Stuff I Write About

Winter is a time of stillness, in that stillness find your best and true self. Blessings ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I have decided to not become and just be all those dreams that I hold in the palm of my hand I shake them like dice and let them roll bounce to the beat of my footsteps I walk gently amongst a forest of trees notice their expertise in being still still I am and still I be still I am and still I be the greatest gift you will ever see drop down from heaven bowing down on one knee... to God waiting for my James Brown cape

God extends grace in places with mold and mildew Grace comes in like scrubbing bubbles, working hard so you don’t have to God’s grace shovels away all that hard black snow that sticks to the mud flaps of your tires. (I’m from Pittsburgh, I know about these things). God’s grace is big enough to cover all of your tractor size sin and mine too which is approximately the size of every room - - in the Taj Mahal God extends grace where He need not too, over all those places you promised God you never would do - - again. God extends grace in between beats of a metronome, always on time, always in time, In my life and yours God extends grace.

This was a six-minute free write assignment on the topic of wisdom. Wisdom doesn't always take a whole lot of time, sometimes when it is ready, it just does. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What is Wisdom? Solomon. My grandmother's knee. Not sure, but I think of Psalms or Ecclesiastes, and about how there's nothing new under the sun Wisdom is - like beauty is, or love is. Wisdom does. It is all those "best things" we measure our judgement against. It is taking an umbrella on a rainy day. It is knowing when to and when not to say. It is at age 40 not making the same mistakes as age 20. It is time gently rapping at experience's door or rain pelting heavily on tin. You can't help but hear it, you know when it comes in. Wisdom is as widsom does and for some better than others. It escapes us like salt through a sifter, at times smothers us like an avalanche or comforts us like a warm blanket Wisdom, time tested and manifested in days that lie behind...

For anyone who has fallen off track, God is still there in you, among you and your true self. Peace +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I'm starting to feel like myself again... Like clearing my space and getting rid of waste, and time that really ain't mine, don't belong to me but someone else maybe I like "to be" in the morning when the dew is fresh and so am I My eyes drop tears like the sky does and if think I was the Earth maybe I'd cry too For you - I would do the impossible For you - I would drink up the waters of time and feel quench in my thirst. A warm hearth of fire in my belly from all that jive talking, swagger walking stuff - you know just being, myself The me, when I'm not in stealth mode For you - I would apple pie a-la-mode my life with you I live, I live, I live For you. Where does God end and I begin?

G od reveals himself in strange places, sometimes in these fleshly vessels but today God revealed himself as a candle. In symbolism, observe God’s nature… ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What causes a candle to burn, the wick or the flame? And what keeps it consumed? You will see all these things in a flame... How it is strongest in its stillness How weak and frail its wick is How it relies on wax for replenishment What makes it burn? What gives it its glow? Look through the flame and you will know what weakness and strength really is When there is much motion, the flame is most volatile Susceptible to external conditions Easily blown out But, when it is still, its stillness gives it strength To lap up wax around it and feed on its consistency Many things I notice in watching a candle... How good God is How we too must feed on His consistency When we are still, we are made strong Lest we become susceptible to forces external to us To be blown out So I, as the wick, see my fragil...

So, I have this theory about trees, take a read and see if you agree. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Trees reach out to one another. The beauty of heart-shaped archways optimize love. Quiet romance. Have you ever felt serenity on tree lined streets? Shared strength in touching. Have you ever looked up and noticed trees holding hands above your head? Twists of artistic feats. Have you ever felt the sadness in the fall of leaves beneath your feet? Trees reach out to one another. They stretch themselves to find friends outside their comfort zone. I’ve seen trees in wedlock Leaves slapping high-five Trees celebrating, “We just glad to be alive” Trees expressing love, embraces without shame, Trees supporting each other without notoriety, money, or fame. Trees reach out to one another. Trees live, shed leaves, take reprieve, only to do it again next year. Trees grow, they know, how to reach out to one another, and hold on. I think that trees are much smarter than me.

Surround yourself at all times with the Good things of life and watch your world change. Here's are Seven Keys to Life, little reminders to help you remember what those Good things are...plus one added extra. Enjoy! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The 7F's: Secret Keys to Life F riendship F amily F un F aith F reedom F itness F avor And my personal favorite: F rench fries Bonnne journee!

I commit to being fully engaged in each moment in this day I commit to being responsible to my mind, body, and spirit within I throw off the weight of inadequacy and despondency Now is enough I commit to not overcomplicating my life with the complexities of over commitment I commit to not tarry through life just trying to make it through each day, but that I do make each day un-arduously simplistic.

The teacher came to teach with me and to me today, and my heart is glad. Instead of an apple, He brought me the gift of peace and we began our lesson plan. He asked why I was so anxious, so worried, to this I replied, "I don't know, I'm trying to figure it out." He asked, "how will you figure anything out without me?' He told me that if and when I am lost to search deep inside myself. There will I find Him, and all answers within. I thanked the kind teacher and went about my way, wondering what I did so good that He should visit me on today. Amen.

Today, I put on the spirit of humility... Today, I take my time... Be careful, be deliberate... Today, I let my Lord's countenance be all about me... Today, I serve with joy and honor as it is a privilege... Be filled with joy, hope, and peace. Radiate.... Today, I take the Holy Spirit wherever I go Be filled with Love and offer it in abundance to others... Today, I listen to my spirit first and I leave room for work... Be not, so critical of yourself.... Today, I heed the small voice within, for it is always right.

