Literature – Sincerely, Tyra

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Go Vote—with Your Children!

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020by TyraLeave a Comment

Listen, sometimes what looks like an obstacle is actually an opportunity!

If you can, take the babies with you to vote today.

It’s a reason they are out of school and we are off work at the same time!

It’s the perfect opportunity for them to see the process and learn something.

My Joy had so many questions.

But don’t get it twisted, we definitely had the Black mom’s “don’t touch nothing… don’t ask for nothing… don’t breathe on nothing” talk before we left out the house.

And I Lysoled (I now declare this a verb… It took auto-correct six tries before it decided to let me be great) all of our outerwear when we came back in.

Then we prayed over mommy’s vote, our health and the health of the seniors that live in the building where my precinct is located (and, of course, 5-year-old-life things like play doh and her crayon colors).

Yeah it sucks that we have to vote (and actually work while we’re at home, might I add) during this period of chaos and confusion… But there is definitely a small bright side.

—Sincerely, Tyra

books, Community Issues, Entrepreneurship, faith, family, goals, Health, hobbies, Literature, mental health, News, opinion, Poetry, quotes, Relationship, self-care, Self-Help, social media, spirituality, Wellness, Writing

Support Your Friends (…Yes, for Free!)

March 3, 2020March 17, 2020by TyraLeave a Comment

Happy Tuesday, Family!

Supporting your friends’ small businesses doesn’t require spending all of your money.

Gotta a minute? …Yes?!

Okay, awesome! There are two ways you can support this blog and my future business goals!

FIRST: Connect with me on my blog, SincerelyTyra.com/contact. You’ll get a monthly update email with invitations to dope events that build community. I have a featured a few in the pictures below!

Share those emails with your friends and family every now and then.

Voila! First way to support us, accomplished! ✅

SECOND: Click the link: Sincerely, Tyra. Then, LIKE 👍🏾 and FOLLOW 🎯 the page.

Scroll across the top to “COMMUNITY.”

Click “INVITE FRIENDS.”

Click “ALL.” ‼️

Wait 10-15 seconds for the invitations to send.

— Simple enough, right? —

Comment “DONE ✅ ” and I’ll do the same for your FB Business Page or website. Let’s create our own promo! 🙏🏾

I know it’s seems too easy right?! Has to be a catch?! Not this time…. We tend to think that the only thing entrepreneurs want is our money.

But for many of us, genuine support is as simple as sharing, liking and helping to promote our endeavors!

It means a lot to us when we see those ❤️ buttons being pressed.

#SlayTheDream

—Sincerely, Tyra

Say it with me: “Worships can build community! Workshops can be entertaining!” …Now, ask me what they’re doing! 😉

I design flyers and marketing materials for community experiences.

Art, beauty, books, Community Issues, faith, family, goals, happiness, Health, history, hobbies, Literature, love, music, News, opinion, parenthood, Poetry, prayer, quotes, Race and ethnicity, Relationship, religion and spirituality, self-care, Self-Help, social media, spirituality, travel, Wellness, Writing

Chicago Peace Project Revisited

January 31, 2020January 31, 2020by TyraLeave a Comment

(Politickin: The Chicago Peace Project participants discussing future goals, ancient societies, and their favorite cartoons while creating art in trauma-informed breakout sessions facilitated by the Teen Arts Council members.)

(Drop Me Off at the L: Teen Arts Council members facilitate an icebreaker called Mr. Taxi Driver for The Chicago Peace Project participants.)

Is it still Friday? Cool, this “Flashback Friday” is dedicated to the Chicago Peace Project and our awesome day with local artist Karen Perkins and the Teen Arts Council youth. Chicago Peace Plan is a curriculum that I created to foster meaningful exchanges between teens and youth from different neighborhoods.

As the youth talked about their future career and entrepreneurship goals, ancient civilizations and favorite clothing, I thought about the meaning of trauma-informed care. When Black boys talk about ancient history and Black girls laugh and find happiness in the moment. I kinda feel overjoyed.

Were there experiences like this for you as a young person? Share how you benefitted from it in the comments below!

–Sincerely, Tyra

#SlayTheDream #chicago #peace #project #blackboyjoy #blackgirlmagic #osc #chicagobility #chipeaceproject #art #traumainformedcare

Art, books, Community Issues, family, goals, Literature, love, Poetry, quotes, Self-Help, social media, spirituality, Wellness, Writing

Tell a Friend!

January 11, 2020February 1, 2020by TyraLeave a Comment

Yo! We gained 70 new friends on our Facebook Page yesterday!

SEVENTY! 7-0! The big SOIXANTE-DIX!

I’m super excited! Welcome!

I hope that each experience with the Sincerely, Tyra brand empower you to think about how dope you are, inspires you to share your talents and resources, build community with each other, and pushes you to #SlayTheDream this year!

Free ways you can support the #SlayTheDream movement:

✅ Go to the Community tab on our Facebook Page, hit “Invite Friends,” and smile!

✅ Check out the entire website: www.SincerelyTyra.com

✅ Join the conversation by posting comments and feedback!

