Women, Culture, and Intentional Living

Hello, my name is Destiny. I'm a scout for beautiful moments and a lover of those who take the time to cultivate them. Hummingbirds, I call these homemakers, for their fascinating busyness, optimistic nature, and when gathered together, their collective charm. That's what a group of hummingbirds are called anyway: a charm.

In the busy and fast-paced life of a hummingbird, one might imagine that a traditional parlor is the last place it might want to retreat to. There is no television to distract it, no mobile devices nearby to interrupt its focus. The only thing it can do is fly, chirp, and engage with its guests. With glimpses into what different cultures in history call "home", I hope to develop a ripe environment for beautiful moments to form. Let these storied traditions reveal what your home can be if you take the time to cultivate it.

The Parlor's Spirit

I enjoy conversations about dating, intentional-living, and hospitality, and I believe more people are mutually interested in them than I can physically reach. This room is an intimate space to do just that. A parlor, in the way I mean it, is defined as a "sitting room in a private house". I'm not inviting you to a classroom, rather, I'm intrigued by the history of a home's inner landscape and hope to soon till one myself. The spirit behind each article is to share my notes as I go along.

The Parlor's Purpose

There's something healing about the mere thought of "home", so how much more is a conversation? My goal is to reconnect women to the mission of building memories that have sent numerous people into nostalgic mental breaks - saving them from psychotic ones. We are so enraptured by the ideals we aim for in the outside world that we seldom pause to plan the end-of-day retreat that our homes are meant to be. With more information about what your home life can be, I hope to help my readers & guests choose what they want to include in their own imaginings of their future.

Maybe you would like a productive yet slower-paced life. Perhaps your visceral reaction to "homemaking" is based on the fearful imagery of becoming a caged bird. I want to open the door of conversation for women disconnected from the comforting lifestyles of the happy and industrious women who came before them. As a young black woman, I find that we are less represented in the culture of homemaking and far too often posted as the mascot for a more haphazard order of living. As an Orthodox Christian, I'm encouraged to obey God's will for my life despite that. Although I know that one person can't uproot a burgeoning culture of disorder, edifying conversations and encouraging stories here in the parlor are my contributions to the cause of restoration.

The Parlor's Rule

Just as you would not act foolishly in someone else's home, I expect that you keep your wits about you in the comment section. I believe that to agree with everything I ever say is the founding ingredient of a cult, and I'm not trying to explain my way out of condemnation for creating such a thing when meeting my maker. I say this to say, I expect that I'll get pushback for some of my opinions. That's life. Besides, disagreement is an exciting addition to any conversation because it opens the door to new information for everyone to learn. Nonetheless, please conduct yourself with decorum and self-respect. Don't crap in my parlor.

Why do I call you hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are symbols of different things throughout the Americas. In Mexico, they symbolize resilience in the face of hardship. In other tribes, they've been historically seen as deliverers of healing and blessings, symbols of beauty, and messengers of good news. They stand for intelligence, devotion, and love. They're defenders of their territory just as women are the defenders of culture and goodness. When I think of the formative influence of my mother, the strength she pours into those around her, and her devotion to family, I consider it fitting that my readers - future shapers of history like her - be likened to such a fluttering figure of beauty, strength, and intelligence as the hummingbird.

What The Parlor Can Be

This is a sanctuary, a place to be heard and feel seen. This is a safe space to hold the dangerous opinion that family is a top priority and the home is the most important spiritual battleground to occupy. I'm excited to share this explorative journey of culture, history, and home with you, my fellow hummingbirds.

Feel free to share your favorite cultural tradition below and maybe I'll feature it in one of my upcoming discussions! Please send this to a friend to invite them to the parlor.

Fly back soon, friends!