Show Yourself Some Love This Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s Day is often thought of as a day to celebrate relationships and romantic love, but what about the importance of showing yourself some love? Self-love and care are essential components of well-being and can be practiced in any season.

On this Valentine’s Day, why not take a moment to recognize how special you are by showing yourself some extra self-love?

What Is Self-Love?

Self-love is an attitude that involves accepting yourself with kindness, compassion, and understanding. It is a powerful form of self-care that acknowledges who you are as a person and celebrates your unique strengths and weaknesses. The benefits of practicing self-love can include improved mental well-being, reduced stress levels, increased resilience in the face of adversity, greater confidence in yourself and your abilities, better relationships with others, and overall improved life satisfaction.

Practicing Self-Love This Valentine's Day

There are numerous ways to practice self-love this Valentine’s Day. Take time to appreciate yourself through acts of kindness such as taking a relaxing bubble bath or investing in quality skincare products to give yourself an at home spa day. I’m learning that the older I get, the better quality my skincare products need to be. You can also wear something that makes you feel beautiful and use this day to reflect on what makes you unique and special – both inside and out! Spend time doing things that bring you joy – whether that means writing in a journal or spending quality time outdoors. Lastly, express gratitude for all that you have instead of focusing on what you don’t have or cannot control.

This Valentine’s Day season may look different from years passed due to the pandemic we are currently facing– but don't let that keep you from showing yourself some love! Whether single or taken– take time for yourself this February 14th by celebrating everything wonderful about who you are! Practicing self-love doesn't require big gestures; even small acts like buying yourself flowers or going for a walk around your neighborhood can make all the difference when it comes to feeling good about life again. So treat yourself like someone who loves you would– because no one else knows how to do it better than you do!

Take care,

Lakisha

I Am Grateful for the Trailblazers…

When I think about the trail my African American ancestors paved for me, I am filled with gratitude. I often wake up with a deep appreciation and admiration for their strength, courage and resilience in the face of immense adversity. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.

My ancestors also showed an incredible amount of courage in the face of danger. They risked everything—their lives, their families, and their livelihoods—in order to fight for what they believed was right. Their courage was inspiring and has been passed down through generations. We owe them a debt of gratitude for leading the way in the fight against racism and inequality in this country. They had such incredible strength, yet they were treated so unfairly by society. They were enslaved, discriminated against, and denied basic rights that seem obvious now. But despite these immense challenges, they kept pushing forward with courage and faith. They didn’t give up in the face of adversity and refused to accept anything less than equal treatment for all people regardless of race or gender.

I owe an immense debt to my ancestors for paving the way for me. Without their hard work, perseverance, and dedication I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the same rights as everyone else in this country. I’m grateful for those who fought for our freedom even when it seemed like an impossible task – because without them I wouldn’t be here today living a life filled with love and opportunity.

While I am speaking of many of my ancestors who are no longer here with me, I still have many who are living and inspire me every day. My mother, my former teachers Ms. Lannigan and Ms. Spencer, my best friends Nicole and Tracey, my business coach Darnyelle and so many others who give more than what they ever had.

I often take time out of my day to reflect on all that my those who are here and those who are gone have done for me—allowing me to experience freedom like never before imagined; giving me opportunities that were unheard of during their lifetime; showing me how powerful it can be when you stand up against injustice; teaching me how to stay strong even when faced with adversity; reminding me that no matter how difficult things may seem at times, there is always hope; inspiring me to continue fighting until equality is achieved in every corner of this world; and most importantly instilling in me an unshakeable sense of pride in my culture and heritage. For all these things I am forever thankful!

Take care,

Lakisha.

Parents, Please Pay Attention!!! The Reality of Human Trafficking in New Jersey.

Human trafficking is a hidden crime that affects New Jersey more than you might think. While the victims are often invisible, the impacts are devastating and far-reaching. There are several forms of Human Trafficking. One of them is a form of modern slavery in which people are exploited for labor or commercial sex. It is estimated that 24.9 million people worldwide are trafficked annually, most of whom are women and children. In 2017 alone, there were 853 reported cases of human trafficking in the U.S., with 153 occurring in New Jersey alone. This is an extremely high number for our State considering that these numbers reflect only reported cases; experts estimate that the actual number could be much higher.

Victims of human trafficking come from all backgrounds and walks of life, though many have been vulnerable due to poverty or lack of education. Victims may be lured by false promises or forced into servitude through physical violence or threats against themselves or their families. Many times traffickers use drugs or alcohol to control their victims as well as manipulate them emotionally by making them feel dependent on their captors for survival or comfort. Parents and educators, please pay attention – this means our teens are highly vulnerable.

I have learned that children are trapped in this vicious cycle in many different ways. Predators will pay other teens to lure their friends to a mall where the predator will kidnap them. Children who experience issues at home may be sought after by predators who pretend to be concerned and groom the teen to be trafficked.

It is so important to learn what human trafficking looks like because it is happening right in front of us. Please join me at the Human Trafficking Awareness Forum this weekend. It will be held on Saturday, January 28th from 11 am to 1 pm at Mastery Charter High School in Camden, NJ.

I hope to see you there.

Take care,

Lakisha.