Trials, Transitions & Triumphs

I'm sitting alone in a lil cafe in my home town having breakfast reflecting on the events of this year so far...

Things have gone from comfortable to bad. From bad to worse and back round' again.

In the midst of it all I've learned some great things about myself. Nothing highlights your strength, resilience, creativity and resourcefulness like navigating your way tough times.

I realize now that I'm transitioning out of my period of tribulation, that this wasn't a series of random unfortunate events but the necessary kick in the tush needed to open my eyes to what I'm capable of accomplishing.

One in my position might consider themselves back at square one, but I consider myself steps ahead. The reset button may have been pushed on my wherewithal, but my life in general is in full forward progression and picking up steam. Yet with all things considered I can confidently say that as good as God has been to me in this life already, the best is yet to come

Beef With the Chef??!!

The saying goes "opinions are like a$$holes, everybody has one" & rumor has it that we're entitled to have said opinion... By the simple nature that we're individuals & supposed independent thinkers it stands to reason that our opinions are occasionally going to differ.

I'm a person who welcomes differing opinions, I don't automatically label thinking not inline with my own as "shade" or "hate" I believe that feedback of all types is crucial to our personal growth, development, and/or improvement. Which is why I am dumbfounded by a recent & unfortunate incident stemming from having expressed my honest opinion re: a post by Chef Roble Ali  on a social networking platform that resulted in what I believe to be an unwarranted block.

I have given him my full and unwavering support, countless acknowledgements and/or accolades, and even engaged with him directly a few times over this past year. I honestly weighed in on his "Black Girls Rock" ensem and promptly had my "follower" privileges revoked!

Me, the same follower that met & took pictures with him just a few short months ago. That he in his own words referred to as "amazing" in a comment on one of my posts for that event. That he cheered just a couple of weeks ago for advocating his right to enjoy an inexpensive wine or three if he so chooses...

As unfortunate and as hard as it is to wrap my head around being banished to the infamous InstaGram "d-block" by Roble for merely being honest, I have no option but to respect his right to do so. At the end of the day it is his account to do with what he will.

Although I'm no longer privy to the funny, witty and occasionally raunchy IG antics of Chef Roble I'll remain an avid fan/supporter of him and all of his endeavors. I'm confident that as a person who values his right to express himself honestly (as he routinely does) in a society where bandwagon jumping is all to common, he ultimately appreciates honest feedback. I'm sorry that he found my comment to be anything other than that and am hopeful that he accepts my sincerest apology. I'm not necessarily looking to be granted a reprieve from "d-block" but I'm also confident that one day in the not so distant future this incident will be a laughable recount of "remember when"...