Black Girls Travel Therapy

In life we are always doing things because its the right thing to do. We are not following our gut feeling or operating from our wants and desires. We put the other person first, sacrificing our true aspirations. Learn to do you. Practice being selfish. For once in your life do what you really want to do, forget about society. We're adults, no one will spank or punish us for not doing something. In addition, understand if you don't do it from a honorable stance your action will not be blessed (done in vain). Let me tell you about a lady. Her family wanted her to ride out of town with them, however she didn't want to go. The lady loathed the place they wanted her to visit. That place bought her nothing but bad memories and pain. They begged and pleaded, "Come on. Get out the house. You need to see your family. You have to visit out home town.  Let's go. You'll have fun." Her gut told her to stay. She had no desire to travel, but ...

Why am I always giving? Some people make me feel like they're better than me and deserve to be catered to 24-7. These individuals are always taking and giving nothing in return. Could I be talking about people with a Narcissistic personality disorder?   Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which one has an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of feelings (empathy) for others. But behind their mask of grandiose lies a weak and low self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism. A narcissistic personality disorder has destructive behavior in personal relationships, work and/or school environment and financial matters. The person usually becomes unhappy and disappointed when their not catered to or rewarded with special favors and gifts they believe they deserve. To be diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder one must meet 5 or mo...

The Love I took for granted. I thought it would always be around. I allowed my ego to inflate, interchanging kindness for lust. Refusing to give love, selfishly pleasing myself instead of taking time to love back. The Love I took for granted. The Love I took for granted. Now that it's gone, I miss it. I foolishly thought it would stick around. It warned me, but I was sitting on my throne refusing to believe that anyone would leave me. The Love I took for granted. The Love I took for granted. I treated it bad. I showed no respect. I was too afraid to be vulnerable. Too worried about my macho image, wanting no one to see me love. The Love I took for granted. The Love I took for granted. Why did I fall asleep on it? Why didn't I cherish it? It loved me unconditionally. It made me smile. It was a crazy love, I have to admit, but now that its gone I miss it. The Love I took for granted. Appreciate the unique Love in your life. Listen to their needs, wants, and desires. Le...

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is happy. Love is forgiving. Love is soothing. Love feels good. Love is free. Love heals the world. When you give love, you receive love. Relationships are true reflections of you. Take a look at your behavior, if you are not acting out of love you'll see it. Learn to love, love unselfishly, love unconditionally, love even when it doesn't feel good. Everyone needs love, and some need more than others. As you grow you can ignore negativity and love regardless. If you only give love, it has to return to you. Don't spend the rest of your life treating others bad because they treated you bad or attempting to hurt someone because they hurt you. Stand up and show love. Heal the world with love... ~Karlyn LeBlanc. www.lovelemenu.com  

Bio: Karlyn LeBlanc is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She currently resides in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Karlyn obtained her Bachelor degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and her Masters from Tulane University in New Orleans. Her career began as licensed master social worker where she spent twelve years counseling patients, supervising master level social workers, and facilitating support groups.   In addition, she’s a bestselling author of two published books, a motivational speaker, therapist, and the CEO/owner and founder of several small businesses.   Her goal is to empower women to live life to the fullest and constantly seek self-love. Abstract: Karlyn is the organizer and coordinator of the “I love me” retreat. The venue is designed to foster growth embedded in empowerment activities, build self-esteem, and teach women how to love themselves inside and out in a fun, invigorating environment. Feedback from people: “You have shown me new way...

  Karlyn LeBlanc You saw me happy. Happiness you just couldn't stand. You thought you were the source of my happiness, but to your surprise you were not. Only I can make me happy. You see, I love me. I love me from head to toe, inside and out. When I look in the mirror I smile. Only I can make me happy. Dont fret, you'll find someone else's happiness to control, but not mine. I'm free from you, and free from the world's definition of happiness. I do the things that bring me true joy. I live in the moment with no regrets. And if it doesn't feel good to me, I don't partake in it. You see, its all about me. Only I can make me happy. My happiness is here to stay, so if you're waiting for it to leave, you might as well go away. I changed the way I think, changed the things I say, changed the material I read, and changed the people I surround myself with. I have a true, positive, transformation with a new outlook on life. You see, I love...

Do you want to re-create you? Re-invent you? Make you over? Well, its time for change. Everyday we look in the mirror and we complain about the person who stands before us. I'm too short... I'm too tall...I'm too stout...I'm too skinny...my nose is too big...my thighs jiggle.. I have three stomachs...my hair is a mess...my skin is blemished...I'm too dark...I'm too light...and I'm not pretty or handsome, are amongst the many self criticizing statements made daily. Let me be the first to challenge you to change your way of thinking. The first step is to be happy with who you are. Start by loving the things you hate. Stand in the mirror naked, and kiss your flaws goodbye. Replace your negative remarks with positive uplifting affirmations. For example, instead of saying, "I'm fat," state, "I'm the most sexy, voluptuous woman alive." You've got to do the work from inside. When you change your perception of you everyt...

