Through My Lens: God's Timing Is Better Than Mine

                                            The light was there, even when I couldn't see it.

Photography by Andrea Stallworth | Brown Girl From Boston

Last year, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate the light shining in the various areas of my life because I was coexisting with darkness. I was hurting, grieving, searching, and trying to understand what God was doing in my life.

I often refer to that season as my Job season. Yet even in my brokenness, God never abandoned me. He did not shy away from my tears, my questions, or my pain. Instead, He stayed close and continued to shine His light on the places within me that needed healing, restoration, and growth.

As Psalm 34:18 reminds us:

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Day by day, God began repairing the hidden places of my heart. He revealed wounds I needed to confront, lessons I needed to learn, and strengths I didn't know I possessed.

Today, I still don't have everything figured out, and that's okay. I've learned that God's timing will always be better than my own. What I do know is this: I have come to appreciate the many ways His light appears in my life. Sometimes it arrives as peace. Sometimes, as growth. Sometimes, as unexpected opportunities. And sometimes as a quiet reminder that He has been with me all along.

The darkness did not last forever. The light was there, even when I couldn't see it.

 

                                        Peace arrives when we stop rushing God's timing.

Photography by Andrea Stallworth | Brown Girl From Boston

Dear Sis, Your Voice Matters

Dear Sis,

Your voice carries power. It’s the power to advocate for change, to challenge the status quo, and to inspire others to take action. But here’s the truth: showing up matters just as much as speaking out. It’s not only about standing up for yourself but also about lifting others up along the way.

We live in a time where division is amplified, arguments become the norm, and energy is often misplaced. It’s easy to organize and execute a debate or point fingers, but what about turning that energy into supporting one another? What about using that passion to plan and build instead of tear down? Sis, that diabolical work of separation has no place here.

This is the season to advocate, organize, plan, and execute—not for chaos, but for progress. Imagine the power of unity when we direct our focus toward solutions instead of contributing to the division. Think about the impact we can make when we channel our voices into movements that create lasting change for ourselves and our communities.

Let’s call it what it is: diabolical work when we let division stand in the way of collaboration. But Sis, we are better than that. We are built to be connectors, advocates, and changemakers. When we show up, we show out—not just for ourselves but for others who need to see that strength, that fire, that relentless hope for something better.

So, what will you do today to show up? How will you use your voice to inspire, heal, and uplift? Start small if you need to, but start. Together, we can turn things around.

Call to Action:

Dear Sis, let’s not just talk about change—let’s organize, plan, and execute it. The world needs us, and we need each other.

 

How to Stay Fearless and Focused During Life Transitions: Be Encouraged TV

Brown Girl From Boston was featured on Be Encouraged TV! Check out this dope interview. Be encouraged!

Conquer the World Through Music: Brown Girl From Boston Playlist

"Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it." -Stevie Wonder


Hello Beautiful Ones! If you are a constant reader of Brown Girl From Boston blog, you might recognize my love for music. Music is an universal language. Music is the gateway to your inner essence.  Music is a healing agent. You may not speak the same language but once you hear that beat drop or the inspirational lyrics, you just feel real good. Music brings back good memories, so-so memories and feelings of nostalgic.

I've listed my top 20 songs that keep me on my toes, confident and ready to conquer the world!

1. Electric Lady by Janelle Monae

2. The World Is Yours by Nas

3. Thank You Very Much by Rapsody

4. Cleva by Erykah Badu

5. Juice by Chance The Rapper

6. The People by Common

7. Go Get It by Mary Mary

8. Trenchtown Rock by Bob Marley

9. B*&#$, Don't Kill My Vibe by Kendrick Lamar

10. Cha Cha Cha by Mc Lyte

11. Happiness by The Foreign Exchange

12. Brown Skin Lady by Blackstar

13. Be Inspired by Pete Rock, Lecrae and Rapsody

14. Count Your Blessings by Damian Marley and Nasir Jones

15. The Cost of Sleep by Skyzoo

16. I Ain't Lyin' by Mayhem of EMS ft Craig G

17. Flashing Lights by Kayne ft Dwele

18. Ladies First by Queen Latifah ft Monie Love

19. Paid in Full by Eric B and Rakim

20. Family Affair by Mary J. Blige

This concludes the Brown Girl From Boston coaching confidence playlist. I can go on and on but I am going to stop at twenty songs.

