September Strangers

Just like I tell my students, "We are strangers in September, but watch what time will do." By the middle of the year, right around now, I look around my class room, and there are no strangers. There is this group... Some do opt out of participating more often than others, and some act up and get a free choice to disengage momentarily, but the strangers have become friends and the awkward false connection has become a real, meaningful group with a connected task. How? Because of time and experiences... I am thankful for my job, and for my students (all of them), God bless each life... back to it tomorrow.

Guess You Told Me!

Sometimes, being put in your place is not a negative occurrence at all. I was recently 'put in my place' by my teacher assistant.

I am beginning to feel like maybe my purpose for teaching and for working with kids is more than meets the eye. In my job... I practice trial and error. I do this, I do that; I try this, I try that. I often feel as though I've failed or missed the mark, and in many ways, I feel simply at a loss.

A common phrase I've been known recently to utter: "I did not sign up for THIS." or "This isn't teaching." Yet, what I am learning is that I do have a VERY useful and specific PLACE in teaching. Where I am - and just as I am. I bring something to the table, and the way I am with students is helpful, encouraging and edifying in the minds and eyes of other educators. In the words of my teacher assistant, 'Sibs', "Working with you has been a dream. We were dealt a tough hand, but we pulled together and made some magic happen... You are kind, thoughtful, encouraging, and caring. I can see why your students love you - you let them know how much you care and I hope I can be the same way."

She has seen me as I am - I put on no shows. She's witnessed several speeches on doing better and rising above ... and has mastered and adopted phrases such as, "get over yourself," and "what's your deal?"... She's also seen me nearly crash and burn, after numerous attempts at quieting and calming a room of ... misdirected youth... as I close my eyes and resolve with a phrase yelled just above a whisper and through clenched teeth, "shut your mouth!" ... Yeah, that was 5th hour, a few weeks ago. Sibs has seen it all. She knows more than she likely ever wished to know about how odd things can be for teachers.

And here I am. It's amazing... and sort of humbling, too. I'm just being me... struggling, trying... barely wading in a tsunami of messed up stuff. But I'm honest, I'm open... I'm real. Sort of transparent - and I guess that's good for something.

(special thanks to L. Sibs for the insights and the wonderfully crazy time in the trenches. I know you'll be an awesome teacher. You've got what it takes.)

and why...?

People are much like short written response questions in an English/Language Arts class... There's always an "and why?". We miss out on so much when we neglect part two of the question.

You know... What made Richard feel ashamed, and why?
Or... How did the young girl feel about her mother, and why?

There's often more ...

just thoughts :-)

This is why...

It’s pretty strange to think of things this way… but sometimes it just is what it is… and it makes sense to me… When I just looked at the photo on the wall of my stepson, Tyler… it reminded me of so many things. Adolescence, confusion, hopes, fears, wonderings, joy, anger, frustration, a mute feeling… not knowing how to express myself when I was about 12 years old. Answering questions in monosyllabic utterances, knowing I had waaayyyy more to offer, but just couldn’t really navigate the map from my heart to my mouth. My thoughts were always lost – and right there – at the same time. And when I think to myself that it’s time for a new career, because of things getting too tough too strange … too stinkin’ challenging – and hey – I have a LIFE you know? I think of Gabe, who reminds me of Tyler.. and I think of kids like James, and Tiana, and Sam, and Robert, and Clara, Ronetta, Austin, Santos, Stephanie O, Rudy B, Oscar E, Terrance, Anetrielle, Jordan, Enmanuel (yes, even Enmanuel), and my Secret Sisters, and all the Sizzlin Summer Super Stars… and I smile… This is why I teach.

Speaking & Listening

Sometimes... I seriously can't 'hear' what folks are saying... 'cause it makes no sense. You ever have that? But sometimes, I make myself keep listening... stop trying to figure it out... and many times I'm amazed at what I learn. Everyone thinks and expresses in a different way. This does not invalidate the thoughts or expressions. Keep speaking. Keep listening.

Go to the Ant...

I was thinking about school... Thinking about my students... and thinking about change. I posted my thoughts on facebook, and then realized I had a bit more to say. It is very difficult, sometimes, to actually care. It is especially difficult to care about a person, concept, or thing that does not actually care about itself. It is difficult to continue a fight which seems long lost... It is quite tough to look around at despair and stubborn hopelessness, and say again and again... "It's okay... I believe in you... you can make it." It's draining, disturbing, and very difficult work.

