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Hair artist.
Why be basic when you can bjaundoo?
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Today is my birthday. I've been reflecting on my life the last few months. Typically those reflections are accompanied by concerns about how many accomplishments I've achieved. How many boxes I've checked to cement my existence here as worthy of the air I take in. That's the real tax, aint it? I've done well. Yet despite all the odds I beat, the haters I dusted,  awards and recognition for my life's work and career, "happy" is not a word I would use to describe my life. But because on days like this you have to find the happiest you've been and share it on socials, I started combing through pictures of the last year and could not find one. Why can't I prove to these strangers that I'm happy? And just as tears began to stream down my face I got a call from Y-kel, my 83 yr old Jamaican Queen God-Mother who took me under her wings fresh out of college.  She caught me before the useless fall into self-pity and listened to my lament. "Y-Kel I'm not happy and I can't tell you the last time I was. I went through all these pictures and can't find one time when I'm happy." "Now hold on, Courtney. There is no life without unhappiness. You raised your son. You were recognized by Berklee for your career. You work in entertainment and you're a black woman. That is not easy, is it? You're not caught up in the Diddy case. The Lord has kept you. Give thanks now and turn it around."  THAT was it. The truth I needed to hear. This idea that life is only about being happy has always driven me crazy and I almost fell victim to it. "Happy" isn't enough. Joy is tho. Joy is your son coming to say he wants to take off work to take you out and you turn him down cuz he's up for promotion. Joy is your mom calling to tell your birth story just after midnight. Joy is your little sister and brother & their kids that are your kids too. Joy is your family capturing crazy moments like this. Joy is your dog who doesn't care about your birthday. Joy is the family that chose you. Joy is having your friends old & new flood your messages with love. JOY is creating. Joy is helping others live out their dreams while waiting for yours to come true. Joy is proof that God is always near and I am LOVED.
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