Author: DeShelle Taylor

Let’s face it: LIFE can be difficult at times. Nowadays people are hard to deal with and edgy. There is a negativity and darkness out there in the world but there is something so resilient about smiling. Many people told me how at ease I made them feel to see me smile. There are several songs written about smiles and yet, its still so underrated. A simple ability that the universe gave us can impact an individual in a profound way. A smile says, “I see you” We shouldn’t take it lightly. In fact: we should embrace it. There’s scientific evidence out there that references how smiles can alter your mood in seconds. 

If you’re ever traveling down I-95 south, somewhere around the Girard street exit, there’s a billboard that says, “Smile and the world smiles back at you”. Great advice.

Man, where do I begin to share my sentiments about this wonderful, complex, beautiful and often misunderstood place?! There’s a lot to say about Philly, or Philadelphia to be proper. Over the course of several posts, I will share everything I experienced with respect to her and other places. Yes, Her. Philly is definitely female. 

Philly is my comfort zone, the place I was born and raised. After living in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and a couple of other places, I always seem to come back home. People have a love hate relationship with Philadelphia, not me. I do believe things happen for us not to us, thus, my upbringing through my childhood into high school and ultimately college in Pittsburgh are easily the catalyst for shaping the woman I’ve become throughout those various stages of life. 

I survived toxic environments and relationships, generational trauma and abusive relationship , life altering caregiving for my loved one, generational curse/chain healing, car accidents, employment termination, being without my own home for several months among other things.

In short, the complexities of Philly resonate with my own persona which is equally complicated. It takes time and an open mind to fully grasp her, and me. I am deeply humbled and intoxicated by my souls journey and the return home.

One of my favorite things to do in life is cook. There is so much therapy in cooking. One who truly loves to cook will take time gather ingredients to do just that. I love spending time in the spice isle, the kitchen and going through the different phases of the cooking process; shopping for groceries, prepping, combining flavorful ingredients, the actual cooking and creating final adjustments for the dish, to the table. Keep coming back as I will share some recipes that are near and dear to me.

Hey there! You’re definitely in the right place! My name is DeShelle and I’ll be sharing lots of things in this blog about my life including opinions, reactions, and advice. I’ve had a colorful life thus far and look forward to sharing things that I learned along the way.

I love to cook and garden. They come to me naturally and are therapeutic activities to help me process many life obstacles. I love to embrace art whether as a participant or observer as art is the language of the soul. I love being me; a beautiful African American woman with Philly roots.

Remember, ife is beautiful. [can also read: Remember to look for the beauty that life represents OR Remember, see life as art.] I hope what you read from here inspires you to become better and appreciate life for what it is.

Thought: if art is the language of the soul, isn’t life its canvas?