MONDAY THOUGHTS: JUST SING

I think about my life; the things I've been a part of; the places I've been blessed to go-- just because I happen to be able to carry a tune-- and I'm so grateful. 

"Being" or "becoming" has never crossed my mind. There have been many who say they want to be singers. 

I ask them, "Are you singing? 

Are you in your church's choir?" 

Some say that's not "big time" enough. 

It lets me know that they don't want to just be singers, they want to be supernovas. 

There's nothing wrong with lofty goals, I suppose, but it makes me sad when people are hankering for shortcuts, hookups, or have false perceptions of the business of music.

 
There is nothing keeping anyone from singing. Bathrooms everywhere have great acoustics. 

It's not the singing that's desired, it's the platforms. 

Church lofts provide great ones that never have to be totally abandoned. 

That's where the education is--not just vocally, but morally and socially. 

I'm often asked, "How did you______?" 

The only reply that makes any sense to me is "God did it". 

That may not seem fair, or may even infuriate someone who is breaking their neck to "become" something. 

While it may seem that opportunities are falling into the laps of others who aren't even trying, perhaps their good fortune is merely divine intervention--and a little home training. 

How one behaves, can be the difference between an open door and a closed, locked and bolted one.

The last place I want to be is in front of people, but there, to my surprise, I have been, and it is slowly getting easier to keep my eyes open. 

The labels that others have used to describe what I do, have always been theirs, not mine. 

I just like to sing. 

That's all, and I'm thankful for any, and every opportunity to do so--but one need not have a stage nor an audience.

 
I like harmony. 

I think I love hearing other people sing most of all. The voice is an amazing instrument, and I get a kick out or hearing what others do with theirs. 

Listening really is a gift.

I feel sad for those who dismiss the wonder, joy, education, and inspiration that comes with being an audience member, because they want so badly to be onstage. 

The audience has a prime position. 

They see the end result of lots of work, and are not encumbered with the madness going on backstage.

Sometimes, those with onstage aspirations don't see it either--all they see is fickle admiration. 

All they hear is temporary applause. 

All they perceive is material wealth.

It's good to have goals and dreams. 

Attitude, however, is everything. 

There are times when one--in spite of one's accomplishments/ talents-- should just sit quietly, listen, learn, and take notes. 

No one needs to know that one is even in the room.

 

It's possible to miss so much wisdom, valuable lessons, and even opportunities, when one's mind is obsessed with constantly trying to find ways to make everything about oneself. 

"I'm just as good as they are" or "I'm just trying to get the hook-up", or "They have to know that I'M here", exposes true motives that are laced with covetousness, envy, arrogance, and an inability to appreciate or respect what others have to offer. 

It's darn near impossible to admire or applaud someone, when what one truly wants is to be them--or suck the life out of them and take their place. 

It's okay to aspire to reach the heights that others have attained, but one must soberly evaluate the cost to oneself, and determine whether it is feasible, reasonable, or wise to follow the path of another. 

Does one have the time, the stamina, the skill, or the freedom to do what another person does? 

Has one considered that there's no such thing as an overnight success? 

There's much to be admired about those who have patiently put in the hours, days, weeks, months and years and can finally focus all of their energy on what they love. 

Even while their attention was divided, however, they didn't get anxious, or discouraged. 

Most of all, they knew they'd continue to do what they loved, regardless of the way the world may perceive success.

How does one even enjoy a journey, or the fruit of one's labor, when so consumed with being one-up on everyone else, or seeing oneself in the light of others? 

There's assertiveness, and then there's arrogance. There's confidence, and then there's desperation. Competing with people who don't even know there's a competition going on, is foolish. 

Compete with oneself, and growth can be seen. 

Insist on competing with others, and the misery of consistently being eclipsed by someone who's just running for the fun of it, will be overwhelming and potentially unhealthy. 

One must follow well, perform well, and be patient. One must know one's honest worth. 

One must be thankful for what one has. 

When more emerges, one will know how to behave with the increase-- and with others.

Scheming to either set oneself apart, or prove that one is on equal footing with others is futile--and annoying. 

Doors will open. 