✅ Share your favorite content with friends!

…Now, in the great words of Puffy, “invite your friends to invite their friends” or whatever he said.

—Sincerely, Tyra 🖤

Update: The final count is in! Since the original post was published, we’ve gained almost 200 followers. (Hey y’all!) On Facebook, we’ve reached 4K people this month!

Invite your friends to the party from our Community page. Remember: Its always a great day to SUBSCRIBE to SincerelyTyra.com!

#poet #blessed #favor #design #shopping #shopsmallbusiness #love #passion #compassion #community #blessings #business #businesswoman #capital #entrepreneur #goals #quoteoftheday #creative #work #content #blogger #chicago #writer #Black #community #FOLLOW for #quotes #styleinspiration and #motivation #FacebookWatch

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Worth the Work

June 16, 2019by TyraLeave a Comment

Writing this post thinking of some of the ways that I have blocked my own blessings in the past:

A. By moving too fast,

B. by trusting too quickly (yes, there’s a difference between trusting people and being naive like I was),

C. by doing my own thing out of pride,

D. and by not being obedient or protecting my God-given purpose.

Now, I find myself in a waiting period—and sometimes it’s difficult.

But anything that has WORTH will require some WORK!

Never let anyone make you forget what you want for yourself.

Sincerely,

Tyra

#SincerelyTyra

#SlayTheDream

#WorthTheWorkWorthTheWait @ South Side, Chicago

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Happy Mother’s Day!

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019by TyraLeave a Comment

Yo I’m tired now that I’m actually sitting still

—BY MYSELF. Finally.

Hosted an event, facilitated class today, and an hour and a half-long admin meeting.

But God gave me the strength… This is a Gal. 6:9 moment. Just being able to sit still, alone.

Grateful for a day filled with great conversations, but I am really gracious for this moment to:

—just sit.

—reflect.

—breathe.

—collect my bearings.

—center myself.

—rest my mind.

Did I say breathe?

I love building community, but it comes with a price. I had a guy ask me out to drinks this weekend—and I said no. For a few reasons, but mainly because I’m looking forward to recouping from today and this week and the very similarly structured week ahead.

In fact, the thought of not going to church on Sunday crossed my mind, too. Now that I’ve sat in my car one Tasha Cobb song too many, I have to go and get My Joy with a smile on my face and with energy I do not have this evening.

And I wonder: How many more of us are running on fumes?

As we move into Mother’s Day Weekend, I pray that after the celebrating and the gifts that you get a moment to just breathe the sacred air found in solitude. I pray your weekend is a reflection of your actual priorities and passions and not solely those of beloved family members. I pray you get to breathe in the midst of it all.

Have a blessed weekend!

Sincerely,

Tyra

Voice and Freedom

May 5, 2019May 5, 2019by TyraLeave a Comment

I used to be “the quiet one” in the family.

But my fam knew how to uplift me stoically. Voice is still only revealed or reeled in when necessary—mostly to heighten the sound of another’s. It’s tougher out here for the introverted mind that’s alerted by the time we usually tend to run out of while creatively converted rhymes creep up behind us or before us or however.

Never one to waste breath so I guess if I’m in front of a mic it’s my time to shed some light on a situation that needs exposing. I’m supposing the fam could be better if we all poised our voices to be a bit more righteous. We are the only ones who can write us into history. Honestly, who’s words are more powerful than our own? It’s a known fact that no one can tell your story better than you. Remember, they used to call me the quiet one, too.

#SincerelyTyra

#SlayTheDream #representationmatters #poetry #poem #community #excerpt #writing #art #artist #creative #family #introvert #design #podcast #voice #worklife

books, Community Issues, Literature, love, Poetry, quotes, Relationship, spirituality, Writing

Eartha-Ntozake Mashup

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019by Tyra2 Comments

“From the Desk of Eartha-Ntozake:

Interesting how that works for a woman—brown-braided and radical

like myself. I can be as fragile as flower

and as submissive as a servant. And yet, it’s always been the ones that said

they want a woman

who has something to offer the world

that leave me abandoned.

So they’ll never get to see me

crumbling from the inside out, tear-stained cheek bones, low and regular as they get sometimes.

Their desire to witness that Tyra never outweighs their contempt

for my need to be a free-thinking woman, radically fragile and totally emotionally attached like I get sometimes.”

I wrote this on a whim.

After a long day.

Reflecting on my friendships

and past relationships.

Always been intrigued by

the dualities people have

to (by need or want)

pack into their daily lives.

Always considered the

effort it must take to

unpack those complexities

and in front of another person

at that. Can you imagine being

completely and complexly vulnerable

in front of person? I’m aghast

just thinking about it.

What if it’s thrown back in my face?

What if it warrants a lover to surrender his love to me?!

Ready to find out?

Think I could.

Asked for discernment to choose

the right man as options seem scarce

and plentiful all at once. At once, it was meantful… I mean mindful

to want to be the fun,

yet single, holdin’ it down ass mom.

Bet. Been there, done that one.

Found that was unfavorable

or at least that ONE was unfavored

by God Himself.

