Turtle life, or, Soft Power
So we meet again. I knew you’d come back to me, My Pretty. I mean, be serious. It is me, and I am who I’ve aways been. That’s what my Self said to me as I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. I am who I’ve always been. It was so immediate. So grounded. So sure. Here I am, minding my own business, not even paying myself no mind and no sooner than I happen to look up & see my gorgeousness staring back at me, do I hear the voice of my Inner G speak to me. No matter who you are, where you are, or when, I am who I’ve always been. And perhaps you are too…
A writer needs their quiet solitude. It’s in the silence that the inner Self emerges and allows the timeless truths of the world to flow forth, because Spirit is always connected to the Soul of the World. I think it was in Letters to a Young Poet that Rainer Marie Wilke told his eager correspondent that solitude is a necessary component of success as a writer, so he had better get comfortable with it. We have to be able to hear ourselves think. When I first began cultivating my morning routine, I made sure to include a minimum hour alone in the mornings to get my prayer, yoga, & meditation in, and follow it up with some morning pages, although that—morning pages—and yoga have been pretty lacking as of late. Which is why I’ve felt a renewed sense to get back on the workout wagon and tighten things up around here. Literally & figuratively. Look good, feel good. Amirite? And admittedly, it is hard to feel good when you’re wrought with worry and anxiety about self and/or others. All the more reason to cultivate a grounding practice so that, no matter which way the wind blows, you remain centered, understanding the ever-flowing laws of change.
I was watching this show several years ago, Our Kind of People, with Yaya DaCosta who played a single mom from the inner city risking it all and moving her family to a vineyard with hopes of taking her natural-hair-care line to the next level by infiltrating the African American elite in a well-to-do community while hiding the fact that she’s the secret daughter of the wealthiest businessman in town. Naturally, worlds collide, and one thing her character said stuck out to me so much I almost put it on a t-shirt. Maybe it’s not too late... But I did write it down on a sticky note—Matter fact, where did I put that?—In coming to grips with the stark contrast to the life of struggle she lived vs. the life of luxury she could have had, and grappling with her mother’s decision to shield her true identity, she posited (something along the lines of~), “Of all the lessons I learned from my mother, my one wish is that she had taught me softness.”
That’s a recurring theme amongst Black women stemming from a number of socio-economic factors. But, like anything else, a choice has to be made regarding what we carry as our own, and what we decide to lay down as baggage that was picked up from a fellow traveler, but was never meant to be ours to carry in this lifetime. When the time comes, what are you going to have to let go of?
In what ways have you been preventing yourself from releasing into the power of softness?
birds of a feather
They say that we are the sum total of the 5 people you hang around with the most. Take a look around your crew. If you didn’t just get inspired by each and every one of them, then you don’t have a circle, you have a cage my friend. And it’s easy to talk a good game. It’s easy to put on a show, but to take inspired, concerted action every day towards your goals and desires until you make them manifest is the type of stuff that leaves the lames quaking in the dust.
On my walk one morning, as I was crossing over the creek bridge, I glanced down and noticed a bajillion turtles all playing on the surface directly below me. A friendly reminder from the Universe that even the last will get their moment to bask in the warmth of the son.
I mentioned before, but grad school is really where my journey to brain re-wiring and healing truly began. I mean how could it not when the training itself was specifically geared towards stripping us of everything we thought ourselves to be and rebuilding us back into the truth of who we are. How could we connect with characters on a page if we weren't connected to ourselves? Acting is living truthfully under imaginary circumstances, so you had to learn the art of embodiment. That’t not to say that as an actor you will have personally experienced everything the characters have that you portray, but you are able to tap into the energy “as if.” In the laws of manifestation they tell you, “Act as if it is already so.” Be and it is. Sidebar—but how come people try to down play a Master of Fine Arts & isn’t taken as seriously as, say a Master of Education or Science? Or is it just me? I AM A MASTER IN MY FIELD OF EXPERTISE AND WANT SOME RESPECK PUT ON MY NAME.
Anywho, it was during this time I participated in a mind-mapping seminar and one of the things they had us do was draw a life map in which we take the 6 key categories that make up life, and highlight attributes from them that sum up our life “as if” living in that desired reality. The main takeaways are not only to be specific and intentional, but to also make sure that you read this map everyday to reinforce in your subconscious mind that this is the life you are living until it becomes your reality. I’ll give you 4 of the 6 categories. Can you guess the other two?
Find out the other two when you purchase your own customizable Life Map template. Available tonight at 9 PST at BismillahandBonappetit.com
quite the pickle
I discovered a newfound addiction of fried pickles courtesy of the restaurant next door to the hospital. I didn’t try anything else on the menu, but I fear they may have done their big one wit them thangs. I’m not a ranch girl (the dressing, not the location!) so I asked for some mustard instead, and lemme just tell you!!! The tartness. The Sour. It just added another element to an already delightful snack and helped kick the pickle flavor up a notch! Location undisclosed, but when in Texas, try bbq joints even if you don’t eat the meat. You never know what other options they have available to titillate your tastebuds! And don’t forget to tell them the Wicked Witch of the West sent ya!
All that was missing was a little frog slime & then this dish would’ve been absolutely sublime! Hehehehehe
My aunt made these fried cauliflower wings that were tuh die for, do you hear me! Omigod those things were so doggone good. I gotta get the recipe. Sorry, no pictures available. You’ll just have to take my word for it! These things had me melting. Melllllting!
But on a serious note, my mom has been in the hospital for the majority of the time that I’ve been here, so your sincere prayers and donations are appreciated as she undertakes this journey to rehabilitation. My mom raised 8 kids, and even while tending to us, she always put others before herself. A long-time worker & advocate for liberties and justices for all, she deserves the same level advocacy when it comes to her health care. We all do. And I want to make sure she gets everything she needs to maximize her outcomes. Thank you for your support.
woosah wind down
As you can imagine it’s been gettin, gettin, gettin kinda hectic ova here, so my schedule is a little off, but we Breathe Through the Bullsh*t and sally forth. What are My Pretties all over the globe finding helpful to free your mind and relax, relate, & release? I declare that we should have a 2 day affair dedicated to Summer Lovin. How bout this coming Sunday & Monday, July 20 & 21, we dedicate to loving each and every single wild and crazy one!? Oh you better get prepared to be glittered ALL over!!! We’re going to cause a Love Frenzy! I can see the headlines now: The World Has Gone Madly In Love. It’s going to be marvelous, Darlings, mark your calendars.
And while you’re over there ruminating on love’s hope, gone ‘head and mozy over to our shop & check out our new tote!
Oh, and where are you in All About Love? A little behind, aren’tcha? I gotta read a few more chapters and then we can compare notes. Well, My Sweet, that’s all she wrote for today. As ever and always, you could be anywhere in the world, but you’re here with me, & I love that for us. Have an unforgettable rest of your week. Stay blessed everyBuddy, and God speed!
Love Always (& Besitos!)
Your Darling Queen of HaHts who’s in need of some new vestidos!! And rapido!