Thank y’all for sliding on over to the blog to get a lil extra. Be sure to catch the audio replay above because my schedule this month is bananas. If you’re not following me on Facebook or Instagram, you’re going to miss out on a huge portion of the last pages of Chapter 39.
This week we’re talking about ages 11-19, those good ol’ teenage years. What was ya girl NiSi up to? I was involved in a lot, thanks to my parents and my sister. From singing, dancing, touring, etc., I had a pretty good life. I honestly can’t complain. I had a good family and good friends. One of those friends was Charcora Palmer. Excuse me, Dr. Charcora Palmer… click HERE to see what she’s up to now.
We earned Silver Awards in Girl Scouts together, went to school together, sang together (sorry, I’ve been moving, can’t find the pics right now), we even toured the East coast together with Wisconsin State Youth Choir. We got to meet Rance Allen, the Lattimore Brothers and so many more Gospel singers. We were even on Bobby Jones Gospel. You think you can find me in the video below?
I’m a recording artist. We recorded this album Live!
African dance started with Ko-Thi Dance Company. From there, I danced with thee Deva Houston for a lot of events in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lanterns for Peace
CAPITA Productions, “We are the Drum”
Yes, I made up the yellow brick road in ‘The Wiz’ in CAPITA Productions
Middle school… I rocked this look before Beyoncé
More pics to come (I hate moving, things start hiding from you). This is Janese and I.
Senior Prom
Performing with Uptown Entertainment (yes I was blond)
Senior pics ( I loved this suit, it was my sister’s)
As Christian Keys would say, ‘I didn’t really want nothin.’ I reflected a lot in my show and more pics will hopefully come, the more I unpack. I really hate that I can’t get to my photo album to show you more memories and the beautiful, Janese Hawkins but I’ll add them and more pictures as soon as possible.
You can stream the show on iHeart, iTunes, Streema, TuneIn, etc.(links to the apps are under the Radio tab).
Make sure you check in each week in April- IT’S MY BearthDAY MONTH- WE’RE CELEBRATING. EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10AM EST!
I’M SLIDING INTO 40 ON APRIL 22ND!!!
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
Let’s get into the after show of Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show. Today’s show is not all about Galentine’s Day, but about friendships (or lack thereof), self love and mental health. All of February was dedicated to black love, and in preparation for the Hallmark holiday, Valentine’s Day; I was putting all of my ideas down and realized some things. There are a lot of people who are not happy about Valentine’s Day. Just like the ‘big’ holidays, people are either dealing with trauma, loss, loneliness, etc. Fellas, don’t think this is all about the ladies. We know y’all go through a lot too. You wake up sometimes and hope that today is not the day you become a hashtag just for being you. I tell guys all the time, it’s okay to take off your superhero cape sometimes, its okay to cry, its okay to be vulnerable. You may feel like you haven’t found those people that you are comfortable enough to be transparent with, but just know you may need to get out of your head too and speak your truth. Find the people or a person that you feel comfortable with “letting them in.”
On a transparent note: I am a single woman, the past few Valentine’s Days I have been alone. I used a Ruth’s Chris gift card this year and came home to Netflix and chill. For some people, being alone can be painful. I spend a lot of time working on my businesses or watching tv, or talking to my sister and/or friends. However, there are times when I have no words at all and just don’t want to talk. These are the times that I pull out a my canvas and paintbrush, or I use my phone to type a poem in my Notes app. I sometimes take the time to write out all of my accomplishments (mostly at the end of the year), but this way I begin to reminisce about what I’ve done and how good it felt to reach those mountaintops that I may not have thought were possible. There are even times that I just press record on my Voice Memo and just say how I’m feeling. For me, it’s all about getting it out, getting it off my chest, getting it off my head. I am not a therapist or a specialist of any kind, however this is what works for me. Should you need more resources, they are some listed below. I am blessed to have friends that call me if they haven’t heard from me. I’m an introvert but all that I do makes me seem like an extrovert.
Let me give my flowers to those people in my adult life that have been my sounding board and have seen me cry the ugly cry and listened to me try to get some words out: Tina, Betty, Courtney, Amie, and Natasha. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE FOR ME! Sometimes you don’t even know you need somebody but I’m glad I have y’all for the good, bad and the ugly. I have also been blessed with getting to know some other ladies. I began doing more bridal clients last year with my business partner, Courtney; through knowing her I have met some other amazing Makeup Artists and Hairstylists. We have a group chat that we share our wins, inspirational words, prayers, ideas, thought provoking sermons, laughs, love and encouragement. So, Latoya, Johanna, C’Andra, Toya (and Courtney) thank you for lifting me up, especially in the midst of my day when I get in my head.
Valentine’s Day as I’ve said before, is a Hallmark money making holiday. Love is an action word, it should be shown daily. It doesn’t have to be just relationships. Love languages make a huge impact on a relationship. Remember, love languages tell you how you, yourself feel loved. If my love language is quality time, buying me gifts may not mean as much because all I want you to do is be around. By not acknowledging someone’s love language, it’s just like feeling unheard.
Everyday we are learning how to cope in this ‘new normal.’ In the midst of it all, we all should just be kind to each other. Before COVID-19, there was pain and whenever, if ever, we get past it; we still need to show compassion. The way I behave and interact with people are based on lessons learned from past experiences. Some people have been dealing with their own demons for years and have had to sit still with them being in isolation due to COVID. Understand that we all have traveled down our own paths and have all experienced life- some trying times and some triumphs. Some of us have lots of friends and family and some have lost lots of family and friends due to disagreements, disconnects or death.
At the end of the day, we all have stuff. Some of us have learned how to cope, and some of us are still trying to figure it all out. You never know where someone is on their personal journey, so be mindful that everyone’s journey is not yours.
Be sure to leave your comments and any feedback in the comment section below.Please also share additional resources below.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
You can stream the show on iHeart, iTunes, Streema, TuneIn, etc.
Make sure you check in next week for our Month End Artist Spotlight, recording artist SY SMITH!
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
Always with a Brush,
NiSi
To educate, beautify and empower one canvas at a time.
