In the days when we used to be in person, my prep work, besides design and listening to my playlist, included how to manage perceptions about my physical self so that what I said and did would more likely be received as intended and we could embrace the charge to which we collectively agreed.

As I mature (that’s how I like to refer to the passage of time), I aim to be as fully integrated and authentic as possible. It is what I owe my ancestors and others denied the right to be their full selves. In early May I shared “I find that aspects of my identity are in conflict. I don’t know how to resolve the inner battle and I am fortunate that I don’t have to do so quite yet.” I also wrote that I benefit from “benevolent capitalism.” These realities contribute to the vibrating tension in my body that increases every day.