Latahsa Harlins was a 15-year-old slain in the city of Los Angeles, California. At the time, the most viewed and talked-about incident was that of the killing of Rodney King. Latasha was killed a few weeks later.

The teen was in a store attempting to purchase a drink for $1.79. The store owner thought she was stealing the beverage as she mistakenly placed the beverage in her backpack while holding the money in her hand. Latasha wasn't heading for the door, which is an indicator of theft, but proceeded to the counter.

An altercation erupted with the accusation that the teen was a thief. Mrs. Du, a Korean immigrant, fought with Latasha. Mrs. Du fell behind the counter and arose with a gun and shot the teen in the back of the head as she began to exit the store.

Mrs. Du was sentenced to jail but never did any time. The judge resonated with the immigrant story of coming to America and building a business, and she reduced the sentencing. Many stories go untold, and many are judged unjustly. Lives have been lost due to simple misunderstandings, but the biggest takeaway is gun violence in America. The gun violence in this country is traumatic, and the sufferings of day-to-day violence dealing with guns and people, to include teens with guns, only get worse when your loved one is killed by someone with a gun.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

Being alone can be a source of strength, creativity, and personal growth for those who embrace it. It's not for everyone, but the personality traits are beneficial to all. In discovering the unique qualities of enjoyment of being alone, keep an open mind to how you too can find pleasure in being alone. Being alone is not isolation!

I explored some of the traits; they are as follows: Independent, confident, self-reliant, reflective, creative, innovative, empathetic, resourceful, self-sufficient, and more.

The benefits of taking time for oneself: In addition to fostering personal growth, alone time can provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. It can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being by allowing individuals to relax and recharge.

Consider taking a listen and share with others.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

A gradual relationship decline prior to one person having an affair—and a once-or-twice affair happens—a new study has identified a pattern. Very rarely does a healthy relationship occur afterward. The study hoped to offer insight into whether relationship problems actually precede affairs or whether they mostly happen afterward.

Are cheaters destined to keep repeating the same pattern forever? Once a cheater, always a cheater?

People that cheated on their partner reported lower self-esteem, lower relationship satisfaction, and lower intimacy. Those cheated on only reported lower self-esteem and more conflicts.

Sadly, people involved in infidelity did not recover as much as from other life events. But bounce back does happen.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

"Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Amos 5:24

Listening is not only a personal practice; it can and must be shaped in our organizations. Our everyday systems, schools, government, congregations, and organizations. What is true for individuals is also true for institutions.

But when systems stop listening and telling untruths, the consequences are serious! This reflects people and institutions alike. Continue to tell untruths and allow systems to follow this belief system; they do not become ineffective or outdated, they become unjust!

Amos envisioned justice that flows, not isolated or selfish acts yet ongoing reality truths—like water that flows continuously through the life of the community. When people and institutions refuse to listen, they become obstacles to the people they serve and they obstruct truths.

To hear is a responsibility; to listen is an invitation into the work of justice!

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

As we journey through life, it's natural to experience changes in behavior. Some changes aren't all bad, as we have been told. Many of the changes we encounter as we age are positive.

Yes, some aspects allow aging people to observe how seniors display behaviors that seem to transport them back to their youth or earlier stages of life. Here's what nobody tells you about aging: every year comfort becomes more seductive, and routines solidify; your circles shrink, and before you know it, you're living in a world that's getting smaller and smaller. For some elders, that's ok; for others, not so much!

Are you saying YES to life's invitations?

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

The trouble with boys. They're kinetic, maddening, and failing at school; all is a result of emotions that start as boys.

This issue is twofold: 1st critically and 2nd the research.

Men's emotions are given less importance. They are expected not to cry when they feel hurt or vulnerable because of their gender. 30% of men experienced depression at some point in their lives, and 9% are feeling depressed and anxious daily. However, it's difficult to express how he feels for fear of being labeled.

Men compared to women encounter more external symptoms and these structures are likely related to gender differences in social interactions, coping, or treatment-seeking endeavors. These differences sometimes manifest differently as well. Men, when they repress their emotions, it can show up in violence and aggression towards others or anything within reach.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

It was a typical night for a teen who was visiting with his dad and bonus mom when he decided to go to the store to grab a snack. Returning home on the phone with his girlfriend, he was abruptly approached by a man that was patrolling the neighborhood.

The kid and the man got into an altercation only after the man called the non-emergency police. Dispatch on the other side informed the man NOT to pursue the alleged suspect; the police would arrive soon.

Before the police arrived, that altercation resulted in the man shooting the teen where he died on the scene.

On this February night in 2012, the teen Trayvon Martin took his last breath—the events that followed rocked the nation. A nation that hasn't healed, reckoned with, or acknowledged the perils of brutality and injustice.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.

Trauma and crisis are two terms that are often used interchangeably, yet they possess distinct differences. Exploring their impact on mental health, a traumatic event can trigger a crisis situation, and a crisis situation can potentially lead to lasting trauma.

"Trauma" refers to the lasting emotional and psychological effects of a distressing or disturbing event.

"Crisis" denotes an immediate threat or danger to an individual's safety or well-being.

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral, physical, and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. Please be aware that it is okay to ask for help.