"Your real friends won't do you wrong." - Nas and Damian Marley, Friends
December 16 – Friendship
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
(Author: Martha Mihalick)
In my world, these days, family and friends munge together so I'm going to not follow the rules and talk about two people. Their names both start with the same letter, though, so maybe that counts.
Derrick (perhaps better known as geekandahalf) was an inspiration. He made a declaration at the beginning of the year and his steady focus on that goal and making the changes he wanted in his life was awe inducing. His embracing of hope and possibility in the face of ridiculous upheaval, with disappointment lurking behind every corner, reminded me that, when in doubt, go big. D-nice spent 2010 living big, loving big, and living out loud. I'm of the opinion we only get one shot at this life thing so why live it any other way?
Dominique, my sister, moved back to New York City just a little over a year ago and has never looked back. She's had the quintessential struggling actress life in the city, with multiple places to live, multiple jobs, and all the challenges that come with being young, broke, black and fabulous in the Big Apple. Through it all, though, she's grown and learned and adapted. And won! She's performed on stage regularly. She did her first commercial. She's gone viral. She's performed in foreign lands. She's doing the damn thing. From her I am always reminded, trust your gut, follow your heart, take risks, and take no shorts. This is the Team Toney way and Dominique lived it to the fullest in 2010.
Love y'all.