It is not ok to touch the hair!

To set the scene: I've probably got a dress on, and my hair is down. I have natural ringlet curls.

I'm talking with a small group of people...we are talking and this middle-aged man walks by. As he is walking by he pulls on an entire strand of ringlet curls.

The whole thing he just up and pulls on it.

I don't think too too much about it, that is until it happens again....and again....it happens several times on different occasions (see, this is happening in a place I frequent on a weekly basis).

I say to a friend: I don't like it when he does that. I don't know why he thinks he can just pull on my hair. She replies....yeah, but that's just him, he's like that.

As if it is ok. Just brushes it off.

Now, I don't know how well all of my readers know me, but I have a pretty decent personal bubble and it takes some serious trust for me to willingly let you into my personal space.

So there we are, talking....and it happens again

I see him walking towards us. I think...maybe he'll walk past and nothing will happen, maybe he is on his way somewhere. I feel my back and shoulders tense up as I figure that is wishful thinking and he is probably going to walk past me and pull my hair.

Ah, no such luck here he is, hand comes up and...

"I just love your curly hair" *yank*


(feel uncomfortable yet?)

So this time I decide....I'm going to stand up for myself and be upfront and not let this build up any further......ok here it goes.....oh gosh I hate confrontation....but it needs to be said....its just not ok to go around yanking on people's curls....

"Actually, I don't like it when you do that."

phew I said it

"Well," he says, looking shocked as he continues on his journey past me, not even stopping to address the issue rather acknowledging I've spoken without giving the respect of any semblance of a conversation "I have sisters and I did it to all of them"

As if that makes it ok? Do you feel uncomfortable for me yet? He invaded my personal space...without permission...and just brushed it off as ok because he also does it to his sisters? Does that feel uncomfortable to you? It feels very uncomfortable to me I do not like it and I am glad that I voiced that I do not like it ....but here is the thing...

I am a white woman.

I am a white woman, and though it has happened to me on occasion that someone I have not given permission has just up and touched or pulled on my curls because they think that they look cool, it happens at an alarming rate to black people.

I was uncomfortable, and you may have been uncomfortable for me, but have you ever sat and watched a white person walk up to a black person and just start touching their hair? White people, we tend to be fascinated by the many styles and textures that black people wear atop their heads. This does not give us a right to touch their hair. This does not make it ok to touch their hair.

And in case you were wondering...

It is not ok to touch their hair just because you are asking them to touch it as you are already doing so.


Touching someone's hair is an intimate thing. You have to be close to a person to touch their hair. You have to be close, after all it is attached directly to their head.

No, it is not ok to touch the hair if they are wearing extensions.

It is never ok to touch someone's hair without permission

No, it is not socially acceptable to ask a complete stranger if it is ok to touch their hair.

Now if your friend runs up to you super excited like "I used a new hair product and my hair is super soft you've got to feel it!"  Well, that is a different story, in this case, yes you can touch their hair because they asked you to.

In any other situation do not touch their hair. No, not braids, not when they wear their hair in a puff, or in cornrows or twists. Basically just don't do it. It is uncomfortable and not ok.

Instead, maybe take some time to reflect on why you thought this was ok, or how you would feel if it happened to you repeatedly. Maybe instead try to develop a relationship with the person. Ask them about themselves! Maybe treat them like a human being instead of an object.


Fun new disclaimer!
This blog and the posts contained within may or may not reflect the views/beliefs of my employer. 

The "Park Guy"

The "Park Guy:" the brain ramblings of a single woman out for a run.

Ok self, first day back at the park in a little while let's take it easy; simple 5k, yeah I can do that.

Ok, first lap, not bad, it's kinda hot though....oh hey he looks like he might be around my age.
Alright steady breathing. This playlist is good. begin lap 2...

ok green t-shirt man this is it...today is the day I meet a "park guy" how does this work? should I talk to him....no I have asthma that's silly I can't talk and run at the same time....ok well how does this work I guess we just have to end our workout at the same time...

AHHHHH OH MY GOSH IS THAT A SNAKE....AH IT IS A SNAKE...I'M GOING TO DIE....what is the saying "red touches black you're ok Jack?" yeah that's it. Well what color is that...I don't have my glasses on and I'm not getting close enough to look at the snake

step around the snake...don't provoke it...wayyyyyyyy around the snake....BUT DON'T FREAK OUT green t-shirt guy is behind you...don't freak out....

Ok, good job you got around the snake and you didn't die...awesome just keep running.

Lap 3. Green shirt man ...what does his shirt say? I don't know, I wish I decided to run with my glasses. Oh well.

WAIT WHAT ABOUT THE SNAKE? WHY ARE ALL THOSE PEOPLE STANDING AROUND THE SNAKE?!?!?!?!?!?!

