Need an Outlet...

During the months of June, July, and August, I am fortunate enough to have three-day weekends, but I end up with 10 hour workdays Monday-Thursday. This set-up works quite nicely, and I wish it could be this way during the actual academic year. Most years I've embraced Fridays, sleeping in and being as lazy as I'd like. That has not changed completely, but Fridays have been quite difficult for the past two months, which is when I received the call from one of my god sisters that my "second" mommy had passed on from this world.

I realize she is out of her pain. I know she lived a good life. I feel her presence and spirit in so many ways. But, it does not remove the pain or the memories of how that Friday played itself out. No matter how prepared you are for death, you're never really...

So, my Fridays presently are avoidance days. I try to find activities to fill my time and keep me from reflecting or thinking too much about that Friday that was only about eight weeks ago. And, truth be told, I've managed to do a pretty good job of having things to do. Beach visits, amusement park fun, traveling, and shopping...even mixed with a little cleaning! Particularly, my recent venture to the nearby shopping outlet is what developed the title and today's stream of thought. Outside my bag it read: "Need an Outlet...Kenneth Cole". Catchy and cute, huh? Well, I thought so!

I thought more and more about the phrase on the bag while getting birthday gifts together for my brother and sister-in-law, and began to really get the fact that outlets are so needed...and for a variety of reasons. My brother from Tampa had an impromptu visit coming to see his best friend get married; however, this visit has served as an outlet for him. He has always been the one to have distance from home due to his work, and we knew his being away served as THE outlet for coping with the loss of our father. This recent trip has given him some opportunities for closure that I think were necessary and right on time, which is great to see.

I also found my recent outlet being back with family--the immediate and extended. I was in the presence of love, peace, and goodness. Every family has its dysfunction(s), but it is being able to embrace all of that and dig through the surface in order to reach the core and very essence of what makes such a group special. It is the history, knowledge, and memories. It is the understanding that these are beings who share your blood and the connection was a divine order. They make me who I am--the good and bad. I joined hands in the room with generations of me, as we prayed over the family and food. I sat with my cousins, picking and laughing. Joined my aunties in the kitchen to steal some cooking tips. Hugged my daddy's best friend and caught up on life with my niece. Talked world and personal issues. Laughed. Loved. Lived.

I don't feel the need to end on a profound note in this "complex simplicity". Hopefully, you have some nearby inexpensive outlet of your own. What I've found, though, to be pretty true is just when you really feel you're hitting rock bottom or can't keep going on, the Divine knows what you need to replenish you and help you continue the journey, realizing life's not so bad after all.

Grateful.

"Get down on your knees and thank God you’re still on your feet."

(Thanks for the quote, Facebook Friend!)

I'm thankful I am not where I used to be. And, I am so happy He's not through with me (just) yet.

The Good Times

TRUTH: "A foretaste never makes me say, 'That is enough.' A foretaste only whets my appetite."

And, for the record, I WILL stay with you. Smiling.



Let the song speak for itself.

Enjoying Time While I Wait...

Congratulations, Serena
Williams, on another Wimbleton win! I am feeling like a winner today, too.

The message has been pretty in-my-face these past few weeks regarding where I am and need to be...

"God will strengthen us and enable us to handle life peacefully
and wisely if we start praying about things instead of merely
trying to get through the day. When we take time with God and listen to His
voice, He renews our strength and enables us to handle life and not be weary.
But we have to start by using the time we have wisely by always putting God first."

-- Joyce Meyer

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD;he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God."

"Those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."
— Isaiah 40:31

You Want Fame?

In an effort to motivate myself to get up and get going, I woke up early with flashbacks of my undergraduate days. As a freshman, one of my mentors/directors at The College would go around quoting the character, Lydia Grant, played by Debbie Allen in the popular 1980s TV series, FAME: "You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying...in sweat."

Here's the clip from one of the first episodes (The very familiar line was also in the opening credits):



To get to a short sweet point...

Today, I should have had a "free" day. It's a four day holiday for my work organization; however, my alarm went off bright and early. After showering and eating a little something, I made my way over to the work spot and met with a new hire who needed some assistance in her new administrative role. We sat and talked--laughed a bit, but what stood out was the comment she had shared with her colleague regarding her hours. Considering how much less we get paid compared to our counterparts on the job, it's ridiculously sad--and we do SO MUCH WORK. She shared with him that she had no intention of being present for all of the stuff he was listing and wanting her to be in attendance for. She told him he could handle that piece since his paycheck covered it...YIKES! Glad they have that kind of relationship, and her words are true.

Despite my knowing the latter, I still plug along and just do. All I've ever known is EXCELLENCE. Whatever I put my hands on or have my name a part of, I expect to be all or none. Growing up my mother frequently made me quote: "When a task is once begun, finish it until it's done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all!"

I stay "tipping on the tightrope" -- whether high or low, hated or loved, I keep my balance. It's really not about anyone else when I do stuff; I realize I have a leadership style based in service, which only a small/rare percentage do. It's my focus, my game, my goal to achieve for the overall good. As long as I don't fall, all is well. But, even if I did fall off, I know who would block the fall, dust me off, and get me back on the rope. The picture is always bigger than you and me.

So, as I move into the weekend, here is a little musical enjoyment from an up and coming artist. She is really ON HER GAME. I couldn't decide which of the versions I liked most so here they both are. I hope they'll give a boost like they did me. In a generation/time where I feel so detached to the current trends, it is refreshing to come across music that I actually like, understand, and would be willing to hit "replay" on!