Times are so different now. Life is not what it used to be. Kids are a new breed. Teaching is not a walk in the park, where your toughest battle of the day is finding out who took Johnny's lunch money. Something very different is going on. And my thoughts have led me to a place where I've found a question... a concern... a wondering. I wonder why and when (in either order) the ball dropped. I wonder why no one tried hard enough to catch it... why so many students have been allowed to trickle and slip through the cracks... and we are now all failing miserably at a game of catch-up.

We're trying to fix something... something huge. But there are not enough hands or voices involved in the effort. So those of us who are trying are finding it difficult to continue... we are losing steam... and that worries me. It's the last day of the first week of school... and too many of us are tired. So, here's what I want to say. To my self, to my team, and to those who'd like to join in.

Go to the Ant. (Proverbs 6)
I'm not calling anyone a sluggard. I'm just saying, don't give up or give in... continue on. Do not be or become the sluggard... waiting, watching, and hoping for a magic supply or fix. Do what you can. Keep working. Do as much as you can for as long as you can. Work at it even when the results seem small... build for the future, and don't wait for some body to give you a special directive. Don't let so much time go by while you're hoping that things will fix themselves. Get in there. Stay in there. Proverbs 6 talks about how much can be lost when you sit idly by. It speaks of poverty and scarcity... and I feel that is exactly the state of things for many students today. But, it's not necessarily a monetary thing. I'm talking basic lack. There is so much lacking for some that it has become life altering and hindering... and it's the norm these days.

If we let go, give in, and turn back... If we sit back and throw in the towel...we are but conceding to the lack, allowing it to prevail.

We may be fighting an unfair battle which we feel we did not start... we might be handling the mess made by some force outside ourselves. Many may not even understand the battle we fight or the endurance and perseverance it demands. Many may not have a clue and this makes it even harder for us, as we try to work and our discouraged by those who flat out do not get it. I encourage you, as I must encourage myself almost every day... Keep it up. Find new ways. Energize yourself. Take it to God. Do whatever it takes. But please, don't give up.


Proverbs 6
Warnings Against Folly


3 then do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands:
Go and humble yourself;
press your plea with your neighbor!

4 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.

5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man. [a]

Day One... Here We Come

Only weeks away from the start of two more online grad classes and the start of a new school year at a new building... But it feels all right. Going in this year, I feel a specific desire set:

love God
love family
love my self
love my work
love my life

Things may twist, straighten, and then turn all over again, but right now, it's okay. God has it all in His hands, and this is a better place than any other for my life to rest. Lord, I just pray that you will guide and direct my family and I through each day of this year. I feel something quite new and intriguing surrounding us. Now, I come in the name of Jesus, against any foul plan designed to uproot, confuse, or cause dismay in a life designated for blessings and favor. I claim, by God, that this new day, and every new day, is just that - new. I am choosing, with sound mind and determination to spray a repellent all over any area of my life which has been an attraction for negativity.

Call it what you will, but a life of optimism and a life directed toward the fulfillment of high hopes still appeals more to me than the converse. You get what you seek. I seek positivity. Thus, therein lies my focus. That's all. ;-)

"Un Learning"

It’s really something how we live and learn …and live more and learn more. Sometimes we relive and relearn… and often times, I’ve even had to un-learn.

Yesterday, I had a thought. “What if I pretend that things were the way they used to be?” Okay. There is some intentional missing information which cannot currently be disclosed, but I’ll just say that there are several life events revolving around a certain focal point, and each new event has built upon the prior collection of events, resulting in tension, unresolved emotions, and a degree of uncomfortable disconnection… all of which I have become quite tired of.

What’s funny to me about this is that the fact that I have allowed bitterness to creep into such an important and valuable part of my existence, and until yesterday, I hadn’t officially wrapped my mind around it. I am the only one standing in the way of my happiness. I am. I am allowing my emotional reaction from years ago to overtake my own peace of mind. I, the same one who proclaims to be a purveyor of peace, and I, the same one who preaches to others on the power of letting go, have been holding in a vice grip my hurt feelings from so many years ago, creating a foundation for wall upon wall upon wall of discontent and defensiveness. Yet I wonder why things are the way they are…

So, yesterday, I stumbled upon something, as a part of a fantasy land… as I grasped at any possible way to alleviate the funkiness surrounding my inward life. You know, that private part of life most folks only get a glimpse at? That part of us we wish we didn’t even have? Yes, it’s that part you might try to push aside, set on a shelf, or lock away… That part. I could be wrong, but I bet we all have a couple parts like that. Well, one part of my life that’s like that is about to come undone.

