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Dec 09, 2020

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#WednesdayWisdom

"You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive." — Maya Angelou

Morning Musings

Last week, my friend Melissa Kimble, founder of #blkcreatives, asked if I'd be willing to write a blurb about my viral tweet. I readily agreed and then wondered, how do I explain it was a random tweet I shot off after watching church on a Sunday afternoon?

Here's the thing: no one *plans* to go viral. At least, I didn’t. But I’m a smart cookie, so I knew the tweet may resonate with a few people, perhaps even a few hundred. I had no idea, however, it would go on to accumulate 46,200 “likes” and be shared by Oprah Magazine among other outlets.

The tweet was inspired by a recent newsletter I’d written about the pressure we often feel around this time to “finish the year strong.” A Twitter friend (hi, Janera Rose!) was tweeting about said pressure and I gently offered that we simply focus on finishing. As the calendar quickly approached Dec. 1, I had a feeling we’d be seeing a resurgence in those “finish the year strong” tweets and, truth be told, I wasn’t having it. Not today. Not this year. Not in the midst of a global pandemic.

So I tweeted, “Don't let anyone bully you into 'finishing the year strong.' It's enough to simply finish.” It’s as much a reminder to myself as it is to anyone else who feels they need a permission slip of sorts to take it easy this year (or any year, really) and extend themselves grace given everything else going on.

Once upon a time, I subscribed to hustle culture, but now I realize my worth is not tied to my productivity. You are more than the sum of your to-do list. You are more than your output. You are more than enough -- as you are and where you are right now. And that is enough.

Love,
L'Oreal

ICYMI

How do you make a one-on-one meeting productive for both parties? I asked leadership experts for eight questions managers should ask in my latest for The Muse.

Virtual Happenings

Dec. 10: Putting the People Back in Philanthropy. Tomorrow, I'm moderating a panel with Women Unite! about ways we can come together to make real, lasting change. (Suggested donation, $15)

Dec. 16: Pinot x Poetry. I'm closing out the year with my friend, best-selling author and award-winning poet Pam Johnson Davis. Join us on IG Live at 6 pm CT for love, laughter and, of course, wine and poetry. (Free)

Links I Love

1. One-Sided Truth: "Selena: The Series" Was Always Set Up to Fail. I haven't watched the new Netflix miniseries, but from the sounds of it, I'm not missing much. (Bitch)

2. Obama, the Best-Selling Author, on Reading, Writing and Radical Empathy. I'm only six chapters into A Promised Land (23 hours and 45 minutes to go), but suffice to say, I could listen to Uncle Barry narrate forever. (New York Times)

3. Your Grief Around the 2020 Holidays is Valid. Here's How to Cope. This time of year can bring up a lot of feelings pandemic aside. Be kind to yourself, friends. (Shine)

My Latest Obsession

In middle school, my dad took me to see my best friend at the time perform in the Baltimore School for the Arts' rendition of The Nutcracker. I was enthralled by not only seeing my bestie on stage, but the magic and wonder of the production itself. It was then that The Nutcracker became one of my holiday favorites.

So of course I was ecstatic to watch Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, the Netflix documentary about award-winning dancer, choreographer and actress Debbie Allen and her dance academy's annual production of The Nutcracker.

I may or may not have gotten teary-eyed a few times as I saw all the Black and brown girls making their dance dreams come true. #RepresentationMatters always in all ways.

Now Hiring

Justice Reporter for The Daily Beast
Digital Communications Manager for the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights
Senior Manager, Talent & Equity for The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
Specialist, Health Plan Communications for Molina Healthcare
Editor for Situ Live
Communications Manager for Donors of Color
Program Coordinator for Genesys Works Chicago
Individual Giving Officer for Planned Parenthood of Illinois

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