Writing Prompt: How Do You Express Yourself?

I express myself

through the joy that spills out of me in a sing song voice

rather than words simply spoken

the slight dance in my seat when the food is too good to enjoy sitting still

through the sway of my hips as I walk up to him

smile on my lips

butterflies as I plant a kiss on his grin

through the shy glance that I give when everything's not alright

the sternness in my voice when a subject arises for which

I'd fight

the clothes on my back

every shade, cut and color

the style of my hair

influenced by none other

the weight on my shoulders when times are too tough to bare

through the inflection in my voice as excitement squeals out of me

as I sulk on the couch

and hide tears that I don't want the world to see

through the embrace that I give after too much time spent apart

the tighter I squeeze,

the dearer to my heart

I express myself

when I press pen to paper

capturing moments in time

with every line

after a long day

ordering vodka, no chaser

at the top of my lungs as I belt out my favorite tune

as I strut through the place like there is no one else in the room

I express myself through the color of my nails

through the battles that I choose

the markings on my body
that I will never lose

my expressions are dramatic

and at times rather subtle

my expressions are mine, no room for rebuttal

-shari renee

Last night was the very first meeting of our newly formed book club!

The theme for the week, 'Wine and Desserts'... which went over perfectly.

We will be meeting bi-weekly to discuss each book, with hopes of starting a new book each month.

Every meeting will have a different fun theme.

I encourage you all to start your own. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

We had such a great time!

Or, you can read along with me. I'll be posting the featured book each month right here.

Book 1: "What Alice Forgot," by Liane Moriarty

What Alice Forgot

I'm a little late posting this, (exactly one week to be exact), but I decided that this year I really wanted to push myself in what I would sacrifice for lent. I'd given up sweets. I'd given up red meat. Both of which had found their way right back into my diet within a matter of days beyond the fast. This year I wanted to give up something that might bring everlasting change. Immediately I thought of taking a break from heat straightening my hair. It was something I've wanted to try for a while; not only to maintain the health of my hair and hopefully gain some length in the process, but also to learn to embrace my hair in its natural state. 

You see, I've never been one to feel 'glamorous' when wearing my natural.. as silly as that may sound. It was more so something I'd turn to for convenience, or when in between appointments. No matter how many compliments I'd receive, or comments of, "If I had your hair I'd wear it like that everyday," I just wasn't having it. My curl pattern was inconsistent.. there would be too much shrinkage.. and it would get tangled beyond belief.

So here I am.

I decided what better challenge to myself than to face forty(ish)-days and forty(ish)-nights of nonstop curls! I'm challenging myself to feel glamorous in them, to find the beauty in truly embracing myself in my total natural state (I'm not an avid weave wearer but my hair is usually blown out bi-weekly) and ultimately to reach and inspire anyone else that's ever felt this way. I will post pics along the way and share what products worked/ didn't along my journey.

Stay tuned.