FRIDAY THOUGHTS: REFRESHED

A change of scenery, good friends, stimulating conversation, doing what you love, learning experiences, drama-free environments, pleasant weather, comfort, excellent customer service, unexpected surprises, and favor, are the ingredients in a recipe for a great big smile.

#refreshed
#movingforward

FRIDAY THOUGHTS: WAKANDA...FINALLY

It was sad and funny that even my two year-old great-niece had seen "Black Panther" and I hadn't. 

Thanks to my friend Debbie, though, I finally made it to Wakanda--and the Lord talked through the entire movie. He always does that--interjecting trinkets and making sure I'm paying attention to relevant dialogue. I've come to expect it. I can't, of course, go anywhere without him. 

There's always something to learn; to apply; to discern; to understand, and nothing is off limits or irrelevant.

I was moved by the art; the scenery, the costumes (Hopefully, Oscar-nominated Ruth Carter will soon become an Oscar winner); the camera angles; the colors; the beauty of the people who looked like me. 

I'm of the generation that screamed out of windows into the ears of kickball-playing friends, "Black people on TV!" Seeing positive images mattered and always has. 

When I was a child, someone was always reminding us that we were descendants of kings and queens, and they wanted us to believe it even though we'd never actually seen evidence of it.

Seeing so many Black actors and extras wasn't new, but it triggered something. 

I was eighteen years-old and sitting in a mandatory, 8:00 AM freshman course I loved called "Blacks in the Arts" before I knew that people who looked like me had, for years, produced, directed, carried films, and were principal performers.

I left the theater smiling and feeling empowered (and with a popcorn refill) and proud. I also left with many thoughts:

1. Never be surprised when someone questions, minimizes, misunderstands, or criticizes your best intentions or efforts.

2. Be careful who you support, confide in, and trust. Not everyone is in your corner.

3. Benevolence and charity are often demonized and discouraged in order to make way for greed and selfishness.

4. Loyalty should never be blind. To an arrogant, self-centered, broken person, everyone is either dispensable or to be manipulated.

5. Secrets and lies, no matter how cleverly or repeatedly told, never erase the truth.

6. It is stunning when the Judases in your life are revealed--but rarely a surprise. Deep down, you knew.

7. Everything you've been looking for is closer than you think.

8. Help is always near, and can come from the most unexpected places.

9. The right thing isn't always the easy thing, but do it anyway.

10. Insecurity and jealousy will motivate a person to try and make others look bad in order to elevate themselves. They will always come short of their goal or utterly fail.

11. Always have a spare.

12. "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."

13. Appreciate people who think for themselves.

14. As much as possible, find the beauty and good in everything.

15. Remember your source. Ignore those deluded voices that would have you to think you must depend on them.

16. Your full potential will blow your mind.

17. Remember who you are.

18. A wise person taps into and employs the strengths of everyone; a fool sows seeds of discord.

19. What you need-- your wealth-- is in your own hand.

20. Armor is only effective if it is worn properly.

21. Art is healing.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE...

TUESDAY THOUGHTS: ENCOURAGING WORDS

It was so nice to worship and sing with friends last Saturday morning at Capitol Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church. As usual, the message, preached by Pastor Gene Donaldson, was encouraging and relevant. 

I figured I'd better save the notes I wrote all over the bulletin while I can still decipher them:

1. "Your challenge is a stanza in your song. You might as well sing it."

2.  "There are some things in this life that you are going to have to go through by yourself."

3. "How in the world can you know that you know, that you know, that you know, that you know, that you know, that you know, that you know, without going through a storm--and surviving?"

4. "Human rationalization will always annul God's revelation."

5.  "Compromise is relief from something, but to get deliverance you've got to go through something."

6.  "Stop expecting everybody to go through everything with you."

7. "Whatever crisis is cornering you; whatever test you are facing, it's there by divine permission--not to defeat you, but to develop you. If God has permitted you to go in it, that's a tell-tale sign that he's designed a way for you to get through."

8.  "In God's construct, the worst thing that will ever happen to you will not be the last thing."

9.  "When you have navigated hardship, and danced through difficulty, the good news is that you were never alone. God is present; God is near; God is there."

10. "God is so awesome, that he can make the very people who got you in the mess, have to use their resources to get you out."

FRIDAY THOUGHTS: SPRING SNOW

The snow was beautiful!