Thank you for reading Brown Girl From Boston! We appreciate you.

XOXO,
Drea

Question: If you was to create your confidence playlist, what songs would you include? Share your comments in the comment section.

Brown Girl From Boston Lost Files: Ramblings of Cocktail Parties and Urbanology

“You must be unintimidated by your own thoughts because if you write with someone looking over you shoulder, you'll never write.” ― Nikki Giovanni

Besides being a blogger, life coach, social worker, mentor and fill in the blank, I am also a closet spoken word artist. (LOL) Whenever I feel moved to create a spoken word piece, I usually create something that is from my life experience, current events or frustration. Ramblings of Cocktails Parties and Urbanology is a piece that was created from true events. Being a Brown Girl from Boston, leaving Boston at the age of 18 and traveling back and forth to Boston for 13 years, I have experienced my fair share of limited opportunities for people of color, gentrification of the city, and oppression. I decided to write a poem about being at a networking event and  I attended in which I was one of few people of color in attendance and when the liquid courage was served this conversations came about. 

Now, I am no Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka or Langston Hughes but I am Andrea C. Imafidon! I am somebody special in which I have the courage to share with my readers. I also love wordplay and rhymes, hence why I am such a Hip Hop Head and blogger. I can be free with my words and thoughts in my writings. I guess you can say, I love being completely naked and transparent with my thoughts and writings. I remember writing my first poem in middle school entitled, "A Mother and Her Womb". The poem was dedicated to my mother and I's tight knit relationship from conception to the time I wrote that poem and dedicated to her. 

Being the coach that I am, the moral to the blog post is....be you. Be authentic and free, there is no right nor wrong way to be you. If you have a hidden talent, gift or strength don't suppress it. Share it with the world so you can continue to let your light shine! Keep shining!

Ramblings of Cocktail Parties and Urbanology

You see I am the product of the Northern migration, parents first generation out of the Jim Crown era, 

segregated ruins and Black Power brewing mentality.

Boston, historically tried to cover it’s racial ties by allowing people of color opportunities by enforcing 

integration in the F’ed up, all white, all Irish, South Boston, where White Boys had your head rocking 

and rolling if you stepped foot over that Dorchester/South Boston city line.

Now while I was coming up in the 80s, my parents instilled in me great work ethics, being hard 

working is a blessing. Getting the best education and shutdown the rambling of White Americans, 

cocktail party talks.

While drinking scotch on the rocks, mouths half way cocked open, patiently awaiting the next ghetto 

sob story from the collections of their urbanology.

Bob, “which underprivileged Negro did you help out today?” 

While the drinks are flowing and the stories of the ghetto are spoken, mouths and eyes wide opened 

trying to express apathy meanwhile poking fun of the ghetto catastrophe.

We can turn the ghetto catastrophe into a gentrified masterpiece. Tear down projects, drive up the 

cost of the property market.

Change the name of the communities, we don’t want to be stigmatized by the plight of the dark, 

gloomy community.

We must keep our schools and communities free from profanity and impurities.

We created the "Land of the Free", which only applies to those few and in between

People of color you already provided enough browning to our nation.

We can use our White Privilege to bully our way through gentrification.

You should thank us for plowing through and savaging your ghetto heaven.

These are the ramblings of cocktail parties and urbanology. 

by Andrea C. Imafidon

Coaching Question: Do you contemplate about writing but feel your words, thoughts or story isn't good enough? Remember there is no right or wrong way to write. Just write and be free!