There’s a time and season for everything under sun. So why wouldn’t it be a time to SHAKE IT UP!

Life has taught me that many times when one is stuck or unable to take flight, it’s due to allowing people and things to stay in places which is no longer fitting to their journey. What you mean by that Diane? Glad you asked (winks), what I mean is there are things and people in our lives that simply no longer fit who we are or thriving to be. However, because of loyalty, fear, or even maybe guilt, we allow things to remain status quo.

Have you ever felt abandoned by those closest to you?

That heart wrenching, stomach punch, mind blowing feeling is simply devastating!

We did live together, I was there for your BIG days, SAD days, SCARY day, we promised to RIDE or DIE for each other. I mean we went through thick/thin, and it was supposed to be until the very end!

BUT THEN…

The other day I had a conversation with a young lady that I have had the pleasure of doing life with for several years now. She is a newlywed and was commenting on how blessed she was to have an amazing husband. During the conversation this young lady made the following profound statement. “Ms. Diane, I am just so happy that I don’t have to be the strong woman 24/7 with my husband.” I could totally relate, and it made me stop and think. Why is it that women, especially women of color feel the need to be so strong all the time? Why is it that there is not a moment when we feel like we can just be completely vulnerable? Wow, just the thought of this made me extremely tired and not just a physical tired but a deep down in my soul tired.

I come from a family that walked together. My mom was a serious walker, and her mom was also, so of course I too am a walker. Walking is my therapy, and I truly believe my grandmother knew that I would need therapy before I could afford it. For as long as I can remember whenever I found myself in a place where I was stuck, confused, hurt, or whatever else that would pull me out of balance; I would walk.

October is “Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month”, pause and think about that for a moment. Our emotional health is vital to our entire being and has been overlooked for far to long. I am grateful to see people speaking up about their mental health without being ostracized or condemned. We all have triggers that can take us on an emotional high or an emotional low emotional places. One of the keys to maintaining your mental health balance is knowing your triggers and finding an effective way to work through them.

Truly my life has offered several; "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding...." moments.

March 7, 2004 was a day that changed my life forever. See on that day I would become "Nana" for the very first time. The joy I felt when I received the call that baby Nate had arrived is beyond words. I lived on the West Coast at the time of Nate's birth and once I was informed that my daughter was in labor; I was on the first plane to Michigan.

Charles and I had both been married previously, so we came into this marriage with experience. We entered the space of matrimony with our eyes wide open, knowing that it was not going to be a fairytale. The success of our story depended on keeping the flame and choosing each other every single day.

Our journey was set and we were committed to the adventures ahead of us. The keys were placed on the kitchen counter and we departed our home, of eight years, for the last time. The car was packed to capacity and we were prepared to drive to our first destination.

The opportunity to serve at the GratiDude Ranch, came via a volunteer site I was registered with. There was something about the event that I knew would change my life forever.