Roots & Hope
Soulful Reflections on Faith, Healing, and Young Adulting
Author: Jess Reed
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Dollar stores are underrated. My favorite is Dollar Tree, where everything from a Baby Ruth to a household decoration truly costs no more than $1. There, I feel rich whenever I splurge on stationery, cleaning supplies, and junk food. As a kid, I loved sitting in my mom’s fragile ’93 Eagle Vision. I rode for…
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Don’t give me the side eye. We all do it, right? We occasionally catch ourselves in a conversation…with ourselves…and laugh about it. Sometimes, the experience becomes so much of a habit that it’s no longer peculiar. I talk to myself often. It happens while I wash dishes that I avoided for too long, commute on the Lodge Freeway, and…
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“Sometimes, you want to go where everybody knows your name.” As a kid, I faithfully watched “Nick-at-Nite”. When the television show Cheers came on, however, that was my cue to change the channel. Oddly, the show’s theme song was impressionable enough to still resonate with me. Although it’s tough to confess, I want to be Known and…
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It’s roughly 4am, and of course, I’m awake. This week, I had a day off from work, and I decided to make it a great day. After waking up, I mulled over worries, but I spent most of the day seeking simple moments of joy and rest. There were small successes, like the tasty breakfast…
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One of my favorite music artists is Erykah Badu. I love her unique style, soulful voice, and the lyrical realness of her songs (I’m thinking of classics like “Appletree”, “Bag Lady”, and “Cleva”, to name a few). I also laugh whenever I see “before and after” pics of rappers she’s dated, like Andre 3000 and Common.…
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I opened my eyes this morning, Fought the tease to stay hidden underneath linen comforts Last night, I left my phone in another room so its screen wouldn’t swallow me before I could even savor the day. I took a long, hot shower. Though I felt guilty for not conserving water, It was too hard to…
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I was in the 6th grade when I created my first social media account. Unbeknownst to my mom, I spent hours perfecting my Bebo profile and messaging friends. Two years later, in 2007, I logged into Facebook for the first time. In the beginning, I exchanged pokes (who does that anymore), had wall-to-wall convos, wrote random notes about my favorite…
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You are not alone. As 2017 approaches, I’m hopeful about the possibilities of growth, adventure, and wisdom. Yet, there is a lingering anxiety about what’s in store, too. In January alone, Trump’s taking office, I’m turning a year older, and sunshine will feel increasingly coated by winter. To sustain myself in the new year, there are a few rhythms…
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Tell depression it can fly away Tell my doubts that they can die today I’ma catch me a wave, sail away Can’t stop me now “Can’t Stop Me Now” (Destination) by Lecrae A few days ago, Lecrae released a new song entitled “Can’t Stop Me Now”. It’s vulnerable and encouraging, so I thought that I’d…
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This for my people that stressing whenever times is hard Your mind’s slipping, wondering, “Is there really a God?” Knowing you shouldn’t think that way and trying to freeze your brain But whenever there’s pain, that feeling forever remains We can’t believe what we can’t see and reality seems stronger than prayer Cause you tried…
Roots & Hope 