Category Archives: Daily Inspo

This National Coming Out Day I am grateful for

This National Coming Out Day I am grateful for … each time I have to come out to my maternal grandma (because the mind is a tricky thing as we get older). She continues to love me each time after being slightly shocked. This was alarming the first time, but it has been kind ofContinue reading “This National Coming Out Day I am grateful for”

Good morning, America! Hello to myself.

Sometimes people will try to tell us who you are, what we shouldn’t be or praise our best qualities, but tell us to reign them in some way. We become more meek and insecure because we now doubt ourselves. Today I met Robin Roberts and she touched my face and she hugged me and MichaelContinue reading “Good morning, America! Hello to myself.”

One More Round

Trevor Noah says, “One of the best things I ever learned was boxing. My trainer kept drilling into me: ‘Understand that I’m going to hit you in the face. You can’t get angry about it because then you’ll stop thinking rationally. I’m not trying to hurt you; I’m trying to win.’ It’s a fantastic mindContinue reading “One More Round”

Love, Loss and What We Ate

From watching her host Top Chef and conduct interviews all these years to following her on Instagram, I adore Padma Lakshmi. However, I fell in love with her today during her interview with PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly editorial director Jess Cagle as she discussed surprisingly becoming pregnant in 2009 and not knowing who the fatherContinue reading “Love, Loss and What We Ate”

5 Years Out as Gay – Beyond a 17 Years Old’s Love

Five years later, I think how awed, at points disappointed and overall proud a younger Jarryd would be of what’s transpired since then. If I could tell him what I know five years later, it would be…

Wake-Up Call Wednesday: Your Story

“It takes work to show up for your own story and show up for the dream and vision you have for yourself. Or even to have the courage to have those visions and dreams… The people that I like to be around are people who are willing to do the work and be self-reflective andContinue reading “Wake-Up Call Wednesday: Your Story”

If I Could Give You One Feeling

If I could give you one feeling right now, it would be peace – the peace of knowing you are stronger than you believe. Whether it’s dating, your job or simply life, the confidence and courage to be vulnerable and rise to the occasion are within you. You’ll miss him. You’ll dread work. You’ll feelContinue reading “If I Could Give You One Feeling”

Define Yourself.

Since childhood I have different people’s thoughts and definitions of who I am swirling around in my head. People form opinions of who we are based on seeing us in one setting, from one angle and their biases. We all judge and assess. Our loved ones give us feedback based on who we are and howContinue reading “Define Yourself.”

Writing Process Blog Tour

I was nominated to participate in the Writing Process Blog Tour by Rose Tran, with whom I attended high school. I thank you for inviting me to take part in this reflective process, which could not have come at a better time. Better yet, thank you for helping keep me be rooted in why IContinue reading “Writing Process Blog Tour”

Confident Vulnerability

Sometimes the doubt and sentiment for the past floods in, and I immediately think about what my morning or work day or weekend would be like if I were back in Tallahassee and not a new city. The nostalgia and desire for what is comfortable overcomes me. Then I stop in the middle of thisContinue reading “Confident Vulnerability”