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Listening at the Speed of Life

– by C. J. Wade –

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Good Day, Monday: See It Through

Hey, Family!

How’s the holiday weekend going? I hope you are having a good one.

Welcome to Episode 4. Are you ready? Let’s do it.

We started season 5 by creating context around my word of the year, SHINE. We talked about how you can’t shine without friction. Now, we’re going to be encouraged to see the process through to completion.

Did you know that you can’t polish silver in the same way you polish copper and brass? 

Did you know scrubbing too hard will ruin a copper’s finish?

Did you know brass can be cleaned with ketchup?

Here’s my point – God is so intentional with us that even our journeys are customized to what we need to produce. If your patience needs work before opening the restaurant you didn’t know was coming, here comes the process. Your best self is always in the mind of the Creator. 

Another thing to consider is how that solution looks when it is applied to the metal. 

There’s nothing pretty about it.

The metal is covered with a paste- or butter-like substance and the process gets dirtier before it gets cleaner. While it looks like it’s tainting the metal, the rubbing, scrubbing, and wiping reveal what was waiting to receive the light. Waiting to show its beauty effortlessly. 

And when you look at the polishing rag, it’s unbelievable how dirty it is compared to the metal’s brightness. The substance lifted the barrier between the metal’s potential and the light. That spoke to me because it describes the transition season I’m in.

There’s nothing pretty about that rag either.

It’s a reflection of everything that stuck on you over time.

The invisible factors that caused you to tarnish and appear worthless.
The way you were mishandled.
The decisions you made.
The not-so-great parts of you.
The things you need lifted from your soul, but couldn’t do yourself.

The polishing rag holds the ugly parts of you that are masking the amazing. So, one of my recent prayers has been, “I know you’re helping me shine. Help me to be patient as you’re lifting the parts off me that I don’t need. Remove the residue and reveal the me you see. Let me reflect Your face.”

For me, the rag found a spot of perfectionism left behind from years ago and it was stubborn enough to paralyze some of my behavior last year. It was invisible until the process brought it to the surface. Then I had to deal with it through acknowledgement and apology. I called each person to ask for forgiveness because that’s what the shining process creates – change. Notice I didn’t say perfection because that would mean it would never get dirty again, so I thank God that He continues to polish me. His Word continues to show me who I am and who I was meant to be. His Love washes over me and I can walk clean. 

If you’re in the middle of being shined, stay encouraged to see it through. Don’t quit before you feel the light on your face. And don’t feel ashamed of your process. Yours may not look like someone else’s.

You are brilliant underneath. You are brilliant within. Keep going. Keep opening yourself up to the Father. Keep being vulnerable enough to say “I’m sorry.” Keep being subject to change… for the better.

Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all. Stay safe out there.

CJW

An audio version of this post is on my podcast. Will you share it with someone? I appreciate it!

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Good Night, Wednesday: What Say You?

Hey, Family!

I’m glad you’re here. Thanks for listening to yesterday’s episode. I hope our little talk about shining helped your day.

I have another layer to add – what you say to yourself while you’re going through the process.

Once upon a time, I ruminated religiously on one phrase. I would repeat it over and over again when something bad happened. “Of course this happened. This stuff always happens to me.”

And I truly felt that way. I kept looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I kept bracing myself for impact. Anything to knock me off my joy and my axis.

Car trouble. Health issue. Misunderstanding. Crappy service. Spilled drink.

Any negative situation had the same weight – heavy. One thing could frustrate me at any time because it felt like I was always on guard. I wasn’t walking around angry; I was walking wounded and full of bad expectations. It was exhausting and I grew wearing walking around with a looming cloud over my head.

I didn’t speak life to my situations because I didn’t think vitality was possible. Then, I finally understood that my spirit was hearing everything that flowed from my lips. My words were driving the ship through the storm. I could either rest or stress. When I repeated that toxic phrase of gloom, I was reverberating stress through my body. Yes, I may have felt that way, but I didn’t have to make it my tune. It didn’t have to be my soundtrack.

When you’re being shined through rough experiences, pay attention to what you say. There’s a difference between speaking facts and speaking TRUTH. Yes, you may have a certain amount in the bank, but stop saying you’re broke. You may not have someone else’s features, but stop saying you’re ugly or “built wrong.” God’s breath is in your lungs, so your words can germinate life or death… and you have more life to live. More life to enjoy. More life to explore.

