Discovering Damita...
This blog is dedicated to my life's journey. This is a place for my reflections and thoughts about different experiences that present themselves as I walk through life.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Discovering Damita: Writing My Book
I really enjoyed my day today. I met with a writer who read the introduction to my story and gave me some wonderful feedback. I felt energized to write the novel I have been working on since 2007. It has stayed with me throughout the years but I just didn't know what how to complete it. But now, with speaking to my friend, I see the light and know which way I want to take the characters.
I love writing, it is my way to escape. When I'm not telling someone's story, I like to write fiction and create characters that are opposite of my personality and have them say things that I want to say but never do. It is a wonderful way for me to release many different feelings and thoughts onto the universe.
I am looking forward to sharing my progress with my story and I am looking forward to finishing it because it is time. Thanks Brit!
Damita Shanklin is the Founder/Publisher of Ujima Magazine and the co-host of Ujima TV with Damita and Evelina.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Have You Ever Been Bullied?
When will bullying be taken seriously? I personally was bullied from third grade to six grade. I had a break during 7th and 8th grade because I was placed in a different school. It was the happiness years of my school life. But then I went to high school and met all the same people. To make a long story short, my bully hit me in the back of my head and it changed my life FOREVER. I have never been the same and it shaped how I deal with people and I do not allow people to get close to me because I do not trust motives or what they might do to me.
The young girls that hung themselves was said to be bullied on Facebook and through text messages. It made me realize that when I was going through this, at least once I left school, I had a break and could find solace at home, in my room, with my family. But nowadays, bullies continue contact 24 hours because of technology. I cannot image the humiliation I would get from online messages and text. It was more than enough in person each and every day.
My prayers go out to the families of these young girls and I am going to work and do what I can to stop bullying. I can no longer sit back and watch what happen to me, happen to others. I want to do my part. Something has to be done to stop this long history of kids bullying kids. I never knew what caused my bully to dislike me so much that she had to resort to violence, but I do not want other kids to have to feel how I felt and how I have to deal with the residual effects.
Damita Miller-Shanklin is the Founder and Publisher of Ujima Magazine and the Host of Ujima TV with Damita and Evelina.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Building A Business with An Idea
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Are You an Online Hoarder?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Working Hard
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Memories of my Father
“One of the things that my parents have taught me is never listen to other people’s expectations. You should live your own life and live up to your own expectations, and those are the only things I really care about it.” Tiger Woods
I thought since it is Father’s Day issue, I would pay homage to him. My father passed away on February 16, 2003 at 9:30am. We all said our good-byes and as we sat in the small conference room waiting for the chaplain or the doctor (I can’t remember clearly) I heard the venting machine beep loudly announcing that my father took his last breath. I will never forget how devastating it felt.
My father had three girls and one grandson. We all had a different relationship with him. Because I was the baby, I was the last to leave the house, so I spent everyday with him. Even after I got married, I went over to the house and spent time with him and my mother. My mom would cook breakfast for us every morning before we headed to work. My father did not say much, but when he did, you knew it was serious and you should listen. So, we talked everyday briefly but I always knew he loved me and I never worried about that. As a matter of fact, I never told my dad I loved him until he was in the emergency room laying on a wooden slate upside down preparing to have emergency surgery. But we knew the love between father and daughter was there. When I was in high school, he would always give me an allowance each day. I would save most of the money and by the end of the week, I had enough money to buy a book or something I wanted. When I got married, he still continued to give me an allowance of three dollars a day. I looked for this money too. Before I would head out for work I would go to him and say “daddy, you got my three dollars?” He would laugh and turn his back and look in his wallet and give me the money. We did this up until the day he passed away. I missed it. It was just something we did.
My father, Willie Miller, Jr, took good care of his family and he ensured we all had what we needed to live good, happy, and peaceful lives. He taught us to depend on ourselves and work for what we want out of life. He worked hard everyday for the things we wanted and needed in life. I miss him every day and sometimes I hear him speaking to me or I think of something he used to do and it brings a smile to my face. He was a quiet but strong man and he believed in family. Take this Father’s Day and say I love you to your father or the man who raised you and has taken care of you. Let him know you appreciate him. I really wish I could give my father three dollars…