Okay MJ

Engaged in some restorative this weekend.
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Although we spend time around each other working from home, I felt like we needed uninterrupted time *with* each other. No phones. No work. Just us, brunch, and belly laughs!
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I love Mr. Foster with my whole ❤. And I also really like him as a person. If I weren't married to him, I'd still want him to be in my life in some capacity. However, he made it VERY clear on our 3rd date that be had 0 interest in just being my friend! 🤣
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For anyone who is coupled up, or interested in being coupled up, I would encourage you to find someone you genuinely like. Someone, you can be your real, totally unfiltered self around. Someone you can trust with your raw emotions, and know that they won't judge you or manipulate you for being who you are.
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And when you find that person, be kind. Intentionally shower them with love and affection. Show them that they are valued. And be yourself --- your whole self --- from the very beginning. There's only so long that you can keep up a facade.

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It's been a heavy few months. And you may not be fully feeling like yourself. That's okay. You're still shining, even if it's not as bright right now. 😌
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I am not okay, and I am tired.
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Being a D&I leader during this time is especially challenging. I have non-black people coming to me, angry and fired up to 'stand with Black people,' but aren't doing the work to understand and learn about allyship.
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And honestly, I'm not able to code-switch as efficiently as I usually can because there are times during the day where I just burst into tears. I'm so angry and frustrated because of the work that I have done, and continue to do, is so easily counteracted with thoughtless actions and remarks done and said across the company's media platforms.
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For anyone who is asking, 'How can I help?', take it upon yourself to do a Google search and avail yourself of the resources that are out there. Please stop asking your Black friends and colleagues for ish right now and expecting them to provide you with all of the answers. We're struggling to reconcile our mental and emotional states so that we can show up on a 30 min Zoom call without falling apart or cussing everybody out.
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🖤
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