Author: Sincerely Angie

Who Are You?

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Currently, I am in a season of learning so much about who I am, even though I’ve always been confident and sure of who I was, outside of knowing my purpose. But as of late, I am finding out things that are rooted. I won’t share it all just yet because I still value privacy but I will try to bring it all home to make the title of this post make sense.

There are a few questions I have always had problems with people asking. Whether they were too invasive or just irrelevant to the person asking or the situation at hand. The whole time, all I’m thinking to myself is, once I answer it, what are you doing with the information? Are we getting married, are you hiring me, does this determine if we’re friends or not, are you helping me achieve anything? Is this question a space filler, or rhetorical?

The easiest and most common question came from young men to women. “Who do you stay with?” Now, I am far from dumb and I know there are multiple reasons for a guy to want to know the answer to this question, but at this “big ole age”, why is that the way the question is framed? Moving on because I can go off topic with that one. Second question, “What’s your five/ten year plan?” This question sends me because, TO ME, it’s such a personal question. If I’m just meeting you, why should I or why would I share that with a stranger? Again, I understand what the person may be getting at but TO ME, I’m sure there’s a less invasive way to ask a person their future plans or goals. Because honestly, if you just sit back and listen, people will eventually tell you exactly who they are!

Lastly, a question that I am always perplexed by is when someone asks “Who are you?” I’ve heard people answer “I’m a mother or I’m a real estate agent”, and the person asking the question responds, “No, not what you do. Who are YOU?”. I’ve answered “I’m a child of God, or a lover of life, or a student of life” just to name a few. And still, that answer wasn’t what they were looking for. My thought, to the asker of the question is, it seems that no response given suffices. I absolutely 1000% understand that they want the person to dig deeper and know that they aren’t just “a mother, or a doctor, or a helper”.

I wonder what gauge is being used to determine what answer suffices? At the core of this question, it seems that we are supposed to narrow ourselves down to just one characteristic, trait, title, quality, ability, etc. As humans, we are so much more than one thing. We don’t have to be either or, we can be both and. And since most of us are always learning and growing, it can’t just be a single answer to who are you. It must be, “who are you in THIS moment?”. This blog, my podcast, my YouTube channel, etc. are all proof that I am and cannot be narrowed down to just one thing. It’s literally a gumbo pot over here baby!

Over the last few months that I’ve been finding out more about myself, I’ve had to check myself. My father hadn’t been around since I was 4 or 5 years old. So growing up, that side of me didn’t exist and I was fine with not knowing. Yes, I may have been curious over the years but I had no luck finding the answers. It wasn’t until God saw fit and now, finding that side of myself has garnered so many revelations. I’m learning the balances of the two DNA’s that merged together to make me and why some things never made sense on one side of me. Reality check! I’m so much more than whoever I thought I was before. I have added knowledge that has ignited a power within me that overwhelms me with so much joy! Because knowledge is power!

Sincerely,

Angie

Dear Rebirth, ft. Simone Higginbotham

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Editor’s note: If you’ve had problems commenting on blog posts, it is my sincere apology. Something, somewhere got checked and I had to uncheck it. The problem should be fixed now. If you’ve had to create an account, thank you. If you still have issues commenting, please don’t hesitate to contact me to let me know. Thank you for your time and support.

Last week, I had the extreme pleasure to sit down with a real life superwoman. This was my second time meeting her but first time with a one on one conversation and I was truly blessed by it. You can listen to the podcast episode here.

Simone Higginbotham is a positive force and it’s apparent that her calling is to serve. When I first met her on The Ron Richardson radio show on WGSO 990am back in February this year, I was introduced to The Weekend Girls. There was an upcoming brunch that focused on empowerment and self care for women. I later found out that she created the Legend Awards in Baton Rouge to shed light on the many unsung heroes in her community and beyond. She’s also the founder of Rebirth magazine. I told you, she’s Superwoman!

Simone Higginbotham

What really stuck out to me back in February was that she did not show up to the radio station alone! The group, they were not her entourage! It was a group of about six women she wanted to introduce to Ron Richardson’s corner of the world. I was in complete awe. The radio host Ron encouraged me to speak and interject but I said I wanted to sit back and let these women shine. I didn’t want to shortchange the less than hour we had with them. As each one shared who they were, I could easily tell that no matter how big or small your role could potentially be, Simone was going to make sure you shined in your area. The group of ladies consisted of a planner, a real estate agent, a travel agent and more.

After sitting down with Simone this time around, it confirmed what my spirit already knew. This was a woman who wants the best for everyone she comes in contact with. She wants everyone to win. She doesn’t need the spotlight. She is not going to gatekeep and best of all, she does it all from the heart. If my words don’t encourage you to get to know Simone Higginbotham, listen to her in her own words on this week’s podcast episode.

Follow Simone on all social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook) and visit her site https://www.rebirthmagazine.com/ for all things women, empowerment, self care, mental health, and how you can support the movement.

Sincerely,

Angie

God is Guiding

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I was listening to an IG video and the woman in the video said “God is Godding” but the auto-generated caption read “God is Guiding”. And immediately, I started to draft this post. I have no bullet points or talking points. I’m just writing. Because as soon as I saw it, that familiar feeling hit me. It’s the same feeling I get when I find a title/topic for a podcast episode. It’s placed on my spirit. Thank You God. There You are at work again.

He’s at work because my theme this year is to lead with God. Let God lead and let Him order my steps. When you trust God, he gives you, what I call, “breadcrumbs” to lead you in the right direction. The obedience to follow and listen to Him, comes with spending time with God and strengthening your relationship with Him. You learn His voice and the way that He speaks to YOU. He is a guiding light.

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

I was very young when I learned the meaning of my name and it was not by coincidence. It’s all a part of His plan. “Angela means heavenly messenger.” So for a long time, I’ve been cautious and careful with what I say and how I represent myself and God. I pray before many situations for Him to bridle my tongue. But don’t get it twisted, I have not been perfect. I have said some things, thought some things and sinned, a lot! While I may not have always looked the part, in the eyes of people, thankfully, God knows my heart.

With that being said, I pray that everything I say, be God led, God fed and God said through me. I don’t know who this post was for, and I hope something I said resonates with someone. Even if it doesn’t right away, I was obedient because God still works on His timing and whomever, will see this whenever they’re supposed to. Letting God guide you means doing things and not knowing the reason. Just be the vehicle and enjoy the ride!

Sincerely,

Angie