Black Mothers State of The Union Address 2019

Speaking Life To You: Is this Spirituality?

Speaking Life To You: Is this Spirituality?

Is this Spirituality?

Mindless clones who follow senselessly

 

Energized by emotional displays of jubilance

 

Where is the essence?

 

Will this experience change the internal, emotional,

mental and spiritual make up of the participants?

 

Or is it a regimented pastime passed down for those who participate

to embrace as relevant?

 

Is this the place of healing?

 

The well of water for the souls of humanity?

 

Or is it just a continuation of deity worship that resonates idolatry

 

but projected as

 

Spirituality!

The Nicki Minaj In All of Us!

I first heard of Nicki Minaj when my daughter attended a concert and was noted for dancing on the stage with this artist I really didn't know anything about.  But I know and love Cash Money for all its worth.  Being a woman of constant becoming I love it when I see young women remake themselves.  Watching the antics and listening to the noise of the critics this young woman was the first noted female artist to sign with Young Money/Cash Money.  That was big shoe to fit in the beginning and she handled it well.  She brought all the sexuality, and raunchiness it took to pull it off. Elaborate customs and a good deal of misbehaving on stage and in the videos... But she pulled it off. 

Now for all those who are quick to kill anything and everything that you don't understand.  This young woman only displayed a part of every woman at some point in their life, if they were brave enough to act it out.  And then the transition.  I watched in the first movie she was in and I saw the small part. I also watched as she changed her hair style in a Miami magazine and I said to myself she is coming out, like the butterfly she is.

And then now.  I saw her posing with the young white actresses and thought to myself they will encourage what is inside of her to come through.  Other cultures seem to do that for us.  In watching the BET Awards, I remember the admonishing of public behavior by artist done by Yolanda Adams.  Sex sells and an artist is an artist.  I am not mad at them at all.  What happens though is that you grow and it is sad that its sisters that look like us that won't encourage us to change.  They will keep you stuck and laugh behind your back.   Then and now, the laughter only increased this young lady' net worth.

I am proud of her was then and even so now.  At the end of the day you can only be true to one person and that is ourselves.  I salute Nicki - keep doing you! 

The Skies Cry In Miami



The Skies Cry In Miami

This is a precursor to my next book but I'd like to share some of the highlights in a blog.  I have been in Miami, Florida since 2007 looking for a "new way of life."  Initially, the culture shock burst all my high hopes of the good life in Miami.  The people were rude and distance, no one smiled and I just couldn't get it. "All this sunshine and no one smiles." There is something about living in the sunshine all the time that makes people "strange."  Strange is the only word I can come  up with.  The fact that I work in substance abuse treatment and mental health only made being in Miami stranger.

Growing up up north, we were taught to honor our people (people of color); and the multicultures of Miami embraced it amongst themselves.  Yet, we as African Americans are not as protective and loving of one another, at least not what I can assess in my interactions with my folks here in Miami.  There is a predatory spirit and for every rich person there are more than enough poor people in Miami.  Unfortunately, they are poor in spirit. Territorial over their little corners, hurting each other because they don't like themselves.  It's like going 20 years back in history. Service for me was my entire life and sometimes I found myself crossing lines of clients and friends because I made the mistake of treating clients as friends and it cost me a position in a very prestigious company.  Coming from where I come from, a black woman, stereotyped, teenage mother, single parent and uneducated, I just wanted people to treat me like a human being, a person of value.  That is my philosophy but it is problematic for me because the bible is clear, "don't cast pearls among swine," but my heart cries "what about my people!"  Well, what I know is important is I have to live and I must respect that my value systems do not have to change because people are nasty.  I am to chose wisely who I allow in my inner circle, in my life - other than a professional relationship, can't cross the line.

So now I guess I know why people in Miami are so aloof, this is a predatory environment. Anytime you deal with a people who don't have and/or those that don't value themselves or their own, how in heaven name can they love and care for you.  Out of 100 of my case load on one position, 80 percent of the clients were Miami residents.  Tell me how do  you be homeless in your home town?  Homelessness here is an ways to an end.  An end that would allow people to utilize the many services that are available for the lost and turned out.  "So much for treating a man as he should be and he will become what he should be."

 

For me, I am called to a work that is honorable before God.  I made mistakes along this journey and I apologize for my misjudgment of character, but like all things I pay for my lessons.  My greatest days are before me.  I realize wholeheartedly that I am the spiritual compass of my family and I cannot guide them here in Miami.  Additionally, I can not get the grandmother and mother love I need to live in this life 1,000 miles away home.  As I often say there is a pre and post Miami and there are greater days ahead.  In the meantime, I will continue to pray for my people here in Miami, from the churches to the sidewalks... but like Keisha Cole, "I've had enough of no love."

The Purpose of Indecision!

There has been several events and months that have passed since I was able to get clarity enough to write.  So engrossed in the day to day events of my life, it seemed that my dreams, desires, goals, and inner visions were clouded for the purpose of money, security and employment.  In the abruptness of life, and the draining of my life force, my prayer has been, "please set me free."  The life we live is placed on so many levels.  What is important?  Is it security?  Is it peace of mind?  Is it settling for something that you know is so beneath you that it could only be an element that kills you slowly and softly, draining your creative energy and putting you in a box that is acceptable because it's what will make you conformable to the world around you.  Well, let me stop here and scream, "I have never been conformable!  That is not who I am nor who I want to be."  As I sit in this pause of my life, I am looking around me and considering my next steps very carefully.  I don't want to be driven my ego, money, the world's view of security.  Going forward, I want to be driven by love and the creative energy of God.  I want to live a life that will allow me to learn, grow and develop and continue on this spiritual life that the only law of life is love.  I can't package who I am and I can't conform to something that will kill all of who I am.  So as I deal with the purpose of indecision, I accept that it is the time and attention that we take to move us to the place God has for us.  That life has abruptly slammed the doors in your life and left you in the hallway of life waiting for the direction that God has for the rest of your life.  So, I wait, in the hell we call the hallway.  I won't beat myself up, I won't try to over think it.  I will pray and take baby steps and allow the path to grow brighter and brighter.

Speaking Life To You: My Emotions Always In Motion - Balance!

Speaking Life To You: My Emotions Always In Motion - Balance!