Last Friday, I was a featured guest on Facebook Live for the first time. I was invited by Nadonna Gary, author of The Nina Joe Project (available on Amazon), to be apart of her Freedom Fridays Facebook Live. Each week she invites a guest(s) to discuss different topics relating to freedom. Last week’s discussion was finding freedom in creativity. I was one of two guests along with the very talented singer, Thee Angela Walls, who performed a song from her album. I recited one my favorite poem’s, “Black Woman,” from my poetry book, Who is She? also available on Amazon. Go get that!
I had so much fun! But I had all the nerves up until the start of the show. There were some technical difficulties at the beginning because the internet be trying it, y’all, but I think that helped me to relax. You have to roll with the punches, right? As much as I don’t like to be the center of attention, I enjoy public speaking. I know, it’s kind of an oxy moron. But that few minutes I spent on Live sharing a piece of how I find freedom made me so happy, and I can’t wait to do it again.
Nadonna asked me what advice would I give someone who’s on the edge of freedom. I said do it because there’s one person who might need your poem or someone who might benefit from your story. And I truly believer that. But after the Live, I thought a little deeper about that question. So if you reading this now and you’re on the edge of freedom, I say free yourself because your life depends on it. That gift you have is burning a hole in your soul and is begging to get out. Sing that song, write that book, share your story, draw that picture. Whatever you are on the edge of, do it and do it now. Your soul will thank you!
Before Tiarra Talks and Who is She?, and my self-help book, The Balancing Act: Wife, Mother, Self, I was lost and lonely. I spent many years of my life being the representative everyone expected me to be. I didn’t know how to be free. I didn’t know how to be me. I had no passion. I had nothing that brought me joy. I desperately needed an outlet to express myself with unfiltered honesty and transparency. Then, a series of well-designed circumstances or shall I say Devine plan led me on a path to self-discovery. . . on a path to freedom, and I leaped off the edge and took flight.
So, let’s talk.
What does freedom look like for you? Are you doing the things that drive you? If not, what are you waiting for?
Listen. You are doing yourself a disservice if you are holding yourself back from doing what makes you happy and brings you joy. It doesn’t have to be on public display, and it doesn’t need to bring financial gain or social media fame. Let go of that pressure and do it just because it feels good. All the extra stuff is an added bonus and will come later if it’s meant to be. Stop fighting the urge to give upon yourself before you even get started. Just do it! And no matter what, keep going! You worth it!
Tiarra 💜
tiarratalks.com 