Three- two-one..

Timing is everything and even the passing of one second can make the difference in the direction our lives will take.

The other evening I went out to support a someone who was the recipient of an award. All of her closest friends were there…and me. Once upon a time she and I were very close confidants, but as they say,”a reason, a season or a lifetime…” But I digress.

She invited me over to her table and another friend asked me to join them for the evening. When we met we were all single. The two of them found boyfriends and got married. The honoree, soon became a match maker and made a couple attempts to hook me up with a couple of her boyfriend, now husbands, friends. Both of them were experiencing their issues, as people do. I tried to over look the concerns, but even more than that we just didn’t click.

About 30 minutes after my arrival at the table I noticed a familiar face but I couldn’t place where I had met the gentleman. My girlfriends husband came over and we began to get caught up on what was what. We were talking about mortgages, finances etc. He said that his best friend purchased a million dollar foreclosed home up north for $350k. His point was, if you can reduce the price of the home to $350k why in the hell would you cause a person to lose their home. Shortly after some other people came over to the table and he introduced the familiar looking bloke as his best friend. The best friend who they introduced me to several years ago. Interestingly enough he has nothing to say to me. Not even a cordial hello. I was somewhat surprised because if I recalled correctly he was just not that into me either.

The table was mixed with the single, married and divorced. From time to time I would chime in on a conversation about compatibility, attraction and so fourth. The honoree raved that she had met and married the man of her dreams and she took the time to get to know him and married him. She pointed at me and suggested that I should have taken the time to get to know her husbands friend. At this time I am assuming that he must be doing pretty well. But no matter. I don’t remember exactly how long ago I met the man but I don’t remember feeling like he could be “the one” but…(shoulder shrug)

When I was in college I dated a guy who did’t have much money but all of the guys admired him because of the kind of car he drove. It would be considered pimped out by today’s standards. A 19 something or other Monte Carlo equipped with wheels etc. A lot of other guys tried to imitate his car but they never came close. He was a very good looking guy. Nice most of the time, abusive the rest of the time and only an everyday type of sense. If you let one of my girlfriends from elementary school tell it I was always an “It” girl. One of the girls who had it. Looks, smarts and personality. I never really bought in to that because I was aware of all of the other women who were beating my time. But you never know how people see you. Anyways, there were some guys who were “crushin” on me but I was in a committed relationship. When my boyfriend moved home he had no intent of sending for me so that was that.

One night I went to the club to meet my girls. On my way in a guy stopped me and said,” I have XYZ car now. Do you want to date me now?” Before I could think I told him off. I don’t remember exactly everything I told him but I do remember saying that if he thought I was going to date him just because of the car he drove he was sadly mistaken. I don’t think he ever spoke to me again. Maybe it was too much? I grew up the daughter of a Master Sergeant who didn’t pull any punches. It wasn’t till many years later that I began learning the art of diplomacy. The fact of the matter is that people don’t have to like you and it is a blessing when someone does. When someone finally gets the courage to approach you be gentle with their feelings for as much as they will allow you.

Back to the story at hand. I am glad that the guy is doing well. But I have no regrets that we didn’t hit it off. It is not that he wasn’t a good looking, smart guy. But there are various factors that need to come into play for a relationship to work. What those factors are depends on the two people involved. If those factors are not there in the beginning chances are they may never come to fruition. Unless you turn into Mike Jones. Back then they didn’t want me. Now I’m hot they all on me. (Whatever happened to Mr. Jones anyway?) And who wants that type of situation anyway. Don’t you want someone who wants you for you. Just because someone doesn’t want to date you doesn’t make you a bad person. It just means that the two of you are not compatible. The same goes for women. We have crushes that don’t go our way all the time. The most that I can say is that it is all about timing. When you meet someone, what you have going on in your life, where your head is… At the setting of the sun we just all want to be loved. And it only comes when it is time. Begin the countdown.

If Truth is the epitome of our ultimate expression of God in character, and sincerity.

Love without it is an impossibility

“Your smile gives the sun permission to set.” He said watching my mouth.

Many compliment my smile, but never in iambic pentameter.

