Welcome to another soul-stirring episode of Culture Edition!

This week, we're diving deep into the rhythm and rhymes that set the soundtrack for our love stories. Get ready for "Love In Lyrics: How R&B and Hip Hop Shape Love & Relationships."

Join your host, Cece D, as she takes you on a journey through the beats that have become the heartbeat of our romances. In this episode, we're celebrating the sultry and soulful sounds of R&B and Hip Hop that have woven themselves into the fabric of our love lives.From the smooth grooves that set the mood to the heart-wrenching ballads that mend our broken hearts, these lyrics have become the poetry of our relationships.

But it's not just about the melodies; we're delving into the narratives these genres create around love and relationships. How do the lyrics influence our perceptions of romance? How do they shape our expectations and realities in the dating world? Are we learning life lessons from our favorite lyricists?

In this episode, we're not just dissecting the lyrics; we're having a candid conversation about the impact of R&B and Hip Hop on the African-American dating experience. From the importance of representation in music to the ways these genres empower and challenge our notions of love, we're covering it all.

So, whether you're a devoted fan of slow jams or a hip-hop head, Tune in, turn up the volume, and let's explore the beats of our hearts on "Love In Lyrics: How R&B and Hip Hop Shape Love & Relationships.

Single with standards for me is defined by someone who knows and understands who they are and choose to be single until they find the person who aligns with their personality, morals, and beliefs. A Serial Decliner is someone who you meet and they have a list, yes an actual list of 10-20 requirements of the opposite sex before they will even go out on a date. I am not judging if you fit the description of serial decliner, however, let's be honest, do you meet all of the items on your own list, and if you do or don't how realistic is your list to your financial status and current life goals and accomplishments? To anyone still single that won't give anyone a chance unless they meet their list you are single because of this and you probably will remain that way. Regardless of which category you fit in I just want to spotlight my single with standards folks. Someone who is single with standards is someone who is fulfilled with their singleness and not willing to abandon the single ship until they find a partner who reciprocates the same beautiful happy energy they can provide for themselves. I have only just started to understand the beautiful journey of being single without looking for love and happiness in my partner. Love is beautiful and being able to share that with someone who understands, respects, and values me is the Goal. I can say without an absolute doubt and after several failed relationships that I am single with standards until I meet the man for me. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Trauma- We all have dealt with or know someone who has experienced trauma. Trauma comes in so many different forms and is known by so many other titles. This episode is a personal one for me as I am currently healing from past and current Trauma. By definition, trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience and or a physical injury. I  unfortunately have experienced all aspects of trauma. I have been sexually assaulted and also damaged emotionally by people I trusted to love me and those who were supposed to take care of me. My life summed up can be simply put into the words " Thank God I don't resemble anything that I have been through. As a young girl, my life was shattered by the ugliness of the world and the people in it. Most would label me broken, however, I view myself as determined and a survivor. In all honest and full transparency, I am now as a woman beginning to address the traumas of my childhood, it was not until  I begin noticing the constant cycles of failed relationships with men, friends, and family members that I was ready to admit that I'm hurting and I have not forgiven or let go and Now I have made the decision to heal and move on. I share 3 of my biggest traumas in hopes it can help you or anyone begin to address theirs and also get to know me. There are so many moving parts of who I am and today I begin to open up to you my listeners as well as opening up myself to Me.

This episode was inspired by LOVE. You will have the chance to hear some of my closest friends' views and hear their answers regarding different aspects of Love. You can often tell the people who really love themselves by what they allow themselves to go through at the hand of others. Sacrificing for love is giving up your peace and opening up for the sake of someone else's energy for the sake of compatibility and growth. Some people believe that sacrifice is worth it and well others may think you are foolish if that's one of your beliefs. I truly believe no matter what your viewpoints love the fact remains we all want love and we all want to be loved. I truly believe you attract what you desire by being intentional and authentic. There is so much more I wanted to include in this episode so make sure you are on the lookout for Part 2 of Looking for Love

Breaking your habits or ending them altogether is no easy task! Approach this part of you with honesty and accountability and I promise in no time you will see yourself evolve from an individual with habits to a person of goals and accomplishments. How many times have we said this to ourselves and even heard our closest family & friends repeat the same line. We start the first months of a new year strong and along the way, we lose sight of our goals and our passion loses its drive. Believe me when I say I understand because I have been there as well too many times to count or remember. Breaking Bad Habits is more than setting goals and accomplishing them it's about being transparent and honest with your biggest critic and fan ..You Take accountability for your moments of weakness and discover how to get rid of those bad habits indefinitely

Start Now

Today's episode was inspired by GOD. I woke up filled with love peace and happiness. I'm not expecting any gifts but he reminded me that I have more than I could ever ask for. I am alive I am happy and I am loved so even without the material things I am excited about today, tomorrow, and what the future holds. I am so thankful and proud of where I am and all that I have accomplished and will continue to accomplish. I want to inspire you I want to inspire others to never give up. What is meant for you will always be for you and no one or nothing can stop what GOD has promised you. If it's easy I promise it won't be worth it. We all have gifts some have more than others but we were all born with a purpose. Some of us know what that gift is early in life and others spend most of their life trying to discover what they were meant to do and be. Take the time to get to know yourself put the phone down, turn the tv off, and spend time with yourself & GOD and you will discover your purpose. So start today unwrap your desires unwrap your goals unwrap your fears and you will Unwrap your gift. You are the greatest prize you have You deserve it all.

This episode is a reflection of where some of us are in our Journey. Declare you is a series of affirmations and inspirational words for everyone. A subtle reminder of you and the power you hold. I believe that we all have a purpose some of us are walking in that purpose some of us may not be aware of that purpose or how to start. My goal is to inspire and help individuals, remind them of the power they hold. We are all unique and so amazingly different and that is what makes us so beautiful. I hope you enjoy this episode. Share it with someone who may need to hear these words. Make sure that in all that you do and say you are mindful of how it may impact others. I love you and never give up.

So many things I can say about this episode. Yes we all know those two words "Letting Go"very well some better than others. Its a common phrase heard when dealing with the past.I share my interrupted thoughts on when I finally had my moment of realization and was able to admit that in order to move on I must let go of everything in the past. Truth is I'm good at so many things but I suck at relationships. Like many I crave and long for that lasting bond and partnership but have no idea how to find it or better yet keep it going once I've found the "one". Its gets discouraging when your watching from the outside at your  close friends or loved ones growing relationship or marriage. Listen to my views and share your feedback. If your single like me "Stay Strong" our other half is out there somewhere or we may have already ruined our chances with out ever realizing it. 

Keep the Hope alive until next time !!