Queen Shh

This 12th episode we visit the year 2000.

This entry comes to you from me as a 20-year-old between my sophomore and junior year in college. There was so much going on for me at school and at home, truthfully during this time I was still kind of living two lives, one back in the hood at Wexford, and one at school. If I am being honest, I struggled a during those 4 years of college, never in the classroom, that was easy, fun, and I loved it. My struggle was in finding where I fit in society. I craved upward mobility and the future life I dreamed of far away from poverty and anybody's hood, but I also was proud of where I came from and proud of the little street cred I had built up.

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· These journals are for me first, I am only reading a brief piece of this entry because most of this is just for me, at least for now.

· Read the signs, listen to the whispers! If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, it's a duck! Stop trying to make things fit what you want them to be. This notebook had pages of red flags, I can't even say I ignored them because I wrote them down, but I overrode them and that was a miss.

· Stay the course, stay the course, stay the course!

· Everything in life comes to teach you something about you and gives you something for your journey. Not matter how good or bad something feels, count it all joy!

Queens aren't easily led astray; they are led by a higher calling and a bold trust in self.

- Have you ever almost changed your whole life for a romantic partner or relationship?

- With what and where do you need to stay the course, and why might it be hard to do so right now?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

In this 11th episode we are back in the 90's for this entry! I just can't leave them alone!

This episode tells a story I have told before and will probably still tell to my great, great grandchildren. It was an absolute turning point in my life and a moment that has since defined who I am and how I show up.

In 1999 I was a sophomore in college at the University of Wisconsin Parkside (P-side!). That year brought so much positive change and gave me new and clear outlook on a lot of things. But positive change rarely comes without facing our fears and taking real risks. In this episode I share how one night I did both and it's helped shape how I am in the best of ways.

Queens aren't led by fear; they are led by a higher calling and a bold trust in self.

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· Betting on yourself, my poem called "Winning Bet" is all about that and truly believing in yourself enough to let others see it.

· Sometimes it can be harder to do new things or take steps toward your dreams in front of people who know you than strangers. But to be real about your dreams and who you are, you can't let anyone stop you for your fear of what you think they might think. People think about you way less than you think they do and if they think of you more they are fans and are rooting for you anyway!

· Your big dreams may seem a bit crazy to some, but the fact is if we think about it, we are living in many of those big once thought impossible dreams now so anything is possible. When our dreams are so big that they scare us, that's when we know it's a God dream, when we know it would be impossible on our own, but we also know we have the favor and the faith to make it happen. Those are the dreams we must pursue, and I often find that in order to get to the big dreams there are steps that come in the form of smaller dreams and opportunities. Doing the work and getting in position now is often what it takes.

· Finding the root of our fears. Often the thing that scares us the most is the thing that is closest to our purpose. We confuse our understanding of the vast impact of it with fear. The key is to let that energy move us forward into the thing vs. scare us away. Easier said than done but that is the truth.

· Stop 2nd guessing yourself!! "It is our light, not darkness that scares us. . . who are we not to be." – Maryann Williamson

- What is your purpose?

- What scares you the most about stepping into who you are meant to be?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

This 10th episode comes to you from the spring of 2000! Whew, like I said last time, chyle what a year! And IYKYK, when I drop those entries from the summer of 2000 get your popcorn!! But until then, this is where we are, March 19th, 2000.

Why this episode now? Well, I promised you that I would share some "oh so in love me", and if you're listening to this when it drops or shortly after it is Valentine's Day week. So, I'm giving you a bit of a glimpse of what love has been like for me. . . or at least what it was in the year 2000.

This is an entry I wrote on the tail end of my college spring break in Jamaica. If fact, I wrote this in the airport in Montego Bay when our flight was delayed. It was only minutes before one of the best parties I've ever been to broke out, but this entry is the calm before the storm, and some short but sweet thoughts I was having about love and my boo at the time. Afterall what is a Queen's journey without some good love!

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· I will write anywhere, when we get times that feel like we are waiting or they are slowing us down, it's often a gift and time to reflect.

