One Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Stay Open to New Experiences

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In the movie Love Jones , the male lead says, "romance is about the possibility of the thing." I agree with that. However, I think that the concept is more universal. life--truly living--is about the possibility of the thing. For a while, I was sleep walking through life, doing what was required without truly embracing it. Recent events have caused me to re-evaluate that and to embrace life and all of its limitless possibilities.   And romance, is about love. Over the past year I have become committed to falling back in love with my life. New relationships have made that love affair possible. And, I don't take them for granted. Creating space for new relationships and making new friends as a single, working mom, and creating space is not easy. But it is necessary. For that reason, I have committed to making new friendships, keeping the old productive ones, and enjoying them all--in the midst of working, parenting, and adulting . I have learned that I have not experien...
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Cheslie Kryst's Untimely Death Contains the Ultimate Lesson

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Cheslie Kryst with my friend, Tyyawdi Hands 
#SuicidePrevention

I lived and practiced law in Charlotte, NC for a number of years and still have many friends in the city. Those friends tend to be involved socially and professionally and many are lawyers. So, it shouldn't have come as any huge surprise to me that many of them knew or were acquainted with Cheslie Kryst but it did. When they started posting photos of her on Instagram and Facebook after her passing, it made me do a little digging. 

Never Forget, You Are Loved

You see, I have been out of the loop on many things since I had kids and Ms. Kryst was one of those. I had no idea that an African-American attorney who had practiced in Charlotte, NC just like me had left the practice to pursue a career in pageants and had switched careers to becoming a television correspondent. Had I known about her and her career path, I would have celebrated her because in many ways she did things that I had only dreamed about.

 Once I learned more about her from my research and heard friends gushing about her humility and grace, her suicide became even more confounding. But then, I remembered feeling that way before and recalled a piece I wrote after Kate Spade left this earth too soon. (To read that piece, click here.) As I re-read that piece, I realized that suicide confounds us because suicide becomes a solution for those who are consumed by darkness and despair. And unless you have been there, you just can't get it. 

That said, I think it's important for all of us to heighten our sensitivity and our awareness about symptoms of suicidality so that we can recognize when we might need help and when those we love might need help.

For those feeling desperate and isolated, understand this. Even if your friend/sister/mother is busy when you call or the call goes straight to voice mail, YOU ARE LOVED! Nobody wants you to commit suicide. Your exit leaves an un-fillable void. And, despite what you may think, you are irreplaceable and we value you.

We are all in this together. 

For tips for identifying the warning signs of suicide and tools for prevention, click here.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline--1-800-273-8255

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Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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