Soul Check 5/09/2025

Life has finally slowed down—and thank God for that. The wedding whirlwind is officially behind me. No more vendor emails, no more table settings, no more guest list edits. Whew. I’m beyond grateful for the celebration, but I told my husband (with love and a whole lotta truth): I’m done talking about the wedding. Let’s close that chapter.

Now, I can get back to the things that feed my spirit—reading and writing.

Right now, I’m deep into Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. I’m on chapter 11, and let me tell you—it’s intense. The story hits hard because it’s not just fiction; it feels prophetic. The way things are going, her vision of a fractured, chaotic America could very well become our reality in the next 18 to 24 months.

One line that shook me was:“When no influence is strong enough to unify people, they divide, they struggle. One against one, group against group—for survival, position, power.”

Tell me that doesn't sound like right now?

The rich keep getting richer, the poor are being left behind, and the middle class? Practically disappearing. This country has a long, ugly history of turning people against each other—Black against white, women against men, immigrants against citizens. That division isn’t accidental; it’s profitable. But I’m starting to think the people pulling the strings might’ve gone too far this time.

We’re at a breaking point. Some folks are learning the hard way—realizing what’s real after they played around last year. Others didn’t even “f around,” yet still, they’re suffering the consequences. That’s how broken this system is.

Until we put humanity at the center of our policies, our priorities, and our daily lives, nothing will change. As long as division makes money, unity won’t stand a chance.

America is siloing itself—by race, by class, by politics, by fear. And I’m watching closely. I pray our future doesn’t mirror Butler’s vision… but it’s starting to look familiar.

                                                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                                        Sydney Denise