Oh ok, ok, ok, they killed it. The snake is dead and I just ran wayyyy off the sidewalk for no reason. Oh well.

Alright lap 4, how many laps around this thing is a 5k? this is getting kinda boring I'm not going to lie. Oh look green shirt man is further ahead. Am I running slower or is he walking faster? No telling.

At least I'm almost done it is dang hot out here. Ok, play it cool green shirt man is up ahead don't run too fast you don't want to be intimidating...cool cool a nice smooth run.

JUST KIDDING A BUG FLEW AT MY NOSE where did that thing come from...must get rid of it...great now green shirt man thinks your blowing a snot rocket or something weird like that...that's it you just blew your chance at meeting a "park guy" because of a gnat...you handled the snake just fine but a bug....nooooooooo.

lap 5 this should be my last full lap...wait where's green shirt man? Oh man he's gone that's it I really did lose him. Was it the bug? must've been the bug.

And so I'll wait to see if one day I will meet a "park guy," but today will not be that day.

"Movement" Artist's Statement

"Movement." Brittany Hennigan. February 3, 2018. Acrylic on White Canvas. Inspired by Photo. 15.5 hours. 

So I've never written one of these before and when I had a teacher willing to teach me how I chose not to because I was only painting specific types of paintings because he assigned them; there was no deeper meaning.

So here goes...

I paint as a form of stress management. I did not realize this until I was an adult, but that is a huge part of why I do art. (If we're being entirely honest it started as anger management as a child and then transitioned well to stress management as an adult). 

I started this painting because I was injured. I fell off a long-board over the summer and gave myself a good ankle sprain complete with nerve damage and also somehow tennis elbow. I was down for the count and unable to exercise (my other main form of stress management) I was going nuts and was getting pretty angry at the injury and my inability to manage my stress. 

I bought the biggest canvas I could find at Walmart and started painting. I was feeling more of a color than a particular object, so I looked up pictures of purple things until I came upon this great butterfly picture. 

I chose the name for the painting while working on the background. I've been told I make things "too busy" and I began to worry that there was too much going on in the background. Using my reference picture I decided to continue despite the large amount of movement in the background: I liked it. 

I left the top left of the background rather plain because I enjoy the purple/green contrast. It is also symbolic of the movement yet to come in my life. 

Fun new disclaimer!
This blog and the posts contained within may or may not reflect the views/beliefs of my employer. 

Thy Will be Done

A long time ago I wrote a blog post called Pray the hardest... about the phrase "pray hardest when it's hardest to pray." I didn't find it hard to pray in difficult circumstances at the time but I think I have a new understanding.

It is TERRIFYING to pray for a miracle, to need a miracle, knowing that you might not get one.

Let's back up for a second. Yes, God has the power to do anything, and I firmly believe that he can perform the miracle that you or I pray for. I have no doubt in that!

Where the fear, worry, and anxiety set in is where I know God has the power to do what I so desperately want Him to do for me, but it might not be His will.

Knowing, believing and trusting in God can be a roller coaster ride. For me, trusting can be like the first big drop on a roller coaster. You know, the one that looks like its practically a 90 degree angle? The one where you're really hoping the people who welded the coaster together, and fit the seats and the buckles and everything together actually knew what they were doing? Where you go, oh shoot! was there an inspection sticker? How long has it been since this has been inspected? Will I survive? 

Yeah, trusting God can be like that for me sometimes. Like I know He has a plan and I know it is better than mine but sometimes I really just want His will to be exactly what my will is. I want a miracle.

Yet, in the same breath, every Sunday as I say the Lord's Prayer in church I pray these three words
Thy will be done...

God's will may not be the same as mine.

He might not will for me to get a promotion, to do a certain thing, to feel a certain thing...

He might will that something else happens, that I go a different direction, that someone else needs that thing, or even that it is time for a loved one to go home to Him in Heaven.

This, I feel, is often why many people have questions. If God could save them, why didn't He? Why is life so difficult? Why am I in this situation?

The is often glory and beauty in the struggle. There could also be someone waiting for you to let them help you. Honestly, I'm sure it depends on the situation and I'm no expert here for sure. I too, am learning as I go.

I have experienced glory in trial, I have seen people turn towards God who otherwise wouldn't. I have pushed through something thinking I was trusting God until I ran out of options and then BOOM God came through. I've also been given the answer of no, or not yet to my prayers and have/am working really hard to see the glory in that.

God's plan is good, we have to trust in that. We may be riding the roller coaster, but He is there; watching and waiting for the moment that we slow down and see Him. Don't give up because you are scared. Trust that His plan is great though it may be difficult to see at this moment.


Fun new disclaimer!
This blog and the posts contained within may or may not reflect the views/beliefs of my employer. 

