Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)

The Lord will work out His plans for my life for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me for you made me. Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Romans 11:29 (NLT)

I’ve been a writer since I was 6 years old.

My first book was The Cloud Factory — inspired by an industrial plant that is about 7 minutes down the street from where I currently live. I beat out the whole school in 5th grade for a fiction writing competition - my prize was a purple bear with a pink heart that had candy in it.

In college, I would do open mic nights and I also had the opportunity to write for an Argentinian magazine called El Sol De San Telmo during my semester abroad. It was fantastic.

I’ve written poems, plays and songs, anything that allowed me to use writing as my creative outlet.

Despite this track record with writing, after college I convinced myself that it wasn’t a feasible career path or that if I chose to write I’d find myself having some sort of pay my dues, Devil Wears Prada moment.

Part of me wonders if writing for almost 15 years had me believe that while it was a wonderful way to express myself it would never be fruitful financially.

After graduation I started a business, which led to my first and only corporate job and working in the field of digital marketing. This gave me a way to channel my writing skills in a way that felt close enough to the work I’d set out to do as a kid.

Sure, I wasn’t writing thought pieces or tales that stuck with people guiding them through hard moments but I was still being a creative.

Something happened in those earlier days of my career that I didn’t expect.

I got the nudge to write a book for young black girls who were struggling to navigate through life with confidence. That book led to two others around the same topic and eventually I’d go on to write a devotional about my first pregnancy with our oldest son Jaden.

As exciting as it was to have published each of these books, I had to pay for the publication.

I have no regrets. I know I’ve earned back my investment at least 3-fold with the Black Girl’s Guide series. The devotional is…a story for another day.

But having to pay to publish my work started creating a storyline that recurred again and again. “People won’t pay me for my writing so I need to find other ways to bring income in.”

In the summer of 2024 however something switched.

I realized I’d never make a living as a writer and a speaker (both dreams deferred) if I didn’t consistently show up as someone who felt like her ideas were worth paying for - if I didn’t make the effort to be paid to write and speak then I couldn’t be frustrated about the lack of offers I felt I was getting.

Inspired by Matt Higgins’ book Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential, I closed down my coaching and consulting company.

I didn’t immediately jump into what was next. Instead, I spent nearly a year excavating the beliefs that were underneath so many of the action I’d been taking. Beliefs around money, beliefs about worth and security. I even excavated the foundations of my faith. At one point I realized I overworked myself because I wanted to “earn my keep” rather than rest in the finished work God already started in me.

During this career gap, I also chose to explore what topics I actually wanted to spend time writing about, thought pieces and devotionals like this that didn’t just address fruit problems but the root problems underneath them.

Finally, after all my excavating and exploring I extracted the stories I’d lived. Ones like me passing out in my car while pregnant.

As I looked across numerous experiences one thing became clear to me —I wanted to write and speak to the high-achieving, high-capacity women who were tired, burned out and worn out from overworking. I wanted to encourage the nurturers who spent so much time being accessible and available that they were constantly operating at an emotional deficit. I felt a need to connect with the builders who were so committed to seeing their vision come to pass that they never sat down to enjoy the progress they’re already making. The healers, the watchers and dreamers - these women, women like you, were and are my assignment and once that was clear I found myself asking another question.

“What do these women need?”

Through surveys, live conversations and simple observation that answer was also clear - they, you, we need R - E - S - T.

Rest from the emotionally, physically and mentally draining labor of everything we have carried in the past and are still carrying.

This process has taken 15 months and seeing where I’ve landed has filled me with an immense sense of gratitude that God did not allow me to rush the process.

I see how every no I’ve encountered, was preparing me for a greater yes. Everything I thought was sent to deter me was actually putting me in alignment with my God given assignment.

At the beginning of the year I was charged to create a “True North Statement” as a part of Jo Franco’s Self-Made Year program and through prayer, brainstorming and some assist from Chat this is where I landed:

By the end of 2026 I will be a leading voice on rest, rhythm and sustainable leadership. I build influence and income through writing, teaching and designing frameworks that challenge burnout and help high-capacity leaders lead from a place of overflow and not exhaustion.

