Rise

In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a bird that regenerates. The Phoenix obtains new life from rising from the ashes of its predecessor. In some sources, the Phoenix dies by bursting into flames and is reborn from its own ashes. I've always admired the ability to reinvent oneself. People do not have the ability to regenerate in the mythical sense, but we do heal. We do reinvent ourselves. We do rise from the ashes of our failures. We do rise and we have the ability to be reborn. We can always change our mind. We can change our trajectory.  Every day is a second chance to get it right. What are some of the areas in your life that you can rise from today? What have you overcome? How have you reinvented yourself?

Narrative

Growing up in New Orleans was a fascinating story all by itself. Add in Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence, and Bayou Classic and you've got stories for days. I went to a very Afrocentric Baptist Church that had the seven principles of Kwanzaa on the wall. I knew what the African Diaspora was before I learned American or Louisiana History. Adella Adella the storyteller visited my school and told me stories about Flying Africans. I read all about Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. I learned all about my rich history, and what the African American narrative had been in this country.

Currently, that narrative is changing. We are reconstructing that story. We are our ancestors wildest dreams, and we have the ability to rewrite our narrative. We no longer have to stay within the confines of the page. We are telling our own stories in film and television. We are launching lucrative businesses. We are entrepreneurs. We are writing our own narrative. What's yours?