For the first time in our nation's history, Juneteenth has been adopted as a national holiday. We still have a long way to go. However, as we already know, creating an empowered new chapter of life means taking any kind of step forward, no matter how small they may be.

I like good surprises. Although to be honest, when good surprises come, sometimes they can be so shocking that it leads you to being an emotional wreck. In this case, good surprises can feel like bad surprises as I experienced a few years ago.

Blockage can be caused by a lot of things: injustice, homelessness, oppression, your move on a board game, something bad that you ate. The list could literally go on and on. But the question is... What if God is doing the blocking, and his way of blocking you is homelessness? This is no laughing matter.

There's nothing worse than being out all day, and being hungry. What's even worse is when you are craving your favorite food that is waiting for you in the refrigerator when you get home, but when you get home, someone in the house has eaten it. You literally feel like crying?

A few weeks ago, I had a taste for some greens, fried chicken, corn bread, sweet potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. Not only that, but I wanted to eat it old-school, coming straight from the South, with your fingers style. But guess what? I didn't feel like cooking. Yep. I could have tried to search for a local restaurant that served soul food. And indeed, I may have found one. However, when it comes to soul fool, and any other meal, my best bet is to cook the food myself. That way I can add or subtract ingredients according to my own dietary restrictions.

Being pregnant and giving birth should be a joyous occasion. For one reason or another, it is not for some women. Both the pregnancy and the birth story can be traumatic. Sometimes we take this for granted. While some women are glowing and talking about how exciting their experience is, or was, others are cringing or locking up inside because they didn't have the same experience, and they are afraid to speak up about it. Listen to this podcast episode to be inspired, encouraged, uplifted, and validated when it comes to your birth story. Be blessed!

Our last podcast episode covered a lot. On today's episode, LaTrae Wilson and I wrap up everything. As always, her no-nonsense, authentic style of communications shines through. One of the main things that we talk about is taking teeny, tiny, toe steps is progress. Even when it seeems small, any step is a move in the right direction when you are directing your new chapter of life. Be blessed and listen in for LaTrae's final words of inspiration and encouragement.

Yesterday's podcast episode left off with LaTrae Wilson contemplating leaving the faith. Today, we find out what happened. When it comes to creating an empowered new chapter of life, we often see the promise that Jesus made to us about abundant living, but we think of it as him doing everything, and us sitting back and relaxing, with our feet propped up on the coffee table, as we say, "Ok Jesus, whenever, you are ready to heal me." Then, Jesus is looking back at us, and going, "Ok, whenever you are ready, we can do this thing together."

In the last podcast episode, LaTrae Wilson and I talked about generation cycles, hiding sin, keeping family secrets, low self-esteem, low self-worth, the pain of healing, and the unspoken reasons why women go back to toxic relationships. This time, we go even deeper. Our topics are processing trauma, accountability, aggression, fear of speaking up, I'm not okay, Pressure to leave the faith, and so much more! Women, you don't want to miss this! Be blessed.

Just hearing the word empowered gives you hope. Couple that with the words "new chapter of life", and your mind starts thinking of all the possibilities. These possibilities can be your reality. However, there is work required on your part. Remember, the film director in the movie, My Life Story? You are the film director of your life. Your choices are the determining factors for the content of each scene.