He crept into my heart

when I had everything and

carried each piece of me away

like a raccoon

rummaging through a dumpster. No wonder, my ravishingly simple personality

is driven by a slight disenchantment of love. I’m Eartha-Ntozake. I am nonchalant

about it all. All the while knowing,

I have been idolized in past and current lives by men who would remain temporary.

How despairing

is it that I am continent’s worth

of Queen’s pride

and nonetheless romantically deprived because it is so?”

(Note: It needs cleaning up, but my hand started cramping. And I’m actually not too sensitive about my work, so you can leave comments or suggestions. I’ll either use it or not. Just don’t steal it or not credit me puh-lease.)

–Sincerely, Tyra

#SincerelyTyra #SlayTheDream #poetry #spokenword #playwright #excerpt #love #poem #relationships #excuses #work

Light, Zest, Space | #GRWM

April 16, 2019November 30, 2019by TyraLeave a Comment

Psalm 27:4 MSG is a complete blessing.

Honestly, this whole chapter is a blessing.

So let’s start from the beginning:

“Light, space, zest!”

This whole idea that is God our light, the creator of every space, and our zest/spice of life is really special.

It’s a simple reminder that God is really everything and with Him, I should have no fears!

I mean in the NIV version it literally says WHO shall I fear? Well, whom actually, but you feel me.

This reminder that if the CREATOR OF EVERY CREATURE, the PRODUCER OF ALL LIFE has my back…

WHO gon stop me if God be for me?!

Like WHO? I’ll wait…

…And of course, there’s a responsibility to be sincere and humble. But listen, it doesn’t matter what’s going on in your life. If you are trying to live right, God is going to have your back.

I had to realize that even in the fight of my life, the battle was never mine. God, was alywad prepared and willing to take over—it was up to me to let go and give up my “control” of the situation.

Verse 2 says “when the wicked (devil’s army) advance against me to devour me” (NIV) they can’t touch me and fall flat on their faces (MSG).

Verse 3… I just need to quote this one from the Message verbatim, because chile it’s deep.

It reads: “When besieged, I’m calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.” —Psalm 27:3 MSG

It LITERALLY says: When all hell breaks loose, I’m cool and collected!!! (I can’t wait to go back and start studying how the Hebrew translation reads and it’s meanings, but still…)

Chile, if this ain’t a life hack I don’t know what is.

Lastly, verse four goes on to say how we can remain cool as cucumber by only asking for the Lord’s presence “all the days of my life.”

This means I’m asking for God to stay with me in this life AND the next!

Can you imagine?

…Being able to gaze on the BEAUTY of the Lord?

…And then to see His temple.

…And Jesus!

I honestly can’t even!

The idea that God loves me enough to even want ME with Him after my life down here is over is too much to contemplate!

No, like seriously, me?!

But the the fact that my desire for God could never outweigh or surpass His desire for me is mind blowing and inspiring.

And if I would only trust Him and allow Him the room to live in me, I could be cool and collected and confident enough to sit back and let Him fight each battle for me.

The next few verses talk about the ways He keep us and protects us in the midst of it all. Please read/study at your leisure! But the message is to constantly seek Him and live to worship Him forever—and ever!

Now, that’s some good news!

Update: Since titling this post, I’ve included the hashtag #GRWM. Although many people across the Internet’s will say that means ‘Get Ready With Me’ as if for an outing. Yet, at SincerelyTyra.com, we are getting ourselves prepared for the coming of Jesus. So, you’ll see it as an indicator that a particular post includes a prayer or some form of Biblical commentary and study.

—Sincerely, Tyra

#JustSharing #GRWM #gospel #Bible #Psalm

#HealitGod: Fear of Love

March 9, 2019April 1, 2019by Tyra2 Comments

I read somewhere that God can’t heal what you are unprepared to reveal. This is an interesting concept that requires us to do a bit of work. Mainly, if you are not in the mindset to be self-reflective and confess your flaws and sins to God, they’ll remain thorns in your side.

As my relationship grows stronger with Him, I want to be able bring every flaw to His altar. Prayerfully, my goal is just be a better mom, sister, friend, lover (to my future husband), and person, in general.

Speaking of being a better lover, it takes a certain level of vulnerability to be “in love” and a great partner. But I’m pretty sure my last relationship was ruined by my inability open up to him completely. I was worried of would happen if I became “too in love.” Before my next relationship, I’m praying and carving out time to figure how to overcome this fear.

I used to think vulnerability equaled fear. But I’ve been learning that it’s actually freedom; complete freedom to be all that you are without apology or regret. But because I aligned this concept with fear (and in many ways, weakness), I ended up building walls with someone I really cared about.

So, as God continues to work in and through me, I’ve asked Him to make me more willing to stand in my truth and allow my strength and vulnerability to complement each other. I know it will take some time… and faith… and discernment. I’m re-reading both the New International Version and The Message Bible of 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 to gain more insight.

Is this even an issue or fear within God-centered relationships? Comment below and let me know how you overcame the of fear of loving too deeply.

-Sincerely, Tyra

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