Blog — The Southern Siren

Whitewashed Tomb

As someone who has lived abroad, I am acutely aware of the benefits of having been born in America. It is true that the U.S.A. is a great country. But to say it is the greatest is putting a premium on our value of independence over the many cultures who hold community and family superior. To say it is the greatest eliminates the conversation on our weaknesses, mistakes, wrongdoings, it implies no room for fault or correction. To say it is the greatest is so painfully blind to those in our country for whom life in America has been traumatizing.

Rachelle WilsonJune 26, 2020usa, billie holiday, justice, racial justice, whitewashed tomb, jesus, Matthew chapter 23, phariseeComment

Liberty VS Luxury

For the foreseeable future, our timeline will be calibrated against a global pandemic. Pre-COVID, during-COVID, and post-COVID will define our context. Our new reality is one where we have to weigh the risks and benefits every time we leave the house, sanitize until our hands crack, and, in many cases, make tough decisions between work and health.

All the while, our county is seeing mixed messages about the risks and making an informed decision can be more difficult for those who don’t know where to look. We’ve all seen the photos or posts of those who feel that being told to stay home is the equivalent of oppression. America is nothing if not the land of the free. Specifically, individual freedom. Individuals want the power to choose for themselves whether or not to stay home, wear a mask, or wash their hands.

We Are All At Risk

There’s something you don’t know about me. Well, actually, there are a few things I keep close to my chest. Don’t worry, I am not about to hang out all my laundry, but I do think the time has come to share one particular journey of mine that our current health crisis is magnifying.

I have rheumatoid arthritis.

Coming To Terms With Fake Plants

Few things bring me more joy than greenery and flowers. And so, it is most inconvenient that I inherited my mother’s incompatibility with stewarding plants. I can’t even sustain succulents. SUCCULENTS. Friends will gift me beautiful potted things that they will ultimately see shriveled and dying on some mantle in my house. It’s embarrassing. And while I have promised myself to improve, I’ve only managed to prolong the inevitable by a few weeks.

Rachelle WilsonFebruary 5, 2020plants, Joanna gaines, magnolia journal, spring, flowers, fake plants, hobby lobbyComment

The Wrong Side of the Bed

It’s January 4th. Which means we’ve all had a few days to soak up the new us. You know, the ones we became at the first sunrise of 2020.

New year; new me.

If we haven’t all said that to ourselves, we have at the very least been tempted by the sentiment of starting afresh in a new year. Something about the season evokes a reflection of accomplishments and an assessment of potential improvements.

Rachelle WilsonJanuary 4, 2020new year, resolutions, goals, 2020, reflection Comment

Southern Siren Sounds of 2019

Women are reigning over the music industry right now, and I’m here for it. This is my list of sirens from 2019.

Rachelle WilsonDecember 29, 2019Comment

Think Little. Think Local.

Politics has become so theatrical, it seems we’ve all forgotten it is intended to be functional. It has been said before that there is no Republican or Democratic way to take out the trash, but I think we could all stand to hear it again. Partisanship has served as yet another tool to divide the American public against one another. Like most other tools in that box (gender, race, and religion, to name a few), it is a superficial contrast to the substance of the human struggle. Yet it has served powerfully in its purpose of preventing people from realizing their shared needs and collective power.

Place MakingRachelle WilsonNovember 8, 2019Wendell Berry, local, democracy, politics, peace corps, developmentComment

Reflections of a Young Professional

Young professionals often find ourselves in a strange position. Commonly, we are recruited for our energy, education, talents, and belief in our innate ability to be amazing at social media. Organizations recognize that we hold the key to taking the message of an established entity and translating it to our peers and the younger generation in a way that is compelling. Sounds great, right? But several things happen that cause a disconnect between young professionals and the more seasoned professionals that hire us.

Young ProfessionalRachelle WilsonSeptember 29, 2019young professional, social media, millennial, generational

Soul Sundays

I grew up with the concept of the Sabbath. A day of rest. A day to recharge. A day without demands.

As I have gotten older, a day of rest has become less and less likely. As a workaholic, weekends are typically just as packed as a weekday. Chances are, I spend my off days working on a side project, traveling to or from someplace, grocery shopping, or cleaning.

Rachelle WilsonSeptember 1, 2019sabbath, young professional, self care, boundariesComment

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