I checked the parameters of his expression for honesty

He was unapologetically beautiful like cayenne fried chicken and collard greens

His speech that of poetry

It was unusual to be speaking to a stranger about love but I wasn’t complaining.

Because I had just beseeched God for that paradigm to shift me in the path of my dreams.

Considering the average guy I would meet was equipped to go from zero to sex in thirteen sentences.

Whatcho name is woman wear a bikini over tonight cadences

Just as Love needs truth to survive along side insecurity it fails to thrive

If I stood naked before him would he only want to undress me.

I lifted my confidence and swept my insecurities under my self esteem

But my representative immediately left the building

And I was left standing there, like mama used to say, with no one but me

You are the co in my incidence,

Our most precious commodity ticks

You are the know in my doubt,

And the dance in my dreams,

The universe orchestrated this song for us to meet at this measure in this key

With closed eyes Deep inside I could feel the truth

He whispered look at me when I’m making love to you

His melodies washed over me in waves of cerebral ecstasy n there’s an increase in the climate…finding it hard to breathe… I think… my soul… just climaxed.

I reminded my self repeatedly

He was only talking to me

But Communicating without speaking

i’m thinking Love is the only diagnosis not listed in the

Manual for Mental Disorders

That insatiable itch we hunger for

Declare we’d kill and die for

but when we find it we fear it

never considering the fact that we manifested it

God should’ve posted on his forehead a warning

LOVING HIM WILL BE HABIT FORMING 

YOU WILL WANT MORE THE MORE YOU SEE 

THE MORE YOU GET THE MORE YOU NEED 

A FUNDAMENTAL NEED, RESISTANCE MAY NOT BE FUTILE, BUT IT PROVES TO BE DETRIMENTAL. 

Just because you hold its wings doesn’t make the bird of paradise deny flight

Why should someone imbue us with all they are when so very flawed are we.

If Truth is the epitome of our souls expression of God

Like the flowers to bees,  Love never says you owe me

You can pray for some enchanted evening, fight for what You are dreaming

For it is more foolish to fear than to fly

Without becoming Air, water, and Love we die

So I protect mine with my LIFE

French Benefits

“You know you are in trouble when your rabbit hole goes no deeper than a Gucci bag and a pair of Louboutins”- Laughter is a Smile Set to Music.

Growing up we ate Napoleon ice cream, didn’t want to get ammonia and enjoyed French benefits. Eventually we learned that we were eating Neapolitan ice cream and people died of pneumonia but let’s stop right there. Fringe benefits, really. Everybody knows that some really good stuff comes out of France. French fries, French toast…French kisses. Yes! French benefits it is, provided you maintain the innocence of the term.

The other day I met a young lady who tried to sell me a used Ferragamo purse. I told her that I had more bags than I needed already. I explained  that most of them were gifts. At that time she asked me how did you get men to give you those bags. I explained to her that they were men who liked to shop. That is who they were when I met them. I didn’t get them to do anything. Given the nature of  the meeting. I quickly changed the subject to the matter at hand but the topic haunted me for days to come. I couldn’t shake the image of so many women I knew allowing material gifts to shape and define their relationships with men. I reflected on my running buddy in college. We both enjoyed the company of smart progressive men. I also remember her teaching me about the value and prestige of the Louis Vuitton purse. One day we visited the home of an ex boyfriend of hers. It was clear that for him, the thrill was gone. Later that week she showed up at my door at 2am teary eyed because he was going to marry someone else. In the midst of our commiseration she said, “Well at least I got the Louis bag out of the deal” I examined the bag and let me tell you what, it looked like she had been sleeping with the bag. She began to teach me about the prestige  of the $500 purse and the guarantee that came with it. I wasn’t really understanding nor did I really care about the purse as much as I was concerned about her broken heart. During the term of our relationship she schooled me about getting what you want out of men. The difference between the two of us is that men often described her as being “Pretty as a day is long”. This is not how a man had ever described me. (And I’ve never been paid in gum either.) She often reminded me that I did not deserve to date the men I dated because of my looks. Interestingly enough she often wanted to date the men who I dated, and did, but I digress. Strangely enough I never forgot what she taught me about  Louis Vuitton.