One need not build one's own shaky doors to nowhere, misrepresent oneself, make a scene on the porch, break a window, or steal keys to gain entry. Doors will open. One need not kick them down. 

All that does is frighten the people inside, who would have gladly opened the door had one simply knocked properly.

The right people will notice, and one need not make a spectacle of oneself. 

Funny thing, though. 

The people who will most appreciate what one does, may not be the people one suspects.

INFORMATION SHARING

  
 
 

PATRONS AND THIEVES

Walk into many stores, and the things one used to be able to just take off of a shelf and carry to a register, are now behind or under thick plexiglass...under lock and key. Simple things that one wouldn't think would require that level of security are suddenly valuable commodities. Why? Their manner of manufacturing, ingredients and packaging haven't changed. There's nothing new and improved about them, but now they have to be protected. Why? Someone has recognized their worth and want to say they were able to get it for little or nothing. Someone has recognized that products have been misused, opened, tampered with, and resold and profits have been misdirected. Someone has noticed that there are those who have brazenly, arrogantly, and consistently expected and assumed that they could get the product without paying for it. Acquiring the valuable thing was apparently too easy. Stores were experiencing losses. Store managers noticed the pattern of theft and promptly shut it down. Now, everyone, including honest folk armed with good intentions, have to ask someone for assistance if they want to make a purchase. Go ahead. Try to access the valuable thing by any means other than the one posted. Try to get it without help from an employee, and an alarm will sound. Everyone in the store will know that someone is trying to get the valuable thing. The alarm essentially says, "Sorry, Sir or Ma'am, but you can't just take that product all willy-nilly anymore. I am no longer tolerating thieves. You can't handle it any way you want. It's not yours to do with what you will unless you purchase it. Is that your intention? If so, someone will assist you momentarily. Otherwise, back away from the shelf and get out of this store."

Perhaps the sudden denial of direct access is perplexing and inconvenient to some, but they understand the ramifications and effects of consistent theft, and have no problems doing what's necessary to make the purchase. They actually WANT and recognize the value of the product. They know that it is always going to perform well and live up to its advertised potential. Barriers don't hinder them. As a matter of fact, many honest patrons welcome and encourage the barriers; they'll help erect and maintain them if necessary.

On the other hand, thieves, those with a sense of entitlement, and users feign clueless-ness, take offense and get mad--REALLY mad-- when their usual underhanded modes of operation fail. Barriers serve to show them a glimpse of themselves that they don't want to see. People who help themselves to what doesn't belong to them, shortchange others, or outright steal, don't want to be labeled criminals, so it must be the fault of the barrier and the thing being protected that they can no longer acquire what they want, when and how they want. The barrier also makes them discredit the very product they once sought and applauded. "Oh, it ain't all THAT!", "It's not worth it anyway!", "I'll just go somewhere else!", "I'll just try something new!", "Product X is just as good and I don't have to ask nobody!", "I can go over there and get it anytime I want it!" Oh sure. They'll fuss, pout, complain, and devalue, but they'll walk away empty-handed, too. Neither the store nor the product will suffer, though. The managers don't care how mad thieves get, and the products retain their integrity, and are always available for those who truly know their worth, appreciate and use them properly.

If one really wants something-- if one really values it--the sudden emergence of thick glass, locks and alarms aren't a problem, and one will gladly pay the asking price. If not, one will find a new mark, a new patsy, a new situation to exploit.

WEDNESDAY THOUGHTS: SING ALONG

I'm looking forward to celebrating with friends this Saturday. 

An historic, Congress Heights institution, Rehoboth Baptist Church will be celebrating its 150th anniversary.

I hear there's a band and singers who've been working diligently to join me, and I'm very humbled by it. 

Tracks are fine, but live music is wonderful.

There was a time when I would have cringed at the word “performance”. Gospel singers don’t perform, do they? They minister; offer up praise; sing to God. “Performance” held a kind of creepy connotation, but I learned that it is a way in which something functions; it is an act; a sacred use of very specific language, and often in a public setting. 

What can be more public than the assembly we call “church”?

