Phoenix: Live Love Laugh

In a world that rewards filters, performance, and perfection, I’ve chosen a different path—honest transparency. Here’s why I believe in being real, even when it’s uncomfortable, and what Scripture teaches about trusting and forgiving.

What Does It Really Mean to Be Transparent?

By definition, transparency means not hiding or concealing anything—being honest, vulnerable, and open.
A transparent person has no secrets and tells no lies.

Simple enough, right?
But let’s be real: in today’s society, is anyone really transparent?

We live in a world racing toward status:
Who’s richer, smarter, more successful, or more put together.
People are hiding—outwardly and inwardly.
Social media has conditioned us to share what will earn likes, not what reflects truth.

If you don’t fit society’s definition of “normal,” rejection follows fast.
We’re all trying to squeeze ourselves into a box the world keeps shrinking.

👀 A Lesson from My Son

One day, my son told me the only reason he uses social media is for the comments—because “people are interesting.”
At first, I brushed it off. But then I tried it.
I picked a random picture and started reading.

He was right.
The comments ranged from wild assumptions to full-blown judgmental attacks.
And I thought:
“Are we so buried behind our own masks that we can’t even see others clearly anymore?”

📖 What the Bible Says About Transparency

A few days ago, I was reading my devotional and came across this powerful reminder:

“Put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.”
— Ephesians 4:25

It hit me hard.
Especially because we often hear:

• “I don’t know you well enough to open up.”
• “I don’t trust people easily.”
• “Not everyone needs to know my business.”

But the truth is, you can’t wait to fully trust someone before being honest.
Because no human is fully trustworthy.
We are all broken. All flawed. All in need of grace.
(See Romans 3:23 for proof.)

🛐 Trusting God When Others Disappoint You

I learned the hard way:
Put your trust in people and you’ll get disappointed.
Over. And over. And over again.

But God?
God has never failed me.

He taught me one of the hardest—but most freeing—lessons:
Forgiveness.

Forgiving someone—and forgiving myself—was a burden too heavy for me to carry alone.
So I turned to Jesus.
Only He could lighten that weight.
Only He could begin the healing.

🧡 I Choose Transparency

This blog is my voice.
It’s where I speak from the heart:

• My thoughts
• My feelings
• My faith
• My healing
• My brokenness

I don’t write to impress. I write to express.
I am not perfect.
I make mistakes.
I fall.
But I will never pretend to be someone I’m not.

I’ve chosen transparency—because God can only bless who I truly am, not the version I pretend to be.

✨ If You’re Reading This…

Be real.
Even when it’s messy.
Even when it’s lonely.
Even when others can’t handle your truth.

Because healing only happens when we take off the mask.

And if you don’t know where to start?
Start by being honest with God.
He already knows anyway. 🙏🏽