The following passage was written after a trip to the Bahamas. I learned some things and ultimately grew stronger, despite the mosquito bites. Thank you God of the Bahamas, God of the Flamboyant tree, God in the sky. May it unlock the full potential of you. - Peace ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Beauty is how I feel. I learn to appreciate the beauty without envy, to fully enjoy it in its Godness. I learn to observe beauty without being overly concerned that my beauty is not the beauty of the observed. My beauty is not relative, it just is. Beauty is in all of us, all round us, and in it all lives Wisdom. I am beauty.I love my beauty _________________ Photos by Shawn Escoffery http://shawnescoffery.com/

Perfect – (1):“without errors, flaws, or faults,” (2):“complete and lacking nothing essential.” In reading these definitions, I am grateful that in every Imperfection there is an opportunity to recognize “I’m Perfect.” It gives me an opportunity to appreciate the reality of who I am not just who I wish to be. The good news is that both definitions are true. My spirit is at peace knowing no person is truly perfect and whatever state I am in life, I am complete, lacking nothing essential. Perfection - "somebody or something that has reached the highest attainable standard.” An “I’m Perfection” perception is a view that leaves me feeling failed and depleted when I don’t live up to the high standard I set for myself. Whatever I perceive as my imperfections, I learn about them and from them. I am assured that I am complete and lacking nothing essential, despite of them. I Love myself for who I am today for I am Ideal, Just Right, Great, and Wonderful in other words I’m Perfect!

A special message for ladies, it's as the songwriter wrote: "Sometimes you have to encourage yourself..." Be Blessed ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Why isn’t being who you are today good enough? Why do you need to be a heroic ideal, a mental projection of who you think you should be in some tomorrow? Thinner, richer, lighter or darker, happier, a heroine of community efforts and savior of the modern world Don’t you k now who you are today is already enough? “You” right now in the present is enough. It is good to have dreams and goals, but do not lose sight of today’s reality because your vision is so far into the future. Don’t miss the blessing under your nose, in your house, in your bed, at your job. Love you in the now and God and the Universe will thank you for it. Be your own best friend, cheerleader, champion, and advocate. Tell yourself – how beautiful you are, how smart you are, how much you love those round hips and big eyes. Mean It. Be th...

Just sharing some wisdom in a prose that is just a reminder to some if not all: LIVE ! “Hey Hey Hey… Death Angel, Death Angel done came to see me, so I knew my time wouldn’t run me much longer. I gotta.. I gotta go, Gotta let the wind know How much I appreciate the cool air on my cheek. Gotta let the foundations of the Earth know How much I appreciate the ground under my feet. How I love bird song..and the night long. You know when, like sometimes I can’t sleep and I’m just up. But I appreciate being up and being alive. Hey Hey Hey… I gotta…I gotta go, Gotta let my family know How much I’ll miss them Gotta let my friends know How much I love ‘em and their laughter and their comfort How I appreciate their presence Death Angel, Death Angel done came to see me, and it..it ain’t much time for me left. But then again, it never was. I gotta.. I gotta go, Gotta let that man know, I ain’t neva been one to fall in love recklessly be fo’, But Jack, I’m ready to tumble down that hill if’n...

Listen to your inner voice ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If I may The Devil gotta funny way of keeping the mind so preoccupied that you nev'a getta chance to really - think To really- sink deep down into the core of yourself so much so that you can hear that echo sound when no one else' around you feel yourself reverberate. Fate bounces of the walls of you soul and fills those holes you had your big car, plasma t.v., black card, and designer shoes in. Sometimes when you lose control, you really win. The devil gotta funny way of keeping the mind in a state of static shock keeping us locked and in awe of what we ought and ain't got When we really ought to be glad we got at all Static nev'a changing The Devil is funny that way.

This bout of prose comes out of experience, lessons from a battle that I want to share with anyone struggling with themselves about who they are or what they should do in life. I understand your grief, but I submit to you follow the path of joy and throw out the unknown, when fighting, passion and purpose are bullies they'just double-team you anyway.Date: Anyday Time: 3 O'Clock Place: Passion meets Purpose, After Class When the Real Learning Begins +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Today passion pushed my back up against a wall, while purpose looked on over its shoulder. I cried out, "Enough! You can have my lunch money already. I need to go on a diet anyway."I've been eating too much junk lately.just snacking on whatever would appease my fancy,just to take up time,just to occupy my mind - with things that don't matter much.just so I wouldn't have to hear the quickening of my heart beat when I saw y'all coming.just so I ...

**Just Something to Think About*** Happy Love Month I sit and watch love pass by, behind a giant glass, like sea things in an aquarium. Hoping, wishing, that it will circle back around me so I can get a better glimpse this time. Stretching and craning my neck to get one last view. Then it's gone. Knowing I'll never touch it, bound by this glass, I leave the tips of my fingerprints pressed against its coolness. And my heart yearns. So.. I sit and watch love pass by, behind a giant glass, like sea things in an aquarium. It circles, dips, and dives, not knowing its contained, not remembering what it's like to be free. Quiet and content and oblivious to me. Why won't it look my way? Why won't it take hold of me? Why won't this glass crack like my heart does? So I can jump on love's back and we could ride off on a wave to the sea So I press my face against the glass to listen to sounds of undercurrent circumstance And imagine the impossible. I look up and wonder...

Whenever I find myself looking over my shoulder I'm grateful God keeps me from turning into a pillar of salt. Be careful of who and what you surround yourself with. Be mindful of negativity, sometimes it is cloaked in kind faces. The world is a sad place when everything is against you. Be grateful for some things that have slipped away and always look to the hills from which cometh your help. It's brighter on the horizon and it is hard to move forward looking backward. "The secret is not to figure it out, just live." - A. McCray