Blessings, affirmations, grace, and reflection

I was actually supposed to fly out of New Orleans yesterday so I am thrilled with my decision to cancel the trip. It would have been a nightmare to try to get out of there. I would have had to resort to drowning myself in a few of New Orleans' "good" hurricanes (see below) to deal with the stress of it all. Despite the overwhelming devastation affecting the city of New Orleans, I am happy to know that my cousin was able to safely reach Baton Rouge where she is staying with her daughter. Her son, who stayed in the house in the Carollton section of town, says that the water is only up to the first step on his street and the surrounding streets are actually dry. He said that even if the water continues to rise it would drain down in the direction of the river. My heart still aches for the people who are suffering through this disaster in the flooded areas and I am quite angry about the lack of working levees in certain parts of town. If anyone has ever been to New Orleans...

I started typing this deep, indepth post about how I was so inspired by watching this film tonight at the Brecht Forum . I wrote about why it affected me the way it did and how it tied into my college experience . I was even going to tie in a personal connection to the subject matter. Unfortunately, as I typed it got lost somewhere in cyberspace and I couldn't recover it. So until I am able to muster the energy and fortitude to type it up again, this will have to suffice.

This week I was supposed to fly into New Orleans for a wedding in a nearby city. Due to a family situation in another state, I decided at the last minute not to go. Some of my relatives are in the path of hurricane Katrina . A mandatory state of emergency has been declared by President Bush. Some people have gone to evacuation centers but one of my cousins is riding it out at home. Please keep everyone in your prayers.

This one came from Siddity and I thought it was pretty cool. The following are the top 100 songs from the year * I graduated high school. Apparently the rules are to do the following: Bold for the songs you like , strike through the ones you hate and underline your favorite . Since I don't know how to strike through (someone is welcome to help me on that one), I will do as Sid and highlight them instead. I also decided to italicize the ones that are borderline . 1. That's What Friends Are For, Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Gladys Knight ( This was our Senior Graduation song .) 2. Say You, Say Me, Lionel Richie 3. I Miss You, Klymaxx 4. On My Own , Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald 5. Broken Wings, Mr. Mister 6. How Will I Know, Whitney Houston 7. Party All The Time, Eddie Murphy 8. Burning Heart, Survivor 9. Kyrie, Mr. Mister 10. Addicted To Love, Robert Palmer 11. Greatest Love Of All, Whitney Houston 12. Secret Lovers, Atlantic Starr 13. Friends And Lovers, Carl Anders...

A few days ago Princess Dominique , her royal highness tagged me to do this musical meme. I usually don't do these but I made an exception for her majesty. I finally pulled together a list of earbugs that have been in constant rotation* inside of my head for weeks now. Since I am required to tag others, I will tag Alli , Saffron , Grayse , Siddity , Baby Girl , EJ , Honey and any other music lover who wants to do it. The rule is 10 songs and 4 tags. Enjoy! 1. "I Keep" Jill Scott Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2 I keep Moving forward, pressing onward, striving further I keep Keep on laughing, keep on living, keep on loving yeah I keep Keep on dreaming keep on achieving, keep on believing I keep I keep smiling when I come thru ...and I cry when I need to. 2. "Me, Myself and I" Beyonce Dangerously in Love All the ladies if you feel me Help me sing it now I can't regret all the times spent with you Ya, you hurt me But I learned a lot along the w...

Spread the word to one another It's the latest thing If you ain't heard it Well get up on this ya'll cause Kindred is about to bring it We about to bring it Tonight I was fortunate to have been able to experience the love affair that is Kindred The Family Soul in Jackie Robinson Park located in the heart of Harlem. Although the concert was free courtesy of the City Parks Foundation , a person who didn't know any better would think that they had paid the full price of admission to see this Philadelphia based dynamic duo perform. Kindred performed material from their 2003 debut Surrender to Love as well as new music from their upcoming release In this Life Together that is set to hit stores on September 20, 2005. Kindred is made up of Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon backed by a live band. Remarkably, Dantzler and Graydon are not just partners on stage but they also happen to be husband and wife, and the parents of three children. Throughout the performance, the duet...

Artist - Donnie Mcclurkin Album - Donnie Mcclurkin [Verse] What do you do when you've done all you can And it seems like it's never enough? And what do you say when your friends turn away, and you're all alone? Tell me, what do you give When you've given your all, and it seems like you can't make it through? [Hook 1] Well you just stand when there's nothing left to do you just stand Watch the Lord see you through Yes after you done all you can, You just stand [Verse 2] Tell me, how do you handle the guilt of your past? Tell me, how do you deal with the shame? And how can you smile while your heart has been broken and filled with pain? Tell me what do you give when you've given your all Seems like you can't make it through? [Hook 2] Child you just stand, when there's nothing left to do You just stand Watch the Lord see you through Yes, after you've done all you can You just stand. [Hook 3] Stand and be sure Be not entangled in that bondage again Y...

