#JustWrite, we have made it to the final blog of 2023!! Estrangement, Forgiveness, Reconciliation. These three words are the subject of this month's book club selection, "I Thought We'd Never Speak Again," by author Laura Davis. These three words are also words that we are all familiar with throughout our relationships with others: family, spouses, co-workers, etc. If you are on the brink of rekindling an estranged relationship or torn between whether you should forgive and reconcile, this is a great read to help jumpstart the process. The book is a combination of transparency, inspiration, and practicality with personal stories and a self-assessment activity.
We are "naked and not ashamed"(Genesis 2:25), coming together to share our journeys in the spirit of transparency, accountability, and encouragement to all writers, whether published or aspiring. Join us in our moments of truth.
Friday, December 15, 2023
The Write Reconciliation: I Thought We'd Never Speak Again
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The Write Leadership: Revisiting Tribes by Seth Godin
Hey #JustWrite! This month we are revisiting the book club selection, "Tribes" by author Seth Godin. You may recall a previous blog and discussion in September 2021. Be sure to check out both. In lieu of written commentary this month, check out some video commentary and let us know your thoughts.
Sunday, October 15, 2023
The Write Abilities, Exploring the Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius
Hello #JustWrite and hello October! Let's jump into this month's topic. As someone who has experiences within the education world, the majority of conversations that I have had through the years with educators and fellow learning facilitators is the frustration that we all share with the current educational system. Children are sometimes labeled erroneously according to their deficits and are not fully embraced for those deficits actually being unique differences. My ongoing journey has allowed me to meet the most amazing students who fall within exceptional education labels (i.e. special needs ranging from autism, MOID, EBD, ADHD, ADD, Asperger syndrome, spina bifida, cerebal palsy, etc.) These deficiencies and disorders are discoveries as explained in this month's book club selection: The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by psychiatrist and best-selling author, Gail Saltz, M.D.
Dr. Saltz details in her book about the unique gifts of creativity, artistic abilities, empathy, and the ability to see things differently that arise from brain differences and disorders (dyslexia, depression, autism, etc.) "This book describes traits and gifts associated with seven broad categories of brain differences based on Saltz’s research and experience as Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill-Cornell School of Medicine."
The following seven categories are intentionally noted as symptoms instead of conditions:
1. Learning Differences
2. Distractibility
3. Anxiety
4. Melancholy
5. Cycling Mood
6. Divergent Thinking
7. Relatedness
These symptoms are infused through real-life stories from individuals that Dr. Saltz interviewed to showcase that the way the brain processes and expresses itself is more important to understand than the associated label. Processes and expressions are two things that we all can agree with when it comes to creativity and artistry.
Join us Tuesday, October 31 at 6pm for this unique and expressive conversation. Take a moment beforehand to process how these categories either resonated with you as a reader personally or if they brought forth more understanding to Saltz's views with support and empathy for those individuals who can relate.
In His service,
Lequvia Ousley
Friday, September 15, 2023
The Write Empowerment: We Are 'More Than Enough'
#JustWrite!! It's a September to remember as we jump into this month's book club selection. Most of us have found ourselves in a place of doing but not being, simply put, accomplishing so much without fully embracing the essence of who we are without shame. Curse-breakers, change agents, barrier-breakers, you name it, we all can relate to carrying the mantle to exceed the expectations and limitations of society our way. New York Times Bestseller, "More Than Enough" by author Elaine Welteroth details the many ups and downs that she experienced throughout her life and career. A profound journalist, Welteroth shares her lessons on how she navigated race, identity, and success throughout her journey. These intersections have been the catalyst for her as a barrier-breaker. "You don’t have to be defined by one dream or one job title for your entire life. Get out of any job or relationship that makes you feel small. Instead, position yourself for growth by surrounding yourself with the people and the spaces that encourage it. Identify what your passion is, then figure out what your mission is, and do it." Double AMEN!!