That’s the beauty of the shining process. It reveals the beauty beneath the surface. The negative things will happen to you, but they are not you. 

Say good things about yourself. Speak life-giving words into you and into situations around you. Breathe goodness back into your spirit. You’re worth it.

If you’re in the thick of it right now, I’m praying for you. I hope you had a good day, but if you didn’t, it just got better. Thanks for listening.

Peace & Love y’all. See you tomorrow.

CJW

An audio version of this blog is on my podcast. It’s less than 5 minutes – perfect for a quick encouragement. Consider sending the link to someone who could use a lift today. Thanks!

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Good Night, Tuesday: Double Entendre

Welcome back, Family!

Thank you for listening to yesterday’s episode. Let’s go deeper.

Annually, I tell you how amazing August has been. I give an uplifting recap of my weekly self-care experiences and inspire you to enjoy your own… and I’ll circle back to that. I assure you the sweet overrode the bitter, but I want to start with a fresh lesson learned.

Earlier this year, I had a revelation that all of my systems needed an overhaul. From the way I packed for work to how I scheduled email responses.

Humans made electronics to communicate when something isn’t working. To let you know repair or replacement is inevitable. God made humans with the same error messages and I saw a dashboard full of them. What I did to accomplish everything so far… what I did to get me here, was not going to get me there. There’s a next chapter unfolding and prior systems were appreciated, yet obsolete. So, I began evaluating big things and the minutiae. I delegated some duties and voiced my needs where necessary. So, I was hoping to slow the train down a bit until an unexpected conflict occurred.

Then that word from January floated to the surface of my spirit again – SHINE. Little-minded-January me thought “Oh… I’m going to learn how to let God shine through me with no limitations. Got it. Check.”

Not quite. That was just half of the revelation. I received the other half this month while I drove home from work.

To make something shine, it has to experience friction. Some sort of cleaning or excavation has to occur to debride the dulling agents from its brilliance. The item has to be discovered, cleaned, buffed, and exposed to light. It doesn’t shine without the work.

People’s eyes don’t usually sparkle at raw, uncut diamonds. To the untrained eye, it’s an ugly rock, but to the expert, it’s pressurized art.

See, it’s easy to say “Keep shining!” to someone who is smiling, but for someone who is in the polishing process… who is experiencing the beating heat of the sun instead of its comforting warmth, that phrase has a whole new meaning. It requires them to wake up and find their smile. To meditate on an uplifting message on their morning commute. To pray on their lunch break. To accept degrading treatment at work. It requires them to commit to the shining process.

The friction.
The buffing.
The cleaning.

They have to discover that they have the capacity to shine and repel the judgement. And once something is shined, it doesn’t stay that way. It must be maintained. Dust, water, and air can cause the item to appear worthless over time. What a blessing it is that we have Someone who always sees our worth… that always sees our shine, even through the magnifying glass of our tears.

That’s what I had to remember this month. My value is never diluted. My worth will never decrease. I can be obscure or highly visible and be exceptional in both arenas. I don’t care what’s happening to me or around me. I don’t relish in who sees me and who doesn’t. I simply shine. I emit the brilliance God created. I have El Elohim’s fingerprints on my skin; there’s no need to let anything less than that Truth seep into my heart.

I’m determined to keep working on that alerting dashboard. There’s a lot more shine left and in the words of renown author Marianne Williamson – “ …And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

Peace & Thanks for listening… and if you’re having a bad day, it just got better.

An audio of this post can be found on my podcast Listening at the Speed of Life.

Love y’all!

CJW

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Good Night, Monday: All Good Things

We made it to August, Family… and whew, did 2024 fly in here.

Seriously. I said the same thing last year thinking it would calm down next year, but that would be (as we say in the South) “too much like right.”

This year began with one word in my spirit – SHINE.

Last year’s words were ACTIVATE and LIFT, so I thought this year would be a maintenance situation of whatever was activated and lifted.

WRONG.

That word SHINE reverberated through my life starting the first week of January when I was planning rehearsals for my first solo-produced show. It kept going as I watched my work performed at a state dance festival and completed a 10-month group wellness series at the library. I’ve been reaping the harvest of seeds sown years ago. Forging new relationships and discovering more within me to give and value. The last 6 months have been a progressive and humbling ride. And I can say is it’s been an interesting journey and internally, I like it here.