The more I thought about the brief conversation I had with the young lady I wondered if I was really hip to the relationship/dating game. The men I have dated range from carpenter to doctor. Surprisingly the two with the greatest income I initially had no attraction to or interest in at all. It was not until we had an opportunity to “conversate” did I realize that we shared several things in common, and there was enough contrast to keep it interesting. In retrospect I never met someone wondering what he was going to buy for me. I was always looking for the mental, spiritual and I ain’t gon lie, physical, attraction and connection. I spend my time wondering if he would go to church with me. Am I the type of woman he would introduce to his mother? Can I talk to him about ANYTHING. Are our rainbows in the same direction? Will he  encourage and support me when the chips are down? And would I do the same for him on all counts. Recently I read a book entitled The Conversation. In the book Hill Harper discusses meeting a woman who he later falls in love with. However, his initial response to the womans interest was “What does she want from me?” I appreciated his vulnerability in sharing his insecurities when meeting a smart beautiful woman. I kept asking myself “What do you mean, what does she want from you?” On many occasions I have had to come to terms with my naive nature.  Friends have had to pull my coat-tail and let me know what a person’s intentions really were. To date the signs really have to be overt for me to suspect any malicious intent because I don’t go into relationships looking for it. Otherwise why even bother being around people.  I have to remind myself daily that people are not going to do things the way I would do them. (I know it sounds really silly. It is true but silly nonetheless)

When I look back on my past relationships I am thinking about the times we laughed, places we went, the dreams we shared, and the lessons I learned. When I look at those material gifts it triggers those memories and that is what lifts me. The gifts bring me little to no comfort in their absence. Don’t get me wrong the French benefits are nice, but a relationship they do not make. Anytime you go into a relationship thinking more about what you are going to get than give, the trip is always going to be a bust. Material gifts are not an indication of how long your relationship will last or the degree of a persons affection for you. For arguments sake lets say that he loses all of his material possessions for whatever reason. Setting aside domestic violence or other deal breaker problems, would you leave this person you professed to love? Whatever was lost you can rebuild together. What you want is inside of him. Everything else is just a “French Benefit”. He is not “in the bag”. As a matter of fact there is nothing in the bag other than what you put in it.

I recently spent time with an old friend. I told them how I really enjoyed the French benefits but it was them who really mattered rich or poor. And we immediately started word battling and grinning at each other improving the rhyme each go round just like old times. I told another friend about my old friend and how it is important to let a person know how you feel like I told my friend what mattered to me. My friend said…”Don’t you think he already knows that about you?”

Watch the Throne…Zoom Poof!!!

Human beings in a mob. What’s a mob to a king? What’s a king to a God?
What’s a God to a non-believer who don’t believe in anything?
Will he make it out alive? Alright, alright, no church in the wild

These are extremely haunting yet thought-provoking lyrics. I’m singing this in my oohh sooo cool way on my way home from work as I pass the bill board announcing that the WATCH THE THRONE tour is coming to Ft Lauderdale, FL. I have heard so many comments on various interpretations of the aforementioned. The more I thought about these comments the louder I sang the lyrics. The more I sang the lyrics the more I thought about my own feelings, about my truths, my dogmas my own religion and spirituality. As much as people want to say that Hov and Ye are trying to make their own religion, the truth of the matter is that we have all made our own religion. We are all fighting the proverbial demons which is nothing other than our flawed conception of who God is. Whereto for we consistently mistake our ego’s for our god and thusly “Edge God Out EGO” but don’t feel bad. We all do it. For the most part we read the Bible, the Koran, the Torah, whatever else and stray on a daily basis. Many people deliberately read what suites them and ignore what doesn’t. I love church and the people there. But who can teach what is really supposed to be taught? I love God whoever he, she or it is. And so often religion gets in the way of me and you connecting to this energy of Love. This is indeed the honest to God truth of religion. I PRAY that we find the TRUTH AND TELL IT! Thank you Joel, Joyce, TD, and Beckwith.  Sad to say I think that we are just scratching the surface. But what about the man who has no fundamental blueprint of order? What about the man who honors no God? Not only what is going to protect him, what is going to protect you/us from him. Three miles down the road I am screaming with the Banshee on the song. And this is what music is supposed to do?

