Grateful for all the workers (volunteers?) who work to keep the polls open for 2 weeks straight here in Temple, Texas for early voting. I just voted this morning at 7:15am. It was a smooth process with no wait! I’m aware that not every city and town has access to a voting site for all of their people. That’s why I’m grateful for all these workers who gave up their time to make this happen- rain or shine.

Also, I want to share that this is only my 2nd time in life voting for our next presidential candidate. I’m 46 years old so I’ve had a few opportunities that I did not get involved in. But after my time of honorable service in the US Military and with my extended family members all having served as well in the federal or state government, and realizing how I did not speak up to use my voice and agency in which so many have fought for me/us to have a right to vote as a (mixed race) black person and as a woman – I chose to change my ways and do something. I still don’t know all the answers (and never will). But I do know I want to have some skin in the game so I learned things along the way from different voices, asked questions, and did my own listening and research.

I know it may feel kind of late if you’re just now considering to vote – but I encourage you to take the actions anyway and do the best that you can. Let me know how I can help, support, or pray with you at this time.

Reflection music

Here’s some music to help with your time of reflections. “Mercy, Mercy Me” by Marvin Gaye. I wanted to share this song because this world and our nation surely has problems. There is good here in the United States of America, but there’s a whole lot of issues too that need addressing. These problems don’t go away because we turn away or are focused on other things. It’s not going to get addressed by itself.

#vote
#itmatters
#dontthrowitaway#grateful#pray#earlyvoting

Sejana’s Substack

It seems redundant to post in multiple places but I’ve been sharing thoughts over on Substack too. I’ve started sharing there because it feels like I can share more vulnerably as I find my most authentic written voice and look for community. I may decide later it’s too much to manage two sites, but for now both my blog here on sejanashines.com and Sejana’s Substack are open for connection and communication. I am thinking I’ll post on the blog when I know I want to keep it. If there are better ways to think about how to do this, please let me know!

I’m mostly on Instagram. But when I post there, it also goes to Facebook. And then I repost to LinkedIn.