Reflections // January 2025
Thoughts, Book Review, Photos, and Musical Vibes
A Note on Black History Month
February stands as a sacred season in Black culture - a time when we fully embrace our right to celebrate, honor, and grapple with the legacy of those who came before us, setting our course toward new horizons.
As the ancient Kenyan proverb reminds us: "Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable, but sticks alone can be broken by a child." This wisdom echoes through generations, teaching us the power of unity.
While recent political events have flooded our spaces with divisive rhetoric and imagery, I choose a different path forward. Rather than amplifying voices of supremacy or engaging in endless debates about societal ills, I'm directing my energy toward what truly sustains us: community building.
My commitment lies in honoring those who have nurtured my growth and finding new ways to lift others up. This isn't just an idealistic choice - it's a matter of survival. Our strength, like those bundled sticks, comes from standing together, supporting one another, and building connections that cannot be broken.
This path forward isn't just morally right - it's vital to our very existence. Community isn't just something we build; it's the foundation that keeps us standing.
Happy Black History Month.
Thoughts // Introspective Renewal
Every January, I notice a pattern in my reading choices. I gravitate toward books that challenge my mindset - ones that hold up a mirror and force me to examine myself honestly and productively. While I end each December brimming with thoughts, goals, and ambitions, January brings me face-to-face with a harder truth: I haven't accomplished nearly as much as I'd envisioned. The weight didn't melt away, my reading list remains daunting, my work impact feels smaller than hoped, and my prayer life and faith practice aren't quite what I pictured.
The beautiful irony? I repeat this cycle every year because I'm not realistic with myself. My goals often lack grounding in reality. I consistently underestimate life's natural ebbs and flows. If I'm truly honest, many of these targets are mere vanity metrics—checkboxes that let me feel like I'm "moving the needle" forward without creating real meaning.
Thank you for sitting with my vulnerability here, but I suspect I'm not alone. We all set goals that look good on paper but ultimately serve as arbitrary scorecards rather than pathways to a richer life. We rarely craft goals that help us live deeper, more meaningful days.
This is my January revelation, and it grounds me. It teaches me to actively forgive myself and recognize that imperfection isn't just acceptable - it's the essence of being human. That's where the magic lives. The grace, mercy, and love we so readily extend to others should flow back to ourselves when we face our perceived shortcomings. Perhaps they aren't truly falling short; perhaps the goals simply didn't serve the authentic person we aspire to be each day.
The authentic person is a striver—someone who wants to add value to this life. But what does that really mean?
Simply put, it means impacting people positively. That's it.
For me, early January is a sacred time to process these feelings and recalibrate how I want to impact others this year. I'll probably still set some unrealistic targets and feel frustrated when I fall short, but I'm working to create what matters most: a human-centered framework for my life and aspirations.
I don't really want a six-pack. I want to play with my grandkids and romp around with friends. I want to love my wife with full presence. I want to provide for my family and share resources with friends so we can all pause to bask in life's warm glow together. I want my faith to be more genuine and honest in practice. I want to grant myself grace when I stumble while holding myself accountable, ensuring my shortcomings don't harm others.
Books // Reviews
On StoryGraph, my reviews will feature more in-depth assessments and ratings. Each month, you’ll find a score out of 5 stars, along with links to purchase through Bookshop. Here are the books that kicked off my year:
The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience by Aditi Nerurkar ★★★★☆
Citizen: My Life After the White House by Bill Clinton ★★★☆☆
The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking ★★★★☆
The Thinking Heart: Essays on Israel and Palestine by David Grossman ★★★★☆
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer ★★★★☆
Vibes // WSID
WSID: The Sid Mashburn Radio Show - Ep. 52
We've got clothing shops, but we also love music, so we started a vinyl-only radio show on Atlanta’s Voice of the Arts, AM 1690.
WSID was a charming vinyl-only radio program hosted by the gifted menswear designer Sid Mashburn, broadcast on Atlanta's Voice of the Arts, AM 1690. For two fantastic years, fans tuned in every Wednesday night. Sadly, when the radio station ceased operations, it halted the production of new episodes, leaving behind cherished memories for everyone involved. I love revisiting these episodes from time to time, and this month, I’ve been listening to this particular episode more frequently.
Until next time — AMS