This Powerful Video Of Essence Atkins Washing A Woman's Feet Is A Pure Act Of Sisterhood
If Jesus wept after being moved by someone’s grief, imagine the tears that would’ve poured at seeing someone weep with joy!
We always say that we should stand and support our fellow sistahs, but Essence Atkins (Smart Guy, Deliver Us From Eva) put action behind her talk when she performed a powerful act of kindness when washing the feet of Radio One Promotions Coordinator Allison Peterson.
Photo Credit: Instagram, @Hot1079ATL
The beautiful actress was in Atlanta this past weekend to promote her stage play Things Your Man Won’t Do along with fellow cast members Allen Payne (House of Payne) and Tony Grant (The Last Punch). During a promotional tour with Hot 107.9 and Majic 107.5, what started out as a joke of “what men won’t do” turned into a “What Would Jesus Do? moment as Essence randomly got down on her knees to wash Allison’s feet, just like Jesus did.
In the midst of amen’s and hallelujah’s Essence went into an impromptu speech sermon that made us shed some thug tears at the mere sincerity and beauty of her spirit—and let’s just say that she took us to church!
Essence Atkins got down on her knees and washed my friend Allison Pecola Person's feet today which I believe is a wonderful way to exude a simple act of kindness. #WWJD #TYLPosted by Michael Adeyeye on Friday, November 13, 2015
“This wasn’t planned for me to do this, but sisters it’s so important that we love on each other. I know I just met you today but I know the road that you walk, and I want you to know that you’re beautiful. And I want you to know that I got you, and I support you, and I love you."
Wellllll. Oh she ain’t done yet!
"And if we don’t give that to each other ya’ll we are lost, and will never be what we can be. So I get down here on my knees the way Jesus got down, and I give to you and say thank you for your strength, for your beauty, for your tenacity, for your integrity, for your intelligence, for your kindness. Thank you.”
Yes, Come on Sistah Atkins! You better preach!
[Tweet ""Sisters, it's so important that we love on each other!" -@essencesays"]
In case you slept through Bible Study, Essence’s act of kindness is reflective of when Jesus washed his disciples feet (John 13: 1 - 14) during an evening meal just before the Passover Feast and before he was to be crucified and return to his heavenly Father. Despite dining with men who would soon betray and desert him, he used his final hours to demonstrate the extent of His love before his departure. Jesus, who was looked at by his many followers as a leader and the son of God, began to wash his disciple’s feet—a task normally reserved for the lowliest of servants since back in the day people walked around in sandals on filthy roads and would need to wash their feet before a communal meal.
In this act, Jesus shows that “no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13: 14), and instructs his disciples to go into the world and do with others what he has done as an example to them, and also to bring others to Christ to be cleansed of their sins as well.
Photo Credit: Instagram, @GabUnion
It’s such a powerful lesson, and who better than to teach us the word then Atkins, who just two years ago officiated the wedding of her besties Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union alongside her husband Jaime Mendez (Interesting fact: Essence met Jaime on Match.com at the age of 36—won’t He do it?!)
We are blessed to be a blessing, and Essence is certainly a good example of a woman of God who is fulfilling her mission of being a humble servant.
Allison is also clearly living up to the accolades that Essence gave her, as her friends and followers took to her Facebook attesting that she is, in fact, a beautiful spirit and that her light, love, and strength radiate through her.
Both women are positive examples that nobody can dim your light and that we as women are stronger together uplifting and encouraging one another, than we are tearing each other apart through bitterness and hatred.
Keep shining Queens!
What act of kindness will you show today to your fellow woman?
Kiah McBride writes technical content by day and uses storytelling to pen real and raw personal development pieces on her blog Write On Kiah. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @writeonkiah.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images