I want to jump up and down – it’s so amazing… and here it is: I have simply told myself to forget it.

I can and will act like the initial offense never occurred. It was not done on purpose, and certainly not done with intention to hurt me. The offense could not possibly have been designed specifically to impact me.

And to take it further, here’s the thing – even if it was purposed with intention to hurt me, I am still choosing to forget. Why? Because that was then and this is now… Because I’m tired of the pain and confusion… Because the source of offense has no idea (not really)… Because I don’t want to be connected to negativity… Because it feels way better this way.

And beyond any of that, I follow God, and I believe in forgiveness. It is one of several paths to freedom.

Just kinda funny how this revelation dropped so hard into my yesterday… like I’d never thought it before in other circumstances. I am far more content with being in peace and accord than discontent and confusion. God is not the author of confusion. God is the author of my life.

So, I will begin today to unlearn whatever I must, in order to detach myself from negativity and reconnect with love and peace. Nice. Very nice.

Matthew 6:8-15 (Amplified)
“ …your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.”
Bible Gateway passage

Mark 11:25 (Amplified)
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.”
Bible Gateway Passage

We Stay

We change, but we stay the same. Took a quick trip down memory lane. It's funny. I see the places I've been, the people I've met and the relationships and experiences that either have served as connectors or separators. I wouldn't trade my life for any other, but it's just funny when you look back. Sometimes I'm amazed at where I've been, where I am.. yet it's still just me. Here I am.. and I ♥ it.

"Our Deepest Fear"

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Maryanne Williamson?


These words have been found and repeated by many. Some may have attributed these words to the Great Nelson Mandela, some may have heard these words in the movie Akeelah and the Bee, and others may recall these words from a scene in the movie Coach Carter. I don't know about you, but for me, these words are right on time right now. I have been experiencing a sort of minimized high... a slighted degree of confidence and worth. I have a lot going on and much to be excited and even giddy about... but it's people around me who have to keep reminding and motivating me toward believing in myself - pushing forward, reaching further. I have just published my first book of poetry and I act like it's no big deal. Really, I KNOW it's a big deal... but something in me won't let me admit it or show that I know it. Perhaps it's modesty. Perhaps it's a lack of vision, but I just keep getting amazed at other people’s responses to my book. Why doesn't my own initial response match theirs? Very peculiar, I'd say.


Well, I am planning to focus on confidence, vision, and moving onward and upward. Thanks for the inspiration, energy, and encouragement family and friends. And thanks for these words Maryanne Williamson. And thank you Lord. I know You answer prayer.

Simpify, Simplify

This school year, I am starting with a few missions, the first of which is family. 

Okay, so how does that look... and what am I talking about?  Here's the deal.  Every year, I LOVE my summer.  It is the best time for me to experience new things, and dig deeper into whatever interests and hobbies I'm into that year.  It's a refreshing, renewing time.  Ever since getting married and starting a family, my summers have been a bit different. 

As most parents know, family generally changes everything.  I love my job, even with the challenges and stresses, but I must say that I felt way better about my job when I was on my own.  Why?  Well, I can admit that my teaching job has a tendency to consume my life in many ways.  I really get into my work with the students and the school.  So, one could imagine that things would be very different when a couple of more pressing priorities enter the life of someone like me.  My family means more to me than my job, yet my job is highly demanding.  There's planning, preparing, the cumbersome act of teaching itself, staff meetings, additional duties toward school improvment, there's the grading piece... so much goes into effective instruction, and it's not all just about the curriculum being taught.  For me, it's about the kids. 

I work with a somewhat disadvantaged population, and I always feel like it is my job to try my best to give them what they need... filling in what's missing, even when I'm not sure what that is.  There are not enough teachers, in my opinion and observation, who still seem to actually care about the kids.  It's easy to forget about them, because they make it seem like they don't want or need anyone's help or support.  I keep trying to remember,"They're just kids, and I was a kid once... one day, my daughter will be in school; how should she be treated?"  This is my fuel.  Teaching is not an easy job if you actually want to make a difference. You get the picture.


