Hey babe! Grief can be described as, "the cost of love." In this episode of Divine Timing, I delve into the complexities of grief, emphasizing its multifaceted nature from types to stages to implications. I use applicable and personal experiences and insights along the way to drive the point home because Mental Health Awareness isn't just about what we learn, but about how we can actualize and apply what we've become aware of to our lives. The hope is that this conversation encourages listeners to sit with their feelings, process their emotions, and seek effective support. Grief and healing aren't linear concepts. There aren't any rules or bounds -- it's personal to each of us. It also isn't just about loss due to death, but encompasses many forms. Whether you've lost a loved one, passion, job, or are experiencing a break-up or separation -- this one is for you. Turn the lights low, grab your blanket (and maybe a few tissues), and nestle in.

Takeaways

• It's okay to take time off for mental health.
• Grief is not just about losing someone physically.
• Grief can disrupt our sense of normalcy and identity.
• There are multiple types of grief beyond death.
• Stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
• Healing is a non-linear process that requires awareness.
• Community support is crucial in the grieving process.
• Grief can manifest in physical and emotional symptoms.
• It's important to attend to your feelings and not repress them.
• Grief is the cost of love, and processing it is essential for healing.

Hey babe! In this episode, I continue the discussion of mental health and breaking the stigma. I introduce the concept of emerging adulthood and explore its five features. Emerging adulthood is centered around becoming and is characterized as the age of identity exploration, the age of instability, the most self-focused age, the age of feeling in-between, and the age of possibilities. The hope through this episode is that you'll embrace your unique journey, make choices that are sound and your own, and recognize the possibilities that come with this stage of life. I hope you're able to recognize the significance of self-discovery and the importance of not being confined by societal expectations or titles. Lastly, I hope that you're able to give yourself grace and feel empowered learning that this stage of life is necessary, and is meant to be a little chaotic, different, new, scattered, and unstable. You, dear listener, are becoming. Take your time, invest in yourself, have fun, and enjoy the journey.

Takeaways

• Mental health awareness is crucial for personal growth.
• Self-validation is a powerful tool for empowerment.
• Emerging adulthood is a distinct stage of development.
• Identity exploration is essential during emerging adulthood.
• Instability is a common experience in this life stage.
• This period is characterized by self-focus and personal choices.
• There are many possibilities available during emerging adulthood.
• It's important to embrace new experiences and opportunities.
• Your identity is multifaceted and should be explored.
• You are not defined by your titles or societal expectations.

Hey babe! In this episode of Divine Timing, I introduce a new series: "Breaking the Stigma." The goal of the series is to shine a light on mental health and the stigmas, stereotypes, misconceptions, and myths that surround it. The first part of this series comes on the heels of a conversation I had with a male associate of mine, A conversation that still lingers, without context and depth, due to the limited and inherited belief that men can't share their feelings or expound on their emotions without feeling like less of a man. I preface tonight's episode by rendering my background in mental health and my personal intersectionality that qualifies me to have this discussion, while also making it clear that there are obviously some things that I may not fully understand due to not being a man. My goal isn't to discount men and their experiences, but rather to reveal the first layer of stigma: people keeping their mouths closed about what they're dealing with because they think the next person may not understand. This kind of maladptive, narrow-minded thinking is what keeps a lot of us tethered to trauma, triggers, isolation, and stagnation. It's time for more open conversations about mental health. Tonight, we start with men. Dear listeners, I encourage you all to tune in, be receptive, embrace your feelings, and seek help if needed. This is a safe space. Stay a while.

Takeaways

• Mental health awareness is crucial, especially in May.
• Advocacy means being a voice for those without one.
• Everyone has their own struggles that may not be visible.
• Stigma in the Black community often prevents seeking help.
• Agency is about taking control of your mental health.
• Effective coping skills are essential for mental well-being.
• Education in mental health is important but personal experience matters too.
• Conversations about mental health should include men.
• It's okay for men to express their feelings and seek help.
• Life is worth living, and support is available.

