Living Our Best Lives

My best friends and I are always having conversations about life, and we are always encouraging each other to be the best versions of ourselves. 
As we discover new things in life we share them with one another; basically we share our wisdom. 
So I asked people in my life their top rule to living a happier more complete life, and I added a couple of my own. 

1) Be Grateful.
2) Let the small things go.
3) Try new things.
4) Laugh.
5) Exercise and eat healthy.
6) Meditate 
7) Learn new things.
8) Spend time with loved ones.
9) Be part of nature/travel.
10) Give back.

One of my favorite quotes.

With all that goes on in our lives, and happening in the world around us, its often easy to get lost, to lose your sense of purpose and have fears. 
We must do whats needed to stay aligned within ourselves and maintain our direction in life. 
Let me know what helps you stay centered and helps maintain your peace. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season! 

The 90's

Recently I was reacquainted with a friend from my childhood, actually someone I was friends with when we were teenagers in the 90's. We caught up on all that was going on in our adult lives, we also reminisced on the good old days. We talked about people we both knew and what they were up to, about our adventures together, and we also talked about what we missed most about those days. So I went home with this nostalgic feeling, it feels good to dive into good memories, ones you thought you forgot about. 
So me running into her, not only brought a great friend back into my life, but it left me thinking about...

The top five things I miss most about the 90's:

1) Music- I don't have to say much about this, it seems anybody can make an album and get signed nowadays.

2) Clothing- Baby Phat, Fila, Fubu, Kangol hats, and Levi jeans. We definitely had swag.

3) No Camera Phones- Privacy, Privacy, Privacy! Need I say more...

4) Children Wanting To Spend Time Outdoors- Too many kids are glued to their devices at home these days. 
Playing Double Dutch outside is extinct and this makes me a little sad.

5) Natural Beauty- The time before the eyebrow craze, and the hair epidemic.
When you worked with what your Mama gave ya!

The list can go on and I can come up with a million little things I miss about the 90's.

Would love to hear what you miss most. 

Don’t hold back...Keep it Guilly! 

Til next time Peace & Love

Should Black People use the “N” Word?

I was strolling through my social media when I saw a debate going on between two friends with completely different perspective on the use of the "N" word.
This virtual argument was lead on Instagram "Should Black People Stop Using the N Word. 

While one person thought the "N" word could be use differently therefore changing the meaning, and that as black people we owned the right to do so. The other person said it was ludicrous to believe we could change the meaning of words, especially one with so much history. I fully agreed with his outlook on the subject. 

New words are created all the time and some make it into the urban dictionary, but this one shouldn’t have. 

The N word always follows controversy and because of its history and what this word actually means I've chosen not to use it, and I made that decision at an early age. This word doesn't match my aura, point blank. 

I believe our names mean a lot about our personalities and most often even where we come from so think of it...
When someone calls you the "N" word with love or not they are in reality calling you something else. They are not calling you by your God given name but actually calling you the actually name that your ancestors fought hard to diminish from your life and the lives of your loved ones.

They fought too hard for us to repeat history, and even though we live in times of ill racism, we can not head backwards with our words and we can not head backwards in our minds.

We live in these times now because of what we are truly capable of achieving, as a so called minority, us all united in reality are the majority.

best wishes!

The Evolution of the Back Pocket

So, why do I blog?

I need to write it is in my veins, and the passion I have to write and create stories is in my DNA. 

I have been writing for years, writing poetry, short stories, novel drafts, and even journal entries.

I always have one of my many notebooks with me. 

Writing has always been my therapy and my escape, through my writing I come alive, and through my characters I become another voice ready to be heard...

You're probably wondering why the name back pocket? 

It wasn't easy to come up with a title, but once it popped into my head it resonated with me. 

And so "The back pocket of Olivia Jean" was created. 

A back pocket is basically the safest pocket it has always been reliable in keeping my valuables safe. 

So this blog is a place to keep valuables safe, our thoughts, emotions and opinions are those things we value. 

Here is a space to feel safe and where our feelings and comments are welcomed and protected. 

This is how my writing has always made me feel, and this is my gift that I hope to give to others. 

My back pocket is a fun space to discuss it all. 
From Life, Love, and everything in between!
A place to stash your shit (Proverbially speaking) 

Til the next time, keep shinning!