SABBATH

There are revelations to be had in all of the quarantining, sheltering in place, lockdowns, cancellations, and social distancing.
Many are realizing that their sabbath days, throughout the years, have been anything but restful. They’re reevaluating to whom, and for what their religious and denominational busyness was all about. All of the rules, requirements, planning, emergencies, demands, procedures, and unauthorized amendments to the Bible, are being scrutinized today.

It’s quiet now. Many have had a lot of time pay attention to their own affairs; to think and re-prioritize; pray, study, and worship (without an audience); discover whether there was ever any substance, meaning, value, truth, benefit, or sense in what they heard and saw at church, or was it merely hype and noise. The thought that God never ordained, required, appreciated, sanctioned, nor was the main attraction in ANY of it, (the methods, rhetoric, titles, fashions, programs) is a sober one. 

How to function now is challenging because many weren’t prepared; they were trained in habits, cajoled, bullied, brainwashed, and shamed. The busyness of the sabbath was a crutch; an escape; a way to feel needed and important. Many were emotionally stimulated, miseducated, and misinformed. Their faith was manipulated by others, who have been pampered so well for so long, that sheltering in place is not a hardship at all. Some leaders are just fine. Followers, however, are struggling. Many realize that the leaders they revered are in no position to help, nor (based on what they’ve witnessed via online streaming “services”), do they know how to simply sit or stand alone and deliver an intelligent, informative, coherent, credible, or comforting word. Without the hype and noise, they’re useless. Many are finding that more than one emperor has no clothes.

Blinders are coming off. 

Back to normal is not where many want to go. Many see that the “normal” in which they invested and sacrificed time, effort, talent, and resources was all a show. 

The Coronavirus has power because it’s the truth. It’s real. It’s consistent. It knows and remains on it’s mission. Sabbath busyness, pharisee-type arrogance, and superficial religiosity can’t handle it. This virus is laughing in the face of religious antics. Proof? Leaders, who defied logic, reason, science, and the law to prove a point, (and keep offerings coming) are falling ill and dying, too.

When this is over, the sabbath day will be different. For now, many are finally grasping the difference between going to and doing church, and BEING the church. They’re turning their attention to God’s business and understanding what HIS notion of service really means.

QUARANTINE LIFE: LEADERSHIP MATTERS

Please listen to the doctors, pharmacists, researchers, and professionals; consider their education, history, experience, and wisdom; get news from reliable sources, fact check what you hear before you share it, read what’s on, and in between the lines, consider the state of your own affairs, and, if you’re not an essential employee, stay at home, practice social distancing and thorough hand washing.

Don’t be gullible. Don’t let anxiety cause you to relax your common sense. Educate yourself. There’s time. 

Don’t ever think you have to prove your faith to a fool. It’s not a game to you, but it is to someone who has none, or sees you as expendable. Know when you matter, and when you’re being sacrificed. Heed good advice and be wise.

A wise leader, in times like these, is beloved and reassuring. A narcissistic leader is dangerous. 

A narcissist will attempt to pit competent people against each other. All it takes for the scheme to succeed is for one of the people to be needy, insecure, glory happy, envious, or opportunistic. 

A narcissist will call you a “star” today, and a loser tomorrow. A narcissist will pretend there is a team, or family spirit or dynamic, but no one in their circle is indispensable; they will use nicknames to imply familiarity; dole out manipulative praise; create enemies where unity should be. 

Narcissists are phony, and thrive on chaos. They must remain the center of attention. They’ll send mixed messages; say one thing to one person, and something else to another. The accomplishments of others are threatening. They’ll start a fire then want applause for extinguishing it, and criticize people for choking or getting burned. 

It is up to the people who have to work with, or for a narcissist to stay focused, professional, honest and direct; be secure, maintain integrity, refuse to be bought, reject the need for approval, or brownie points, and not be tricked into unnecessary competition, groupthink, sabotage, or backbiting. 

A narcissist knows what triggers you; what makes you tick; what’s important to you; what makes you sit up and listen. Don’t be fooled. They expect and demand loyalty, but are loyal to no one. Let them think they’re in charge. It’s not hard. You continue to do what’s right, wise, and smart. 

TUESDAY THOUGHTS: CREDIBILITY

So many voices. Thank God for the credible, the brave, and the truth tellers.

Some endeavor to reassure and educate. Others, unfortunately, seem to be on a mission to terrify, misinform, and confuse.

There’s a difference between having a heart for the well-being of others, and being self-righteous, dictatorial, a bully, or an ignorant embarrassment. 

Your way, methods, habits, interpretations, may work for you because they’re familiar, or were introduced, taught, or pushed by someone you trusted. Perhaps your way is all you know—all you have ever known—so you fiercely defend it; you arrogantly impose it onto others, but you’ve never taken the time to ask, study, read, or research the validity, flexibility or reliability of it. You think you’re winning; you’re on the right road, but are you? You think you look good, and know best. Do you? By who’s estimation or standards do you judge yourself, and subsequently judge others? 

Are others endeavoring to follow your lead, heeding your words, trusting your wisdom, admiring your ethic, or merely humoring or tolerating you? Are they ignoring you altogether because what they see is louder than what you say?

You will wear yourself out beating a drum that no one wants to hear, because they know it’s flawed, hypocritical, self-centered, or manipulative. Your ways may work for you. That doesn’t mean they’re right, fair, or honorable. 

So many would think before speaking if they knew how repelling their words actually are.

Credibility matters. Confessing what you don’t know is just as important as professing what you do know. 

