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.

I didn't know my own strength

Struggles. Fear. Dilemmas. Vicissitudes. Problems. Failing. Difficulties. Situations. Issues. Weaknesses. Miseries. Pain. Hurt. Falling.

Life can sometime throw hardballs that will cause you to question your faith. Doubt starts to creep in, anger builds and giving up seems the easy way out. Challenge yourself to use the negatives as opportunities to start afresh. Tie a knot at the end of your rope, rewrite your strategy and crawl if you have to - to reach the finishing point. Don't break.

Check out song#7 at http://www.whitneyhouston.com/.

Embracing a reemerging icon: Whitney Houston

Everyone has family members who have acted out in ways that would cause some members of the family to be downright embarrassed and humiliated. Being careful of passing judgment, these are the ones who relentlessly seek attention, constantly have problems after the next or just simply make those “what could you have been possibly thinking about”-type decisions. In some instances, their choices could potentially tarnish the upstanding legacy of the family. What I admire about my race is that we often have a heart of extending redemptive love to those who need it most. Instead of shunning our family members or speaking ill, we politely express our sentiments of unhappiness with their actions and encourage them to rectify their behavior. Some members exude tough love. Others stand in the background offering cheers of how to rise above their painful situation.

We all are aware of Whitney Houston’s past. At a very young age, she rose to stardom because of her singing abilities. She captured the attention of millions of fans worldwide through her crossover appeal, and she was offered several lead roles in films – becoming an amazing actress. However, she later faced public scrutiny because of her admitted drug use and failed marriage. You may recall back in 2005 when she made regular appearances on Being Bobby Brown; the show epitomized the obvious –Houston was being hit hard with the vicissitudes of life.

Houston does not ride solo in public exile. Others such as: Chris Brown, former NAACP Youth and College Director turned Baltimore preacher Rev. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, Michael Vick (among a host of other athletes – Ron Artest, OJ Simpson) and R. Kelly have all had to endure such unrestricted opinion.

Listening to Vivica Fox on the Wendy Williams Show last week when she spoke of the Chris Brown apology inspired me to write this entry. She said that “[Chris] has a tremendous amount of talent and a bright future. He made a mistake… when I see him I will embrace him and give him a hug”.

Bishop Jakes wrote in a press release regarding his son, Jermaine, that “in spite of the family pain we feel from this unfortunate situation, it has given us a chance to show him the same help, support, and restorative grace for which our family and church is noted.”

One of the biggest conduits for championing those who have fallen has been my Big Ma. She instilled in me that that while I might not agree with someone’s behavior or past mistakes, to always “be careful for nothing”. Perhaps my struggles are not public. Truthfully speak, I too have found myself on the dark Damascus Road and needed someone to embrace and love me. Therefore, I have to firmly support Whitney, the legend. I truly believe that her best days are ahead of her!

I L o o k t o Y o u

1. Million Dollar Bill

2. Nothin' But Love

3. Call You Tonight

4. I Look To You

5. Like I Never Left (feat. Akon)

6. A Song For You

7. I Didn't Know My Own Strength

8. Worth It

9. For The Lovers

10. I Got You

11. Salute