Laughter is medicine. It is soul energy. It reinvigorates the mind and lightens the heart. Do you laugh enough? Surround yourself with joyfilled people. Be silly. Use the natural healing power given to us all. Make yourself laugh. Smile and laugh more.

  I have to admit that I had stopped listening to Mary J. Blige for a few years now as I was not excited about some of her projects. However, I heard this song on the radio recently and really enjoyed it. Maybe the timing is right and I am caught up in my feelings (being the holidays and all) or maybe it is the fact that we all (male and female) have had an encounter with someone we wanted more from and it resonates in that empty space or maybe it is just a darn good joint that I missed because I was not feeling MJB lol.   Whatever it is, the lyrics inspired the above.   Mr. Wrong Feels good when he touches my flesh but my soul is void, from this emptiness we must break free. A WMT Cinquain

What Pains Me There are so many people that are blind to the fact that we live in seperate and distinct realities. One where everything is rosey and people cannot imagine that racism is real in this day and age. The other where good, hardworking, moral, law abiding Black people (yes they do exist. We are not mythical unicorns) face injustices (subtle and overt) like not getting a job or getting profiled and harassed by law enforcement or housing discrimination or inferior education etc. etc on a regular basis. What pains me in this situation is the indignation that the "blind ones" display when the Black community has the nerves to speak out against such things. As though we should simply be greatful that we have been allowed a seat at the table and forget that they are passing the plates to everyone but us and we are there hungry, smelling the food but unable to help ourselves to our fair portion so that we may also partake in the meal. What pains me is the complete...

  Share Love Let us come together and lift each other up for the season to spread love is year round. A WMT Cinquain

I have to admit that I haven't danced as much as I could have. Instead, I have let annoyances and stress get the best of my mood. The holidays are also the time I put a brave face on and pretend that memories of loved ones lost are not particularly haunting me. So I forget to dance when I should do it more. Jump around to a tune. It will feel good. Let's all engage in some RDT (random dance time)!

A quick morning mood elevator.  It really took only 15 minutes, and I haven't worked out in months. Let's go!

  Bad news gets sensationalized. It is emotional so it pull at us, get reactions out of us. However, bad news is not the common thread of life. It is the small things that happen everyday. It is the ordinary, everyday things that we take for granted. Those things are what makes up a full life. The simple act of walking my child to school, making dinner, caring for the ones we love, laughing on the phone with a good friend and helping a family member out even when we may not feel like it are all things that make life full. These are the things that matter. These are the things that are important. These are the things that connect us and fulfill us and if we are aware, if we pay attention make us happy.  On the eve of giving thanks, let's not forget the joys of the simple, ordinary things.

The Grand Jury ruled against indictment on the Mike Brwon Ferguson shooting case. Officer Wilson will not be heald accountable for his actions. It is unfortunate but not unexpected. Just as the subsequent looting and violence, by a few (have to stress that), in reaction is not surprising. Both situations are dissapointing though. This case is not about one kid, one situation. It is about taking a stance for all of them and thus moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, now there is no direction as evidenced by the looting and rioting which is a baser response to the negative emotions that come from the decision. However, what I find to be the real dissapointment is the reaction by the mainstream.  The media seem to revel in the opportunity to display the short sighted, emotional and reactionary behavior (not that I condone the behavior). It is like they are saying see how these people are. What do you expect! The responses are no better. People have said...

No one wants to be judged; however, some loving direction and advice can serve a long way. When we, fallible people ourselves,  pass judgement on others it may make them feel small while superficially elevating our own selves. Teach in love. Advise in love. Direct in love. Guide in love. Healthy and fruitful communication depends,  in a large part, on the delivery of the message. Let's not forget to come from a place of love. Love goes further.

I have two little ones, my son and my daughter.  They are my everything. Yet, they frustrate me to no end. Sometimes they make me so crazy that I just don't know what I'm going to do with them. Then there are those moments when they are doing something silly or making me laugh that I stop and look at them and realize that all the love I have in me is nestled in them. My children frustrate me and worry me and stress me out because I love them so much, because I want what's best for them. All of the excess love that I have in me is alive in them. In those fleeting moments in which the love in my heart swells for them I realized that it is all worth it. That is where my love goes.