From a biblical standpoint, scripture speaks to being more than enough:
1. Romans 8:1-2 – In Christ There Is No Condemnation
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”Tuesday, August 15, 2023
The Write Kingship: Exploring Becoming A King, The Path to Restoring the Heart of a Man
Hello August!! #JustWrite, this month we are speaking to the men. For some of us women, the term, "man" brings forth thoughts of strength, leader, vigilant, etc. The book club selection is Becoming A King: The Path to Restoring the Heart of a Man by author Morgan Snyder. Snyder speaks to the men as it relates to them becoming who God intended them to be in terms of His Kingdom. It answers the question, "What does power and responsibility look like for Christian men in our world today?" The book sheds light for men on how to:
- Reconstruct their understanding of masculinity and who God truly intended them to be
- Learn to become a man of unshakable strength and courage
- Reclaim their identity, integrity, and purpose
Saturday, July 15, 2023
The Write Intelligence: The Theory of You're Smarter Than You Think
Hey #JustWrite!! It's 3 weeks until the new school year will begin for some and for those of us who have children, have raised children, or have educated children, the conversation this month is centered on the intelligence of children. Most of us who attended public school went through the emotions of being tested and understanding whether or not we were visual (see the content), auditory (hear the content), or kinesthetic (hands on with the content) learners. In my experience as a student, my favorite subjects were Math and ELA and I was definitely using the 3 different type of learning styles in one to process information. In my experience as an educator, I've found that it is important to understand and prioritize a student's intelligence in the same way the learning styles of a student are prioritized.
This month's book selection, You're Smarter Than You Think: A Kid's Guide to Multiple Intelligences by author Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. explores a theory by Howard Gordon that children have multiple intelligences. The three intelligences discussed in this text include Word Smart, Self Smart, and Body Smart. The book also includes an explanation of Life Smart where children are inquisitive about life, the universe, and spirituality. According to Howard Gordon, the 8 intelligences include: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic. These intelligences go beyond the general intelligence normally expressed by the standard IQ score. We as writers fall under the verbal-linguistic and intrapersonal intelligences. 3 additional intelligences include spiritual, moral, and existential intelligences. Parents, as you read this text with your child, you will be happy to know that your intelligences go beyond buckets that we have all been placed in. It kills the idea within the education world that our intelligence is defined by standardized tests. These intelligences also influence the areas of psychology, neuroscience, and business within workplace environments and training programs. The following areas are ways that we can apply these intelligences to our personal and professional lives:
1. Identifying strengths and weaknesses
2. Learning experiences
3. Teamwork and collaboration
4. Self-awareness and empathy
5. New challenges
Join the conversation on July 25 at 6pm and discover the intelligences that we all resonate with. Remember Proverbs 22:6 and that:
In His service,
Lequvia Ousley
Thursday, June 15, 2023
The Write Exploration: The Power of Creativity
Hey #JustWrite!! We're at the half-way mark of 2023! What a journey it has been thus far! For many of us the year 2023 is considered a 'Jordan' year (Michael Jordan, former player for the Chicago Bulls was noted as one of the greatest in basketball history wore Jersey #23) and indeed 2023 has proven to be a great year of moments. I know for many of us, we have all had a reset from the residue of the pandemic, and are finding ourselves going back to our passions and creative pursuits. In these last few years, we as a nation had to get very creative with how we do things from business, schools, and communities. Creativity within these three sectors is the focus in the June's book selection, "Out of Our Minds: The Power of Being Creative" by author, Sir Ken Robinson, PhD.
2. You can look at creativity as applied imagination. All of us have the ability to imagine and from that imagination, the ability to create. It is when we apply that imagination, we open ourselves to infinite stories, projects, and inventions.
3. We’re scared of being creative because we think we have to give up our rules and take the blame alone. Many of us are locked down by structure and routine. Those things are good, however, there is a place for creativity to flourish within the mundane and predictability.
The pandemic proved that creativity will create opportunities and possibilities. We must not limit ourselves and take advantage of creativity in all forms.
And if you agree, please join other creatives on Tuesday, June 27 at 6pm as we embrace being out of our minds with creativity.
In His service,
Lequvia Ousley
Monday, May 15, 2023
The Write Calling: Exploring Life Through 6 Seasons
Hey #JustWrite!! We MAYed it to another blog. We have also approached the end of another season of closed chapters and for some a season of change. This month's book club read dives into callings and seasons. We all have experienced seasons and we all have some idea of our calling. But how many of you have ever thought of your calling being spread out through different seasons? We know the creation story of how the Lord created each detail of the earth over a span of 6 days and then He rested on the 7th day. Such an order and method that speaks to who God is and how He orchestrates everything. The book, "The 6 Seasons of Calling: Discovering Your Purpose in Each Stage of Life" describes how God so effortlessly designed our callings to not be one-dimensional and stagnant.