 
After looking outside this morning, it was also a reminder of how temporary some things are; how abruptly, or divinely plans can change, and how much and often we should be thankful and grateful for basic necessities, and not take anything for granted. It's was also a reminder of what could be or needs to be done inside, that you've been putting off, since you won't be going out. 
An unexpected snowfall makes you appreciate what you have readily available (that you may have overlooked) and makes you question why you don't do (or cook) certain things more often.

While I was pushing the shovel down the driveway to make a single path to the mailbox, I was also reminded that if you make an effort, something greater will remind you that it's got you, (and your back) and will do the rest. (Thanks sunshine.) 

#lovelyday

CAREGIVER DIARIES: STAY CREATIVE

I've been a very happy Shutterfly customer ever since I ordered my first color print in the late 90's. 
I've always loved coffee table books, and years ago I wondered if I could make my own using jpeg files of my paintings, drawings and digital art. (Who said the site was strictly for reprinting family photos?)
I've been pleased with the printing quality of the products I've purchased, and my art files have been safely archived on the site (in chronological order) just as the company promised. I don't know where a lot of the original art has gone to, but I'm glad to have the files.

 Shutterfly has also been a part of my caregiver journey.
A frequent piece of advice I always got from other caregivers was not just to dust off or find a creative outlet, but to make time for it. There has always been something relaxing about designing photobooks, particularly at the end of a hectic day--even if I don't purchase them.  I must admit, rarely can I design a book and limit myself to the standard 20 pages. The 12x12 books that I prefer could be a bit pricey if not for coupons and promo codes!

I'd been photographing my late father for a little over a decade, as well as keeping a journal. I decided to combine the photos and poetry in a photobook. My favorite photobook style is called "Modern Black". It provides a perfect background for the images and the 12 or 14pt., white Avant garde demi book typeface I always seem to choose.  
Several months ago, I designed and ordered a single 8x8 book. (Yes. I made use of a promo code I received in the mail as well as the free shipping offer.)

Yesterday, I designed two 10x10 books: one, an updated version of the 8x8 book of photographs and poetry (I like the text templates. They make it easy to copy and paste from Word documents.), and the other of selected art I've created over a period of 20 years. I thought I'd just view the books online via the Shutterfly slideshow. I added so many pages the total exceeded $200.00. I have difficulty leaving out images I like and many simply look better alone on a page or in a spread. Before I knew it, one book had 100 pages, and the other had108.

There's always some kind of deal offered on the Shutterfly website, facebook, twitter, or retailmenot.com. If you download the Shutterfly app for your smartphone, you'll find there are give-a-ways each month. I was happy to learn yesterday that by using the code MOREPAGES the 88 extra pages in my books were free! In addition to that deep discount, I used the code FORTY4U at checkout and got an additional 40% deducted from the total cost. A book that would have cost me $233.91 plus shipping, was only $40.98. 
I don't know how long the offer will last, so I didn't sleep on it. 
If you like making photobooks, (and can't manage to stick to 20 pages like me) you shouldn't either...: )

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: POETRY PROMPT---WALKOUT

Someone had a bright idea

To which they said, “Get outta here!”

Why do some seem to still believe

The best is not what the young need?

Why should they fear the very space

Where education should take place?

In leaders, they find no ally

So to the streets they take their cry

Don’t get it twisted, they mean business

Matters not that they are young

They’ll tolerate, nor contemplate

The barrel of a teacher’s gun

What was the payoff for the choice

To have a condescending voice?

Who pocketed the tainted cash

But didn’t think there’d be backlash?

And why expect consent and peace

Ignoring what they all believe

Then punish them for being bold;

Refusing to do what they’re told

Refusing to be put upon

As paid voices drone on and on?

This generation isn’t us

We weren’t allowed to make a fuss

We had to be good and polite

And keep our true thoughts out of sight

Just sit in silence, bow and smile;

Force ire and shame to reconcile

Not making waves was one more way

To make sure we would all be safe

By day-- sing, tap dance, shuffle, kneel

By night-- scream how we really feel

The years of words I could not say

Caused my pride for those kids today

Mass walkouts and empty shoes

The response to a cunning ruse

The answer to a shady deal

A sure way to know how they feel

Go--try to con them if you choose

Ignore them on the evening news

Perhaps, until the right one’s hurt

Demands, the children must assert

These days, the young ones use their minds

They challenge power all the time

Especially when power’s weak

And can’t abide the truth they speak

They can’t be bought; their eyes do see

When elders lack integrity

Think you’ll fool them, if you choose

It’s their respect you’ll surely lose

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