blogtwentysix

[blogtwentysix]

The Power of Persistence

Number Reflection: 17

One and Seven:

“One” signifies that singular, bold step we take every day - to rise, to act, and to be our true selves. “Seven” embodies the creative spark and deep resilience that transforms challenges into opportunities.

As a Whole:

Seventeen represents transformation and persistence, a reminder that every setback is a chance to rewrite our story. Today, on this Presidents’ Day, it calls me to honor the legacy of leadership - both the collective contributions of all presidents and the enduring influence of trailblazers like Fannie Lou Hamer, Barack, and Michelle Obama. Their examples teach us that persistence, vision, and a commitment to justice pave the way for progress.

What I Did Today:

Today was a day of deliberate rest and reflection. I woke in my Thousand Oaks home to the gentle light of dawn and the quiet promise of a day off on Presidents’ Day. I prepared a hearty breakfast and settled into my favorite reading nook with a cup of coffee, where I spent time revisiting old journal entries and mulling over the legacies of leadership. As I stirred my coffee, I pondered the multifaceted nature of leadership - how presidents throughout history, along with icons like Fannie Lou Hamer and the Obamas, have each shaped our understanding of perseverance and hope.

With no work obligations today, I ventured out for a long, reflective drive. I allowed the familiar roads and soulful tunes to guide my thoughts, and along the way, I recalled how leaders—both in the White House and in our communities - have confronted adversity with determination. I reflected on the words of Barack and Michelle Obama, whose grace and steadfast commitment continue to inspire, as well as on Fannie Lou Hamer’s indomitable spirit that challenged injustice with courage. The drive was not just a journey through my neighborhood but a journey through time, connecting the lessons of the past with the dreams of today.

Returning home in the soft glow of twilight, I took to my journal once more. I wrote about the power of persistence and the role of true leadership in our lives. I acknowledged that while every president has left a mark on history, it is the collective wisdom of our leaders—both celebrated and unsung - that fuels our own journey. As I closed my journal and looked out at the evening sky, I felt a renewed determination to carry that legacy of resilience into my own life.

Journal Entry:

Today, 17 reminded me that persistence is the quiet force that shapes our future. As I embraced the freedom of a day off on Presidents’ Day, I found inspiration in the legacy of leadership—those timeless figures whose collective vision and unwavering determination have guided our nation through both triumphs and trials. Their example teaches us that true leadership isn’t about perfection but about the courage to keep moving forward. I choose to honor that spirit in my own journey, standing firm in my truth and rising above every challenge with grace and resolve.

Poem:

Seventeen beats like a steady drum, Echoing the strength of leaders to come. In every quiet victory and challenge met, I find the legacy of those who’ve never quit. Their collective wisdom lights a path so clear, Inspiring my steps, diminishing my fear. I rise with persistence, bold and free, A testament to the power of unity.

[blogtwentysix]

The Question of Black Love

Number Reflection: 16

One and Six: One symbolizes that singular bold decision we make each day to rise and be our authentic selves. Six embodies stability, nurturing strength, and the deep roots that sustain us.

As a Whole: Sixteen represents the balanced interplay of new beginnings and the grounding force of our past. It challenges me to reflect on our complex relationships and the resilient legacy that shapes Black love - formed through struggle, celebration, and a fierce commitment to our truth.

What I Did Today:

I spent a quiet afternoon in my favorite café - a little haven in the city where the air always feels charged with possibility. As I sat there, stirring a little too much sugar into my coffee, I couldn’t help but wonder: do Black women date differently, or are we just expected to? In a world where we’re told to be independent but never too independent, soft but never weak, and strong yet not intimidating, dating feels like walking a tightrope in heels. We’re constantly navigating between what we truly want and what society expects us to want - a man with ambition, but never one who competes with us; a man who cherishes our strength but doesn’t call us “too much.”

While sipping my coffee, I recalled a conversation with my girl Jaz. She once met a man who checked all the boxes - career, charisma, even a decent credit score. Yet, after a mimosa and a few shared laughs, she confided, “He doesn’t get me. I joke about my childhood, and he just stares at me like I need therapy.” Her words resonated deeply as I pondered the intricate dance of expectations that we navigate every day. It made me think about how our relationships are often caught between romantic ideals and the weight of generational struggles - a love that endures against all odds, even as we hide the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to keep secret.

As I watched the city move outside the café window, I realized that perhaps Black love isn’t about conforming to society’s tired rules at all. Instead, it’s about boldly rewriting our own narrative - finding partners who celebrate our fierce independence and honor our tenderness. Our love is a rebellion and a refuge, built on the legacy of those trailblazers who forged paths before us. In that reflective moment, I resolved to embrace our complexities, knowing that our stories are defined by both our struggles and our triumphs.

Journal Entry:

Today, 16 reminded me that our love stories are as layered and resilient as the lives we lead. In that quiet café, amidst the aroma of coffee and the hum of the city, I questioned whether we date for love, companionship, or survival. It should be all of these reasons, shouldn't it? I choose to honor our legacy by embracing the fullness of who we are - passionate, resilient, and unapologetically real.

Poem:

In the quiet hum of a café’s glow, I stir my coffee, letting the questions flow. Do we date for love, companionship, or to merely survive? In each tender moment, our true selves come alive.

From our rich roots to the dreams we redefine, Our hearts beat in rhythms both bold and divine. Not molded by rules, but by the fire within, Black love, a masterpiece where we both rise and win.