I was driving down the street a couple of days ago, and I saw a girl standing on the curb of a highway-to-street intersection.  She was wearing pajamas, stuffed animal slippers, hair undone, and looking completely distressed. She appeared to be in her late teens/early twenties and she was looking off into the distance, almost hopping from one foot to the other, as if she were looking for or waiting for someone.  Tears were imminent, if she hadn't already been crying.

I was in the middle of a dangerous intersection, and couldn't stop my car to ask her what was wrong and if she needed to get help, so I went around the block and in the few minutes it took me to do that, she was gone.  Two minutes.  In two minutes, she could've gotten into the car with ANYONE and I wish I would've just slammed on the brakes and spoke to her.  I don't know what was wrong, but my first thought was, Did she get get into an argument with her boyfriend and get put out of the car? 

Domestic Violence is deeply entrenched in our culture, and it's swept under the rug like it's taboo.  No one wants to be the one to own up to what's going on and get rid of this madness.  If you aren't going to take on the responsibility, then whom?

DV isn't only about physical violence either.  It's emotional, pyschological, financial (yes, I said financial).  It's about control.  Stop sitting around calling someone stupid for being in this situation.  Judgements of their personal character is doing what exactly?  Making them feel bad so they'll leave?  NOT.

DO SOMETHING. SAVE A LIFE. ACT NOW.


Domestic Violence PSA from Tyler Johnson on Vimeo.

A Red Carpet Social Empowerment Event (in beautiful So. Cal)

 

“So. Cal’s Natural Beauty Pageant”

A Red Carpet Social Empowerment Event

June 19, 2011

http://www.iwillflourish.net/

 
Event Description
The beauty pageant market is growing exponentially with annual numbers of 3 million for children alone. The numbers continue to increase. One major concern is that the traditional beauty pageants breed narcissism while others feel it cultivates insecurity. Critics feel that pageants tip the scale of what is healthy for one’s natural development.

Walking for Cancer (I miss you Grandma)

Yesterday I walked around NYC in support of the eradication of cancer via the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women's Cancers 2011.  I wouldn't have known about this wonderful effort, if I hadn't been informed by new colleague, Makeda Campbell of Immaculate Enterprises. http://www.immaculate-enterprises.com/eifrevlonwalkrun.htm

A great place to talk about what matters most

AJ Ramsey is the author of Newark's Armadillo, a memoir about the abuses she suffered growing up at home.  She is now the head of her own publishing company, Ramsey Literature , also the name of her facebook group (click the link to go to the page), where she regularly challenges her group members with thought-provoking questions and debates.

I Got Flowers Today

I found a poem on a blog today (and am reposting with copyright information) reminding me why I am raising funds for Project: Makeover http://www.crowdrise.com/adoptaroom/fundraiser/partyofpurpose
Join POP in raising $5000 to renovate a room at a domestic violence shelter tht houses women and families fleeing an abuser and hoping to stay alive and move on with their lives. Thank you.

Become more spiritually grounded/ have a Powerful relationship with God

I didn't want to get up this morning, but after talking to my mom, I forced myself out of bed and into the shower.  I talked to God while I was showering and asked him to guide my steps today because although it's a beautiful, sunny day outside, I need the power of His sun to seep through the walls of this house and into my being.  Nothing is wrong with me but I want to ensure that things stay right with me, relatively speaking.  I want to stock up on all the happiness I can get now and save it for the hard times in life that kind of sneak up on me when I'm least expecting it.

DEEVA Beauty LLC