The name Viola may not ring a bell in circles you reside in; however, the name Viola Ford-Fletcher is a common name, one not to be forgotten. Ms. Fletcher, affectionately known as "Mother Fletcher," was one of the last survivors of the 1921 horrific tragedies committed by an all-white mob in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Known as the "Black Wall Street" massacre, a lie was published in the newspaper of a colored man accused of assaulting a woman of non-color. How many stories have we heard of this magnitude that were untrue? Yes, white women were assaulted, but many of them were assaulted by white men who claimed it was a man of color.

Even while attempting to bring justice to the story, the very system that is in place denied then and still denies people of color justice and healing today, yet the racist perpetrators walk free and are not held accountable.

"Don't let them bury my story!"

The Light will always shine in darkness—you may think on this side, no justice nor peace is on your side, but retribution is ours in the Holies of Holies. Vengeance is mine; I will repay. Says the Lord!

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

Oh, it may not be sexy to talk about history or religious history, but I think you'll enjoy the information here. There is the era of constructive theology, where Black thinkers, pastors, and activists reimagine what Christianity can be even as they engage Islam, Judaism, Afro-Caribbean religions, and Buddhism. Their work suggests and insists that theology cannot stop at the boundaries of the church but must address the entire ecology of race, faith, and belonging.

Mentioning each religion, their work expands Black theology into genuine interfaith dialogue, proving that liberation cannot be confined to Christian or Muslim frameworks.

When you think about the history of the Christian church and how it was weaponized against people of color and others, people often discredit the western system of belief and shun the practice. Also, the continued and consistent misuse of the books of scriptures has had lasting trauma and confusion.

Consider sharing.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

Many theologians consider scripture as their primary reference, while philosophy, history, archaeology, and other sources are secondary. Psychology utilizes reason, observation of nature, and experiment. Also, they rely on philosophical sources.

There are two models of conversation regarding psychology and theology. Models of integration: Explicit integration and implicit integration.

Both explicit and implicit integration offer valuable pathways for addressing the intersection of theology and psychology in Christian psychotherapy. While explicit provides a robust framework for faith-centered clients, implicit ensures inclusivity and adaptability in diverse therapeutic contexts.

Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things." Can we rely on those spiritual attributes and not counseling as a source or can we integrate the sources for our well-being?

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

Have you or someone you've known asked the question, "Why?" or "Why me?"

These massive topics are too big and complex for us to be under any illusions. Psychology classifies guilt as an emotion; moral emotions are classified as such because they presumably play a key role in fostering moral behavior.

Guilt is something we feel—shame attacks our identity.

Theologians aren't necessarily in disagreement. the feeling of guilt is important biblically and theologically. But this is only half the story.

The original "sin" left creation with an inborn disability and polluted. While it is clear that guilt focuses on the offense, shame focuses on the offender.

Not all psychologists hold the biblical view and advocate for modern psychology and are in direct conflict with theological teachings about how to deal with sin. The only real hope for an offender of the law of God is to turn to Christ for forgiveness. Guilt and shame have been nailed to the cross.

Take a listen and share.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

Latahsa Harlins was a 15-year-old slain in the city of Los Angeles, California. At the time, the most viewed and talked-about incident was that of the killing of Rodney King. Latasha was killed a few weeks later.

The teen was in a store attempting to purchase a drink for $1.79. The store owner thought she was stealing the beverage as she mistakenly placed the beverage in her backpack while holding the money in her hand. Latasha wasn't heading for the door, which is an indicator of theft, but proceeded to the counter.

An altercation erupted with the accusation that the teen was a thief. Mrs. Du, a Korean immigrant, fought with Latasha. Mrs. Du fell behind the counter and arose with a gun and shot the teen in the back of the head as she began to exit the store.

Mrs. Du was sentenced to jail but never did any time. The judge resonated with the immigrant story of coming to America and building a business, and she reduced the sentencing. Many stories go untold, and many are judged unjustly. Lives have been lost due to simple misunderstandings, but the biggest takeaway is gun violence in America. The gun violence in this country is traumatic, and the sufferings of day-to-day violence dealing with guns and people, to include teens with guns, only get worse when your loved one is killed by someone with a gun.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

Being alone can be a source of strength, creativity, and personal growth for those who embrace it. It's not for everyone, but the personality traits are beneficial to all. In discovering the unique qualities of enjoyment of being alone, keep an open mind to how you too can find pleasure in being alone. Being alone is not isolation!

I explored some of the traits; they are as follows: Independent, confident, self-reliant, reflective, creative, innovative, empathetic, resourceful, self-sufficient, and more.

The benefits of taking time for oneself: In addition to fostering personal growth, alone time can provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. It can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being by allowing individuals to relax and recharge.

Consider taking a listen and share with others.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

A gradual relationship decline prior to one person having an affair—and a once-or-twice affair happens—a new study has identified a pattern. Very rarely does a healthy relationship occur afterward. The study hoped to offer insight into whether relationship problems actually precede affairs or whether they mostly happen afterward.

Are cheaters destined to keep repeating the same pattern forever? Once a cheater, always a cheater?

People that cheated on their partner reported lower self-esteem, lower relationship satisfaction, and lower intimacy. Those cheated on only reported lower self-esteem and more conflicts.

Sadly, people involved in infidelity did not recover as much as from other life events. But bounce back does happen.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

"Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Amos 5:24

Listening is not only a personal practice; it can and must be shaped in our organizations. Our everyday systems, schools, government, congregations, and organizations. What is true for individuals is also true for institutions.

But when systems stop listening and telling untruths, the consequences are serious! This reflects people and institutions alike. Continue to tell untruths and allow systems to follow this belief system; they do not become ineffective or outdated, they become unjust!

Amos envisioned justice that flows, not isolated or selfish acts yet ongoing reality truths—like water that flows continuously through the life of the community. When people and institutions refuse to listen, they become obstacles to the people they serve and they obstruct truths.

To hear is a responsibility; to listen is an invitation into the work of justice!

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.