When I reflect on that post from July 2023, this section jumps out –

I’m learning to let God create a new normal that consists of opportunities and miracles. That the seeds I’ve planted are subject to growing into a harvest. I am challenged to believe the floor will drop beneath my feet at any moment, but that instant need to recoil is becoming more of an anomaly. I open my hands to receive because I accept the joy of the giver’s intention.

This year, I’ve learned the only way to shine is to keep my hands open toward the Son. To receive His Blessing and lessons equally. To accept the truth that I am worthy of experiencing goodness and mercy all the days of my life. Distractions and hardships will come, but they can not stick. I reign in the Truth that God’s Love through Jesus set me free to be my best self. I don’t have to wonder about what is real. I stand in its shoes. I appreciate the good things.

Here’s 30 goals I met in 6 months!

  1. Hosted and debuted another spoken word piece at Dance Levels‘ Journey to Africa Dance Production. Thank you, Maya Spivey, for another wonderful time!
  2. My Christian creative collective Workmanship Incorporated celebrated 12 years of ministry and outreach!
  3. Co-choreographed Gradient Dance Theater & Community‘s production of Tortoise and the Hare. What?! It was so magical. Thank you Taylor and Joanna for this experience and it was a pleasure to choreograph with you, Grace. Post-Cool Art Collective, you’re geniuses.
  4. Hosted and debuted another spoken word piece at New Awakening Recovery Services‘ Recovery Monologues. Thank you Martina Dailey for this lovely experience!
  5. Ate Maggiano’s. (I told you it is my favorite annual must-stop). 🙌🏾
  6. Completed my first solo-produced show… and it sold out! 🙌🏾
  7. Still got my therapy, hair, nails and pedicure appointments in.
  8. Attended a French Conversation Club meeting.
  9. Hosted self-care letter-writing events.
  10. Attended Dance Across Birmingham and the Alabama Dance Festival. I stretched myself and took new classes with confidence and vulnerability.
  11. Advocated for dance pay equity in churches
  12. Served as an online service host for Zion Church (Hey, Zion Fam!)
  13. Taught African Dance and Stepping classes with The Dance Foundation and Gradient Dance Theater & Community. So much fun… ooooo!
  14. Served on the district and local executive council of my sorority
  15. Completed two food-based fasts to strengthen my spirit
  16. Had necessary conversations and released the ones I will never have
  17. Supported my creative colleagues through performance attendance, donations, and prayers.
  18. Increased my confidence in speaking about my brands to strangers. (I still get nervous.)
  19. Attended a UAB Black Alumni Meeting. Finally!
  20. Hung out with a younger SoRHOr and forged a stronger bond. We have to bridge the divide.
  21. Planned a sweet birthday surprise for someone I love
  22. Facilitated a collaborative massage promotion with Datus Henry CBD Wellness Store
  23. Saw the play The Color Purple at Red Mountain Theatre
  24. Performed at Black History pieces in February. I was so excited to do it.
  25. Obtained TWO positive doctor reports!
  26. Attended an Unboxed Worship First Friday Experience hosted by one of my favorite people – Desiree Danielle
  27. Saw my work performed at the North Alabama Dance Festival
  28. Created and kept sister time appointments with my inner circle
  29. Read to middle-schoolers and provided encouragement
  30. Taught a step workshop at the Powered by Girls Conference at UAB ArtPlay

And that’s just some of the goals I met that I had in mind last year. New things I wanted to do and things I wanted to do better. That’s how I am embracing my shine. Creating breathing room to expand in ways I never thought was within reach at this time of my life. Giving myself grace to evolve and learn new ways of doing things. Allowing myself to be here and whole.

And what did I do for the 4th of July? Same as last year – completed massage client sessions, ate lunch from a client who annually feeds me from her delectable kitchen menu, listened to UAB Summer Band and watched fireworks. This word SHINE grew in me like a little seedling, and little did not how much it would yield.

See you tomorrow.

Peace & Love y’all,

CJW

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Wednesday Wind Down: Underwear, Overlook

Happy Wednesday, Family!

I’m excited to connect with you in another season of the blog, and this season starts with something we all know — underwear.

I bought new underwear today. Now, don’t get it twisted. I don’t own holey, raggedy pairs. So, why did I buy new ones? Great question. Grab some tea and let me tell you.