Well, anyhow... this year, I have decided it is my mission to help the kids at school at absolutly no cost (or the absolute least cost) to my home life.  This means that I really need to work at it to get things in proper places and keep them there. I am tired of being too tired for everything during 9 months of every year.  So my plan is to simplify everything, not expecting so much of myself at work, and not letting work affect me so much at home. Of course, I have not mentioned how grad courses have also impacted my life at home, but thankfully, this is my last year of that!  Thus, I begin my thought process toward finding simplicity, and enriching life as a result.  Here goes!

Family

I'm sitting here with my family.  We are on the front porch, my husband and I.  He's relaxing, patting his foot to the music coming from my laptop.  I am (or was) working on the last assignment for my summer class (I'll get right back to it, I hope).  Our daughter is playing with her water play table, making 'soup' for her 'friends' out of water and leaves.  I thought to myself, how horrible it would be if I did not pause to notice this blessing... this moment.  It seems small, and it is.  But who said awesome could not be synonymous with simple?  Treasure your blessings, beloved. 

“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained” ~Winston Churchill

"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." ~Erma Bombeck

A Month for Me

Tomorrow is August 1st.  Many people with summers off from work (like me) begin to do some thinking around now.  Has my summer been productive?  Did I accomplish goals I wanted to?  Did I have fun?  Did I take time to relax?  We all treat vacation differently.

I am a teacher, and what I spend my summers on is usually making up for lost time.  I try to hang with the fam, spend as much quality time as I can with my daughter and my husband, without the feeling of being pressured by other stuff from work.  I love that about summer!  No big pressures.  I also try to mix in some time for me… time to replenish, energize, and plot out new directions. 

At this point, I have figured out where I want to go, and how to get there.  I have even taken some steps in that direction.  Now, some who have summers off know the blessing it can be.  You have precious time to work with, wherein you can breathe easy, slow your pace, see life more completely, and take time to do what you struggle to make happen during the work-year.   I can only speak for myself, but it seems like I actually take leave from myself during the school year, while I’m teaching.  I’ve been trying to work on that, but that’s a separate entry, altogether. 

My life is not the same and neither am I, when I’m working.  I love my family, I love my job, and I enjoy learning through my graduate courses, but there’s a missing ingredient, when the focus is all on others, and outside elements.  What about me?  I’m here for everyone else, except me… during the school year.  So, this summer, I’ve decided to take time to strengthen my relationship with my husband, my daughter, AND MYSELF.  Life has many works in progress.   One work in progress I sat on a shelf a few years ago was me.  I am certain that a happier, more full self will result in a happier, more well-balanced life.  I’ll be better at everything I do (including being a wife, mother, friend, and teacher) when I become a better me. 

So, all that being said, I am feeling a bit anxious today – July 31st.  Some know the strange feeling that approaches with August.  It’s like, okay, this time is not over, but it’s more ‘over’ than not.  Two months down, one to go.  It makes me feel the need to sink in deeply, making sure I’ve covered the bases.  Things change for me in the fall.  So, here’s the deal.  I will be fasting and praying all of August, to seek direction and guidance, as well as kicking several resolutions into high gear.  I’m just fasting from ice cream and fast food, but believe me, that will be enough to serve my purposes.  My purposes  are all linked to self-renewal, including value of self, commitment to health and fitness, increased self expression, and a few other things, which easily blend into those categories.  So, here we go… one month of me… to hopefully prepare myself to be better, more readily available and prepared to serve the purposes God has predestined me to fill at this point of my life.  Lord, may I emerge from this fast more fit – mind, body, spirit, and soul – and ready…

Thank you, Amen.

Progress.

As a busy mom, now at a new stage in life, I felt for a long time that I was exploring uncharted territory. No one could have prepared me for my life as it is now. I think I was in a state of shock for the last couple of years. My life has been great, no real complaints at all. Something was wrong, and I knew it, but it was pretty easy to ignore. Then, a few months ago, I finally began to snap out of it. Like I told my good friend, it's like slowly awakening from a deep sleep.. and feeling lost. Everything is fine, truly. And everything is a mess. Some of you can relate. Others think it sounds crazy. I understand, and I honestly don't think I can explain, so I'll just move on. One day, it might make perfect sense to those who don't understand today.

