How awesome is this narcissism; sitting on the couch with my iPhone, iPad Air and MacBook Pro everything in sync. Michelle, who is sitting on the couch with me, seemingly annoyed with the simultaneous notifications. & then my Apple life flashed in front of me, my photos are not syncing to my iPhone...
Read MoreBecoming mindful of your thoughts, will make you alert to new perspectives.
Your life, by extension of writing, will define, shape and help you articulate your world view more effectively.
Read MoreA few weeks ago I was inspired by a former co-worker. I had begun to see her in the gym; I noticed she had dropped a few pounds from when we worked together, from my point of view I never thought she was in bad shape. Perhaps I Am biased, because I like grown woman weight. Read: Curves.
Read MoreThe first chilly morning of the Autumn season makes me reflect on all those summer days cruising (on foot) through the park to see who was playing ball. Remember the old folks used a term… “courting”? That term came from the days when one would sit in the courtyard of a southern home with an intended “sweetie”. Well, I guess the basketball court was a version of that.
Read More"Set in the slums of Hillbrow, an overpopulated urban area of inner city Johannesburg, Umkhungo tells the story of Themba, a young boy shrouded since birth by paranormal events; most say haunted by the ancestors. When his mother is murdered, and his father dies in mysterious and unexplained circumstances; Themba is rescued by a disillusioned street thug, Mthunzi."
Read MoreVacation and the Art of Presence
My family and I squeezed in another vacation a few weeks ago; a mini reunion in Alabama. I have a cousin who is retired military and he was able to secure cabins for us at an incredible discount. Keyword; Cabins, as you might imagine we were surrounded by the outdoors but this is perfect for me. I Am an early riser and on the second morning after our arrival I sat outside on the cabin’s front stoop; my e-reader opened to Between the World and Me, but I have no desire to read. There was peace and silence.
Read MoreMy kids recently tested my gangsta’, a package with my name on it arrived at the house. I imagine they waited all day to see what was inside; with all eyes on me they watched in wondrous amazement as I opened it. The look on their face was priceless once they realized it contained socks. They said: “You’ve spent a lot of money on socks.” I said: Yo’ mama. No, I really said “Also on food, clothing, shelter, summer camp, North Carolina Dance Theatre, basketball camp …”
I’m a social drinker, my coffee break partner(s) and I opine about life and all of its ironic twist on a regular. The theme over this past week has been about things living souls are unwilling to do for balance, peace, healing, and/ or love.
Read More1991
When I moved to Atlanta I became quickly enamored with the amount of melanin in the metro area. One of my favorite things to do involved people watching in Underground. One day while taking in the sights, sounds and smells a young woman approached me from the stairs of the Dollar Store. She stopped and chatted’ me up. Most of you know from previous post that I have no idea when a woman is hitting on me.
She gassed me from the start...
Read MoreWhen Michelle & I started dating we visited Charleston, SC. While amazed at the culture, food and charm of the city I would be remiss if I did not state how sensitive to my surroundings I had become; the vendors on the market, the owners of the shops and restaurants and especially while on a tour of a plantation. Even more reticent when faced with the tour being rushed so they could set up for an onsite wedding that evening.
In retrospect I didn’t know how to effectively communicate my feelings so I remained silent.
Not speaking about the facets of racism only silences those who endure it. It does not erase the actions of those who engage in it or will engage in it in a number of ways; from individual to individual, legislatively, culturally (from law enforcement, banks, schools etc.) to of course the media.
Find your voice.
I Am
At times I Am an avid listener; I have family, friends and co-workers who call me to complain, often daily, but they are not seeking advice. (Even when they are fortunate enough to have a problem with a clear solution, they will ignore it and continue to complain.) At those times, I realize that they only seek to vent,. they are not seeking a solution nor would they implement one if it presented itself. This is what it sounds like when doves cry. It also sharpens my listening skills as I become a detached observer, allowing them the space to talk it out.
Read MoreAlways remember that nothing is worth more the this day.
Seize the day, and put the least possible trust in tomorrow and learn to live each day as it comes and not to borrow trouble be dreading tomorrow.Read More
The love she exudes is amazing; my heart is full.
Read MoreYou never lost faith in me.
At my lowest you saw potential and fought for me to win. We remained friends in spite of my thorns and through my ongoing transformation. We have failed each other and we experienced limitations in our love.
My love was limited by my inability to set aside self-interest; however, your love didn’t demand perfection. This alone makes it very easy to love, especially one that loves you.
Read MoreCauliflower Tacos w/ Strawberry Mango Salsa, I taste them.
Peony, apricot, orange and bergamot, I smell her.
House is still; no music, no tv, no kids laughing (or complaining), I hear the silence.
Eyes closed, I see The Future; the physical environment, who will be there, the sights and sounds. I see you.
Feels like weight has been lifted; my arms, legs, back, chest, stomach... You feel me?
Read MoreTrue story; my life began to change the moment I grew a beard and started taking better care of myself.
Mute your dissent.
Also true, life became much easier when I began to place less value on material things and truly live within my means. At the time of this observation it wasn't a choice, rather something forced upon me. Workforce Reduction, translation = laid off.
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@MrTramueL Went the distance now your back on your feet, just a man and his will to survive.
— Nike Running (@NikeRunning) January 8, 2015According to Freud, our self-concept (our sense of ourselves, including our confidence, our pride, and our sense of attractiveness to others) stems from three sources:
Mr. TramueL's corollary; people need love, to be seen, heard, and understood.
Read MoreCaught up in a reverie. One Summer in D.C., while playing in an abandonded pickup truck, I cut my left knee on an old, rusted hubcap. I'm horrible with time/age, I imagine I was five or six. I recall not being able to sleep at night. In part due to the pain but mostly by not being able to move/shift my body into a comfortable position.
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