This isn’t just a declaration of faith however, it’s a roadmap and a way to level set. Looking at this statement helps me to decide quickly if an opportunity is a no or a yes and the opportunities have already started coming in.

I have a speaking engagement this weekend where I’m discussing The Power of R.E.S.T.™.

I have two more speaking engagements next month, along with my first vendor event since my planner was released.

I sent a pitch out to a major publication this week and not only did the editor like my pitch but they want to PAY ME!

What I’ve realized through all of this is that in all my working over the years there was still a key missing ingredient of belief.

Belief dictates behavior and while I could say all day long “I’m a writer and a speaker” I kept taking on roles that didn’t align with that identity.

Website designs that I was proud of but took me away from where I said I wanted to be…brand strategy sessions with people who’d heard about the work I’d done with Brands by Brie.

A sister on here said “Faith without works may be dead but works without faith is burnout waiting to happen.”

I’m reminded of what Joshua 1:3 says:

“I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.”

This shows me our dreams aren’t going to just show up on a platter and while we don’t need to overwork, we still have a responsibility to go after them.

Proverbs 14:23 puts it like this:

“There is profit in hard work, but mere talk leads to poverty.”

We can say all day what we’re going to do but until we start moving in that direction, we can’t be upset that we’re not seeing progress.

I encourage you to dust off that dream you’ve been sitting on. Have FAITH for what’s ahead. Start showing up as the person you’ve told yourself you are and be okay with the dead weight you may have to lose in the process.

The answer to my question - “What do you do with a dream deferred?”

Keep believing and go after it.

Even if it seems like it’s taking long, it will surely come and will not delay….that’s Bible friend.

And if you need some extra verses you can come back to in this season I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a list of them and putting them on cute printable sheets!

These are the type of goodies my paid subscribers get but I’m feeling SUPER excited about all my good news so this week you’re getting free access.

Please know that I’m praying for you and I’m rooting for you!

Let’s make our dreams happen!

P.S. If you’d like to be included in my book click here to book your R.E.S.T.™ session. I’m hosting interviews from now until March 20th. I dive deeper into my R.E.S.T. work over on my Practicing the Pause substack so if that’s your jam, join the fam!

The South often gets a bad rap about how we handle winter weather but what I think is important for other regions of the nation to understand is where northerners and midwesterners (Hey Mizzou crew) are accustomed to navigating snow and ice storms - for us down in the South these happen on an annual or maybe bi-annual basis.

As a result, we don’t spend a ton of funds investing in snow plows and salt to cover the roads and many times our spending on winter infrastructure is not the best.

Where we are proactive with weather, or least they have been this week, is in cancelling events and other obligations when we hear word something is coming.

I had three events I planned on attending this week that were postponed or changed to virtual and I’m still getting real-time updates on things that aren’t even happening until Sunday morning!

This type of widespread response can create a sort of anxiety and consequently many folks stay in, not because of the likelihood of danger, but because of the potential threat of it.

My dad was one of the brave few who ventured out into the “wild” earlier this week to get his registration sticker updated. As someone who was raised in the state of Denver, he’s not one to become overly anxious about snow or ice and he’s the absolute last person you’d expect to get a ticket for being out of compliance.

After he returned home from his errand, we spoke on the phone and he said “it’s not the highways that are bad, it’s the side roads.” I couldn’t shake that implication.

Many times in our lives we talk ourselves out of taking certain risks because of how hard or bad others have said they’ll be. Often times though, the very people giving the report are either sharing second hand information or information that’s heavily informed by what they’ve experienced previously.

As a result, we hear their reports and decide to “barricade ourselves in,” completely disregarding how smooth the road ahead of us can be if we’d only make the effort to get out onto it.

I think of the launch of my Freedom and Flow planners last month and how at one point I’d convinced myself that I simply didn’t know enough to branch out into this new business.

But then, I remembered that:

* This wasn’t my first business

* My husband runs an e-commerce company

* I’d already validated the idea in different circles

* I told myself I was going to have a planner out into the world by January

So I pressed ahead, and the feedback was better than I could have anticipated!

My goal for the week was 10 sales and we doubled it!