Poorly representing your employer, supervisor, or leader, especially without authorization, is grounds for termination. 

Following a poor leader has its own unfortunate consequences. 

Don’t misrepresent yourself. Give others the grace you’ve been shown. Be kinder to yourself. Know whether your help is helping or hurting. Yield to the expert in the room. It doesn’t mean you’re useless or weak.

POETRY PROMPT: WHAT SAY YOU

What say you?
What say you?

So many voices
Such different choices
So many lies, and
So little truth

What say you?
What say you?

So much confusion
Are we winning or losing;
Who knows the answer?
I know that you know, Sir

What say you?
What say you?

Things seem so crazy
No ones explaining
Fear’s taking over
A word. 
Please come closer 

What say you?
What say you?

Or, are you done speaking;
Is it that we’re reaping?
Have we not been listening?
Today we’re insisting

What say you?
What say you?

QUARANTINE AND CHILL: SCREENSHOTS

“Ray” aired on Bounce TV today. The scenes from his early life remind me so much of Addis, Louisiana. I like how manipulating the “noir”, “sharpness” and “definition” editing option makes the images look like charcoal pencil drawings.

QUARANTINE LIFE: I CAN IMAGINE THE EARTH

I can imagine the Earth 

Breathing a little

No longer groaning beneath the weight

Of our busy lives

I can imagine the Earth 

Stretching a little

Creatures emerging from hiding places; 

No fear in their eyes

I can imagine the Earth
Smiling a little

Wondering if the strange calm 

will remain for a while 

I can imagine the Earth 

Singing a little

Rotating, 

revolving, 

healing, 

and glowing

In happy planet style

#coronaviruspoetry

#quarantineandchill





VRWc2020

FRIDAY THOUGHTS: FLASHBACK: AN ARTISTIC RESTART

The Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center is one of many casualties of the global pandemic and state of emergency in Maryland. Reading that it’s doors are closed to the public indefinitely, was disappointing but hardly surprising. 

I can’t help but recall what a joy it was to find and become a part of. I’ve learned it’s Director/Lead Curator has moved on to, I hope, greener pastures, as have several of the enthusiastic, hard-working staff members and volunteers I met and worked with. Through their collective effort, one of the best kept secrets in PG County began to shine. Kudos, Monica, Treston, Valencia, Khadia, Synatra, Danielle, Gabriel, Marifel, Ameer, and Mthoh. Hopefully, when life gets back to normal, or better, the museum, under new leadership, will continue to be a viable part of the community. 
It certainly was a cool place to create. 
It occurred to me that some things are temporary— a shot in the arm; motivation, but not a resting or nesting place. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to support PGAAMCC. The timing was divine, and the lessons were priceless.

From the website:

“This is where I’ve come to feel safe, comfortable, and free to do what I want—within reason— not rushed, not forced. I can just be me in an artist’s capacity,” says Vanessa R. Williams of her new post as artist-in-residence of the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center in North Brentwood, MD. As she sits before an easel adding the finishing strokes of a portrait of the late South African president, Nelson Mandela, the Prince George’s County resident is in her element. “I just like making art. If someone wants to come and sit, create, and watch, that’s great.” And watch they do – students and adults alike approach to watch and ask her questions.

Holding conversations is just what the Howard University graduate, children’s book illustrator, and former elementary school art teacher envisions for the residency. “I want it to be meaningful. I see children and students here; teachers and historians.  It is a place where I can share my love of reading aloud, too. It’s a welcoming place. In the same vein I was welcomed here I want to welcome others.”

“I have two ways to speak, and do it freely and unapologetically: singing or painting.”  As a gospel singer, Williams has toured with Richard Smallwood and Vision from the group’s inception, and the Black church figures prominently in her work. Having painted for years, Williams wrestled with having enough creative confidence to think her paintings worthy of display. That all changed on March14, 2019 when she came to an “Art of Business” event featuring artist and educator Quest Skinner. “I expected a very left-brained, math and accounting heavy conversation. I had always used Shutterfly to create photo books of my art. I’d considered making the latest one available for sale, and struggled with what would be a fair, reasonable price. I thought for sure I’d be engaged in a dollars and cents presentation, but it was like church!  Quest was the preacher/teacher. It was as if she could see everyone’s hearts. When she was done encouraging everyone to believe in ourselves, know our worth, work for ourselves with the same enthusiasm we have when working for others, be firm about what we required, lose the fear of hearing “No”, and know that people exist who will appreciate and purchase our art, there were few dry eyes in the place. It was as if everyone assembled cane with a similar story— we love art, love to create, but weren’t sure if we’d missed our window of opportunity to share.”

The exhibition Catharsis: Spirit Leaves a Mark, running through the Fall at PGAAMCC, features her vibrant work in all its glory, celebrating Black women, motherhood, the Black church, Music, and Adinkra symbols. 

“The opening of Catharsis was really special. Prince George’s County is home to some really great, talented, culturally relevant people,” says Williams, before she names some of the Prince George’s County residents who attended the opening, including composer and pianist Richard Smallwood, piano manufacturer Warren Shadd, music director Vince Evans, and songwriter Raymond Reeder.

Of PGAAMCC, Williams is clear – “I felt at home immediately. Prior to March, I didn’t know it existed and I’ve been in PG County a long time. I am determined that people know it’s here. I want it to be a place where people know doors are open for them to come in and be inspired, listen, create, explore, learn, study, and chill. It is my hope that it becomes a creative home away from home for other people. I want the next artist to know if you are a resident or native of Prince George’s County, PGAAMCC wants to see you or hear from you.”