Our calling follows us throughout life in the following seasons:
Childhood – the season of bonding
Adolescence – the season of learning
Early Career – the season of servingSaturday, April 15, 2023
The Write Revolutionary: Humility and Discipleship
Hey #JustWrite!! It's April and this month we are discussing humility and how it impacts discipleship within family, church, and community through the book club selection, "The Revolutionary Disciple: Walking Humbly with Jesus in Every Area of Life by authors Jim Putman and Chad Harrington.
The book takes readers on a journey through the Five Discipleship Spheres. Those spheres are the following:
1. Abiding in Christ
2. The Church Sphere
3. The Home Sphere
4. The World Sphere
5. The Spiritual Realm
In Chapter 4, Putman and Harrington break down the 4 core practices of humility of a revolutionary disciple:
1. Serving
2. Submitting
3. Listening
4. Confessing
When we serve, we forfeit what's comfortable in our lives to help others. "Only by serving do we prove ourselves to be a servant leader." Jesus was the perfect model of a servant leader (Matthew 23:11-12). Submission is actively receiving from God's appointed authorities. Culturally, we as people flee when the word "submission" is mentioned because of abuse and misuse. From a biblical perspective, submission shows up not only as a gift to others but also the ability to receive from others who lead under God's spirit and authority. When we listen, we seek to understand what others have to say. There is a difference in hearing and listening. One is the act of receiving information and the other is the act of processing the information. Remember when Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the desert? Jesus rebuked Satan with the Word of God. He heard His father, listened to His father, and obeyed His Father. When we are prideful, it's hard to listen to others and we do the disservice to ourselves of missing what God wants to say. "Few Christians are adept at receiving Scripture’s rebuke, correction, and training in righteousness." Yes, God always speaks to us in His Word but He also speaks through His servants. We must be discerning, mindful of our actions and humble. When we confess, we freely admit to our wrongs and transgressions first to Jesus and then to other believers. Confession is akin to transparency. When we are transparent with confession, we are rebelling, disrupting, and revolving to be different and allowing others to be humbled, freed, and healed. "His confession healed a wound in me."
We all know that the ultimate rebel, disruptor, and revolutionary was Jesus. As the authors stated, "the authorities never knew what to do with Jesus." He could never be boxed in and self-contained for He walked in His position and spoke in authority (Mark 14:48). Jesus served humbly and understood discipleship despite His glorious fate which is the overall charge to us as believers. Remember, "Pride leads to division and death, but humility leads to life and peace." Which will you choose, pride or peace? An additional quote from Harrington's father and something to think about, "You can’t teach what you don’t know, you can’t lead where you won’t go, and you can’t give what you can’t show." We are not only hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word.
Check out the video complement to the book by the authors and join us on Tuesday, April 25 at 6pm for the discussion.
May God's peace abide forever with us all.
In His service,
Lequvia Ousley
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
The Write Remedy: The Relationship Cure
The 5 steps are the following:
1. Analyze the way you bid and the way you respond to others' bids.
2. Discover how your brain's emotional command systems affect your bidding process.
3. Examine how your emotional heritage impacts your ability to connect with others and your style of bidding.
4. Develop your emotional communication skills.
5.Find shared meaning with others.
- Jester: play and fun
- Sensualist: attraction and intimacy
- Nest-Builder: affiliation, friendship, care, and nurturing
- Commander-in-Chief: dominance, control, and power
- Explorer: searching, learning, and goal setting
- Energy Czar: getting rest, finding food, and staying healthy
- Sentry: vigilance, defense, and avoiding danger
- Self-awareness.
- Self-management.
- Social awareness.
- Relationship management
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
The Write Respect: Exploring Why Honor Matters
Hey #JustWrite!! I hope everyone has had a great start to February, celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth, honoring yourself, loved ones, truly reflecting on #ValentinesDay, and enjoying a host of other events thus far. It's amazing that for a month to be so short, it is always packed with so much opportunity to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. In the midst of the busyness, it is my hope that we take some time to think about the intent in which we do things and enjoy the journey. With everything happening in the world right now, it appears that people don't consider how their actions (whether beneficial or adverse) affect everything. There's no respect to others who would possibly be impacted. I shared recently with a friend who experienced yet another family death that I was exhausted from the news of death for those close to me. It's like you're still in the process of grieving for one person and then another person passes and another person passes. And in the midst of that, one wonders if he or she did everything possible for the person. "Did I love them enough?" Did I spend time with them?" "Did I respect the relationship enough to honor them?" Ironically, when death arrives unexpectedly, it prompts many to find ways to honor and pay respect the best way they know how. What is honor and what does it mean to show honor? Honor means, "high respect; great esteem, adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct, regard with great respect." These different aspects of honor are discussed in this month's book of the month selection, "Why Honor Matters," by author Tamler Sommers. The book is divided into 7 chapters that discuss how the concept of honor is defined and how it is interconnected with life, community, violence and aggression, revenge, justice, and how it is contained. The overall premise of Sommers' thoughts is that honor is needed at the moral fabric of life as we all face different situations. "Properly channeled, honor encourages virtues like courage, integrity, and solidarity, and gives a sense of living for something larger than oneself. Sommers shows how honor can help us address some of society's most challenging problems, including education, policing, and mass incarceration."