I was in the store getting some quick necessary items. As I walked toward the checkout area, I passed by home decor and thought “One day, I’ll be able to buy what I want without caring for the price. I’ll buy it because I like it and it’s for me.” I’ve never been a retail-therapy girl, but I’ve always been a gut shopper. I have to love it or I won’t buy it. It has to make sense to me. Once I’m locked in on it, it’s a done deal.

So, I kept floating through this mini-prayer as my feet led me past the vases, pillows, and plush seating. The soft colors and textures lured me into their lair, so I stood in a trance for a minute. Slowly blinking and imagining. Virtually placing furniture pieces in my future forever home. I was daydreaming and I was enjoying it. I sighed and kept walking, but I wasn’t sad. Longing, but not sad.

Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

Then, a seedling of annoyance grew into an epiphany.

I need new underwear. Like all new underwear.

I have a variety of styles, so I was specifically looking for casual comfort. Now, we’re family around here, so you’ll just keep reading without judgment, OK? OK, great.

I felt this overwhelming urge to buy underwear… to buy what I needed. To replace the old and walk in the new – literally. Suddenly, my feet had a mind of their own and I meandered through the store and into the underwear section. Then I sighed again.

This was ridiculous. Why was I overanalyzing the purchase of a necessary item? Is that not what I came into the store to buy? Well… no. I didn’t come to buy underwear, but yes, I came to buy what was necessary. And there I was looking at the display and second-guessing my next move.

Why? Because I have plenty of underwear at home, but I don’t wear them.

Don’t freak out. This is not my underwear.
Photo by ud83dudc34chuanyu2015 on Pexels.com.

I don’t wear 98% of my underwear because they are uncomfortable. Too tight here, not enough tightness there, fabric feels weird on my skin, lace feels scratchy, and we won’t talk about wedgies. Just uncomfortable. I rotate the regular players and even I get sick of looking at them on the field every week. This coming from a former Victoria’s Secret associate who knows her way around undergarments of all kinds. What a waste I was making of that product knowledge.

So, why do I still have the unusable underwear? Because somewhere in this amazing brain of mine, I think one day they will fit perfectly and I just need to keep them until they do. I paid for them and I don’t want to waste my money. Whatever the truthy-lie was, it had stopped working. I was done with overlooking my underwear conundrum. There was no excuse why I should keep players on the bench knowing I’ll never play them.

Mmmm…, I thought, they may not be on sale today.

Turns out they were. Quality, cute underwear on sale. Comfortable, cute underwear on sale.

So, I bought 4 pair. And I smiled at my spiritual victory over the scarcity mindset once again. It likes to creep up on me at the oddest of times, like in a normal store run for deodorant and toothbrushes.

But today, it didn’t win. And the next time, it won’t either. I plan to keep winning until it becomes normal too.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

How long will you be comfortable with discomfort… mediocre… unrest? Something you don’t have to deal with but you keep telling yourself a truthy-lie to keep you comfortable in it.

How long will you deprive yourself of what you need, what you rightfully should own… like joy, peace, and Love?

How many more times will you denounce the authority God has already given you?

That drawer at home is full of underwear that I don’t use and won’t use, yet it takes up space where something else can live. It’s wasted real estate and I had become comfortable with it for years. A few pair would be discarded here and there, but the truth was that I was holding on to something that was wasting space.

What are you holding on to that is wasting space in your heart? I believe God has so much more for us than we allow. That’s why my recent prayer has been “Expand my arms to hold what you have for me.” I can’t say I want better and have my fists outstretched toward heaven. God needs them open, wide open.

I plan to keep winning.
I plan to keep opening my arms.
I plan to keep praying for guidance out of old habits.

I pray you do the same.

Peace & Thanks for listening!

CJW

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Wednesday Wind Down: The Grateful Bowl

One of my favorite places is Chopt Creative Salad Company. The food is fresh and I get excited when it’s nutritious and delicious. 

As my lunch break approached, I was ready to treat myself with the following goodness: warm grains, warm marinated roasted chicken, kale, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, apples, a drizzle of vinaigrette, and cranberries for a touch of tart. Their Cran-Apple Harvest Bowl stays in my rotation, and on this day, it was time to snatch it for the second half of the workday.