  Grab your ankles! Take a wild picture! Move to another city! Cut your hair off! Get a weave! Lose weight! Start your own business! The time has come for you to make a positive change in your life. Look at your career? Is it fulfilling? Working a full-time job takes up most of our day; therefore it should be a task we love. Don’t you want to do something you enjoy? We allow our dreams, passions, desires, talents, gifts, and goals to disappear due to fear, failure, and change. Life is change; fear and failure is of the devil. Invite change in with a smile. Don’t worry about money and “is this the right moment”. Every minute you spend miserable in your career is time wasted. Time you could’ve spent building your own company. Does your job give you the income and opportunity to work on your dreams? If it doesn’t you need to select a career that does. Careers should be lucrative, fun, flexible, and rewarding. These rewards come in the form of giving back and making a diffe...

  Never have sex in vain, be very selective of what you allow in your soul. The act of making love is a spiritual connection; a manifestation of greatness. Sex is magnetic energy to create the desires of your heart. Be on one accord with your sexual partner and make something powerful:   The great things I pour into myself I wish for you to devour. Together, we can create magnificent things; our souls enthralled in fiery vibrations conjuring up the desires of our hearts.   My king, I long to build you up and heal your wounds the world created.  Let's erase all failures and fears. In my arms you're all man; strong, courageous, successful, worthy, and confident. Coexist with me, drop all your inhibitions, experience this life happy, free, and wealthy.   The next time you make love, make a conscious attempt to conjure up positive energy. Your body is a precious temple that deserves only the best, never have sex in vain.  ...

I grabbed hold of the cold steel bars and I looked out. "I want to be FREE!" I screamed. "I've been locked up for too long." I imprisoned myself at a young age. Went from one ruler to another. And now it's time for me to go. I can't stand being controlled. "I want to be FREE!" There are so many places to see, so many things I could be. "I want to be FREE!" I screamed. "I've been locked up for too long." I don't want anyone telling me what to do or where to go. I'm my own person, a grown-up, not a child. I'm not your property. "I want to be FREE!" This fool is parenting me. Telling me what to wear and how to do my hair. "I want to be FREE!" I screamed. "I've been locked up for too long." What contract did I sign? I don't remember the big "X" by the black line. I graduated from high school and went straight to a cell. Am I living my life in hell?...

Have you ever seen something and wanted it? Did that image run around in your mind daily? Thoughts of tasting it, smelling it, visions of you with it. You spoke of it, you saw it and viola it became yours. I'm here to tell you, you can have anything and anyone you desire. Some call it faith, others call it law of attraction; I think it's both. The world is here for us to create a happy life; cast out negativity and focus on something great, don't take no for an answer. When you manifest positive energy only good can enter. Think on a surface level, very shallow, not digging too deep or over analyzing; simply welcome your desires. Be confident that your wishes will be granted as if a magician with a wand is making them appear. Open your heart, unleash your soul, never fight the magnetic vibes that are formulating your masterpiece. Stand on one accord believing all will be well and finally knowing everything works out in...

I am a black woman who's proud of my roots. I love my curves, my big legs, and my huge bottom that I inherited from my paternal grandmother, Thelma Robinson. However, it appears I can't wear what smaller women wear, because of my curves I'm restricted. When I put something on that hugs my body I get stares from men and women often roll their eyes. I find it interesting that this has always been a problem for full-figured women. Did you know that Mahalia Jackson was forced to put on a choir robe to sing in the church? The congregation whispered and gossiped about the way her body gyrated as she sang praises to the Lord. What a shame, a full-figured women of God had to be draped to hide her voluptuous shape. I remember many years ago, when I was a Freshmen in college, I had on a nice fitted sun dress and my maternal grandmother stated, "you look like a hooker." I quickly replied, all the white girls at school...

Don't fret. Depression is very common. Many will experience some type of depression in their life time. Depression is a serious mental disorder that shouldn't be ignored. A major depressive disorder is defined as a persistent low mood that is accompanied by low self-esteem and by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. The disorder is a disabling condition that adversely affects a person's family, work, or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. In the United States, around 3.4% of people with major depression commit suicide, and up to 60% of people who commit suicide had depression or another mood disorder. Due to the severity of depression one should always be informed of the symptoms and treatment plans.  Educate yourself on depression and keep a close watch on friends and/or family who you think may be suffering from this disorder. Symptoms may include: irritability (short fuse) pess...

Let's think about the lyrics in, "I'm Every Woman," a song sang by Whitney Houston. "Whatever you want, whatever you need Anything you want done, baby, I'll do it naturally 'Cause I'm every woman (every woman) It's all in me, it's all in me, yeah!" The lyrics suggest that women can do it all with no problems. We know the vessel called female is pertinent to life, her body is used to nurture, protect, produce, and love. She is the glue that holds the family together. However, when a woman is broken, things around her fall apart. It's vital for the female to take care of herself, she's similar to the engine of a car, without her nothing will run. Just like that engine needs routine oil changes and maintenance so does she. In fact, recent studies show women suffer more mental health issues than men due to the stress of juggling their career, family, and other leadership roles. In the midst of being every woman, she forgets a...