In a world where our actions are dictated by our feelings, the Bible tells us to honor everyone.
1 Peter 2:17 states, "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." Romans 13:1-7 says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." These biblical truths paired with Sommers thought provoking ideals bridges the gap between the attitudes of liberal and conservative mindsets and evokes and reaffirms the need for honor to be at the center of our modern-day issues.
Join Just Write on Tuesday, February 28 at 6pm for a discussion on the importance of honor as we all collectively navigate through life's issues with the understanding that we are all in this together. Let's all honor each other not only in ideals but in deeds.
In His service,
Lequvia Ousley
Sunday, January 15, 2023
The Write Healing: Unlocking Our Family Patterns
Hey #JustWrite!! Happy 2023!! Wow, it is day 15 of the new year and so much has already happened that has brought forth many conversations. I say that in a general sense because the conversations I speak of could be from different areas: dreams, goals, losses, or gains. One conversation that keeps coming up is the journey of healing. The concept of healing looks different to many people. Some people find healing through talk therapy and creative projects, while others find many coping mechanisms to help, some good and some that are damaging. When it comes to healing, most of us don't consider the generational patterns within our family that lead to a lot of things we suffer from within our present reality. Within my own healing journey, throughout the pandemic, and most recently during the holidays, I noticed certain patterns resurfacing again which prompted me to really sit down and think about how my early years and what I saw were affected by my family lineage and the unhealed trauma that was passed down to myself and my siblings. One pattern I noticed in my family is that many of us tend to only see ourselves in the lens of what was presented to us. We tend to say, "I don't want to be like my mother or father yet we still take on the dysfunctional characteristics of our parents because the unhealed part of us believes that since it was shown to us without any correction, the behavior must be correct. And then there is the excuse, "my mother did it this way; my father did it this way", which goes further back to generations and generations. The difference between most of us during this time and those who came before us is that we are willing to fully examine and dissect those traumas and fully pursue total healing through healthy means. Sadly, many of us have succumb to the unending trauma either physically, mentally, or spiritually.
This month's book club read is "Unlocking Your Family Patterns," by authors Dr. Henry Cloud, Dave Carder, Dr. John Townsend, and Dr. Earl Henslin. It is a book that combines much wisdom through clinical, biblical, and practical methods based on the authors' thorough research and counsel. The book is divided into the following 3 parts:
Part 1. Dysfunction in Families of the Bible
Part 2. Contributing Factors in Family Dysfunction
Part 3. Family Health: How to Do It Right When You Learned It Wrong
Most of us growing up felt that just because we didn't have the same experiences as Johnny or Susie, our home life was not dysfunctional. The disheartening truth is that we all come from dysfunctional families. The only difference is that some families hide their dysfunction better than others. Some of us were able to push through the dysfunction and live productive, imperfect lives while our peers struggled to have a normal day because the dysfunction was at a magnitude that it was second nature. This selection shows that even in the Bible, no one was exempt from dysfunction especially since the days of Adam and Eve and the Fall of Man. This dysfunction has shown us time and time again of how much we must rely on God and His Word, in addition to healthy practices to guide us through the healing process that will help rebuild families.
Families are able to overcome and recover by the following six steps:
1. Be proactive and not reactive.
2. Be prepared for healing to take time. Don't rush the process.
3. Learn new information and relearn how to have healthy relationships
4. Persevere and remain determined to be healed.
5. Dump and release the shame; get rid of what doesn't work for us.
6. Develop and commit to one's spirituality; "Abide in Christ" (John 15:5). We must fully submit to Him and allow healing to take place.
Join the conversation on Tuesday, January 31 as we understand healing from the perspective of, if God can bring David, Isaac, and Jesus through their families dysfunction, then He can bring us to a greater end from our family dysfunctions.
Let's get free in 2023!!
In His service,
Lequvia Ousley