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#WednesdayWisdom
"Gratitude is how you take your power back." — Lalah Delia
Morning Musings
Months ago, I'd planned to write this newsletter from my parents' sofa. Nevertheless, the pandemic had different plans. In the weeks leading up to our scheduled departure date, I'd been debating whether we should make the drive from Chicago to Maryland (with a pit stop in Ohio). Ultimately, we decided to stay put and while it pains me not see and hug our families, I know it's the right decision for us.

Earlier this year, my pastor Jeanne Stevens talked about grief and gratitude. I even wrote about her sermon in a . While there is certainly a lot to grieve this year, I also have so much to be grateful for, starting with the overall health and safety of my loved ones.
I'm also grateful for the technology that enables us to be together when we can't be together. I'm grateful for my family, friends and coworkers who've held me up throughout this year. I'm grateful to each of you for your support -- your notes of solidarity and encouragement mean the world to me.

I'm grieving and I'm grateful -- yes, you can do both. I implore you to do both. Honor your feelings, whatever they may be. And if you need some help doing that, of course I have an article that may help (Feeling Wheel, anyone?).
Your feelings are valid. Remember to make space for them this holiday season.
Love,
L'Oreal
ICYMI
If you're part of an introvert-extrovert couple like me, then you've probably had your fair share of hard conversations since the pandemic began. For tips on how to navigate those differences, I talked to relationship experts (and college friends Stephanie and Devin) in my latest for People.
Cool Opps
*NEW* Dec. 1: Instagram Live with LaToya Dwight, founder of The Fibroid Pandemic about my experience with fibroids. (Free)
Dec. 2: Trust Your Dopeness: Seven Steps to Combat Impostor Syndrome. I'm excited to partner with Ama La Vida Coaching for this interactive workshop AND offer 10 lucky winners the opportunity to win a bracelet from MantraBand. Deets here. (Free)
Dec. 5: . My friend Vanessa Flowers of Flower Girls Meet is closing out the year with a feel-good event. (Free)
Dec. 10: Putting the People Back in Philanthropy. I'm looking forward to moderating this panel with Women Unite! about ways we can come together to make real, lasting change. (Suggested donation, $15)
Links I Love
1. Answers to Every Possible Pandemic-Thanksgiving Questions (The Atlantic)
2. White Rage, White Guilt: How Long Do We Have to Wait for White Women to Learn? (Bitch)
3. Cooking as Coping: How to Grapple With Grief During the Holiday Season (All Recipes)
My Latest Obsession

I have few regrets in life, but not seeing Nikki Giovanni's book reading at my alma mater is one of them. When I heard she would be the keynote for this year's Well-Read Black Girl Festival, I knew I had to pull up, as Rihanna would say.
And let me tell you, Ms. Giovanni did not disappoint. Hours before her conversation with WRBG founder Glory Edim, I purchased a signed copy of Giovanni's latest, Make Me Rain. Now that I've finished it reading it, I can't wait to go back and revisit my favorite poems and passages. How lucky we are to be among a living legend!
Now Hiring
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