Tabitha Brown Taught Me to be Intentional
I saw her hurriedly scurrying across the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at the Essence Festival.
She saw my skirt.
I saw her smile.
“Beautiful,” she gushed.
Smiling—actually, smiling back—I walked with my head a little higher through the crush of people.
Despite the hurry, despite her pending appointment, she stopped to smile at me and offer a compliment.
“I see you, polka dots!” “Girl, you wearing them stripes.” “That blue is everything!” “Okay, color!”
Black women have a way with words that can’t be imitated or duplicated.
And Black women have a way with silence that still finds a way to write a dissertation.
Before she spoke, she smiled.
Tabitha Brown’s smile has opened so many doors for her. The Food Network, the Calm app, TikTok superstardom, a special seasoning, a restaurant, cookbooks, and a clothing line.
Because a Black woman decided to lean into her joy.
Honestly, from where I sit, she’s always smiling.
And while I know it’s impossible for her to be happy all the time, she still finds a way to radiate joy. It pours out of her.
It follows her.
It emanates from her.
She exudes it.
Her soul smiles.
And that unconscious reflection of joy means that she practices it.
She takes it seriously.
She’s made joy who she is.
And people flock to her for a bit of joy from the hem of her garment, for a chance to sip the overflow.
And she made me consider my intentions.
What do I purpose in my heart and mind at the top of the day? And the middle? And before I sleep at night?
And how can intentions preface joy?
So here’s a recipe for setting up satisfaction:
Create a morning routine (wash your face, add toner and moisturizer and a serum)
Make a playlist of songs that make you smile (and some that make you dance)
Eat with intention (skip the protein smoothie and actually have some protein)
Lay out your clothes (and prep them by ironing or wrinkle-releasing or popping them into the dryer)
Audibly say “thank you” to remind your spirit to be grateful for right where you are
Make your bed (or arrange the place in which you sleep)
Smile (even if nothing feels very funny).