I counted down the days for months until the arrival of the Hip Hop Kings Kanye West and Jay Z. At the last-minute I’m looking for something H*A*M to wear. I’m doing the Ft Lauderdale and Miami shows. (if they are doing two shows near you I suggest that you purchase a ticket for each show.) I tell you what nothing that I would have chosen could have rivaled Kanye’s “Hail Cesar” garb that he’s donned when he appears on stage nor Jay Z‘s majorly grown and sexy swag. Now I’m not even going to lie and say I remember what song was being played when they appeared on stage. This is not a formal review of the concert but an account of my spectacular experience. I wasn’t standing there with a pen and paper going, ” Gold Digger, A Million Problems.” which by the way was sooo dope.” I do remember the crowd (but it was mostly me) who was going bananas.

Everyone says that  today’s rapping is always about bragging. Original rap is a series of stories that, “Get the people goin!” There is a rising and falling of the cheers from the crowd, but none so significant as when the social and political commentary splattered on the audiance like Jackson Pollock paintings throughout the performance. I mean everybody gets some of this on em. The two, a generation and a half since Jim Crow. Kanye raised in Chicago, a direct descendent of a civil rights activists from the midwest city of Oklahoma City. Jay Z from one of the most influential cities of the Civil Rights era, Brooklyn NY. There is no wonder how these two found each other.

I’m riding through yo hood, you can bank I ain’t got no ceiling
(Made a left on Nostrand Ave., we in Bed Stuy)
Made a right on 79th, I’m coming down South Shore Drive
(I remain Chi-town) Brooklyn ‘til I die

On this Thanksgiving weekend I am most thankful to have been taken places to date I have not been able to afford to go. New York, Japan, Prague. If Muhammad can not go to the mountain the mountain will be brought to Muhammad. If you have ever been to a concert with West or Carter you have been the same way that I have been. I can shamefully say that I haven’t been to any museum in years. So Kanye and J took me. The arena is transformed from a stage to a museum installation. Of all of the installations Watch the Thrown is one I would like to see again. Talk about going H*A*M! I am thankful for the guitar player. Where did yall find him? Can you say Jimmy Hendrix incarnate.

I often have this discussion with my more conscious acquaintances. How fortunate was I to be born in America. I mean, what were the chances. Two black men can sit and talk about the dreams they have for their unborn children. A sincere commentary about the hopes of the future and the regrets of the past. New Day is one of the most heart wrenching songs I have ever heard from either artist. Nowhere in America can we have made such progress and cause the people of the world to connect. Call me arrogant but I am so very proud to be an American and living at a time such as this. I am sure that the Chinese are proud and the Aussies are proud as well as the French. If I lived any of those places I imagine I would be proud too…but I don’t. I live in America!

I’m not sure that anyone could be more proud than an American “Ni&&a in Paris” the thing that I most love about this song is that the non blacks always say dude in Paris or, ____ in Paris or just Paris. Great! Now that I know we have that understanding…

Ball so hard M*!#@^$ wanna find me!!! (you must always include the $ sign when you are hiding curse words about Kanye and J) But first n!&&^$ gotta find me… If you know if any city other than Miami can command five encores. Can you please remind me? But if you think your city can, BRING IT!…Doctors say I’m the illest Cause I’m suffering from realness Got my ni&&@$ in Paris And they going gorillas, huh! BRING IT so hard so that it can be forever and consistently be brought! MIAMI was so far in the zone …Don’t let me in my zone Don’t let me in my zone Don’t let me in my zone Don’t let me in my zone The stars is in the building… Gabrielle Union, Beyonce’(glowing wit da baby bump), Will Smith, Jaden Smith… They hands is to the ceiling…  Dwayne Wade, Pherell, La Bron James… (Sincerely missing Common)  I know I’m bout to kill it How you know, I got that feeling… Five times and each time we went more and more insane!!! Ye and J took us THROUGH THE ROOF!

I don’t love all rap music. I LOVE this rap music. The music that inspires you to do better. Makes you question what your demons are. Takes you home. Chills you. Drives you to your maximum………….. Consider it… a lesson in EXCELLENCE.