Go out of your way to do something new, even in the smallest way...If you make an effort, there are a thousand different ways you could shed a little light and brighten up your day. It might just spill over into all kinds of unexpected areas, too. I was going to try to recreate this fantabulous post that I lost when my computer froze but that is nearly impossible. I started out saying how I woke up this morning and my energy was ultra-positive. I feel rejuvenated after getting back from the N.B.T.F. I'll be writing more about my experiences at the festival in a series of separate posts. I just give a shout out for southern hospitality ! It really invigorated me to be surrounded by that energy and I carried it back up here with me. This morning I burned a stick of Super Hit and stepped out into the streets of Harlem. Normally everything looks dingy and grimy but today for some reason the sun seemed to cast a kiss on grace on everything. It embraced me in it's glow tempting ...

I'd like to dedicate this to all of the Creator's righteous children I have some food in my bag Not the edible food, the food you eat, no Perhaps some food for thought Since knowledge is infinite It has infinitely fell on me, so um... It was a stormy night, you know the kind where the lightnin' strike And I was hangin' out with some my artsy friends ooh wee ooh wee ooh wee The night was long, the night went on, people coolin' out until the break of dawn Incense was burnin' so I'm feelin' right, aight See I picks my friends like I pick my fruit My Ganny told me that when I was only a youth I don't walk around trying to be what I'm not I don't waste my time trying to get what you got I work at pleasin' me Cause I can't please you and that's why I do what I do My soul flies free like a willow tree doo wee doo wee doo wee And if you don't want to be down with me, then you don't want to pick from my apple tree x3 And if you don...

*Friends How many of us have them? Friends Ones we can depend on Friends How many of us have them? Friends Before we go any further, lets be Friends* Is a word we use everyday Most the time we use it in the wrong way Now you can look the word up, again and again But the dictionary doesnt know the meaning of friends And if you ask me, you know, I couldnt be much help Because A friend is somebody you judge for yourself Some are ok, and they treat you real cool But some mistake kindness for bein a fool We like to be with some, because they're funny Others come around when they need some money Some you grew up with, around the way And you're still real close too this very day Homeboys through the Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall And then there's some we wish we never knew at all And this list goes on, again and again But these are the people that we call friends Lyrics by Whodini Lately the people who I call friends have shown themselves to be at my side when I most needed them....

Six a.m. Getting out of bed again Can't get back in Cuz sleep ain't gonna pay the rent Day to day They got you working like a slave Takin' credit for the work you gave And stealing your raise But I [Chorus:] I know you're down When you gon' get up I see you're down When you gon' get up I know you're down When you gon' get up I see you're down When you gon' get up People try To pull the wool over your eyes Don't know why They want to profit from your demise They lie To cover up how weak they are inside, oh Baby, baby don't you cry All you got's your pride So I [Chorus] [Chorus (repeat till end)] Amel Larrieux , Infinite Possibilities

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense."(c)Ralph Waldo Emerson ( source ) The following poem was posted by Lis on her site. I thought I needed to post it here as well because it is so very true and I believe it is important to thoroughly understand and incorporate these words our lives. Easier said than done but something to at least strive to achieve. As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing...

These are sooo on point! Daily extended (by Astrology.com)Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and right now everyone is beholding you as a pretty luscious sight to be seen. You know how to take care of yourself as if you are someone who is extremely valuable, and for a good reason -- you are. People respond to your innate self-confidence by wanting to be around you. You've got your pick of companions. While they're appreciating your beauty, why not go out and appreciate some art together?

I didn't mean to abandon the blog but I have LOTS to write about ... later. Reef and Alesha , I'm soooo sorry that I missed your party but I was out of town. Hope you guys had a ball! Finally, today is Phil 's birthday. Drop by and show him some love. Hope the day is truly blessed. Enjoy it passionately!

Fly Like a Bird Somehow I know that There's a place up above With no more hurt and struggling Free of all atrocities and suffering Because I feel the unconditional love From one who cares enough for me To erase all my burdens And let me be free to [chorus] Fly like a bird Take to the sky I need you now, Lord Carry me high Don't let the world break me tonight I need the strength of You by my side Sometimes this life can be so cold I pray You'll come and carry me home Can we recover Will the world ever be A place of peace and harmony With no war and with no brutality If we loved each other We would find victory But in this harsh reality Sometimes I'm so despondent That I feel the need to [chorus] Fly like a bird Take to the sky I need You now, Lord Carry me high Don't let the world break me tonight I need the strength of You by my side Sometimes this life can be so cold I pray You'll come and carry me home Keep your head to the sky With God's love, you'll ...