I’m reminded of a Bible verse that says:

Those who watch the wind blow will never sow, and those who observe the clouds will never reap.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (CEB)

In other words, if you’re waiting on the perfect conditions to make a move, you’re always going to be waiting.

You have no idea who is on the other side of you taking the risk, of starting the org, applying for the job or accepting the position.

But you don’t need to know to move forward, you only need to be decisive.

Don’t let the “weather warnings” keep you frozen in place.

Go out and do something different. Don’t allow what you believe about what will happen keep you from moving forward, behave as if you’ve already received everythign you’re pursuing.

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as unto the Lord and not unto men, knowing you will receive a reward from your father in Heaven.

Colossians 3:23

My daughter is in the phase of life where everything is meant to be opened.Cabinets. Drawers. Bags. Possibilities 😂. If it can be grabbed, she’s going exploring.

Last week, her grandfather sent us a big batch of snacks which he tends to do every few months or so and as a family of 6, our pockets and our pantry are extremely appreciative!

One of the snacks he’d purchased was Stellar Pretzel Braids - a huge Lightfoot Smith hit. I’d already taken the liberty to open up a bag and put some pretzels in a ziplock so homegirl could have easy access.

She politely looked at the bag, grabbed it and then put it down and went back into the kitchen.

Less than 3 minutes passed before she came back not just with 1 but with 2 unopened bags of the pretzels, despite the fact that I’d opened one for her already.

As I looked at her I couldn’t help but chuckle because I immediately was able to see how often I approach my relationship with God, my prayer requests and even my level of expectation, the same way my daughter was approaching me.

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Let’s say I’ve asked God to allow me to be financially wealthy.

He says “Bet.” Then, presents me with a business idea or He presents me with an opportunity to work at a very prestigious organization that is well equipped to leverage my unique talents and gifts.

I either build the business or take the job but then notice the business idea is taking a while to get off the ground or feel like the corporate job isn’t providing me with what I deem is the necessary recognition.

So I go back to God and ask Him - “God please help me to be financially wealthy! I don’t want to continue to be in these same situations.”

I operate as if He is suddenly going to put it on someone’s heart to write me a check for $1M and of course I’d give Him all the glory.

But the truth is, when I asked Him the first time, He already set that plan in motion.

Deuteronomy 8:18 says this “But remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the power to become rich. He keeps the agreement he promised to your ancestors. So it is today.”

Notice it says He gives you the power, not the riches.

Why is this?

Because God shows throughout scripture that He values work ethic.

Need receipts?

* Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”.

* Ephesians 6:7-8: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people”.

* Proverbs 6:6-11: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!”.

* Proverbs 14:23: “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty”.

* Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom”.

* 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.

* Genesis 2:15: God placed man in Eden “to work it and take care of it.”

* Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”.

Unfortunately, we can often operate like entitled children, wanting God to give to us what He has already provided!

He takes our gifts (think of them like El’s pretzels), puts them on the inside of us and entrusts us to utilize them. But just like she did we often look at the gifts, consider them for a while then “drop the bag” and go look for something else that feels more exciting.

I want you to hear me when I say this.

Both you and I have an opportunity to treat work as worship.

Not worship the work and assume that the higher paying role, the increased visibility or the sudden windfall is going to be the thing to make the difference.

If you do get a $1M check tomorrow you still must work to steward it. In the same way that if God answers your prayers to get married, have kids, move to another home you’ll have to nurture your relationship with your spouse, raise your children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) and you’ll still have to clean your home, tend your garden and make repairs on your home as needed.

It’s so tempting to believe our happiness resides somewhere else, somewhere beyond the place we can reach. But developing this mindset negates our personal responsibility.

No matter what season of life you are in there is work to be done and there’s only so much you can do to avoid it. So instead, of constantly changing direction or getting caught up in shiny object syndrome I want to encourage you to do the last thing God said.

This season isn’t about collecting more information it is allowing all the information you’ve gathered over time to turn into insight and allowing that insight to turn into action.

James 1:22-25 (NLT) says it like this:

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Your doing is where the change you’ve been seeking actually lives.

So ask yourself - “What have I missed because I thought it would be packaged differently?”