I found the perfect parking spot underneath some beautiful shade to weaken the balmy 80-degree heat from infiltrating my windows (Thank you, Lord, for trees.). I leaned over to the passenger seat and reached into my day bag. 

No purse. 

Certainly, it’s here, I thought. I scrounged around left-to-right and to the bottom.

No purse.

Then it hit me. My mind time-traveled to earlier that morning when I used my lip care and there was my purse – perfectly cater-cornered on the couch.

I returned my leaned body back to the driver’s seat and stared at the steering wheel.

*insert bright idea to use digital payment app*

Yes, that’ll work. Well, it didn’t work last time, but it will work today. It has to work today. 

My mind time-traveled again to that time at the grocery store when I had to go home to get my bank card because my digital payment app didn’t work properly. It was embarrassing and inconvenient. A definite reminder that I didn’t want that to happen again. 

I checked my app and everything appeared to be in order. 

Photo by Polina Zimmerman on Pexels.com

“It’s going to work. I’ll have them do a test transaction with something small so it can be deleted easily.” I said aloud after a sigh. “I’m going to eat today. I don’t have time to go anywhere else, so this has to work. Lord, let it work.”

I hopped out of my car and walked toward the yellow “C.” Patrons sat on the patio with smiles on their faces, engaging in seemingly bright conversations. Their food looked like it was picked from Eden. 

“It’s going to work. I’m going to eat today,” I said aloud between footsteps.

I walked inside and waited my turn. After a pair finished their orders, I stood near the beverages, chips, and cookies. The plan was to let the associate ring up one of those. A group of 5 came in and assumed I wasn’t next to be served. Two of the five went around me and out of my peripheral vision, I saw them look over for my reaction. My face stayed straight ahead awaiting the associate to finish the pair’s transaction. 

*insert a manager at another register*

He asked me what I needed and I told him my plan. He waved his freshly gloved hand.

“You don’t have to do all that. You’re good.”

My prideful reflexes kicked in and I felt compelled to unleash them, one by one. First, the offer.

“Are you sure? I really don’t mind. I just want to test it out to be sure it works before placing an order.”

“You’re good. Do you know what you want?”

I told my pride to sit down. I was getting the blessing I asked for and it was before the group of 5 was being served. Why was I turning it down? I took a deep breath and reached for gratitude.

“Yes, I do. A Cran-Apple Harvest Bowl, no almonds, add chickpeas. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.”

A glimpse of my bowl. *yum*

“No problem.”

It wasn’t flirty. It wasn’t condescending. It was a genuine act of kindness and I almost stained with prideful residue.

He fixed my order in record time and I was itching to ask him to let me try my digital payment app. Seriously, the words almost jumped out of my mouth. I swatted them down like a swarm of flies and nervously spoke – prideful reflex #2.

“I come in here so much, I should know the menu by heart,” I said with a soft giggle.

He looked up with grace and kept working.

Next up, shame – prideful reflex #3.

“I didn’t realize I left it until I got here. I can’t believe I didn’t notice it.”

His hands kept moving. Order prepared.

He pressed his screen and I saw the amount diminish to zero on my miniature version. Pride finally sat down for good and my chest didn’t feel so tight. I welcomed the bowl with both hands. 

“Thank you so much. I truly appreciate it. God bless you.”

“You’re welcome. Have a good day,” he said with a smile.

I walked out of the restaurant on pillows of goodness. I couldn’t believe I had the food I wanted, perfectly prepared in a bowl full of grace. I wanted to tell every person in the parking lot “Look! Look what God did for me today!” 

Don’t worry… I didn’t. That wouldn’t have been wise.

I did tell my cousin with whom I was on the phone earlier that day. We were talking about the law of the harvest and life lessons (how odd). Learning how to receive was definitely one that I was still working on.

“And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.” – Matthew 13:58 NLT

The first time I read this passage, it hurt my heart. And not because of what you may think.

It was because if I was there, I could have been one of those missed-miracle people. I could have been still sick because I was afraid Jesus’ power was a fluke or preferential. I could have responded out of past disappointment or worry that it wouldn’t last. I could have been locked out of deliverance behind the door of pride.

But that day, I wasn’t one of those people. I believed I was going to eat Chopt and I walked forward in faith. I was so grateful for more than food… I was grateful for growth. Instead of exiting in a hurry, I sat there and ate my food. My next obligation was moved (a divine set up?) so I took my time to enjoy small bites in a mindful eating exercise. I couldn’t stop my “thank you’s” and prayers. This was truly a lesson learned. 

