GERALD GARTH

So it seems I’ve been giving a lot of advice about “cutting folk off,” and I can easily see how people might be like, “Dang, he needs a friend… Or a laxative.” But after years of not saying what I mean or dealing with the other people’s baggage, it is a cleansing feeling to be able to “woosah” and make decisions that make me feel good. But even still, I understand how difficult it can be to actually think something—and then say it. Years ago, I was introduced to an amazing

“With so much shade in the world, why not walk in light… when you can at least? We’re all human, but strive for better. Try for different.” It’s okay to be inspired! Oprah's Top Ten: What you put out comes back. You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power. When people show you they are, believe them the first time. Dr. Maya Angelou Worrying is wasted time

Today would have been the 75th birthday of my grandfather, my PawPaw. “Frog,” as he was affectionately called was a spitfire of a man—a lion and a lamb. A man of average height, but built like a tank. He got the nickname Frog from his running days. While he was strong and low to the ground, he moved with grace and speed. Of course, by the time I came around, Frog’s running days were long gone, but he still had that spring in his step that made Frog, Frog. Something that

During holiday times, many of us put extra stress on ourselves to maintain the perfect weight, host the perfect dinner, buy the perfect gifts—and what is the common thread? Unrealistic. From Halloween to New Years, Americans are bombarded with images of perfect couples with perfect engagement rings, perfect kids with perfect manners, perfect cars wrapped in perfect red ribbons—meanwhile, I’m drinking $2.00 wine alone from a tumbler in mismatched socks. Not so perfect, right?

I once read that an oppressed people long for a group to oppress. Does this explain why groups are so quick to divide? All these subcategories! I won’t even begin to ramble off the titles and designations groups have. Preferences are one thing, but to be rude, bitter, and just down right ugly is unacceptable. And it’s generally some extreme sub-sect that seeks this high horse. Now I will say, there are some things that turn my head (and stomach) more than others. But a w

“Son—how come you talk so much ‘bout money?” “Because it is life, Mama!” “So now it’s life? Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…” A favorite exchange from A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Lena and Walter contend what’s more, as Walter is grappling with his dream versus his reality. While the piece was written over 50 years ago, the story still rings strong-- the struggle over money, recognition, and self-wort

I have a longstanding mantra about being specific, always purposing myself to be as specific as possible—that goes from prayers to potential mate to orders at the drive through. But one example especially is last New Year’s Eve as I was flying into Las Vegas with my friend, Shana. A longstanding dream of mine-- one I would say aloud quite often was “I will see Celine Dion in Vegas for New Year’s Eve.” As we bustled through the lobby of the McCarran International Airport, I

I read an article entitled “3 Things Actors Need to Shed on Their Journeys” by Craig Wallace. It gives the author’s thoughts on some things that should fall away along an actor’s voyage. But upon reading it, I think many of us can integrate these points into our lives no matter what our craft. I think it’s important to understand the importance of a journey. No matter what your plan or idea, a journey is key. What makes the journey worthwhile is what we pick up along the

If you’re going to think thoughts you might as well think big ones. First off it’s free. Second it feels better to think in terms of possibility and creativity, rather than thinking thoughts that are tethered to our conditioned way of seeing things. That is, incorrectly. Third, that’s how science works. Scientists call their experiments fields. Fields of study. Fields of research. Fields of discovery. Fields of possibility. Fields of dreams. It’s open. Wide open spaces. I

Sesame Street has become synonymous with childhood wonder and knowledge. For generations, the show has offered learning of ABC’s and 123’s through songs, activities, and the like. But outside of these key lessons, Sesame Street has made it a point to showcase diversity. Celebrities, the child actors, and even the puppets themselves gave young viewers faces that looked like theirs. One of the latest new faces is that of Lupita Nyong’o. As a dark-skinned actress, Nyong’o’s