG | @authenticiteespeaks Twitter | @authenticitee Remember YOU MATTER! © Ericka Arthur and authenticitee speaks, 2015, 2016 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear […]
GUESS I NEEDED THAT CRY
She kept asking questions. She was very polite and though I’ve only known her a short time, I really enjoy her company. We’ve had many deep conversations to date, so her gentle prodding has been a natural, inoffensive progression of our exchanges. As new coworkers, I’ve managed to circumvent answering her each time she asks […]
FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T UNSEE WHAT THEY SAW #911Memorial
Did you know you could see to infinity and beyond when standing in that torch Lady Liberty is holding? Climbing those stairs during my Junior High class trip made us feel invincible. Oh and then there were the countless times I would go to see Mommy at work in the Twin Towers (era-late 80’s). She […]
CULTURE…I LOVE IT ALL
There’s so much beauty in diversity; in learning about and appreciating different cultures. I am captivated by the mosaic of all faces, languages and nations. However as an African American woman living in the States, there are times others send hidden signals that I need to stick with my […]