Hey babe! In this episode of Divine Timing, I explore the themes of identity, purpose, self-worth, and self-validation. I emphasize the importance of recognizing the divine assignment and purpose that God has instilled in me, as well as, each one of us. He knew us and planted seeds of purpose within us before we were even formed in the womb. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, particularly from the book of Jeremiah, I encourage listeners to embrace their identity, overcome insecurities, and validate themselves. We no longer have to wait for others to approve us, validate us, or make room for us. Today, I take back the power and utilize my agency to show up for myself and make room for myself. The conversation serves as a reminder that everyone has a unique purpose and that God is always present to guide and protect us on our journey. Jeremiah 1 echoes, "for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee" repeatedly. Let us remember that and use it to ignite us into purpose and position today.

Takeaways

• We are already equipped with what we need.
• God has a divine assignment for each of us.
• Our identity is rooted in God's knowledge of us.
• Comparison can hinder our growth and joy.
• Self-validation is crucial for personal development.
• God's calling is not limited by our insecurities.
• We must embrace our gifts and talents.
• Obedience to God's calling is essential.
• Our worth is inherent and not defined by others.
• God is with us to deliver us from our fears.

Hey babe! In this episode, we discuss Luke 6 and life after forgiveness. Luke 6 focuses on how the Lord intends for us to be with people -- forgiving, giving, lending, loving, and good. This is the standard regardless of how we feel or what may come. I've realized that as I learn more and grow, there's more to learn and higher heights to reach. Spiritual maturity breeds spiritual maturity. Divine Timing: The Podcast has grown, too, and shifted from being a tool and platform that focuses on identification to strategizing and implementation. I've been taking things a bit further, to interrupt ongoing patterns and complacency, as well as, alleviate dissatisfaction. For instance, since the episode on forgiveness, I've had several conversations with people in my life concerning the topic. It wasn't easy. It took a lot of effort and resilience. In the end, I didn't even receive the results I thought I wanted. But it was still worth it. Luke 6:38 states, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Hey babe! Tonight's episode is not what I originally intended, but you know what I say...divine timing. This episode is raw, unedited, and emotional. An episode rendered in the intimate, transformative, in-between space of dusk and dawn -- the midnight hour where God turns things around. I invite you in to hear the inner whispers of my heart in the wake of divine encounter and divine impartation.

Hey babe! In tonight's episode, I talk about the need for community amidst a society that preaches hyper-independence. I confront the concept of professing Christianity while being clueless about what it means to be Christian; and serving on recruitment teams, without yourself being recruited. Tonight, I focus on an existing society that professes Christianity but fails to know Christ, thus not knowing his humanity and his heart for community amongst the body of believers. When we take time to read and study the Word of God, we gain the opportunity to learn the impact of Christ in his daily walk -- beyond his death, resurrection, and ascension. The bible is meant to be a prescriptive blueprint, more than just a descriptive story. It is through the life of Christ, as illustrated in the bible, that we gain instruction on how to be authentic, effective Christians. It is through that teaching, that we learn the importance and necessity of community. Lastly, it is by the understanding of these core concepts, that we can recruit, evangelize, and cultivate an environment that attracts more people to Christianity and invites them to stay.

Hey babe! Tonight's episode focuses on the place where divine instruction meets the season of waiting. The place, as emphasized by Habbakuk 2:2-3, where God tasks us with a vision, as well as, a waiting period to see the vision fulfilled. Through the biblical context and the lens of Noah and the Ark, we're able to see how God gave Noah a command and how Noah had to wait to see the purpose of the command. Noah, again, had to wait to see the promise attached to the command. God has a purpose for all of us. He's given many of us visions, and the instructions to go along with them. However, many of us question the validity of the vision or our capabilities and qualifications to carry out the vision. Or, we get wrapped up in the timing. Sometimes we think that "waiting" means to sit idly by. Sometimes we foolishly think that "waiting" only signifies sitting still and watching God do all the work. In tonight's episode, I confront this type of faulty thinking about divine instruction and seasons of waiting, and I challenge you to allow your works to match your faith. Dear listener, come in and stay a while.