You know you want to fly with me

Carry you on a light beam

Make em come true Good Dreams

Zues and you my Aphrodite

Can we invite Venus too

Everybody’s going

ZOOM!

Through the roof

POOF!

Through the roof

ZOOM POOF!!!

And this is what GOOD MUSIC does.

P.S. If you love somebody tonight hold em real tight.

UNREASONABLE!!! HILL HARPER, UNREASONABLE!!!

Tic toc tic toc swings the pendulum. Time, like true love is something of which you can never have too much. Surely there have been times when you have seen someone who has done or is doing something that makes you say, ” That person had/has too much time on their hands.” On the other hand everyone has the right to do whatever they care to with their time. The caveat is looking back and wishing that the time had been used on something that  yielded a greater bounty.  On September 2, 2011, I made a decision to read a book titled The Wealth Cure  Putting Money in its Place, written by Hill Harper. Mind you, my house needed to be cleaned, I was way behind schedule on writing my own book, and I had other personal business to take care of. When I tell you the past three weeks have been time well spent, in between work, taking care of a household emergency, the dog, and sleep I was reading TWC (The Wealth Cure).

The book is proof that so many of us are more alike than different. I saw my life, as well as stories similar to mine, but not so much, and the lives of acquaintances and loved ones scattered throughout his pages. Damn! I even started singing Roberta Flack, I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud…Killing me softly with his song. Some things  wonderfully good, some regrettably bad, some ugly paintings of  fears and misunderstanding splattered on heavy stock, ecru, paper. I was behind on my book because I was stuck. The stories locked in my head longing to rest between pages and be shared.  So many brilliant strokes offered by the universe left aimlessly drifting without an anchor. An acquaintance recently accused me of procrastinating. I said, ” Hey! This has to be just right. We tryna save lives here! ” To a certain extent he was right. I was so afraid of not writing the book in a way that would accomplish the aforementioned desire that I froze. What if I forget to say something important that can save a life? What if I can’t find a publisher? What if I have to publish it myself  and or can’t get the desired circulation?  No doubt a feast fit for a deadly venomous fear feeding wolf. The Wealth Cure helped to release that ridiculous fear. I call it ridiculous because I know that the book is being written in honor of those I love, and those I may never meet but want to live a life filled with joy and good health. It was ludicrous because I know that the universe is going to open itself up to my needs and desires. And stupid because if you are still reading this you know I write well.  Slowly I felt the veil being lifted and I was inspired to resume my mission.

People have been asking me what I thought about TWC. Understand  that you must read TWC for yourself. I affectionately refer to TWC as The WHealth Cure , defining wealth, defining health and the intersection thereof. I thought that I would read the book over labor day weekend but the journey was so interesting I took time to research many of Hill’s sights and thoughts. I even saw He Got Game for the first time. Cute Boogie! I found myself including Mr. Harper in my prayers. Praying that God keep him keep him healthy as he moves forward on this journey towards unreasonable happiness. I pray that he be enriched as he has enriched others. By the way, am I the only one who hears his voice as the narrator of the book? Now I know what Second Line Dancing is.  I absolutely love his friend Tracy and pray the best for her. I have changed the way I think about and respect money. And, I will make time to take a train ride somewhere as my mother encouraged me to do for nine years before she died. Maybe I’ll take a ride to New Orleans. Believe it or not I’ve never been. Do trains go to N’Olans?

I am still breathing. In 2006 I had the rare and wonderful and opportunity to work with Sammy Mc Kenney. At that time he was writing a song for Jennifer Hudson. He has also written songs for Patty Labelle, Chaka Kahn and Anita Baker among others.  We got the song finalized and we were undergoing the arduous task of shopping it. It was difficult. One day I asked Sammy, “Do you think that I am too old for this. Do you think that I can still be successful?” Sammy asked me, “Are you still breathing?” Sammy and I spoke regularly exchanging calls until one day, he didn’t answer my calls. I asked my cousin about him. My cousin said, ” You didn’t hear? Sammy died months ago.” Are you still breathing was the last conversation I had with Sammy. Sammy remains on my board of advisors as he left me with everlasting wisdom. Understand that no matter where you have been or what you have been through your future is spotless. Right now today you can choose to shift the paradigm on your health habits, finances and relationships.  TWC helped me to  realize that you can’t really get to know someone or accomplish a goal by standing on the sidelines as a silent observer and listening to hearsay. Assumptions are NOT your friend.

