Wise Beyond My Years...

I have heard that so many times in the past week, if I haven't heard that every single day of my life. And the same question comes to mind: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? Am I too mature for people my age? Am I a middle aged woman stuck in a 12 year old's body? Should I marry some old geezer so I can have someone to relate to? Or should I have 7 cats by now?

I know people mean well when they say that, but I'm not quite sure what to do with that. In middle school, I just assumed I was smarter than the average kid. In high school, I figured I was just a little bit more mature. Now that I've gotten older, I've realized that I have just a string of trying times growing up as a child that forced me to grow up a little faster than planned. Yay! Growing up. I have come to accept that I have an old soul, and I am choosing to look 15, act 25, and think 35.

Since I'm wise beyond my age, I'm hoping to secure a desk job, get a cute coffee mug that I will never drink coffee out of, and make a small dent in the world until I figure when my wise behind see's myself in 10 years, other than married with children and a Ph.D. InshaAllah.

My new inspiration...

Very rarely do I see women who look like me on the TV screen being recognized for the work that they do. So you can't even imagine how shocked and excited to learn about such an amazing woman like Sr. Ameena Matthews. Seeing empowered beautiful black Muslim women, who is dedicated to changing the world, one conflict at a time. And having such a strong and powerful black man by her side, who allows her to be her crazy self, I just love it. Ameena was recently presented an award at Black Girls Rock. Take a look at the things she endures on an everyday basis, but she keeps going.

While other girls have Beyonce and Rihanna up on their walls, women who are only known for their beautiful voices and flaunting their bodies. I am obsessing over strong, beautiful, empowered women who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in the world like Ameena Matthews, Janelle Monae, Lauryn Hill, Afena Shakur, and Nikki Giovanni. Women who want to be apart of the solution and not the problem.

While I have nothing against Rihanna and Beyonce, I just wish they used the influence and the platforms that they have to stand up for things that go on in the world. Beyonce does put out self empowering music, but when you back door and put music about your marital bed, or the lack there of, which message do you think young girls will listen to more? Standing up for what we believe in and who we are? Or pleasing a man, which is preached on every other media outlet. We all still have our humanly rights to make the world a better place. And I just don't value women who sit at home and don't contribute their voices in society. Just my opinion. You don't have to agree.

=)

Keeping the Dream...

This past weekend was so amazing. I cannot believe how blessed I truly am. It still blows my mind how incredible it has been. I gave up going to the Collegiate 100 retreat to stay in Lubbock to perform on Saturday in a play titled "Keeping the Dream" and to perform at The Red Carpet Woman hosted by the Powder Room Women's Ministry.  I gave a chance to make a lifetime of memories with my friends and my favorite organization to make memories of my own that will help me later on in life.

I was approached by Lady Bridgette Stubblefield and Pastor Stubblefield to come up with a poem for the occasion. It was a huge honor. Then that evening I performed along side some amazingly talented performers. The play blew my mind. We had the liberty to perform the play Friday afternoon to the girls of Project New, a mentoring project that I have just embarked on with the Women of Collegiate 100. I received amazing feedback at every performance and I just felt elevated. We will be performing "Keeping the Dream" again April 17th. I hope I can add some more powerful pieces to it, if they'll let me.

I'm not sure where this poetry thing is going or where it will take me, but I'm starting to love the feeling of being on stage and forcing people to feel my words, how I want them to experience it. Now I take a great sense of pride in standing on stage and sharing these poems that tell the stories of my life, of my soul. InshaAllah it's making some type of difference.

I guess you could say, I found my way.

Performing for Project New
jeans via pacsun
shirt via ralph lauren
sweater via forever 21
bowtie via jcpenny's
hijab via gift

The lovely cast of Keeping the Dream

Opening scene

dress via forever 21
top via forever 21
bracelet via forever 21
necklace via agaci
earrings via forever 21
hijab via gift
pin via 100 Collegiate