If prayer was my everything

If Prayer was my Everything.


If prayer was my everything, life would not be a fairy tale
If prayer was my everything, I would still be tempted
If Christ was tempted in the desert I, as a human, am of course going to be tested.
But, if prayer was my everything my focus would be on God rather than the temptation.
If prayer was my everything it would be He that I sought after
If prayer was my everything, really God would be my everything
If prayer was my everything I would be satisfied
If prayer was my everything, my life would not be perfect
but if prayer was my everything I would follow God's will.
If prayer was my everything I'd be in constant communication with He who created me.
If prayer was my everything I would speak to God
and if prayer was my everything I would know Love
But prayer is not my everything
what am I waiting for?
-Brittany Erin

***please note...by prayer being my everything I do not mean that prayer is something to idolize or treat as a god. What I mean is if prayer were what I spent my time on, filled my day with, etc. God of course should be one's everything and prayer is conversing with God, however it is not a god. 

The hemorrhaging woman, Jesus, and the Eucharist

At one point I was struggling with something and I thought "If only I could be like the woman in the Bible who reached out and touched Jesus and was healed..."

"...there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, 'If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.' and immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease...And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.'" Mark 5:25-29, 34 (RSV)

First of all to have her faith would be amazing...believing that if I touched the clothes of Christ I would finally be healed. Think about it. SHE HAS BEEN BLEEDING FOR 12 YEARS...12 YEARS! And she believes that by touching this man's clothes, the healing that years of expensive medical visits could not grant her, could finally be received.

Just by touching His clothes

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTT What a crazy leap of faith that must have been, and she had to push through the crowds to do it. I can only imagine she was in immense pain...and yet, to her, it was worth it...and oh was it worth it!

Second, sometimes I long for Jesus to be here. Like oh to be that woman, to be able to find Jesus and touch His clothes. To be able to be HEALED by Him. Can you imagine? What times!

And then I think a little harder...and I pray a little harder...and I think...well God is here now...in many ways.... Jesus is present in the Eucharist....in my own body...

OH MY GOODNESS!

Ok, self, you mean to tell me that more than touching His clothing, I actually become a tabernacle and hold the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ within me?!?!?!?!

I mean, yes. As a Catholic, I believe that the consecrated Eucharist really is Jesus. I believe that He is available to me physically in the Eucharist every day. I do more than touch His clothes....I see Him and touch Him, and hold Him within me every time I go to mass.

What a beautiful thing! To have Jesus physically present in the Eucharist. What a wonder, what a miracle! Yet, we take Him for granted. We go through the motions; stick out your hands, say Amen, consume the flat bread, walk back to your seat....did you even just think about what you did?

You said yes, Lord, I believe that this is really You when you say amen. You become a tabernacle containing Jesus in His body, blood, soul, and divinity. You grow in unity with the universal Church because we "are one body, one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone."

I've been trying to think of a conclusion for this post...but how can there be a conclusion for something so great? Go to church, receive Him, rejoice!

Faith and Windshield Wipers

My name is Brittany and I need new windshield wipers.

This is a basic every day life kind of thing right? right.

...but here is the thing...I never remember I need to do something about them until it rains.

I don't think about going to the store literally a block and a half away from my house until the rain is coming down, or the fog is thick and my wipers leave this lovely streak right in the middle of my line of vision. I don't want to do anything about the issue with my windshield wipers until I need them to work and they aren't doing it the way I want them to.

Still seems fairly normal right? Something your average person does...well add to that the fact that two and a half years ago I moved to the land of rapidly changing weather, severe weather, and sudden torrential downpours.

I live somewhere that I NEED my windshield wipers to work.

Ok, ok, but what does that have to do with faith?

Do we not do the same thing with our faith? I know I do.

Sometimes I forget to pray. Sometimes I let my relationship with God waiver. Things are going well, the sun is shining my life is somewhat together, I'm sleeping well, I don't "need" anything from God. He's given me what I need for right now so I don't feel the need to talk to him. I don't feel like praying at night because I just want to go to sleep. I'll do it later.

And then BAM the bad weather of real life hits like driving home from work in the rain suddenly realizing that you should have bought those windshield wipers when it was sunny out and you could see while you were driving.

Life hits hard.

What do you do? Suddenly you care about God again. Suddenly you start to pray. God, why oh why God is this happening? I need you now. I need you now more than ever.

And God is just chilling there like. Child, I've been here the whole time. I've been longing for you, waiting for you. Where have you been? I've loved you, waited for you sent my love to you and had my heart ache for you. My child let me help you and please do not leave.

Stay with me, He says.

Go to Him in the bad times, yes, but rejoice with him in the good. Rest in Him always. Don't wait for the rain. Praise Him in the sun.