I could be at home singing, “I love you Lord and I lift my voice….” When I’m in front of an audience I can still sing it, but the audience is merely a group of welcome eavesdroppers, who are encouraged to think about their own love, feelings, ideas, and emotions. 

As silly as it may seem, in a public place, my hope is that the audience completely forgets about me and focuses on God--and sings along if they want to.

I loved a song that a very young Valerie Simpson recorded. She was emphatic about a situation in which she didn’t want to hear anything—no horns, no string, no guitar, no voices accompanying her. She said she didn’t need help to express her profound love. Sometimes a bare bones situation is all one needs.

Although we had records to hear at home that were chock full of instrumentation, at church, for the longest time, there were no instruments--no guitar, no drums, no tambourine—none of the things that Psalm 150 informs us is perfectly okay to be on hand when praising the Lord and declaring the good news of the gospel 

Travels to Louisiana, introduced an entirely different feel.

Often, there was no piano at all---just claps of hands, stomping feet on wooden floors, and haunting harmonies as a deacon-leader would quickly and often, to my young ears—inarticulately present the words---to which the congregation would follow. “Guide me O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land I am weak but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand”. 

What joy when I learned how to read, and what greater joy when I, in faith,  accepted the grace and love of God through his son Jesus…somehow, the songs took on new meaning. 

Dianne Reeves held a master class, and told young aspiring singers “You have to establish who you’re talking to and what you’re saying…You should sing just like you’re talking to somebody…” 

Nowhere is that more significant advice, than when singing music that is inspired by the good news of the Gospel. 

Sure. One can sing about a lot of things, but having an intimate relationship to and with the subject of a song, makes one’s offering resonate not only personally, but with others.  

SUNDAY THOUGHTS IN NO LOGICAL ORDER

1. God knows where I am, what I need, and just when I need it.
2. Misery cannot disguise itself. Happiness tells on itself.
3. A timely, truthful explanation cancels out speculation---but only if people think they owe you one.
4. Some people have to lie to others and themselves. They've invested (or talked) too much.

5. Hamburgers, made properly, are wonderful.
6. One can never get enough vegetables (okay... apple pie....same thing).

7. Deceitful people DO squirm and sweat in the right conditions. It's amusing.
8. Never be bothered by those who need to be seen/ feel important, especially if they are contributing nothing to the principal thing.
9. One shouldn't have to know or remember who you are to simply be nice.

10. There's a black, wooden bracelet, with the right circumference for my wrist, somewhere in the Caribbean. It will be mine.

