A Taste of BitterSweet Fruit

"D.C. knew me like the back of his hand. He knew I was concerned about him, and his inner struggles, which usually involved money. He felt he was useless in my life. I would
always tell him everything was going to work out, and I would always
be there for him. I loved and respected D.C., even if he did not have much, because he always worked hard to make it. I knew about his grim background, and understood why he struggled so much. His family lived in Bronx, New York, poor and unhappy, until his mother died in 1999 of lung cancer, at the early age of 55. D.C. was very close to his mother. He loved her more than anyone or anything else in the world.  His father, who still lived in Brooklyn, New York, had always been in and out of D.C.’s life since the beginning. His parents never married.
D.C.’s father always had a couple of girlfriends at a time, which he
usually used for money and shelter. He never did stay in one place long.
His father was just a “rolling stone” as the Temptations would say. Al-
though D.C. would never admit it aloud, he wanted to have a stable
relationship with his father, and it hurt him that his father was barely
ever there."

Venomous, The Sequel  

"As I exited my car, I felt the raindrops touch me face. It was about to pour down raining, but I didn’t care and neither did my accomplice. My new found friend was ready to have my back, because she been through hell with Fefe also. After being made to do what Fefe wanted for over a year, Tonda was ready to squeeze the trigger quicker than I was. With the loud thunder and lighting, it made a perfect noise to drown out any screaming. Or gunshots..."

Love Thy Self 

“There is no greater love than the love you discover from deep within your soul.”- Kharisma Accepting one self: What does that really mean? Does it mean to deny others for the greater purpose of individuality? Does it mean separating yourself from the groups for which you belong? Does it mean selfishly focus on your needs, ignoring the needs of others? Well I guess my answer would be…yes and no. Self acceptance is a balance of loving yourself and giving yourself to others. You see, without self acceptance, you can not be of any service to others. The old adage is true: “To love others, you must first learn to love yourself.”

Love Thy Self - Teen Version

“Suzie’s” Story

(Based on true events, names changed to protect identities)

"Suzie had been a friend of Kiara since high school.  She was always a lot of fun and had the ability to make Kiara laugh every time she saw her.  Suzie’s spirit was positive and free until she started dating a man named Demond.  He worked hard to destroy and conquer Suzie’s spirit. 

Suzie and Demond dated on and off for several years in a whirlwird of total confusion. Demond was able to win her on with his charm and sex appeal.  He even befriended her closest friend, Kiara.  The three of them would hang out together quite frequently.  One day Suzie and Kiara headed to Demond’s job to pick-up keys for the apartment.  Demond apparently did not like the visit to his job as he proceeded to force Suzie to the ground twisting her arms and yelling out curses.  Kiara intervened by telling Demond to release Suzie.  He continued hurting Suzie so Kiara hit Demond to help free her friend from harm.  It was only a matter of time before Demond’s rage turned on Kiara as well.  So she bolted with her friend to the car. Demond attempted to punch through the glass window but was stopped in his tracks when the job supervisor screamed out the words, “you’re fired.” 

Kiara just knew that Suzie would leave Demond alone for good after this incident in order to escape his mental and physical abuse.  However, Suzie continued to date Demond, and Kiara and Suzie drifted further apart.  Years later Kiara learned that Demond broke Suzie’s arm.  Suzie then finally said “enough is enough.”  Soon after the relationship was over, Suzie was able to move on to another man  who helped her move passed her pain and actually experience joy in a relationship.  She also strengthened her relationship with God which was the most powerful causing her to  look deep inside herself and appreciate the beautiful spirit she kept hidden during that painful part of her life."



The Dating Pool Blogbook

"In this day in time there are so many contributors to failed relationships; emotional baggage, incompatibility, unrealistic expectations, friend/family intervention, financial hardships, gender wars, etc. What drives the biggest wedge between a man and a woman in a romantic relationship? How can it be repaired?

 Ladies: You notice two different guys. One is very attractive, he is flirting with you from across the room and smiling but twenty minutes have passed and he has not approached you yet. Another guy nicely dressed, (not your type physically,) assertively approaches you for a dance. You guys have a great time and he asks for your number. Later in the night the first guy finally approaches you and asks for your number. Who gets the number and why?

 Gentlemen: You observe two different attractive ladies walking down the street. One is dressed plainly, smiling, and has a very sexy casual walk. The other is all put together, has a calm expression, and walking hurriedly with her briefcase to her destination. Which do you approach, and why?"