Why I Claimed the title, “The Warrior KQueen,” and Why I Continue to Embrace it in the New Decade of my life. “She wasn’t looking for a Knight. She was looking for a Sword.” – Atticus Dear Fellow Warrior, I hope you had a fantastic summer. August is over, and we are now in the…
The Rebellion of Being Hated: A Call for Courage
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” – Albert Einstein Dear Fellow Warrior, I hope this finds you well. There is so much I need to say to you. But I have not been silent, as you would suspect. I hope to share some reflections with you soon. But I wrote this…
When I Choose Love…
“Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu Dear Fellow Warrior, More to say soon. For now… here is a poem for the moment… When I Choose Love When I choose love over fear,When I believe in humanity,With…
On Suicide Prevention Month
“This life. This night. Your story. Your pain. Your hope. It matters. All of it matters.” — Jamie Tworkowski Dear Fellow Warrior, It is the end of National Suicide Prevention Month in America. On October 19th, I will walk for the 10th year in the Out of the Darkness, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Community…
I Tried to Tell You: A Suicide Note (#2)
“If you’re looking for a sign not to kill yourself, this is it.” – Unknown Dear Fellow Warrior, I hope you are having a fruitful Suicide Prevention Month at the start of a new academic calendar. This is a spoken word poem I wrote at a vulnerable moment this month. I believe it is crucial to…
Intrusive Thoughts
Dear Fellow Warrior, There is so much to say sometimes. Way too much…It’s all there. All in the head. The ruminations. I even started a document called Ruminations while I work on my Academic job applications because I cannot seem to get myself to concentrate, in part because of the shame and guilt I feel…
When You Know …
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Kahlil Gibran Dear Fellow Warrior, When you begin to see things clearer…see the truth… when you begin to learn more about what “mental health stigma” and what “mental health bigotry” looks like across all domains… in the family,…
Rising Above Adversity
“Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.” – Aristotle Dear Fellow Warrior, Sometimes, when I go out, maybe to the grocery store or run an errand, my mind tends to think that I still look like the person I was “before.” Before the pandemic. Before this grey zone – ‘identity crisis’…