Zen

There are two places in my home that I automatically deem as my place of peace. These two rooms are my bedroom and bathroom. There are the two places where I can always hear and call on God. Zen despite its mystical connotations is your place of meditation, your place of peace. For some, it may be the basement or the kitchen. Make sure that you have some place in your home where you can seek and hear from God. Make sure that you have a place where you can be free and transparent with your creator. Make sure that you make time and space for zen in your life.

Jewels

I grew up in barbershops and salons. In the African American community, this is where uncensored conversations about sex, money, politics, current events and religion occurred. As a child, I knew better than to join the conversation, but I did learn how to listen and digest what I was hearing. I learned to see things from a variety of perspectives whether I agreed or not. I learned about consequences from foolish behavior. I learned about successes from hard work. I learned that relationships are complicated. I learned that marriage takes work. I learned what men want and what women desire.

I learned to respect these "jewels" that were given. I learned that everything did not have to be experienced, and that I could learn vicariously. These men and women gave me "jewels" I still carry. They gave me wisdom and insight. I thank God for all the lessons and all the love given to this "young buck." I thank God for the men who stood in the place of my father and all the "mothers" who raised me.

I was blessed to have a host of strong women around me. My grandmother dropped domestic jewels and was my first example of a wife and mother. My mother is an enduring example of strength and perseverance. My godmother is an example of what fortitude looks like and one of my earliest examples of what it meant to truly blend a family. I have a host of mentors, "aunties", play cousins and friends who constantly shower me with "jewels" from their joy, their pain, and their triumphs.

Thank you for your time, your tenth, and your talent. Thank you for showing me that marriage and motherhood doesn't look the same for everyone. Thank you for your jewels. Happy Mother's Day.

Joy

I went to bed with news of someone's death, and woke up this morning with news of someone's death. Every year, it seems that more and more people transition through the holidays, which in turns makes it hard for those people to endure the holidays the following year. How can we celebrate with so much gloom and doom? How can I have joy in the midst of all this sorrow and pain? Well, joy is a feeling, but it's also a choice. You can choose to wallow in despair and sadness or you can relish in memories of joy and happiness. Joy is a gift that you can open and share with the world or you can leave it unopened. Choose joy! It's an easier burden to bear. 

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves."- Buddha

Sidenote: What does Buddha have to do with Christmas? I've always said that we have more in common than we do differences. Find your common ground. Find joy! Read more at http://www.alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-buddhist-christmas/

Woke

Being woke is nothing new. It's just a new term for an old movement. There have always been anecdotes about slumber. My generation warned each other about "sleeping." The generation before warned that "the revolution would not be televised." Knowledge never comes to those who are not informed, nor does not come to those who do not seek it. We must be diligent in our pursuit to know and do more. The information is out there, and it is more accessible than ever. Woke is more than a movement. It is a choice. #dontsleep

Intuition

Steve Jobs once said that intuition is more powerful than intellect. Yet, we value intellect more than our innate ability to discern. Webster's dictionary defines intuition as the power or faculty of attaining direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference. In other words, intuition is that gut feeling you try to ignore or rationalize. Trust your gut! Go with your first mind. Don't ignore the signs. We've all heard these phrases. They are all different ways to encourage you to trust your inner voice. Listen closely. There is wisdom in that small still voice. Trust your intuition!

"Intuition is seeing with the soul." -Dean Koontz