11. Harmony, when it's tight, DOES ring.
12. Talented people can be very generous---and secure.
13. It's unfortunate when, in a room full of people, Christians are the originators of THE most drama.
14. Information is key. Timely information is even better.
15. If one is touting professionalism at the outset, one should continue to do so until the end.
16. "Family" can be an overused, tricky, manipulative word in the workplace.
17. Space bags are a traveler's friend.
18. One can always find popcorn if one searches diligently.
19. A check in the mail is a nice surprise---only if you DIDN'T work for it.
20. Advil that cost $12.32 should cure everything that ails you, and the person next to you.
21. If it's too much to handle, don't fake like it isn't.
22. God will allow you to closely examine a thing to let you know that you are even better off than you imagined.
23. People who work should know whether they are volunteers or employees-- before the task begins.
24. It's funny how folk who are curt, rude, arrogant, and demanding are highly offended by curtness, rudeness, arrogance and demands.
25. "Paid in full" may inspire envy, but "Working around the clock like a slave to make payments to maintain it, and flaunt it, but have very little time to enjoy it"?...Not so much.
26. Laughter is one of the things we don't thank God enough for.
27. Shell stations sell gasoline...and Atomic Fire Balls....fresh, hot ones.
28. San Pelligrino sparkling grapefruit beverage. Yummy.
29. Your presence poses a problem for some, not because of what you have done, but because of what they know they've done to you.
30. Observing the patience and resilience of another person is refreshing.
31. A nosy person doesn't often realize how inappropriate and intrusive their incessant questions are.  Not everyone is owed information or explanations. Keep your answers brief.
32. How can an elderly dental patient be too old to be sedated, but not too old for the excruciating pain?
33. Zulily is addictive.
34. Coming home late at night and finding a good parking space is divine.
35. When there's no time to go back home, there's a beauty supply store near you.
36. Just wait. It will happen. 
37. Don't ignore your dreams. They aren't haphazard.
38.  "God WILL set things right". That was especially good to hear.
39. If one doesn't want to do a thing, one should say so. Feigning ignorance, stupidity, lying, throwing someone else under the bus, or making a thing more complicated than it has to be, are good ways to ensure that one is never asked again--no matter how highly competent one may be.
40.Original scent Lysol is available at a Home Depot near you.
41. Everyone has a unique role to play. Be yourself. Allow others the same courtesy.
42. Find out the brand of bedding used at the Fort Lauderdale Hilton, and buy it.
43. "Fall back". One doesn't have to remember. The world, or your computer, will tell one when it's time.
44. November 1 was a little nippy...and very windy...Layers, it is.
45. A change of plans can be a good thing.
46. It only takes one time to observe how individuals handle information--theirs, and that of others-- to determine how much of yours you will share.
47. Ceiling fans are the dust catchers of your home.
48. It's good to see that a person's skill has not diminished over time.
49. Don't penalize person B for what person A has done...and don't let person C think that he or she can try and get away with what person A did, either.
50. What early people do, and conditions upon arrival don't always encourage one to hustle. Make an effort, nonetheless. Rushing is stressful.
51. Creaking floorboards overhead should be banned, and punishable by a fine.
52. My vote goes to the candidate who believes every sidewalk in every quadrant of the city needs a grassy boulevard, verge, buffer, nature strip, or whatever you call the area next to the pavement where grass should be.
53. You're missing the omlet chef on the Lido deck, aren't you?
54. Keep walking.
55. Make another book.

MONDAY THOUGHTS: ON THE JOB

I had a chance to just contemplate, pray, be grateful, be thankful, rest...work...feel...walk...see. 

Eight days on the sea...serving and being served. Entertaining and being entertained. 

Appreciating and being appreciated. 

Learning, observing, thinking, and embracing my late mother's resilience, work ethic, wisdom and grace---and seeing it all in my daughter. 

I was a part of something living and wonderful, and am sure it will birth more lovely experiences.

Truth is beautiful...and loud...and healing...and always wins. 

Good music is a blessing. 

Helping to make it is divine.

God will let you see just how thankful you should be if you aren't. 

He'll jump start your discernment, and let you see past what others want you to see and believe. 

He'll give you compassion toward those who wish you harm, or have harmed you. 

All of the time, He gently reminds you that He sees you, loves you, is still speaking, knows what you've been through, and will fight for you. 

He'll stand up in you, and give you confidence to carry out the tasks he has provided.

Stay cool. Be patient. God will open doors---and windows. 

He will orchestrate things just to show you how resilient and full of grace you are. 

He will let people see you, not the picture others have painted of you. 

He'll make the corrections, and right the wrongs.

You don't have to know what people are thinking, have thought, are saying, or have said about you. Even if it's all good, acknowledge that it's nice to be appreciated, but don't get cocky or comfortable-- be motivated to do and be better. 

Even if it is neither true nor favorable, and explains shady behavior that periodically comes your way, STILL focus on the task at hand.

ALWAYS know who your supervisor is, and be thankful if he or she is fair and impartial, and recognizes the value of your contributions to the work. 

 Let your performance speak for you. 

Perform well, and it will, and should fully explain why you're on the job--even as others question, protest, critique. 

What you represent, whether correct or perceived, to someone who has no stake in the principal thing is not your problem. 

Some people only think their opinions and input concerning you, matters. 

You can identify them by the tightening of their jaws when they see you in place. 

Just do your job. 

Imps can show up in your space, sit on your desk, and "mean mug" you all day long, but it won't diminish your skill. 

As a matter of fact, you can use deliberate distractions as a sort of motivational entertainment, as you continue to work. 

The things that people go out of their way to do to get you off of your game communicate one thing--like Mary, and unlike her busy sister Martha, you have chosen and are actually in the "good place".