Photo by Luis Miguel P. Bonilla on Pexels.com

Here’s the thing we usually miss from Matthew 13:58 – Jesus left. He left! There was no spiritual connectivity to match his power and willingness to heal more people, so he dipped. On top of that, He was in his hometown of Nazareth. You would think that would be the place of potent belief, but no. In verse 54 onward, He wasn’t a stranger. They knew his family and that He performed miracles. So, there were no excuses. My Jesus decided to take His nice hair (because that’s how I envision it) and healing power to the next stop. He turned off the faucet, not His capability.

That’s what almost happened at Chopt. My lunch miracle was ready for my faith. My heart posture was humble enough to receive a miracle.

So, I ask you this and place this question on the table of my spirit too – How many miracles are you missing? 

After this experience I don’t want to miss another one. Do you?

Miracles are everywhere. Be one for someone else and watch God serve you a grateful bowl too.

Peace & Thanks for listening, Family! 

CJW

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Wednesday Wind Down: Drop and Give Me 30

Happy July, Family.

Is it just me or has the first half of the year been a whirlwind at lightspeed?

Good things mixed with rough spots.
Sunshine swirled with rain.

It’s amazing that I’m still strapped into this 2023 rollercoaster because I don’t like rollercoasters. The feeling that my stomach is tunneling toward my eyes does not give me excitement. I hold purses and drinks; my friends know that.

In the past, I rode a few and the anticipation was nice until it was real. When I heard the click of the “U”-shaped over-the-shoulder restraint or lap bar, I immediately wanted to get off. It was evident I had reached the point of no return.

Except at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park in Rossville, Georgia. I rode almost every ride at least twice and went through the scary house so often I could tell others where the ghostly actors were planted. The repetition created familiarity which decreased my fear and amplified my anticipation. The faces were also familiar as my church took our youth department there numerous times.

Just like the trip to Lake Winnepesaukah, I’m learning to let God create a new normal that consists of opportunities and miracles. That the seeds I’ve planted are growing into a harvest. I am challenged to believe the floor will drop beneath my feet at any moment, but that instant need to recoil is becoming more of an anomaly. I open my hands to receive because I accept the joy of the Giver’s intention.

June was such a beautiful testimony of this new normal. Here’s 30 ways it was good to me and some moments captured along the way.

1. Concert: Sheila E. – she ate and left no crumbs, yet again. Her concerts are always nourishing.

2. Workmanship Incorporated celebrated 11 years of ministry and outreach. So grateful.

3. Gradient Dance Theater‘s production SPECTRA was amazing. Thank you, Taylor and Joanna, for respecting and commissioning my work. The best way to express my gratitude is to highlight my fellow choreographers and dancers. Remember their names and book them (see Program screenshots). So good to see my circle in the room and create new ones.

4. My next-steps meeting with Birmingham Public Libraries went well. Get ready for a dynamic self-care community program this fall.

5. Spoke to camp students at the Shades Valley YMCA. Thank you, Neena Speer, for the opportunity to share about Juneteenth and me.

6. Saw my SoRHOr shining like a pretty poodle as she supported entrepreneurs on Juneteenth.

7. Laughed and talked good things with my friend Patrick Packer from Datus Henry Industries . More good things coming.

8. Reflected on my Aunt Janice serving coffee at the A.G. Gaston Motel and the beautiful defiance of entrepreneurship.

9. Performed with Nathifa Dance Company & Outreach in the West End and Collegeville communities.

10. Trusted with fathers and husbands for Father’s Day. Grateful to facilitate their rest through massage therapy. Thank you to the ladies for including rest into their special day.

11. Taught an introductory step class for The Dance Foundation‘s Dance Exploration Summer Camp. Super fun.

12. Hung out with my dear SoRHOr, actress, songwriter, and educator Annie Joe Edwards and laughed… a lot

13. Hosted and debuted a spoken word piece at New Awakening Recovery Services‘ Recovery Monologues. Thank you Martina Dailey for trusting me with your program. Thank you friends for speaking my name when I wasn’t in the room.

14. Caught up with the incomparable smiling dancer Christina Davis. Great conversation.

15. Hugged my beautiful big sister Monéca Reid and my extended family at Word of Faith Love Center (GA) – Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary again, Team Garmon!

