Something Nubian

Writing is a form of expression, just like art or a dance. I am no artist and these knees?

As a young girl writing has been my escape! I write what I am thinking without anyone interrupting my thoughts; ok maybe a teacher or two, or maybe that bell that rings every 55 minutes. And I could never figure out why my thought timing was off at times.

Getting your notes snatched and read in front of the class would cause you to stop and evaluate whose class to write in, but ultimately, in middle school is when I started writing.

I didn’t know of any famous writers personally

I liked the drama, gossiping, telling stories about my torrid crushes and somehow the U-N-I-Verse caught wind of them and made some realities. This something my children think they are missing out on because they are homeschooled, but socializing in the Metaverse took their experience much further than I…

I developed early and therefore my interests were not like the interests of my peers. I was a military brat so, my mind wondered passed local demographics. I wanted to see what was good elsewhere. Outside of writing notes, those thoughts and experiences were plenty to write about, I just never told anyone. My children are like this too. The goal is to visit other cultures beyond what we know and see, rather that just write about them in assignments.

In the movies, writers were always broke and had writers block, with their relationships hanging in the balance. I didn’t know any famous writers personally to ask questions, just favorite authors that I showed loyalty to and most were writing self help books, except for Judy Blume.

As a homeschool mom, I work hard to change that narrative for them. I refuse to allow their dreams to die just because they do not have access to a famous person that is doing what they want to do. There are plenty of models, actresses, dancers, singers or philanthropists that are not famous but are successful.

So it hit me, there I was on FMLA for 6 weeks, homeschooling and dealing with chronic pain, journaling on how I cope daily and finding ways to heal from past trauma.

I really have to go hard on what I am teaching these children.

Since, The Black Woman’s Guide to Minding Her Own Business I have grown tremendously and have written five more books. Each book is connected to the other but I would not consider them like anthologies or a series. It just felt like each chapter of my first book had jewels that needed to be reiterated. I build on this as a curriculum; mind, body and spirit.

People need to know they are not alone …

I had never heard of fibromyalgia back in 2009. I was embarrassed to have it. Others my age were able to play kickball, dance and drink all night then show up to work the next day!

I felt alone. People need to know they are not alone. I am grateful that I found some groups on Facebook that I can learn more and share without judgement. But be careful, some don’t know themselves and just want to complain. I found that when I was positive they got offended. Speaking life into this illness upsets them and they just want to stay there, depressed, angry and slowly dying.

It felt like I was being targeted from both sides, the fortunate and the less. The fortunate ones could not see broken bones, bruising, a religion, just cancelled plans. And those suffering questioned if I have this condition at all. I swear even with this diagnosis I don’t fit in anywhere

Using journal prompts helped me tremendously with writer’s block. It helped me to also speak and manifest life into my experiences. I created Keep Your Evil Eye Off My Hustle because while others may not see chronic pain, I will not allow it to make me go insane.

I want to be my children’s hero! I deal with chronic pain and still overcome by writing and teaching. When I discussing history with my household, I tell them who ever wins the war owns the story. Why not show improve to them that you can not lose if you never give up.