Invisible Bars

by Alecia J

There are some other things I want you to always remember. You had a purpose long before anyone ever formed an opinion about you.

So trust your journey—the messy, confusing, 'what-the-hell-is-happening' parts, even the ones that don’t make sense right now. One day, they will. And you’ll see they matter just as much as the wins… sometimes more.

her. Don’t ever shrink yourself to make other folks comfortable,”

“God made you loud for a reason; loud in spirit and loud in truth. And baby, even your silence got volume.”

“It’s not always chains or jail cells keeping a person locked up; sometimes it’s guilt, obligation, family expectations, or even pride,”

sometimes the prettiest covers got the ugliest stories.

“The higher you climb, thinking you’re untouchable, the harder that fall will be when God humbles you.”

when God humbles somebody, you don’t interfere; you just step aside and let the lesson finish teaching.”

“But never stress over the next woman when you’re the one wearing the crown. Queens don’t flinch for court jesters.”

“A man’s first duty after marriage is to his wife. Once I said, ‘I do,’ my loyalty shifted. My job is to protect her, cover her, and choose her—over everybody, even you. See, a wife ain’t supposed to compete with nobody’s mama; not for time, not for respect, not for protection. That’s weakness, and any man who lets that shit happen ain’t a man… he’s still a son.

“Respect is earned, not inherited. Family doesn’t give anyone a discount on basic d-decency.”

Sometimes love doesn’t show up loud; sometimes it hides in the shadows, praying for you, even when it can’t stand beside you.