jj thames...naked.

"Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance. "  -Brene' Brown As you know (If you've been on this blogging journey with me for a while) November is when MY new year starts for some reason...I think it may have something to do with my biorhythms or something...but, major life changes ALWAYS happen for me starting in November. (I just moved back to NYC November 1st...this was not planned...I just happened to have a show here, and thought it would be a good time to do so...) So, although I know that we are 10 days into my New Year...this is day one of a new chapter in my blog (don't judge me, you don't know my life!) ... if you are new...welcome...fasten your seat belt, and enjoy the ride...I'll bring ya back! If you have been ridin' with me...lol...I hope you're not car sick...cuz, we are about to turn up t...

To have your childhood dream realized is a really big deal. -Maya Rudolph 15 year old me... wide eyed... full of dreams!  I was gonna be a writer (check)  I was gonna be on tv (check) I was gonna be on the cover of magazines (check) I was gonna move to New York (check) I was gonna record records (check) I was gonna own successful businesses (still building but check) I was gonna travel the world doing what I love (check) I was gonna win a Grammy (made it to the final ballot...but not quite yet) I was gonna be an advocate for female empowerment (check) I had no plans to be a wife or mother (but check em anyway) Never was I supposed to be divorced or have a child die (check that too) I never imagined being homeless, sleeping on the train, and singing in the subways (check) You couldn't have paid me to believe that I would live in an extended stay hotel, or homeless shelter with my children (check) Never conceived that I would move to 4 different states...47 different tim...

"I said no. I meant no. and I feel no guilt about it. You're opinion about me exercisin g my freedom to opt out, frankly, is none of my business. The answer is still, and forever will be...no!" -jj thames. NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOOO! whew* feels good. I feel empowered by my rediscovering my freedom in, and knowing the power of my "NO!" I find it amazing that often one of the first words a child learns to say is, "NO!" (usually because as they toddle around like a Tasmanian Devil, a whirlwind of destruction...a frazzled parent is running behind them, screeching...) "No! Put that down!" "No! Don't touch that!" "No! Stop jumping on the couch!" "No! Don't give the dog bubblegum!" "Don't lick the doorknob! No!" It's easy to see how the word can become...well, rather familiar. Parents tend to be somewhat put out and slightly irritated when the tables turn,...