As I reflected on the stories it came to me that The Wealth Cure is like sitting outside on a balmy Colorado night with a good friend, talking and gazing at the stars. If you have ever been to Colorado, especially Colorado Springs you know how beautiful the stars shine there, especially in the winter.  That friend reminds you of who you were, whose you are, and who you can and are going be. They forgive your faults, support your dreams and share what they have learned, thereby enriching your life. Illuminating a rainbow after the storm by day and mark the North Star by night. How can you not realize how FABULOUS you are and how you deserve to be UNREASONABLY, UNREASONABLY, UNREASONABLY HAPPY!!! Unreasonably happy not only because they said so, but because God promised it.

Dawn Dew

“the sun wrapped me up swinging rose light everywhere the sky laid over me like a million men i waz cold/I waz burning up/ a child & endlessly weaving garments for the moon wit my tears.” (lady in red)

 It has been several month’s since throngs of the female persuasion, primarily  Black,  speckled with male counter parts, brothers, fathers, supportive friends, gay and straight, converged to see the movie For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enough. Thousands of women around the world mouthed the words to rhythmic poems that had been sitting dormant in our souls since childhood for some. Lady in brown, ”sharp phrases of womanhood of never having  been a girl half-notes scattered without rhythm/ no tune distraught laughter fallin over a black girl’s shouder…” Lady in Red  “… this note is attached to a plant  i’ve been waterin since the day i met you may water it yr damn self…”

All of us, women watching that movie shared a kinship, a sisterhood that had gone ignored for so long. Not the kind of sisterhood that is born or pledged. Bound by a loom that races, stretches and pulls one thread and then another, tightly over and under this is. We are a beautiful fabric of souls, orange, brown, yellow, purple, blue, green and red. On occasion people who didn’t even know each other would exchange knowing glances at each other. From time to time I wondered, how many of those women saw their own stories being played out before them. On occasion hands were placed over eyes and other times ears to block out their, our, memories.  Lady in Blue “… I cdnt have my friends see this dyin danglin tween my legs & i didnt say a thing not a sigh or fast scream to get those eyes offa me get them steel rods outta me this hurts…” All colors taking turns, “… we can now meet them in circles we frequent for companionship we see them at the coffee-house with someone else we know we cd even have em over for dinner & get raped in our own houses  by invitation, a friend…” Woman in Red,”… he kicked the screen outta the window/& held the kids offa the sill/you gonna marry me/yea, i’ll marry ya/anything/ but bring he children back the house/he looked from where the kids were hanging from the fifth story/at all the people screaming at them/& he started sweatin again say to all the neighbors/ you gonna marry me/ i stood by beau in the window/with naomi reachin for me/& kwame screamin mommy mommy from the fifth story/but i cd only whisper/& he dropped em.”

We offered kleenex and tightly held the hands of friends and strangers we would never see again. Discussions and blogs carried on for several months. Various interpretations of each poem dressed in deliberate silences when speaking face to face. Personal stories blurted out only in the wells of eyes. Some things the spirit can not contain in such a fragile existence. Trading more in silence than lies arose during passionate debate. Perched dumb we wallowed in each others disrobed secrets.

