life is not a ladder
a few thoughts on end-of-year introspection, reads & vibes for your holiday weekend.
Live from the Texas Tundra yet again… I hope wherever you’re reading this from, you’re nice and warm. Happy Holidays! Let’s jump into it!
thoughts at large.
It’s end-of-year reflection time, and with me being done with work for the year, I’ve had more mental space to really think about how this year has shaped up, and how different my life is compared to what it was like in January, or what it was like last year… or ten years ago.
This week I asked myself this question: Would the high school & college version of myself be proud of my current self?
This is a humbling question to ask. There were times in recent years that I probably would have said no, but today, I can confidently say that I am proud of myself - and I think my younger self would be too.
In full transparency, I’m not doing exactly what I thought I would be doing, but I am working in my purpose. I personally think that’s what’s most important. It was a journey to get here though! A part of growing up is realizing that everything that you envision for yourself may not happen the way you plan, but if the mission is accomplished, you should still celebrate the win. The purpose is always more significant than the vehicle… and the road you take will not always be without twists and turns.
I was watching the most recent episode of Uninterrupted’s “The Shop” and in it, Tracee Ellis Ross talked about how this idea has manifested in her life. She shared that she thought her leading role, for 8 years, on Girlfriends would be the key to opening Hollywood’s gates, but when the show ended, it was absolute crickets for her, in terms of getting roles. This reminded her that life and its experiences are not linear and that anything that is worth something is going to require a lot of work. And even if you work really hard, you still might not get it, and you have to be okay with that.
“Life is not a ladder,” she said.
Watch the full episode below. There were so many great gems, and even a conversation about Black media, ownership, and what it means to have allies in decision-making positions.
Bottom line - things may not always move in a straight line from point A to point B. Focus on getting there. Not on how long it takes you to get there, or what pitstops you make along the path. They all add to your story. Embrace it, friend!
reads + vibes.
Imagine a secret society of Black women that has been in place since the Underground Railroad. It almost sounds like the makings of a great film, but it’s real life. Unfortunately, the Brooklyn home that houses The United Order of Tents is on the verge of being lost forever. Many of the members have passed, which lowers the amount of dues collected. With fees associated with maintenance piling up, their headquarters is in disrepair. The New York Times tells their story, and once you read, you can also donate to their GoFundMe.
There is a new biopic about Whitney Houston in theaters now. It’s called I Wanna Dance With Somebody. My hot take: there shouldn’t be any movies about Whitney Houston yet. It feels too fresh to me, still. But you know, I always like to let you know what’s new. If you decide to see it, let me know how you feel about it.
The Best Man: The Final Chapters is now available for you to enjoy on Peacock. This farewell to characters we met 23 years ago spread over an 8-episode limited series. I plan on binging it this weekend.
The iconic Sheryl Lee Ralph has a holiday album available now called Sleigh, and it was produced by B. Slade (my fellow church kids would probably know him better as Tonex.) It’s got a few bops on it, for sure! Stream it now: apple | spotify
One of my internet faves, Carmeon Hamilton shared a playlist called “Say It Witcho Chest” - it’s giving grown up R&B vibes for date night. 300+ songs, over 9 hours. Enjoy. via Spotify
Well - that’s all for this week. I hope you get the opportunity to spend time with those you love, and enjoy some time off, whatever that looks like for you. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, with love. - Andrea