If you like your job, your work space is a sanctuary that is comfortable, nurturing, cohesive, intimate, educational, inspiring and brings out the best in you. Fellow Mary-types, on the job, get it, and cultivate the environment. They're occupying the space, too, so tearing it down, introducing stress, or destroying the harmony is never an option. 

Martha-types, on the job, are only adept at being self-absorbed, needy, intrusive nuisances. 

They do contribute something, but not anything that would be missed if it wasn't there. 

Important people don't have to make an announcement, or scheme to be seen. 

Neither do secure people.

Know your role on the job. Understand that insensitive individuals may show up for a myriad of reasons. Maybe they're curious. Maybe they're nosy. Maybe they're arrogant. Maybe they've been invited. Stay focused. 

Even if others don't consider what you do as viable work, and disrespectfully endeavor to make your work space their hangout, keep working. 

Know who you are. Be careful not to ascribe power or authority to the wrong people. 

Shun pride, but DO know your worth. 

People can only try to make you look bad, but it's your response to their attempts that will empower or wreck you. 

People who have your back, won't let you spiral out of control. 

There are those who can't let it be known publicly that they have your back. It's complicated, but they're kinda good to have around, too.

Never be surprised, however, who will throw you under the bus to cover their own butts. When dealing with them, you document, document, and document, and stay versatile. 

There's always something to hang on to. 

Change your perspective, and you'll find that you can be impressive under the bus, on the side, on top, and in the back, too. 

Don't EVER dumb down, lie, hide, quit, disappear, or shrink to appease anyone. 

No one is insignificant, but it is always the insecure or deceived individual who attempts to inflate him or herself in your presence. 

Don't be rattled. Don't ascribe boogeyman status to someone who wouldn't know their way around your job with GPS, a compass or a map. 

Ignore the heck out of them, and ALWAYS do your best. 

Someone said you have to ignore some people so much that they begin to seriously question their own existence. 

Your grandmother probably said it this way, "Baby, don't pay them no mind". 

Don't blow opportunities, and for Heaven's sake, don't let others blow them for you...and if by chance there's good, clean fun to be had, by all means, have it.

"Woosah...shine".

MONDAY THOUGHTS: UP ABOVE MY HEAD

I wake up every day to the sounds of traffic, landing airplanes, chirping birds, car horns, sirens, and the muffled voices of children who are on their way to school. 

Sometimes I can hear the automated voices of Metro buses announcing stop locations, the hum of lawn mowers, jackhammers, or the rumbling of garbage trucks. 

It's all coming from outside. 

It's all a part of city living. 

It's expected. 

It's a part of the territory. 

Many times, however, it's quiet, and those times are like unexpected gifts. 

My sensibilities, however, dictate that I really should abandon the city and live in some remote, pastoral, rural area. 

I often wonder if I would, if I had the necessary cash to acquire a country home. 

I like DC, though. I do. 

I like Bellevue, mostly for it's proximity to every major highway, airports, and shopping. 

It's also not very far from the house where I grew up. 

My initial decision to live here was based on avoiding rush hour traffic, and being able to walk to work. 

My decision to stay has been challenged often, but obviously never changed. 

There have been noisy times, but they're always temporary. 

The noise above has always been a random police helicopter, re-routed incoming flights to Washington-Reagan, fireworks, thunder, or sleet. 

It always passes. 

Neighbors overhead, however, present a different challenge.

It's been several years since there was a tenant in the condo upstairs. It's been vacant much longer than not, and I've grown accustomed to the relative peace. 

I now have new neighbors, and as expected, with new neighbors comes noise. 

It should be regarded with as much nonchalance as the outdoor sounds, of which one has little control, but it isn't. 
The notion is that great consideration should automatically rule and reign when one does not live alone. 

No one, however is going to tiptoe around in their own home like a frightened rabbit. 

Every now and then, you're going to drop or slam something, or need to move quickly. 

Something may fall. 

There are things one must do while at home, and some of it requires energy and effort. 

The new sounds have introduced ear intrusions that greatly eclipse the outside sounds in volume and tolerance level. There are bricks, mortar and glass that diffuse the outside noise. There's apparently nothing protecting me from the noise upstairs. 

