I’ve Been Trying To Be Celibate For Years. This Is Attempt Number 329.
I've been “trying" to be celibate for almost 3 years.
I was supposed to be a virgin until I was married, but obviously that plan went left. Honestly, I never thought I would have sex with him, but it just happened, ya know? He was 6'1", dark chocolate, broad shoulders, strong arms, perfect smile…I'm feeling “a type of way" just thinking about him.
But he was an upperclassman and a linebacker on our university's football team, and I was a freshman, but I wasn't stupid. My mama told me, “Boys only want one thing" and I saw plenty of my girlfriends give the cookie to some nappy headed boy, and when he eventually stopped texting back, I had to consult them and say gently, “Girl you ain't need that negativity in your life anyway." Most importantly, I had been in church my whole life, so I knew sex before marriage was **strictly forbidden**.
So even though I dressed up to class every day just in case I might pass him in the hall, and even though we Netflix'd “The Cosby Show" and chilled, and even though we had some pretty intense make-out sessions, he never made it in my pants! (Go me!) He tried it, but I channeled my inner Ciara and declared “If you looking for the goodies, keep on looking 'cus they stay in the jarrrrrr."
Until a year and a half later, when he professed his love for me, and asked me to be his girlfriend. It happened about three weeks into our new relationship. It was a regular night when I found myself under his warm body. I didn't tell him to get off and I didn't tell him to stop, but eventually it was over.
I laid there in shock. I was in disbelief that I just let that happen.
Luckily, the next day was Sunday, so I ran to the house of the Lord to repent. “I'm never having sex again." I honestly meant it, I swear, but no more than three hours after service, I was in his kitchen and we were getting it on next to the refrigerator.
Don't judge me!
It was like nothing I had experienced before. He made my legs shake, he me made me scream-almost cry-because it was so good. But I still felt bad. I knew I was sinning. I knew God was looking at me and shaking his head, and I tried to stop! I prayed about it, repented 100 times, but the flesh is weak.
As our relationship grew, we only got closer. We talked every day, laughed about everything, held hands in Walmart - all that. He genuinely made me happy. I was my happiest self with him and even happier when he was in me. But I was also sad and guilty.
I just knew God wanted nothing to do with me.
So, I prayed some more: “God take these lustful feelings away from me!" “God get him away from me if he's not good for me!" “Help, please." And yes, I tried breaking up with him, but I loved him so much. We found ourselves back together again.
So, I went back to my bible and 1 Corinthians 7:9 says, “But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust."
So instead of trying to break up, I turned to marriage. I just wanted to make God happy. Hey, sex isn't bad! Sex before marriage is bad! If we were married, people would be telling us to have more sex!
We've been dating almost three years today, and it's pretty much perfect. He's the funniest, most handsome, most caring guy. We go to church together and we pray together and for each other. He wants to be celibate as much as me. One time we were kissing and he said, “Hey, let's stop and pray."
It was cheesy, but I thought it was cute. (He's trying y'all). But sometimes we just lose it. Our bodies call out to each other and we rip each other's clothes off. We melt away into each other. Dripping in sweat. He grips my hands, and I feel him deep inside of my body. I moan his name, and I can't believe I'm even allowed to feel this magical in my human life.
When we make love, I feel so close to him. I feel like I'm exploring the depths of his soul. I wrap my arms around him and tilt my head back, and I want to have his children. I want the love and passion I feel to be manifested into beautiful life. A baby born from this type of lovemaking would be a miracle in itself.
But eventually, after the orgasms and moans, when I'm alone with myself and my thoughts, the guilt floods in again. But I wouldn't feel bad if I was married! Ugh.
But we're moving forward. He proposed on New Year's and I said, “Yes!" But in the meantime, I'm still not married, the sex is still great, and I'm stilltrying to be celibate.
Featured image by Getty Images
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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 LIST 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:
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.
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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