In memory of Karl Denton Robinson July 5, 1941 to February 10, 2015   How can I be sad when You blessed me with 25 more years with him? They said it was stage 4, terminal, the end, but You said different.   How can I be sad when You gave him time to turn his life around? You gave him a new life. A new look. A brighter future.   How can I be sad when You allowed him to be a wonderful grandfather to my kids? A man my son looked up to. A paw-paw to my daughter. The good guy who always greeted them with gifts and a smile.   How can I be sad when the cancer came back? They gave him 4 months to live, terminal the end, but You said different.   How can I be sad when you gave me 7 years to mourn the death of my niece before You took him away? You didn't give me more than I could handle, You allowed me to grieve and heal.    How can I be sad? I'm thankful. I'm appreciative. I'm hap...

I'm angry! I'm mad as hell! How could that bitch go shooting without knowing her victims. Opening fire and killing students with kids, families, and a future. I'm angry! There was nothing I could do, nothing I could say. It was all out of my control. I couldn't protect you... I'm angry! I hate the Mayor, the pawn shop that sold the bitch the gun, the crisis hotline, and all the people who made empty promises. You did nothing to make this thing right. Now it's my turn to let this shit out. I'm angry! I'm mad ass hell! It's not okay, young lives were loss. Why? Because your short, ugly, fat, black ass didn't like what you saw when you looked in the mirror. If you wanted to die, then you should've went alone. Why kill and torment innocent people you barely knew? Bitch I hate you! And I'll never get to tell you, "Burn In Hell", because you took care of that when you turned the gun to yourself... Note: If something is bo...

I've opened my heart and home to many, mentored; helped individuals start their businesses, consulted on writing books, and counseled people out of severe depression. Some were grateful for my assistance, others thought they were entitled to the help. However, I did it for me. I help others because it feels good to me. There is no greater gift than the gift of giving. When you give apart of yourself you are planted in the souls of many and your appreciation comes from God. This means you are really blessed and will be rewarded appropriately. Your harvest grows when you help others, nothing is ever done in vain. It doesn't matter if they never say thank you or appreciate anything you do. Keep your eye on the prize and do things from a stance of gratitude. Remember when you give from the heart the greatest things will come back to you. Now, sit back and give freely... Karlyn LeBlanc

Have you looked at the trees lately? I walk daily, but I never paid attention to the trees until I started my journey on gratitude. Appreciation for nature and the things around you are crucial in finding true happiness. When you truly love yourself you are grateful for you and everything in your circle; nature appears brand new. The simple things in life like singing birds, green grass, and trees catch your eye. I watched the wind blow through the branches on a unique tree with few leaves and I thought to myself, "how beautiful." Then I noticed the tree planted next to the first one I observed. It was the same tree but it was shorter. The next tree was taller and the leaves were fuller. We are like trees. All of us are the same beautiful specie, but different. Love yourself and respect the unique qualities you possess. Appreciate nature. Appreciate life. Appreciate the uniqueness that you bring. Love yourself. ~Karlyn LeBlanc www.LoveLeMenu.com

Is true love a fairy tale? Do I have to fake the funk the rest of my life? Am I with the right one? Is he/she my soul mate? These are the questions that many people ask themselves who have been in long-term relationships or marriages. I don't like him/her anymore, is a common response. I want to feel passionate about my mate. I want to feel warm and tingly when he/she comes around. And, I just don't feel that way anymore is another familiar statement. Everyone wants to feel loved and an enormous amount of attention is needed in intimate relationships. Don't you want to feel special? Ego's want and need to be stroked with kind, delicate, caressing words; phrases that build your lover up. Worldly stresses are inevitable at times, but your partner is supposed to be a safe haven, the person you run to for comfort. So show your loved one you care: spend time with them, be compassionate, tune into their feelings, go back to the way things were in the beginning. Remembe...

Another part of gratitude is giving. When you can give without expecting anything in return you are truly displaying gratitude. When you give it comes back to you, your blessings triple. Try doing some of these simple acts of kindness: 1)Pay for someones meal at McDonald's. 2)Leave a huge tip after dinner. 3)Hold the door open for a stranger. 4)Give compliments. 5)Smile and offer comforting words. 6)Pay the toll for a stranger behind you in line. 7)Pay for someones groceries. 8)Buy lunch for a friend or stranger. 9)Send someone a drink. 10)Buy a friend their favorite candy bar or chips. 11)Tell everyone you appreciate them and incorporate thanking individuals in advance. Implement gratitude in your life and watch success implant itself on you. Happy Thanksgiving! ~Karlyn LeBlanc