16. Loved on my new village kids, my Tau Beta Sigma sorors, and my WINC sisterfriend in Georgia

17. Ate Maggiano’s – my favorite must-stop once a year. 🙌🏾

    18. Walked and talked with my sweet little chapter sister Holleyanna at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

    19. Paid off an old credit card that I used to need to keep up with medical debt in college. 🙌🏾

    20. Got a call that a medical bill went to $0 due to a billing coding error. 🙌🏾

    21. Chuckled with my pRHOphyte

    22. Enjoyed real talk and chuckles with my creative sisterfriend Maya

    23. Planned outreach with WINC (Save The Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023)

    24. Laughed with my Frat brother Charles that I haven’t seen in about 16 years

    25. Talked good things with my sweet friend and collaborator Jasper. More good things coming.

    26. Great catch-up convo with my Sigma Gamma Rho Line Sister

    27. Enjoyed a hug, laughs and my favorite lip care and more goodies from Mia

    28. Served new + recurring clients and confirmed new contracts

    29. Still got my massage, nails, and pedicure appointments in.

    30. Received more divine download about next steps for my businesses (yes, including new books).

    And that’s just June, or what I call Halftime.
    The Grace and Blessings came in different cloaks.
    Some were monetary and some were emotional deposits.
    Some were on my calendar and some were impromptu.

    Let’s get ready for the harvest that belongs to us. I’m all in. I encourage you to look for goodness this month and pick them like wildflowers for the journey ahead. Look for the small and the grand. Appreciate all the ways harvest grows. Normalize it. That’s what I’m doing.

    And what did I do for 4th of July? I had massage clients, a writing coach client, enjoyed lunch from a client’s delectable kitchen menu, then I journaled about a memory. What a great way to kick off the second half.

    Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all.

    1

    Resurrect Me – Part 4

    Happy Sunday, Family!

    The sunshine and wind were working incredibly hard to make me jealous today, but I’m finally off work and able to enjoy some natural goodness. It feels good to look up at the clouds on a soft blue canvas as I write the final installment of this blog series. It’s a short stop (500 words or less), so let’s get into it!

    UTR Lesson #4 – I’m always worth the pause.

    Before the car wheels rolled to Indianapolis, I had a master plan.

    No matter what happened that weekend, I was going to enjoy the hotel’s laundry access and indoor pool.

    I packed my swimsuit with anticipation of relaxing after the final show – period. That previous week, I drove to Knoxville and walked a good bit, so my body was screaming for a breather. I also wanted to stretch and exercise in the water to make my joints and muscles happy.

    Monday morning came and I had already asked for a late checkout, so a smile swept across my face. The relaxation moment was ripe and I intended to enjoy some quiet bliss before the trek back to Alabama.

    I stirred about in preparation and received a phone call from a close friend. We had a rich conversation as I placed my dirty clothes into the machine. Checkout was at 1:00 and it felt so good not to hurry. I was eating it up.

    That warm pool was waiting on me.

    The Plan: Enjoy the solitude while the laundry did its thing.

    No laundry when I get home? Yes, puh-lease.

    Just as my aunt and sisterfriend were leaving the pool, I arrived ready to marinate in the quiet. I don’t know how to swim (yet), so I bobbed a little to acclimate. I admired my hands and thighs. The richness of my brown skin against that cream basin was beautiful. I dipped further and let the water hold me up to my ears, inhaling and exhaling when it touched my hair. I felt sweet and safe. I prayed. My people meter went down to a normal level again.

    That’s the thing about self-care – it keeps you healthy. That alone makes it non-negotiable.

    I know my boundaries and what it takes to maintain them. That day, it was pausing for pool time and admiring God’s fingerprints on me. Being grateful for how far we had come together. Acknowledging there was more work to do and I was equipped to do it when I returned. It was being gentle with myself a couple of hours before checkout.

    It was remembering that I can insert self-care on the road. I’m always worth the pause.

    Please remember to do the same. Regardless of your schedule, put yourself on it. You may be surprised who you’ll find in the pause.

    Speaking of pauses, that’s it for this month! Time to switch to podcast mode, so listen to Season 4 in May!

    I love y’all. Take care of you.

    Peace & Thanks for listening!

    3

    Resurrect Me – Part 3 (almost done)

    Hi, Family!

