Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something — I was a mistake since conception. This is what I jokingly tell people about my origin story. Truth be told, I’m the product of an affair my mom had while she was married. I learned to live with this knowledge for much of my life. Years later, I grew up…

Your words can heal — Fear taught me to be quiet for much of my life — fear others may see the pain in my eyes, the hurt I felt as a child, and the fear of living in fear was always that whisper within my ear. But it wasn’t fear that kept me from…

I couldn't bring myself to wear her dress, nor dared to get rid of it — Do the dead even know, much less care, about what you do with the possessions they leave you? Elle and I met nine years ago at a fundraiser event hosted by her law firm foundation to raise money for a daycare facility that housed teenage mothers' babies while the young…

My journey to end the pain that won't go away even after forgiveness. — It's never easy to forgive people. But it is such a powerful place because it frees you” — Tyler Perry. We will hurt each other, intentionally or unintentionally. Getting to a place where we forgive and heal can be challenging. But the truth is, we can all get there; It…

The game change as we age. — Is age or expectations limiting your chances of finding the right one? While clearing clutter from a drawer back home recently, I spotted something familiar among some important papers. It was my decade-old proverbial list. A flood of memories returned as my eyes slowly moved down the long expectations I…

The whole truth about my writing life — It wasn't planned, but damn, it feels great doing it my way! Taking a break from writing is the best feeling. So why, then, do I feel guilty for not feeling guilty? Could the answer be in my writing history? Before Medium, I arbitrarily wrote for my home country's leading…

The numbers will define you only if you allow it. — Don’t jump the numbers, then wish you were younger. In my teens, I couldn’t wait to be in my twenties. I was eager to grow up, dress up, and carve my own life. But when I finally got there, I was too busy trying to find myself. …

And what better time for you to start? — Now here's the best part. You. I got you! Managing your finances has been a roller coaster ride. Then a pandemic worsened it. The rising cost of food and utilities made the recurring bills seem sooner than expected. You hinged on a credit card lifeline; with it, it is the…

If only the future were as clear as a crystal ball. — Would you have taken those vows knowing what you know now? I wasn't the beautiful bride dressed in white. There were no flowers, pictures, family, friends, or celebratory events. But my commitments were sincere — In sickness and in health. Till death do us part. I vowed to honor all…