I ran into a girlfriend who waited until Colored Girls came out on dvd. Excited to share, it was the first thing she said, even before an informal salutation, “I saw the movie!” she said. “Hi! What movie.” ” For Colored Girls.!” We went over our favorite parts. “Oh so sad about the woman in red.” I said. “Well she deserved it. Being so mean to people…” she rambled on about the behavior of the woman in red until I finally held my hand up to request a word in.  “Hurt people, hurt people.” I said. I find it so sad that people can totally dismiss the obvious. The woman in red had not experienced any less hurt or harm than any of the other women. Hurt manifest itself in so many ways, not only depression but anger and frustration. Women in red have not always been that way. But over time and the scraping of  the spirit it can become tender and the guard sometimes shifts from a gentle plea to barbed wire. The catharsis of the woman in red was not an HIV diagnoses, but the breaking of the illusion that she was alone. No one deserves to get HIV/AIDS. I have come across a lot of dismayed people in my life time. I can’t say that I have handled every situation perfectly. What I do make a point of is to try to be mindful and kind to those who are in pain. Sometimes just a smile is enough. Life can bring unexpected, ruthless twist and turns. There may come a time when we are that woman who wants to jump out of her bones and be done with herself, who needs a tree to scoop us up in the breeze,  make us dawn dew.

From the Lady in orange, “… Ever since I realized there was someone callt a colored girl an evil woman a bitch or a nag i been trin not to be that and leave bitterness in somebody elses cup…”, to the lady in green, Tryna keep sombody from running off with alla her stuff. At the end of the day we are all of the colors including red, “…ordinary brown braided woman with big legs and full lips, regular…” woven into one amazing tapestry. That woman you see who “deserves it” is you and you are her. That woman deserves to be loved. That woman deserves to be healed. An undeniable reflection that you must see God in, just as you must see and feel the God in you and you got to love her with all you’ve got.

Pure Intentions Imbue Beautiful Vibrations

One morning at work I dropped off some paperwork at the office across the hall. On the way back to my office a temp who I had become acquainted with said that she wanted to do some leisure reading and asked me to suggest some good books as I was always talking about a book I was reading. I had recently purchased, The Audacity of Hope, Dreams from My Father, The Law of Attraction and The Power of Now, all of which I highly recommend. She was already familiar with the first two books written by Barack Obama, but not so much regarding the latter.

The Power of Now by Ekhart Tolle and  The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks both address how people, things and situations manifest in our lives according to how we think and feel about them. When I explained this the temp looked at me like the RCA dog.  In a hurry to get back to my office I explained the vision board as illustrated in The Secret where a person will paste photos of the things they would like to achieve or acquire in their lives on a board. Keeping this board in a place where a person will see it often will serve as a reminder to focus and maintain a positive attitude toward those desires coming to fruition. And the RCA dog tilts its head to the other side. I had to return to my desk and I told her that I would call her later.  Just before turning the corner,  I explained to her that I had seen Will Smith explain the same philosophy and how it can be applied to everyday life. He referred to a book called The Alchemist. The temp asked what that book was about and I told her,”I don’t remember all of the details. You Tube it!” as I had to get back to my desk.

I was introduced to The Alchemist one night when I was working on a book I hope to have completed November 2011. Anyway. I’m working with the television on because that’s how I work. I look up and the characters of the sci-fi movie who begin discussing the need to go see the Alchemist. I was so intrigued by the description thought that I could use the concept in my book.  I immediately googled  The Alchemist. Just now I tried to recreate the moment and failed. However, on that night the first thing that popped up was a YouTube video with Will Smith discussing the Alchemist with Tavis Smiley. Eureka!  I had never seen anyone explain the philosophies of the books that I just mentioned and others as well or as concisely as Mr. Smith. Will gives the example of the book ”The Alchemist” which tells the story of a young man on a journey. In the book the Alchemist can  take something ordinary, in this case, lead, and turn it into something rich and valuable such as gold. And Will is right, to go into detail about “the practice” thereof is extremely esoteric to say the very least. Which is how this part of my journey took place, trying to explain… www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A0LDp0e9X4    and  The Alchemist   www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuBmkEuxLd4

At this time many things that I have managed to manifest in my life are under reconstruction. First of all, the first time we do anything there is a good chance we may not see exactly what we set out to get. Second of all , every option that comes your way may not be something manifested by you. For example. I have been working on my kitchen for quite some time now for financial reasons. A guy friend asked. So how is your kitchen coming along. I informed him that it remains a pending situation. He asked, so why don’t you get one of those guys who likes you to do pay for your kitchen and then when it’s done you say, “You know, I don’t think we are going to work out.” The thought of this spurred hysterical laughter. If anyone ever hurt any of my three brothers, I would stomp them into the ground.  I would not dare be a hypocrite and do the same to someone elses child. Wow!  What kind of karma would that set into motion. 