    Last night was story time about when to lift. Tonight is a double lesson but no story time. Let’s go!

    UTR Lesson #3 – Excellence speaks silent volumes.

    Each person below had a specific job and they were exceptional in it. Their excellence was so pronounced that they were asked to do it for years.

    Some of them, like Dr. Yancey (bottom right) had academic preparation to adequately describe the miracle of Lazarus’s death. I’ve never been so excited to hear about death in my life. Trust me, Family, you will almost throw your shoe during his soliloquy. Get the recording. You’ll also see him sing opera, but don’t tell him I told you. 🙂

    Pastor Mark V. Brown, Sr. and his shofar (top left). Powerful. Each performance, he would sit patiently and wait until his appointed time. No fanfare. Gentle smile. Focused and calm. I admired his position and stewardship of such a revered symbol.

    Mr. Hubert (top right) built the props and orchestrated his team like a conductor leads a symphony. He knew every piece of every part and could move something in record time. When I asked him if he went to school for it, he said no… God showed him what to do. *mind blown*

    Ms. Ruthie was my sweet firecracker (bottom left). Everything was on stage because of her amazing stage management. Impeccable, small, and mighty. With her white gloves and super stare, this production ran like a ship seasoned for the seas.

    The voice of Antonio Bowman is one to be marveled. I can’t tell you how many times I cried and jumped when he sang during the Triumphal Entry. Every year, that’s the voice you’re waiting for and every year, he sings like it’s his last (his words, not mine). I also can’t tell you how many times we laughed backstage. Jokes are good for the soul and we had plenty.

    Excellence is consistent and UTR resurrected that truth in me. I’ve been working in the arts since I was child. From then to even now, people assumed I didn’t need help because it didn’t look like it. A sliver of burnout was peeking over the horizon and I prayed it wouldn’t rise. I prayed that God would resuscitate me for the rest of the journey because I love my lanes. Whether behind the scenes, hosting a principal part, or delivering several parts, excellence was everywhere that weekend and it was life-giving. Then, God gave me Lesson #4.

    UTR Lesson #4 – A dream takes a village.

    The beauty about a dream is that isn’t yours.

    The birth plan of a vision can expand well over 9 months, but the best part is that you’re not alone. You’re actually part of a symphony. You just haven’t met the rest of the musicians yet.

    When I observed these moments in time, I couldn’t help but notice a proverbial hum of workmanship in every area. The make-up team was preparing the dancers for their next scene. The sound technicians checked levels. The gloved hands of the crew waiting for their cue to raise the curtain or the actor in his harness. Ashlee and I formed a tag team to take down a disciple’s braided hair (representation is important in Biblical performances, by the way).

    When excellence is at work, God will bring the village. He will send the help. I believe that now more than ever.

    Being a creative can be daunting, but being a creative in Kingdom arts can compound the fatigue. The idea is that you don’t need anything or anyone because you’re doing it for God and God has everything, so hey… you’ll be alright. Just keep going. Who cares if you have one leg left, an eyeball barely in socket, and a sore throat? Who cares if you can’t pay your bills because you’ve donated all of your labor? God is good! Keep going! Well, that’s a narrative I vow to change – in a different avenue, so let’s get back to this road.

    The miracle of UTR is that two people multiplied into many hands which created lighter work, yet the excellence was not watered down. That’s amazing to me. No longer do you have to toil in a silo (talking to myself).

    What a village, we were. My mother and aunt served food to hundreds of cast and crew. My two sisters/Workmanship Incorporated teammates were part of the make-up squad. Two young ladies that grew up in the production were now applying make-up and lashes on two veteran department directors. I helped one year and brought others. Others helped and brought more others.

    The village.

    There goes that Lesson #1 again.

    Simply put, the vision seems too big because I am not designed to carry it alone.

    God will send me my village to help me carry out his instructions. I no longer feel heavy with doubt that I won’t be able to carry the vision to term. I see what’s possible if I just do my part in excellence.

    The same goes for you, Family. If you’re standing next to an incredible task, know that you’re not alone. Someone else is standing next to one and possibly the same one. Looking up at it and getting dizzy.

    We have help coming. Encouragement, financials, employees, volunteers, venues… it’s coming. And if you look around – just pause and look – you might find that your help is already here.

    I’m praying for you. We got this. Keep dreaming.

    Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all.

    1

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