Yesterday, I was at Family Dollar buying some things, and noticed a small book, called "a Taste of Chicken Soup to Inspire a Woman's Soul." It's from the authors of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" and there is a full version of this book, but this little 'taste' just costs one dollar, so it goes in the cart, plus a copy for a friend. These are the words I found in the first two pages… in the introduction to the book:

"If you use this time to re-evaluate your life – to question anything you've been doing on autopilot for a long time, be it in your career, family, or relationships – then you can begin to unearth the secret wishes that will take you back to a more authentic sense of yourself" (Canfield, p. vii).

"How can you make this time of your life rich in self-discovery, growth, and transformation? To start, you can honor where you have been and what you've done; you can acknowledge the challenges you have endured, the strengths you have accumulated, and the knowledge you have extracted from your experiences. In other words, you can celebrate all that you are and all that you are becoming" (Canfield, p. viii).

At this, I experienced several sensations in unison – relief, awe, confirmation, and propulsion.

Feels nice.

Do what makes you happy.

Do you ever wake up wondering about your day?  Asking what the day ahead holds?  Sometimes, I do.  Sometimes, I try to get to the bottom of the day’s purpose, thought pattern, or even decide upon a theme for the day or week.  Well, I don’t do it very often, but it’s a practice I’d like to begin exploring.  What if I started each day with the question, “Ok, What’s today gonna be about?”  Of course, in my case I’m asking this question part to myself and part to another strong force, to be soon disclosed herein (ha, I love using words like that sometimes…. soon disclosed herein – that’s funny).

 Any how, today, as I was getting ready for my day, I was looking in the mirror (while brushing my teeth) and thought “So, what’s up with today?”  After a pause, I heard a small, still voice say, “Today, do whatever makes you happy.”  My immediate reaction was, “Wait a minute… that seems a little extreme and selfish even… possibly careless.”  So, the voice said, “Oh, let me explain…” And I realized the true message.  And it’s not just for me, and not just for today.  It’s for everybody, every day. 

What I thought was my own inner voice telling me to just live it up, because, hey – life is short, was actually the Holy Spirit whispering for me to look ahead, and use each day to create happiness, not just for today, but for life.  Let me say that again in other words:  Live each day in pursuit of happiness.  Do today what will make you happiest in the long run.  If this includes different things for each individual person’s pursuit, that makes perfect sense.  My pursuit of happiness includes a strong relationship with God, a close and loving relationship with my husband, a tight bond with my daughter, the health and longevity of my extended family, financial security, creative outlets, educating myself and others, personal fitness (feeling and looking my best), and much more.

Today, and for everyday, I hope I will always remember to Do What Makes Me Happy.

Practicing What We Preach

Is it just me, or do we sometimes forget to do what we know we should do?  I believe most of us have had a set of experiences that have taught us to do or not do certain things.  We have learned our lessons, and even shared them with others.  That’s why it’s so peculiar.  I know the things I need to work on.  I can even advise others on best practices in life.  So, why do I do things that I know I shouldn’t do?  Why don’t we always practice what we preach?  As many might answer, “Nobody’s perfect.”  And some might say it’s because we haven’t yet arrived.  We are not yet where we are destined to be.  It’s just odd to me.  How and why do we continue behaviors that we know aren’t getting us anywhere? 

Lord, help us to walk in discernment, with You as our guide.  Help us to lead productive lives, and to always take a moment’s pause before acting or reacting.  Thank you, Amen.

Kids Are Funny.

I have been amazed so many times this summer. I was first a tad bit amazed at my decision to teach summer school, after the year I had. It was a logical choice, though. It made sense for many reasons, and I don't regret it at all, aside from the time I missed out on at home. That's another discussion altogether...

Well, today was the last day of summer school. As I watched the students today, I was half-blown-away by a few things, which I can just barely put into words. There's so many stories in a classroom, and so many in each student, I am sometimes led to just smile thinking about the whole mix of things. I am trying to start a sentence here about a few specific kids that were in class this summer, and each time I start, I stop myself because it seems not right... I truly can't express what I'm thinking in simple words.

