I was 15 or 16 when I first heard this song. I saw it playing on BET or MTV when they both still played music videos and I remember thinking the song was so beautiful. It was so empowering and uplifting. At 16 I had already had my fair share of heartache. This song was my anthem to myself. This song told me that I was still valuable and no matter the heartache I was still beautiful, I was still a rose. I dedicate this song to all the rose’s out there wondering if they’re beautiful. You are, you surely are. I give to you, Aretha Franklin and Lauryn Hill’s, “A Rose is Still A Rose.”

Balanced Life Advice For the Week: Morning Mantras

I grew up in a household that had a fair amount of self-help type books laying around. One of the things that I took from all of those books was that a morning mantra can truly uplift your spirit. I started telling myself that I was beautiful and proud of myself every morning nearly five years ago and finally that is my truth. Try it this week and let me know if it changes how you feel.