GERALD GARTH

Growing up, many of us were no stranger to the concept of spring cleaning-- the time of year where we thin out old clothes, re-gift unused items, and pack up the things that served you once but, in the next season, don’t quite do the same. And spring cleaning is not just beholden to the calendar. Quite often seasons will come and go, which require a reassessment and a purging, not only for our coats and books, but sometimes for people in our lives too. Take for instance, boot

A great exercise that my Soul Sib Glo has inspired and incited is what we have deemed “Checking Your Sides.” This spawned from our many potlucks and Sunday dinners. Very often, a group of us friends would come together piecemealing a spread, with exclamations like, “I’ll bring green beans." "I'll bring a fruit tray." I'll bring whisky." "I’ll bring cake.” And soon, we would have a full list of dishes. But I remember, Glo asking a question that I hear in my heart regularly st

Part of my ongoing commitment to self and community is to create and sustain spaces—in all of their forms-- for wellness among and for Black people. In times late, there has been a great deal of conversation around exactly what does that mean. From my experience, it's a lot easier said than done. So often, people will cloak their attempts at open-mindedness as backhanded shade. There have been plenty of articles that unpack prejudice passed as preference. People make stark st

I still have a certain level of conviction that doesn’t let me wear bare arms in church - even over 10 years after leaving. Sunday, I saw a young man, about 23 with such, and I had to do what I call a self-check—that is, get a grip on my own judgment and thoughts. I remember the elders of my years in church would lead with Pharasaical phrases and elitist responses to the expressions of my generation. They would shun and scorn unstockinged legs and razored lightening bolts

Way before Kendrick Lamar, my Mama was saying “be humble, sit down.” For so many people connected to me, this has been a season of growth. Folks are moving into new homes, jobs, relationships, and life chapters. I had a mentor who used to say, “When God is blessing your neighbor, that means he’s in the neighborhood.” With that, Spirit too has been doing big things in my life. What’s more, Spirit has also been doing big things to keep me humble. I feel like Spirit keeps me

Here we are just a handful of weeks from the end of 2017. And what a ride it's been. "Ups and downs" is not not even the word. But one thing this year has taught me is to listen-listen to your heart, listen to your gut, listen to the signs. And each time, I've been able to pull very season-specific advice that helps me along the way. Because of that, I am committed to BESTS, Biggest Encouragement to Self in This Season, a periodic list of tips and advice for the here and

“Oh My Thirties” co-host and friend, Corrinne Williams, shared this title gem from her grandmother with me. The original phrase inverted blessing and forgiveness (which are arguably interchangeable), but in either order, the phrase spoke to me personally. In our most recent podcast, “Forgiveness,” Corrinne and I unpack all the ins and outs of forgiveness, particularly as it relates to an absent parent. But in true OMT form, we dived into the layers of unforgiveness and how

4 Friends That You Need as an Adult 1. The “Here to the End” Friend Over the years, friends come and go—that’s part of the process. And it doesn’t always have to be a big falling out, sometimes people just evolve in different directions. But sometimes there is a friend who’s just—there. Sure you may have had your fallings out and you probably don’t talk everyday, but, guess what, they’re still around. You two have been there for each other for everything—from break-ups to

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

Understanding the factors that effect our lives is essential to doing better and having better. Take a look at this piece on early mortality. JustDream #health #life