Whitney's back in rehab.

CNN is reporting that her publicist confirmed that she voluntarily entered an out-patient rehab program.

While it makes my heart sink to learn that she is battling a terrible addiction, it brings me courage to know that she had enough strength to seek additional treatment.

I have never had to face being addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I do have other personal struggles that I deal with. Back in February, I wrote a blog on addictions. Here goes:

February 5, 2011:

My vices have a weird way of reminding me that I am human.

These few struggles get the best of me. No matter how well I convince myself that I won't engage, indulge or perform, I somehow find myself constantly entertaining. Sometimes I wonder if I actually have the will power to say no. In the midst of the tug or war, I lose focus on the pull and succumb to the pressure. It's equivalent to an addict who's fighting the hard fight of giving up drugs. Wait - but they are addictions. Not drugs, though!

No matter how much I want to surrender and have a yes, my flesh gets weak and says otherwise. No way am I making excuses to the constant falls; I just want to finally admit and accept the fact that I can no longer change this on my own. So much so, I've began to embrace and accept it as reality. Man, this is so weird.

When I want to follow forward, it seems like I push backwards. Every "Yes" has a way of turning into a "maybe" or "later". The "I won't do this no more" often results in a "I want more and I can't live without". I just need some help!

I've admitted, accepted ... I just need some action to fall forward.

Before I hit the streets to run these 13 mi, happy birthday to me!

I am finally 25. This really hit me when my parents called to bid me a great day at 4 this morning. Although I didn't answer, their intent was well received. They tried calling me at the time I was born. Sorry, I was knocked out!!

Reflecting on this last year, I realize that I am still a kid at heart. I'm not sure why I was rushing to complete undergrad and grad schools so fast. More now than ever, I find myself enjoying a great drink, partying and being around great company. I guess it's true when mom said, "You'll understand it later. Keep on living!" (Why was I so rebellious?) I say this because she would tell me to slow down and enjoy life. Perhaps I was on the fast-track because I felt the moment would slip away if I didn't cease the opportunities ... not sure.

While I find myself wanting to have a good time, I now have to be cognizant that I have a lot more obligations, proteges looking up to me and have to protect the advancement in my career. I'm super excited to be surrounded by great coworkers, an amazing boss, caring mentors, and patient friends - who are all my strongest advocates.

Going into the next quarter of a century, I definitely want to work on framing myself as humble, less shy and living on purpose.

Leaving you with this video...

Sally Kern: 2011's face of racism and sexism

Sally Kern, a republican representative in Oklahoma let us have it! She told us just how she felt about blacks and women.

While debating a constitutional amendment to strip affirmative action in Oklahoma, Kern said, “We have a high percentage of blacks in prison, and that’s tragic, but are they in prison just because they are black or because they don’t want to study as hard in school? I’ve taught school, and I saw a lot of people of color who didn’t study hard because they said the government would take care of them.”

And she did not end. She went on to say, “Women usually don't want to work as hard as a man... women tend to think a little bit more about their family, wanting to be at home more time, wanting to have a little more leisure time.”

Two days ago, members within the OK House voted, 76-16, to reprimand her, while others are calling for her to step down.

I find it very interesting that we are still dealing with issues of racism – especially coming from the wife of a preacher. Besides being a racist and sexist, she is very much homophobic, too! Back in 2008, she said that gay people were more of a threat than terrorists. Huh? Where did she get this from?

Kern is not new to politics. She has been in office since 2004, and she is currently serving her fourth term. This means that for four consecutive times when Oklahomans went to the poll, the majority decided to vote for her. Do people really subscribe to her beliefs?

#PrayingForOklahoma

First Lady