Last week I stood in line behind  a young lady in line at the grocery store. She stacked about 20 coupons. I said to her, “You are a woman after my own heart. I am a coupon freak” The woman (whose name I never received) shared that she had recently been laid off from her job as an accountant and needed very much to budget. We met each other again in the parking lot where she thanked me for the encouragement I provided in the store. I gave her the name of a website Cornell@partnersforselfemployment.com . A gentleman who is dedicating his time and talent to providing training and job placement in South Florida. The woman said that she would be happy however God wants to bless her. I explained that the universe and everything in it belongs to God and she can ask God for anything. The following is a more familiar reference to this philosophy  ”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” A story board can be used as a tool for Philippians 4:6-7. Nothing is new. All things are just waiting to be rediscovered by any and all who believe.

I started a Twitter account because some cat by the name of Hill Harper asked that the people from Facebook follow him on Twitter as well. Mr. Harper wrote, Letters to a Young Brother, Letters to a Young Sister, The Conversation, his is latest  The Wealth Cure scheduled to be released  August 23, 2011. I have read the first two books which provide wonderful advice and motivation that serve as tools enriching the lives of young men and women. Lessons that enhance and elevate a person’s ability to achieve…well, the sky’s the limit, worth gold, if you will.  On January 29, 2011  this was tweeted ” Hill Young black men are writing powerful letters to their peers! Inspired by your book at the #PaulRobesonInstitute“  

Pure intentions imbue beautiful vibrations like ripples on a pond. Prolific cognition, an alchemist’s work comes to fruition and leaves in its wake an eternal bond.

Someones life is touched and they reach and touch your life in a positive way, you then reach out to touch another’s life and the act is perpetuated. This is how we all can become an alchemist. We are all linked together, more alike than we will ever be different. There is no journey where flowers should go unnoticed, challenges unconquered, love not found, or gold and dreams within unrealized. If any riches you acquire, remain unshared, it  is an endeavor void of purpose. The survival of humanity depends on us depending on each other. No one  ever made it anywhere without the help of someone.

You don’t have to write a book like Mr. Harper. You don’t have to become a minister like Rev. Run or a music mogul like his brother Russell Simmons. Nor do you have to share your citizenship between American and African nations like Isiah Washington. Look inside yourself and realize that you have a treasure that is waiting to be realized and shared. It is there because God is there.  Understand that this world, this universe, is here to provide you with all that is good. All you have to do is seek it and ask with thanksgiving. When we ask with thanksgiving we are asking with faith and expecting that our desires, with work, will come to into existence. I have never used a story board but I have learned many lessons on this journey to discover how to be and remain happy. Many of my dreams have been realized and many more are in the process of coming to fruition. If our paths never cross again allow me to leave you with some of my truths.

1. Be grateful and acknowledge God in all things.

2. Share. Be an alchemist every chance you get.

3. Be humble and modest. Don’t always share how someone has blessed you. People can be jealous and soon bestow you with the nickname Pookie. There is a difference between begging and accepting a blessing offered to you by another. Some things need to remain between the two of you.

4. Remain focused no matter what. If you stop to beat every dog that barks you will never get anything done. The closer you come to your breakthrough the more they are going to bark. Stay focused on your goal.

5. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing. Sometimes it is best not to respond. Allow God to fight your battles. Especially if the person has been led astray/misinformed.

6. Do your best to be kind no matter what. You never change a dishonorable situation by adding more dishonor.

7. Keep your ears and your heart open. The only thing better than an understanding is a better understanding.

8. Study and understand Corinthians 13 so that when love comes, and it is going to come, you will recognize it.

This my first blog. Please respond with comments and questions. Please join me in reading the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and post your thoughts. It has been a pleasure to share this with you and I hope that it has provided you with something that will enrich your life on this journey. Most of all remember to laugh. If ever a day passes that you don’t laugh I hope it is because you have moved to another plane of existence.  I pray that you find joy there.

Months later the temp was offered a permanent position with the agency.  The RCA dog has left the building.

 

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