Gratitude Attitude

I just listened to a great podcast featuring Felicia Pride. She's a sucessful writer, author, and storyteller. I connected with her because it seems we have very similar backgrounds as marketing majors turned Writer. She's making a living from what she loves and I'm striving to get there. My husband told me about the value of podcasts and I didn't realize until this moment - how important this one was in keeping me focused. Time is still on my side. I listened to a podcast about time earlier in the week and yet, I continue to stress about it. Today's podcast was important to refresh my thoughts, emotions, and outlook about the time that I have left on earth to live the life I want to live. The importance of maintaining the craft of writing and it gave me new tips and avenues to explore. I am in a positive frame of mind about my decision, and I know that I am always in control. One of the reasons I enjoy writing fantasy and sci-fi stories is because I believe it helps the reader with the idea of hope in the world and in people. I will never be that person who commits suicide. If you ever heard that I killed myself, you know it is a lie. Fantasy has the potential to free people from the limits that this world prescribes to. We are born free and time is as artificial concept for humans to make sense of things they can't explain. Maybe it is similar to what early humans did when they created myths and stories to explain phenomena and their experiences. My stories provides a veil of hope that must be preserved. I needed to hear Felicia's story and I'm happy someone, or a group of people decided it should be heard, along with others. Perhaps it's just another reminder that there is still room, space and there are platforms that exist for all of us. I still get anxiety about posting and sharing, but how else can we find our tribes? How else would I know I share similarities with another writer and storyteller? I must have the courage to expose myself for people to see, to connect with, and occasionally uplift without even knowing, like Felicia did for me. I'm grateful 🙏🏾 

Daily Programming

Each day, program your mind or face being programmed. Be intentional with what enters your ears and eyes. The only way to avoid miseducation.
The only way to be in control of you.

First Start with Self

I recently watched #SKIN the film. Based on a true story about a skinhead who changed his perspective & his life around. You may wonder why I chose to watch this, but I believe the other side must be dissected to find a remedy.  I wondered, "where does this hatred come from?" With regard to recent events it is imperative to dig at the root. The film told a story about his mother passing away - an alcoholic. His father - even worse. Child protective services removed him from the home where things got worse. He didn't finish school, he was homeless. His "saviors" were white supremacists. They gave him a home, a job, an identity, a "purpose" in his mind.  He was led to believe that they were his only hope and that he owed them his life. After being jailed for a hate crime, he began to feel his soul change. He realized that the family whom he believed was his family was nothing, but an entity recruiting him & others. They intentionally sought out the lost, poor runaways, neglected, abused children to miseducate and use as tools. A unified front. He witnessed others like him being recruited in the same fashion.  No matter what your circumstances are there is always choice. This is what the young man in the movie decided for himself, & he had help aligning with the African American in the community determined to get involved & change his mindset. I wonder about the bigger picture everyday in my role at work. When online booksellers process orders in bulk for the lowest price, Educators view our role as Vendors, as   order takers and they stop communicating. As an lover of books, a mother, a wife, an educator and an author I thoroughly understand community and village. Barnes & Noble's recent acquisition will bring more investment in the community.  We all have the opportunity & the responsibility to create a future of citizens who empathize & understand culture & differences.  I am empowered.  I want to do more.  I will not stop pushing diverse books in the classroom. I will continue to call on & encourage educators & administrators to be more open minded. I will encourage parents to partner with your schools, to be more active in the role of educating their children & helping them to retain information that is taught. I will continue to encourage Early childhood literacy & write books that entertain as well as educate so kids can enjoy reading. Administrators, when you ask questions and look for feedback in your research, it says you want a solution & want better for the students in the district. It says you are in that position for more than a check, & you want to make a difference.  Take advantage of your local book stores and connect on a human level.  I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a teacher. I am a business manager who loves books. We are book sellers and we are Barnes & Noble.  You will not find anything on the internet like us. If you want to help your students, visit your local Barnes & Noble location & include real book people in the conversation. Gandhi said, "in order to change the world, you must first start with yourself" - what will you pledge to do  today?

JOURNEYS Same Story Different Post

Because her story was once my story and the story for others...so many others. After generations of the same story told with different faces. We have to ask ourselves - "why we're still telling the same ole' thing?" Because we have yet to see a change. Not yet big enough to make a difference in our story. And as much as I love my story, it's about damn time it becomes just that. A story.  A moment.  It's about time, it is no longer our reality because we are beautiful in our skin. Comfortable with our hair & in ourselves. Not because we are validated by others, but because we know the truth. History says so & we have one that is uniquely ours. Ordained by the Creator & Blessed with sunrises and sunsets from the beginning, right now & throughout millennia.
#Knowthyself
#kinyashakur  #writing4mylife
#victoriannephoenix

Netflix & Beale

Just watched Barry Jenkins' film, "If Beale Street Could Talk". James Baldwin is one of my favorite authors, and I'm happy I had a chance to see it on Netflix because I missed the movie in theaters. However, I'm now able to rewind and catch all the imagery and character nuances.  If you've already seen it in theaters, please see it again. Catch the details. Don't miss the love in their eyes. Do not miss the intensity of emotion; the heart, the truth & language of Baldwin.  These are the faces and stories
of the collective world. Although written decades ago - it's still very relevant today.  It's what's been missing in film. #representationmatters #bealestreet #kikilayne #jamesbaldwin #barryjenkins #storytellers #millenniummotherhood #kinyashakur

Student Union in World University

A mix of Beige, Cream, Brown & Black.
Different cultures, clothing, dialects -
All with the same song.
You & Me
They & Us
They don't like our skin

We are different from what they know -
What is taught.
A line then drawn across cultures dividing us down the middle.
You & Me
They & Us
They don't like our skin

Confused
Frustrated
Afraid
All over this
World University.
But not here!
Here in the Student Union of the World University. We learn, experience & we grow.
No longer confused, frustrated, bothered nor afraid. Because we know. Yes!

You & Me
They & Us
That what you punish;
That what you put down;
That what you discredit is simply what YOU fear & you alone. Fears, now the source of our strength.
Yes! I know.

You & Me
They & Us
The choice is yours or
rather, the choice is ours.
We won't take advantage, though. Just know, we'll no longer live in shadow.

You & Me
They & Us
I love our skin
It is this skin that absorbs the light - therefore We are the light. This, I know!
I now know.

You & Me
They & Us
Make yourself comfortable.
This is our home too.
You & Me
They & Us
& We are here to stay.

#HBCU #SCSU #kinyashakur #millenniumbeing
#millenniummommy
#writing4mylife

Another Year Another Journey

I love that New Year's Comes right after the weekend.  I woke up to a few moments of prayer and meditation.  Either late at night or early in the AM before anyone calls on me, reaches out to me or jumps in next to me.  It's a perfect time to reflect on the day that's past and the day ahead. I thought about what I wanted to do today...Then I asked for guidance with what I NEEDED to do and the strength to see it through because what I wanted was different from what I needed. I believe my day went well, because I did things right. Tomorrow I'll think about WHAT I want to do BETTER for the New Year & HOW I plan to be BETTER. I'll Be Specific making a list so I have some accountability, and I loathe making lists! Much too often I'll say "I'll do better", but I'm not specific about HOW. When we're not honest about who we are and our challenges, they stick around to defeat us.  No one is perfect.  But only by being honest about our faults is the only way to conquer them and truly be our best selves! Although I dislike them, every time I make a list, my day runs so much more smoothly!  That's my challenge and what I'll have to correct.  It's uncomfortable, but I'm up for it.  What are your challenges and how will you meet them head on?