· Looking on the bright side and recognizing it in the moment had been one of my superpowers for as long as I can remember. We have so much choice in how we feel and how we choose to look at things.

· Let's talk about what love comes to teach us, particularly romantic love. One of my favorite books is A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson, and in that book she also touches on some of the great teachings and ideas from one of my other favorite books A Course in Miracles, and it points out that in our society romantic love is the love that is held up, amplified, talked about the most, movies, songs, books you name it, but other loves like familial, friendship, admiration are given the back burner. All love is important but there is something special about romantic love and how it impacts other aspects of your life.

Questions:

- What is or has love come to teach you, particularly your romantic loves?

- Are you currently settling or having a great love?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

This 9th episode comes to you from the year 2000! Whew chyle what a year! I had just turned 21 years old and was in my 3rd year of college. This is an entry I labeled as a freestyle. A freestyle is just pure flowing thought, it usually tends to be a little longer but it's when I just let the words keep coming and flow until they find their way of telling me what I need to hear.

I typically find myself in the state of mind to need to do this when I'm in times of deep reflection, cognitive desinence or I'm just not feeling where I am and it's time for a change. This entry is a long one, and I promised y'all there would be some tea and this is serving lots of tea! Honestly, I almost can't believe I'm sharing all I am with you, but if you're still here with me for episode 9, well you have earned a spot of tea and a deeper peek into all that makes a queen.

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· The therapeutic healing of a freestyle, free writing and just letting the words flow out on the page with no format or goal, just a stream of conciousness.

· The power of reflection and self-awareness and how you need both for true growth. Journaling became an accountability partner when I had no one I could share my deepest, most unflattering things with. The gift of having this now allows me to trust myself more and realize all of my queen potential.

· Honestly my honesty, I just love how honest I am in this entry about what I loved about myself and the things I didn't. That's why I say "Queens aren't made they are born, so it may take some digging to uncover your royal roots.", because deep down we know, but we don't always act like it because we believe the lies we are told or the ones we tell ourselves and that leads us to settle.

· Don't settle, ever. I don't care if its love, or friendship, a job, where you live, whatever. Don't ever settle for less than what you want and don't every give more of you than you feel ok with. I didn't always know my worth, I don't always now, but there are always moments when we do.

Questions to ask ourselves, right now and always:

- What is your personal constitution, what means the world to you?

- What things have you been too scared or ashamed to be honest with yourself about? Can you write it down, say it out loud? You must do this in order to unlock your fullest potential.

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

In this eighth episode, we visit January 5th, 2014, it is the beginning of a new year and a time of reflection and a time when we tend to slow down just enough to take inventory and adjust to get our lives aligned for exactly where we want to go and who we want to be.

Inspired by a sermon from Pastor TD Jakes that was also right on time, this entry resonated so well with me right now in the space and time we are in and I'm confident it will resonate with you too.

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· Letting go of old systems - If you don't change the systems, you are in, the environments you are in, how reward and punishments are given in your life, you will likely not change a thing, at least not for long. Real change needs to be an entire systems change.

· Systems and addictions - All our addictions, vices, whatever are tied into systems that others or ourselves have created. It's so important for us to question these systems, these beliefs, to examine our behaviors and our habits. To question systems others have in place, but to do it while being informed, before you question it.

· Learning to be content whatever the circumstances. . .Philippians 4:11-13. Read it, say it!

Questions to ask ourselves, right now and always:

- What systems are keeping us in places we don't want to be?

- What can you do to challenge the source of your discontentment?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

In this seventh episode, we visit August 6th, 1996, and this is one of the many entries where I mention feeling like I have outgrown my friends and just about everything around me.

The funny thing is that I have lifelong friends (including the ones I thought I outgrew in 1996 LOL), and I know how grateful I am for that. This entry is key for highlighting how important it is to give people and yourself a chance to grow together and understand that growing pains will be a part of that.

Yet another reason that writing your thoughts down to gain additional perspective and pause real-time is such a blessing and a necessity for living an examined life.

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· Never losing sight of your own identity.

· Having a keen appreciation for your personal history, heritage and culture.