There are several loose floorboards-- and children. The combination of creaking, crunching, crying, running, squishing, stomping, jumping and banging is alive, abusive, and without harmony. 

It's an organism. 

It seems to be tangible. 

The sounds aren't just at the source. They invade my space like a runaway train. 

I physically sense them. 

I may as well be making them myself! 

They are present...in my face...an unwelcome part of my days and nights. 

The sounds are not just up there, they're in here. I mean, really IN here...in glorious surround sound. It's like being randomly punched, kicked, or pushed around by something you can't see. 

The noise travels across the ceiling and down the walls like a vine in a horror movie. 

It seems that, at any time, something or someone is going to come crashing through the ceiling. 

It is obvious that there isn't an ounce of insulation between the floors, just lots and lots of old wood...and loose nails...that needs glue...lots and lots of glue.

I hate complaining about anything as much as I hate confrontation. Something has to be done about the flooring above, though. I'm listening to the creaking, squeaking, snapping, thuds, thumps, bangs, bumps, and crunching, combined with the sounds of a riding mower, right now as I type. 

It's the supposed helplessness that makes you want to cry. 

What do you say? "Stop walking, running, moving, and being!" That would be highly inappropriate. 

What do you do? 

Bang on the ceiling with a broom handle? 

Run upstairs and pound on your neighbor's door? 

Have a fit?  

Of course not. 

The new neighbors are just living. 

They're not on a mission to drive me crazy. 

They're not deliberately being inconsiderate jerks. They're just living. 

There is that one floorboard I wish they'd avoid, though...or drive several screws or nails into it.

Today is yet another day when I wish I were independently wealthy. (I must get on that.) 

Everyone would have a single family home...or at least, I'd pay to have the floor boards secured, install a floating floor, insulation, or plush carpet, or state of the art soundproofing, and then pay to have them switch units with the lady downstairs who lives alone--she's as quiet as a feather.
It's an old building, so I'm sure that some amount of noise is an issue for everyone in the community who has someone living above them. How are other neighbors coping? 

A few nights ago, I turned on my voice memo on my phone to capture the noise. I let it run all night as I slept. I managed to obtain lots of auditory proof of a definite problem, in case I do decide to share it with the condo association. 

I also managed to obtain proof that I probably need to participate in a sleep study. Guess I won't be sharing that particular memo, after all...lol.

Maybe I should be less concerned about the noise upstairs, and more concerned about my labored, intermittent breathing. Yep. It's time to lighten up. Considering all of the ills in the world, if a little noise (or a lot) is my biggest problem, I suppose I'm doing okay.

How do you handle those things about which you can, presently, do little or nothing other than acknowledge their existence? 

Changing your attitude is a good start. 

I could move, or ask my neighbors to stop moving. Neither of those options is reasonable. 

I could have a tantrum. 

I could just go into the hallway and scream at the top of my lungs about all of the problems in the building. That would surely prompt someone to phone the authorities. 

A padded cell might provide just the quiet I adore, but a straight-jacket would be a definite bummer. 

One always has choices. Being frustrated or angry, although justifiable, won't help either. The thought that there is nothing you can do about something that impacts you every single day, is troubling in and of itself, without making things worse by reacting badly. 

Is the annoyance you face just one more thing to send you over the edge, or one more thing to motivate you to make some changes to improve your own lot? 

Do you have to be where you are, or do you choose to be? If it's a choice--if you're determined to stay--what's a part of the territory with which you need to find creative ways to cope? 

Okay. Perhaps you didn't start the problem. 

Perhaps you shouldn't have to deal with it. 

Perhaps you do resent that you're faced with finding solutions to a situation you didn't create--solutions that may be a bit uncomfortable, expensive, inconvenient, or require change, but feeling resentful and remaining frustrated won't make things better. 

Only you can alter how you feel about life's unexpected lemons.
If you can do something about a thing, go ahead. Whether that means, moving, talking a walk, donning earplugs, listening to ambient sounds, praying, singing, meditating, writing, or confronting, just do it. 

Make lemonade every chance you get.