Destiny Smith's blog

This year, I had the privilege of attending my first conference of the year—and let me tell you, I needed it. I needed the reminder of why I do this work.

The last year and half has been so great to me in all aspects of my life and I think because I've felt so at peace for the first time since my diagnosis, I've gotten comfortable.

Let's talk about it! Y'all. after four and a half years of being an advocate and educating myself on HIV since I was diagnosed, I finally got to go to my very first in-person conference.

Hello blog world, it's been a while. I've missed you guys. Sometimes I don't know the words to say so I don't write anything down.

For years I accepted my status but still I blamed you and never really forgave. As much as I thought I did forgive by accepting my status, it showed in my actions and my thoughts how I really felt. Although I never forgave you for this, I do thank you for making me stronger. I thank you for showing me that I matter. Thank you for showing me that I don't have to settle for less. I mean yes, it took you passing me HIV, and yes, it took me getting that positive result to open my eyes. But because of that status, I have grown so much. Although you died without apologizing or even acknowledging...

Dear Destiny, We always make it through. I've dealt with some type of depression since I can remember. It was never anything I couldn't handle though. Then again I never had to handle it alone. I'm close with GOD; maybe I should of started with that. We're like two peas in a pod. It's always been me getting myself into things, while he helps me find my way out. So why am I speaking on it now you ask? Well ever since I've learned that I'm living with HIV, well, my depression has been on a whole other level. It's like depression on steroids and for some reason it's had me questioning whether I'm...

It's been almost four years since I contracted HIV. In the back of my mind I've always held onto a little piece of hope. Hope that the man who gave it to me would one day apologize. One day we would cross paths and we would have to have that long conversation because it was time. Almost a month ago I found out he passed away in March of this year. I was fine, absolutely fine, before I found out. The day after I found out, my mind and body shut down. It was really different. The last time I felt those feelings was the day I found out about my status. I don't know if his death was related to the...

I am exactly where I’m supposed to be on this day at this time. True or false? I’ve been through exactly what was written in my story. True or false? That day, 1,082 days to be exact, I got the exact news I was supposed to get that day. True or false? I had to be there exactly at that time on that day so I could go through what I went through that first year. So I could find myself again that second year. So I could grow this third year. So for the rest of my years I can live out my life exactly how my story was written. I’m forever changed, because in 2017 I got to meet HIV. Believe me when I...

Every morning I take a pill and that has been my life for almost three years. Still, somehow I almost forget. I live day to day trying to better myself, and create different streams of income. All because I want - no, I need - to create generational wealth and end all generational curses. My mind is always busy so again, I almost forgot. I love when I forget, I just hope that doesn't make me bad. I'm an open book and I don't mind it, but sometimes I just love when I almost forget. Now it's around that time again - my signature date; my signature season. Christmas has always been my favorite...

From day one the odds have never been in my favor a black girl from the rough side of town a black girl growing up before her time a black girl letting the odds win hot tempered doing what i want forget school they don't care about me.