Here’s what I can write: Every kid needs to be appreciated, accepted, and shown love. Every single student, every child, as often as possible. My mother and my aunt have expressed a similar thought about teaching/education. How would I want my child treated? Here’s what I tried doing this summer… I became a step more real. I always try to respect my students, even those who are far less than respectful themselves. I try to think about what has caused or led to their behavior instead of focusing on the behavior itself. I try to speak kindly and be slow to become frazzled or upset. I try to watch and observe and respond in a sensible way. This does not mean I never lose my temper or run out of patience. That happens too. It’s just interesting to see what transpires when you teach and talk to kids, not at them. I haven’t said here what I set out to say… but there’s just something awesome about time and teaching. If you pay attention, and relax a little, you’ll watch kids grow leaps and bounds and you’ll laugh – a lot.

Today, on the last day of summer school, I had students who didn’t want to leave, students who were beaming from ear to ear about passing the class (because they never dreamed it possible), and a couple working harder than I thought they could (or cared to) just to finish a poster project that may or may not help their grade. And then there’s me – I told an eighth grader today, “Wow, summer went so quickly. I’m almost as sad as I am happy.” Karisha, who had returned to the classroom, after she had been dismissed for an awards ceremony, said, “I know!” then looked around to see who heard. Then, she sorta meandered around the room, and I thought she might have had more to say… perhaps I’ll never know. Kids are funny.

Sssshhhhh.......

Silence is golden.  Isn't that part of a song or something?  Well, I was just thinking how true it is.  It is absolutely amazing - the power of silence.  We do not always have to respond.  Wait.  Marinate.  Allow the thought process to do what it does.  Step away from defense... If you haven't ever tried it.  Try just listening.  I took a class a few years ago that was supposed to teach very basic skills for counseling.  One of the most valuable things I learned in that class is how important it is sometimes to just be quiet.  Stop finishing other people's sentences, filling in the blanks and having such quick responses.  Just wait... wait... wait.  Ask a question, and then wait.  Make a statement, and then wait.  Roll things you hear around in your head a while before slamming down your response.  If you haven't tried it... please do.  If you have tried it, I hope you like it and have learned from it as much as I continue to.  I believe that doing this can truly change your life.  Truly.

You, Too?

 It's so awesome when a set of words can meander into our lives and somehow stick... often resonating years later with deeper meaning than whatever profound meaning first occurred.  Anyway... several years ago, I heard something like that and it's stuck with me ever since.  One of my favorite artists is Lauryn Hill, who was once very famous as a mainstream musician.  One might call her pop, hip hop, or maybe even soul.  Possibly even R&B.  In any event, when she began to feel herself slipping away from herself, she took a voyage inward and years later released an album most refer to as "Lauryn - Unplugged." 

This album has many great songs, and is very rich in thought, reflection... and then some.  One of my favorite songs on the album is called, "I Get Out." It talks about living life out of the box, being free to just be.  Somewhere on that album, she talks (not in a song, just in a spoken interlude) about how nice it is to be free - be who God created you to be.  She mentions how it feels to put aside vanity and pressure to be perfect, flawless and fit some standard.  How neat it is to just let your belly out and then when you see another person who is also living free, belly out, unafraid to just be free, you can smile and say, "You, too?"

Too many of us are hiding.  Even if we have great reasons for hiding... wonderful respectable causes for our masks, disguises, and ahem... girdles...  it is my hope and prayer for all of us that we find the time and ability to love ourselves fully and completely enough, to let it all out, get out of our boxes, step firmly into each breath and step of life, meeting friends with the nerve to free themselves, and smiling....

"You, too?"

One You...

It's been a while since I stopped by my own spot, my little space for words and thoughts... mini-explorations.  So, here I am again.  And what's cool - time has lifted me to a new place, and the best thing ever is emerging.  I was thinking on my way home today... How nice it feels to be REAL.  If I could name my current voyage, the word authenticity would have to be in the title.  It is my hope to improve my authentic self as soon as humanly possible by all means within my grasp.

There is a scene in the movie Great Debaters where Melvin Tolson (Denzel) is speaking to the debate team (mostly to a troubled young man named Henry Lowe) and informs him it is his job as teacher and coach to help him "find and take back [his] righteous mind."  That is one of many favorites for me in that movie.  I love it.

I hope more and more people can find the courage to be free in truth, embrace reality, keep it Real, and hold tight to a very precious, authentic and righteous mind.  You only get one you.