· Making an effort to show up well because we are all representing so much!

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

In this sixth episode, we visit August 18th, 1999, when I had just failed my driver's test. . .for the 2nd time. Failure can be an extraordinary teacher, especially for those of us who are used to winning. 19-year-old me was frustrated and wondering how this would ever play out in my favor. Spoiler alert, I got my drivers license a week later and all was well. It didn't harm me one bit to be without a license for one more week, but I did gain additional perspective and practice in dealing with feelings of disappointment and loss. Those benefits have served me well for years.

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· Emotions run deep, especially when things don't go our way, but if we pay attention they run just as deep (likely described as high) when things do go our way. The difference is often the amount of time we spend sitting in those moments. I've made a conscious effort to highlight the good just as long if not longer than I replay the bad. Emotions and feelings are energy, and powerful, use them wisely.

· Rebirth, a theme for right now and a common thread in my journals. The phoenix does rise from the ashes, there is definitely a clearing right now if you're paying attention, can you feel it?

· Questioning reality and understanding our role and power in shaping it.

· Mind body connection and the power of stillness.

Questions to ask ourselves, right now and always:

• Why are we going through what we are going through? What is the meaning?
• As the path becomes clearer, what things can we let go of?
• What should be rebuilt and what should remain in our past?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

Get your popcorn this one is a long one!! It's only fitting that we kick off 2025 with a full meal and not just a snack. I share never before recorded stories and truths about myself and some healing tips that are sure to bless us all.

In this fifth episode, we visit July 21st, 1999, when I had just finished reading the book "Value in the Valley" by Iyanla Vanzant, and 19-year-old me was full of enlightenment and fresh epiphanies. The need for positive change was in the air then much like it is now and the entry hits on key themes below:

· Books and authors are powerful teachers and tools, Iyanla Vanzant is a prolific writer and a wonderful healer. I share some lessons from her book and from my life to share the wisdom and pay it forward. "The most powerful spiritual healer, fixer, teacher on the planet." —Oprah Winfrey

· Surrender is one of my words for 2025, and this entry is a good reminder of why it's important and how it becomes a reoccurring theme for many of us in our lives.

· What's really behind our procrastination? Let's go deeper because we know it isn't just laziness or fear.

· The reason why prioritizing the needs and wants of others above your own may seem noble but can be a recipe for disaster if we remain in that mindset too long. I share my own stories of how this came to life for me in the form of panic attacks years ago and how I continue to work to maintain and build a state of peace where joy can flourish.

My only question for you this episode is, "who can relate?!"

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

I decided to make a special episode for NYE because one of my NYE traditions is to journal, so I wanted to honor that by dropping an episode of Queen Shh with a fitting entry. In this fourth episode, we visit June 13th, 1999. If you will recall, 1999 was a very interesting New Year's Eve, does anyone remember Y2K? That's when many thought all computers would fail because we were moving to the year 2000 and systems were not equipped to support it. However, for the most part we were just fine :)

The episode hits on the themes of how important it is to have positive, inspiring people around us and how investing in ourselves in this way is key to your Queen Shh. The media we allow into our lives can have just as big of an impact and we need to use it wisely.

Finally, I get into the new "O world order" I had for 1999 and why it still fits perfectly 25 years later. I share the real and the raw as always, to connect us to ourselves and each other as only the truth can.

In 2025, what is your new order? What are key things that you have already created for your way of life?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1

In this third short and sweet episode, we visit April 4th, 1996, when I along with several other high school students from my hometown (Madison, WI) went on a Black College tour across the southern United States. It was my first time in the south and I share what it felt like to step on Spellman's campus for the first time, how my girls and I almost risked it all for some boys we met earlier that day, and why seeing really can mean believing.

I challenge us to be intentional about finding ways for today's youth to still experience IRL moments that have them in awe and wonder despite having the entire world online.

To this day I am still discovering things that expand my world and deepen my faith. What have been pivotal moments in your life that allowed you to see more than what you previously thought possible? What experiences are still on your list?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy! www.opalellyse.com Music: DJ Pain 1