Reading has always been one of my favorite past times. In the past, I’ve opted to listen to books using Audible. While I love audiobooks, it’s sometimes difficult to comprehend or even remember what I’ve read. So these days, I’m trying to read more physical books.

I like highlighting, taking notes, and referring to specific sections when I read. You can’t do (all) that with audiobooks. And while I have yet to read as many books this year as planned, I’m making time to read and finish a few books this season.

Here are five books I plan to read this summer:

1. The Origins of Others, Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison is one of America’s most beloved and most notable Black female authors. According to a few reviews online, The Origins of Others is essentially six lectures by Morrison at Harvard University in 2016. She touches on race, fear, belonging, and an array of other topics in relation to literature.

2. No Disrespect, Sista Souljah

From the first time I read the line, “I came busting into the world during one of New York’s worst snowstorms, so my mother named me Winter,” I’ve been a fan of Sista Souljah. Her remarkable first novel, The Coldest Winter Ever, was a staple for every young black girl’s bookshelf. No Disrespect, published in 1994, is also said to be remarkable and riveting in its own way. Each chapter is devoted to someone who made a difference in her life and gave a real-life look at how Black people are treated in America. Although this book was written 20+ years ago, I’m almost certain the lessons and experiences she recounts are relevant today.

3. The End of Me, Kyle Idleman

I started reading The End of Me, thinking it was a normal chapter book, but it’s much more than that. Idleman brilliantly weaves Bible stories and scripture into each chapter to show how we must come to the end of ourselves to experience the full life Jesus has to offer.

4. Woman of Color, Latonya Yvette

Woman of Color explores motherhood, sisterhood, beauty, style, loss, and resilience from the author’s perspective. After thumbing through the pages, I can already tell this six-chapter book, part memoir and part lifestyle guide, will be a refreshing, intriguing, and heartfelt read.

5. More Myself, Alicia Keys

Since elementary school, I’ve been fascinated with autobiographies. So reading More Myself, part autobiography, part narrative documentary, has been a treat. Keys is a great storyteller. On the one hand, her life seems very normal. Then you start reading about her experiences in the music industry and see that her “normal life” is also extremely compelling.

As I continue refreshing and renewing my way through July, I’ve been reimplementing some of my old habits to ensure that my home is as organized and neat as possible. For the most part, my husband and I are pretty organized people. We always say that I’m the organizer and he’s the cleaner. I get excited about shelving and storage containers, and he gets a thrill out of finding the newest cleaning supplies and natural cleaners.

Regardless of who likes to do what, we do certain tasks when it’s time to organize and clean. Here are five simple tasks we do to keep an organized home:

1. Make the Bed Everyday

My grandfather ingrained this into my brain as a little girl, and it’s stuck with me ever since then. Not only does this make the bedroom look neater and more put together, but it also helps mentally prepare me for a productive day.

2. Clean as I Go

I try my best with this one. For instance, if I’m in the kitchen meal prepping or cutting up some fruit, I’ll be sure to put the knives and any other utensils or items used in the dishwasher as soon as I’m done with them. Also, if I’m baking or cooking, I usually clean up my mess as I make my way through the kitchen. That way, I can move on to my next task seamlessly.

3. Have Shoe Storage at the Entryway

We’re a “remove your shoes before you come in” household. Not only does this eliminate unwanted germs from entering the home, but it also keeps the foyer nice and neat. We also store our most frequently worn shoes in the entryway. Doing this reduces clutter and makes our “everyday shoes” easy to find.

5. Schedule Cleaning Days + Know My Responsibilities

My husband and I have a cleaning schedule. Although it’s just us, this schedule helps eliminate unnecessary disagreements and keeps our home in order. I’m responsible for dusting, washing, + folding clothes, restocking the bathroom with cotton swabs, floss sticks, and other bathroom necessities, and watering our plants. I’m also responsible for keeping up with our food and household inventory.

Darrius is responsible for vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, and removing the trash. We split the dishes, bed-making, and cooking. I also created a shared grocery and household item list using the Notes App. This makes keeping up with our household inventory a breeze.

4. Use a Calendar

About once a month, Darrius and I sit down and go over our family calendar. From birthday celebrations and date nights to doctor’s appointments and trips home (for Darrius), we like to be sure that important dates are blocked off and planned for ahead of time. There’s an erasable calendar in our kitchen that I fill out monthly. If an event or special occasion is coming up, it’s on the calendar. We schedule our doctor’s visits and other medical appointments using our iPhone calendars.