And if you’re in need of some accountability, drop it in the comments and we can chat more about what you’re seeing!

I’m telling on myself in the comments. So meet me there or beat me there.

Talk to you next week!

June made one full year since I closed down my company Brands by Brie and while it did not feel good, I’m better for it. I’m learning how to walk into a room not with fancy titles or accolades but leading with what I’m passionate about as a person.

Many times when we’re called to close the door on something we deemed as a success, it can lead us to go through some sort of existential crisis.

* What was that all for? (we ask ourselves)

* What’s next?

* Does this fresh start mean I’m a failure?

* How do I respond to other people’s thoughts or opinions?

I’ve asked myself these questions since June 2024 and what I can tell you is this - starting over is not failure, it’s evolution.

There’s a temptation to stay where we are because that’s what we’re most comfortable with but as children of God, if we feel a draw to something new, it’s imperative that we follow that conviction.

In today’s video I’m sharing some mindset shifts that have helped me as I move through this period of transition and how some of my realizations are helping parts of me I didn’t even realize were damaged.

If you’re in a period of transition right now share what’s helping you as you’re navigating unchartered territory!

I’d love to pray for you as you further your journey.

Showing up is typically easy when you're seeing results. But what about the days when progress feels painfully slow, motivation is low, and you're questioning your purpose?

In this episode of my Dear Future Me series, I’m diving deep into what it really looks like to keep showing up even when the growth you're hoping for isn’t happening as quickly (or clearly) as you'd like. Whether you're pursuing a passion project, pushing through personal development, or just trying to stay present in the in-between seasons, this message is for you.

This is a follow-up to my video on navigating the in-between—and today, I want to encourage you to lean into the process, embrace the pause, and remember that freedom, flow, and fulfillment are cultivated in the everyday showing up, not just the big milestone moments.

Comment below: What does “showing up” look like in your life right now?Share this with a friend who needs encouragement today.

From influencers, to politicians and regular folks just like me, many of us are in a period of transition and depending on your headspace it feels a little daunting.

The thought of starting over or filling in the gap between where we are and where we want to be can seem like a heavy lift, but in today’s video my goal is to provide a perspective shift.

Transition is a natural part of life and it indicates that there has been some growth on our part, a desire for more, a willingness to do something different. Rather than trying to hurry up and figure out what that something is I encourage us to embrace curiosity, lean in and observe the pace we’ve set.

So that when we arrive to our next BIG thing, we’ll show up healthy and whole enough to sustain it.

Don’t forget…

* Join me for my Dreams to Reality Workshop on Friday, May 30th at 6 p.m. CST if you’re ready for a midyear reset to help hold you accountable and create an action plan. Click here to complete your enrollment.

You’re going to need a soft place to sit when I tell you this friend…life is out here whooping a lot of our tails BUT that’s not an excuse to get out of alignment.

Over the past 2 months I’ve been fighting my way through postpartum depression and anxiety and while I hoped to wait until I felt 100% to get back on assignment I had to recognize time waits for nobody.

I don’t know anyone who wakes up and says to themselves “I can’t wait to get some bad news today.” But the thing is bad news still comes anyway.

I have no desire to keep going around in circles on the things that frustrate me. Instead, I’m looking at what’s in my hands, staring myself down in the mirror and telling myself “DO IT ANYWAY!”

In today’s video I’m sharing some tough love on how many of us are standing in our own way and I’m also sharing a resource on how to move from being stuck to taking action.

Your Homework (should you choose to accept it, is this…)

* Comment NO MORE EXCUSES if you’re ready to commit to being your best self in spite of challenges

* Share ONE THING you are going to take action on between now and the end of May

* Join me for my Dreams to Reality Workshop on Friday, May 30th at 6 p.m. CST if you’re ready for a midyear reset to help hold you accountable and create an action plan. Click here to complete your enrollment.

Reflection is an incredible gift but only when you use what you learn to create a new plan of action. In part 2 of my Dear Future Me series I’m sharing my 2025 vision board and reflections on why I haven’t achieved some of the goals I set before now and how I plan to move differently.

I’m also discussing a few of the tools I’ve been using to keep me on t…