not they intended to , they gave that child something to courageously grow into . And when Cush ’ s character , Lucca Quinn , walks into the room , the molecules change , baby . Without her saying a word , you already know that she is here for it , kicking that ass and taking their names . Talk about bringing permission to be who you are , everywhere you go . Talk about inspiring . Talk to the hand , all you common-names folks , ’ cause Cush Jumbo is in the house ! Granting yourself permission by bringing your own permission is powerful and courageous , allowing you to hack uncertainty by inviting what ’ s unknown to become known . And if you didn ’ t know before , now you know that I love the power of originality in names . Okay , let ’ s move on .

I ’ d like you to consider how not only to be your own permission but also to bring it . As that old-school saying by the Buffalo Soldiers goes , “ You have to bring ass to get some ass .” To win anything , you must be willing to fight for it . Therefore , you have to bring your own permission in order to get permission to get the job of being you done ! Here ’ s another way to consider this strategy . You know how when you ’ re invited to a party , a cookout , a tailgating shindig , and the invite reads “ BYOB ,” as in bring your own beer , bottle , bae , booty , and whatever else begins with B that you ’ d want to tote to the party in order to have that turnt-up time you were hoping to have ? Well , here , I invite you to BYOP , and yes , you guessed it , as in Bring Your Own Permission everywhere you go . Remember that fly old-school slogan from American Express Travelers Checks back in the day ? There he was , Karl Malden , all earnest sounding with that voice of his commanding us : “ Don ’ t leave home without it .” This strategy invites you to establish your relationship with and to grow your definition of bringing your own :

Permission Power Prettiness Passion Purpose Preemptive moves

Can you imagine the impact of taking all of you everywhere you go ? Bringing your own permission every time you go to the office , on a luncheon date , to the grocery store , to the gym , and all the other places you ’ d likely venture to on any given day ensures that you are putting yourself in the position to have agency and power at the ready . You might think of bringing your permission with you the way you would that favorite shade of Fenty lipstick you ’ d slide into your evening bag for that touch-up you ’ re likely to need at some point after dinner , drinks , and oh , yes , that passionate kiss you were holding out for . Perhaps you ’ ll write yourself a permission slip to remind yourself that you ’ re pretty enough and powerful enough , that whatever name your mama or whoever gave you is perfect just the way it is . You can place your permission slip in that same handbag and have it at your fingertips in case you need a reminder of just how close your selfapproval is at any moment . To have access to your own permission is all a part of having a voice , having your say .

Excerpted from the book from Permission Granted . Copyright © 2021 by Regina Louise . Printed with permission from New World Library — www . newworldlibrary . com .

REGINA LOUISE - Regina Louise is the author of Permission Granted . Her bestselling memoirs Somebody ’ s Someone and Someone Has Led This Child to Believe were made into the award-winning Lifetime movie I Am Somebody ’ s Child : The Regina Louise Story , which was nominated for a 2020 NAACP Award for Best Director . Visit her online at www . IamReginaLouise . com .

WISDOM & SELF-GROWTH