Now, the days are growing shorter; I am embracing the change in season and making plans for 2025. So, here is my round-up for October as a coach, writer and human being. 😊
What brings you joy?
It somehow does not feel right to allow Black History Month to pass by without talking about joy – because, for me, being active in finding and living your joy is a radical and defiant act – particularly as a POC.
I say this as someone who has in the past attended writer’s events where I came away with the distinct impression that unless I were writing about my pain and humiliation as a Black woman, no one would be interested in my book. It did take me a beat to get over this and move on.
So, my message today is simply this: find those activities that bring you joy, and then do them – no excuses, no procrastination, no waiting for that perfect moment.
This is another way I would interpret #ReclaimingNarratives through our joyful stories, experiences, and the people who bring joy into our lives.
So, what are the things that bring you joy? Who are the people who light you up?
Some of the things on my list include:
- Clear blue skies on a meeting-free day, where I don’t need to be anywhere. I can potter around in my own time, space and schedule.
- Creating stories that appear humdrum but have a bit of magic thrown in – accounts that are a little quirky, where I can lose myself.
- Time in the garden, first thing in the morning – observing the squirrels as they thread their way through our apple trees, listening to the birdsong
- Journaling is still on my list, but now there is also joy in sharing my stories in person. We have plans for another Open Mic event towards the end of November.
- Being part of a diverse group of coaches – something I did not realise I needed until I became a member of @DECD.
So, I’ll ask again: what brings you joy, and what are you doing to include more of it in your life?
Optimistic October
For various reasons, October is not my favourite month. I tend to struggle through it.
So, this year, I am participating in the Action for Happiness – Optimistic October Challenge. Which is providing me with daily bursts of optimism and hope – positive interruptions to my day that cause me to pause and reflect on:
What I can be thankful for at this moment
What I have achieved so far this year
What I look forward to
The people in my life who I know have my back.
Tomorrow is a brand-new day.
So, I’m curious: who else is participating in the Optimistic October Challenge?
And I’ll finish with a quote from Jim Rohn:
Learn to be thankful for what you already have while you pursue all that you want.
He made it back
He made it back – albeit a broken man. But still, my dad made it back to Jamaica after ten years or so in the UK. And I like to think of this as a hopeful rather than a happy ending to that part of his life – because it may have taken him some time, but he did eventually heal and recover from his experiences in England.
He made it back—it has taken me a long time to realise what returning to the land of his birth must have meant to him, even if it meant leaving us behind.
He made it back – because the last time I saw him, I was five years old and about to start school. My dad left the family home in a grey Ford Anglia, and as I stood waving him off, I had no idea I would never see him again.
He made it back, but I still don’t know how long it took him to return to Jamaica or how long it might have taken him to scrape the money together to make the trip home.
I am sharing this brief snippet of my dad’s story as part of Black History Month’s #Reclaiming Narratives theme because I want to honour the fact that my dad arrived in this country in the early 60s ahead of Mum to try and build a life. He made the trip.
Then, at some point in the 70s, he landed on the shores of Jamaica and was able to begin the long process of rebuilding his life. Mum stayed and built hers here.
That is one of the narratives I am reclaiming.
An Evening with Diane Abbott
A few weeks ago, I was profoundly moved while attending the launch of Diane Abbott’s book – A Woman Like Me at Afrori Books in Brighton.
Unusually, I did not take any notes. I was completely caught up in the moment- because it was how she was rather than what she said that took my breath away. Diane Abbott spoke with authenticity, humour, and grace. I cannot remember most of what she said that night, so I am delighted I have her book.
The whole event reminded me of the quote by Maya Angelou:
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Diane Abbott extended grace in acknowledging the racism, trolling and hate she has faced over the years. She graciously recognised that she had been the only Black female MP in the House of Commons for ten years. And finally, she was somewhat surprised when we rose to our feet at the end of the fireside chat. I was so pleased to be there.
Until next time.