I can only live with clutter and disorganization but for so long. I know things sometimes go differently than planned. That’s life. However, keeping our home as neat and as organized as possible is a priority. These five simple tasks make keeping your home organized a priority as well.

It’s time for me to make space here to share my thoughts about God and faith. I’ve wanted to share my faith and love for God here on the blog for years. I do weave my faith into most posts, but it’s time to go deeper. So, welcome to my first “Fearless Faith Friday” post.

If you follow my Fearless Woman I Am Instagram account, you may remember my “Fearless Faith Series.” Last summer, I featured seven faith-filled, purpose-driven women. These ladies shared their own faith stories plus offered words of encouragement. This powerful and impactful series was truly the start of something amazing. I plan to revive, revise, and expand that series here on the blog to make an even more significant impact.

What to Expect

On Fridays, you can expect to read my thoughts on an array of topics, each coupled with scripture and a word of encouragement. I also intend to share my testimonies and lessons learned from some of my real-life God moments. In the future, I plan to reintroduce the “Fearless Faith Features” as well.

The Purpose

My purpose is to share the goodness of the Lord with God’s people and to leave you both fulfilled and faith-filled. My goal isn’t to convert or force you to believe what I believe. This is my effort to build bridges, provide understanding, and encourage you to live a less worldly-focused and more faith-focused life.

As I prepare to move forward, I invite you to share this news with your family and friends. If you know someone who can use a quick weekly faith-based pick me up, tell them about “Fearless Faith Fridays.” I’m excited about what’s to come, and I hope you are too.

Until next week, stay safe and be blessed.

If you’ve been here for a while, you know how I feel about vision boards. A well-thought-out vision board can be significant when goal setting. For years, I’ve created my own, and I’ve even had to pleasure of leading a vision board workshop through my women’s empowerment organization, Fearless Woman I Am. If you still need to, allow me to fill you in.

I created this year’s board at the end of 2019. Before getting started, I already had my word/theme for the year and my anchor scripture. Visually, I knew I wanted my board to be simple, and I also wanted to use both words and images. My complete board now hangs directly on the wall before my desk in my home office. Placement is key.

If you want to create your own vision board or refresh your current one, it’s not too late. We still have six months and two seasons left in 2020. Here are three simple steps:

1. Make it Fun 

Plan a vision board party using Zoom or Google Meet. Invite some friends or family members to join you and make it a virtual party! To start, you will need the following:

• Old magazines and catalogs
• A corkboard (you choose the size) or large poster board paper
• Scissors, push pins, glue, tape, colorful pens, sharpies, & stickers
  • The materials depend on your board base – corkboard or paper

2. Decide on a Theme

This step is important because it determines the images you’ll need to look for to create your board. Think about what you want the rest of your year to look like. Think about what you want more or less of. What words or phrases come to mind? If you need help deciding on a word, here are 30 suggestions.

3. Make Your Board Visible

Once your vision board is complete, hang it where you can see it. I always suggest hanging vision boards in prominent locations (i.e., your closet, home office, near your nightstand, etc.). Your vision board is a tangible reminder of your goals and aspirations. Why would you not have it displayed for daily viewing? If you’re worried about your board clashing with your home or office décor, I suggest using a corkboard. They usually come with black, white, or wood frames. That way, you can match the frame to your décor. * Note: If you make a smaller 8 1/2 x 11 version, you can put it in the picture frame on your nightstand.

All in all, your vision board should motivate you to accomplish your goals. It’s really that simple. So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your board today. And if you already have a 2020 vision board, don’t be afraid to reevaluate your goals, recreate or tweak your board.

I meditate on one or more Bible verses whenever I enter a new season. I call these “anchor scriptures.” Sometimes I look them up on my own or, on many occasions, I’ll be led to a particular verse (or verses) during my quiet time with the Lord. Either way, having a scripture to meditate and lean on can be extremely helpful when navigating through a new life season.

Since my theme for July is “Refresh,” here are 7 Bible verses to help renew and refresh the spirit:

1. Isaiah 43:19 (NTL)

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

2. Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

3. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

4. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV)

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.”

5. Zephaniah 3:17 (CEV)

“The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” 

6. Psalms 51:10 (NIV)

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

7. Psalms 23:1 (NIV)

“The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.”