…has been getting substantially harder as time crawls on. Why do I constantly stumble over the same roadblock continuously? It’s like I want to trip and fall, perhaps I like watching myself be in pain and wither like a snail covered in salt. It comes in waves. For women, everything comes in waves. Have you ever noticed that? Love, sometimes it’s stronger, sometimes its more pragmatic. Weight, let’s face it, the holidays come in waves. Your cramps come in rolling fiery waves of death and destruction that politely remind you that you’re not pregnant in the most “subtle” manner. My patience, my inspiration, my intelligence, my charisma, my humor…everything comes in waves. Right now, I’m at one of those extreme low points of self-doubt, curiosity, and testing. I want to see how I can pull through this, but at the same time I want to shake this dull-pain so I can continue on living carefree. But how would I ever come to know myself if I didn’t engage in these soul searching expeditions. This ladies and gentlemen is “soul puberty.” Coined by one of the most brillant women I have come to know and work with, Dr. Joanna Brooks. This is growing up as a lost young woman in a world of chaos and misunderstanding, trying to understand what it means to be a woman, a sister, and a daughter. 

It’s like swimming through Louisiana muck. It’s thick and it smells funny and you’re doubting you will pull through. But know this, girls are built tough, you should be raised tough and show your strength. If you weren’t raised tough, find your best friend and teach each other strength comes from your heart. Build a pact, there is strength in numbers. I want all young girls to grow up tough and kind, hard and sweet, confident and humble. I hope you understand when you are traveling through unknown territory that you can be weak and strong. You are strong for letting yourself slip into this alien terrain. You are weak in your uncertainty for the next day, your next conversation your fear of how lost you really are. But when you emerge from this soul puberty, you will see a glittery new horizon that means more to you. In your new world sets a heavier sun, a gentler sunrise, and a beautiful newfound determination. At least thats what I imagine it is all going to look like. I’m still traveling.