A Little Something Something for Your Day

So,
Your humble blogger's intended post for this month unfortunately fell through.  However, I'd like to share a nugget of inspiration:

"If you are who you are called to be, you would set the world on fire"
-St. Catherine of Siena

Thoughts on New Orleans

(A view of the Superdome from my hotel taken from my camera phone)

A couple of weeks ago, your humble blogger went to The Big Easy for a conference.  Nearing the hotel, my eyes came across this structure: The Superdome.  Upon seeing this up-close and personal, it was hard to imagine what happened in there 7 years ago post-Katrina. May this and the entire New Orleans story serve as a testament to bouncing back after adversity.  Also, let us never forget so the past cannot be repeated.

Global Call For Peace (Poem)

How about
making peace
instead of blowing each other to pieces
with guns and bombs
I have a problem
with having to fear
that violence will come near
to me, my family, my friends, my people
We've dug ourselves into deep holes
Too many souls
have been lost at the end of a
gun
fist
knife
The strife
has got to end
Instead, let's send
LOVE
from Detroit to Damascus
It's all I ask
of us
Like Fela I want to bring a coffin to a state official
and say
"Let's make it official
that love
will be our driving force
instead of brute force
ruling our lives"
Like Janelle said
"This is a cold war"
Let's shout "NO MORE"
and create
a state
of well being
for all

The Tale of Rita Barbour, Pt. 2.

     The elevator door opened. "What are you doing here?" a voice barked. Rita didn't even step through the door before the voice startled her. "I live here", she said. "Room 4322". The aforementioned voice shouting the gruff interrogatory belonged to a member of Droid Control.  "Credentials", he barked again.  Rita pulled up her sleeve. The officer scanned the barcode on her arm. "Ok, but you shouldn't have been allowed up here". The officer was a burly human. Under his breath, he muttered "Incompetent oafs", referring to the office at the front door of the apartment. He then looked sternly at Rita. "We're conducting an investigation.  You said your room is 4322, correct?" Rita replied in the affirmative.  She happened to glance over the officer's shoulder when she noticed two officers come out of the apartment.  "What are they doing there?" The officer turned his heads towards the officers, then back at Rita. He scowled. "You'll have to come with me.". "What? To where?" Rita asked. "Come this way. We have some questions to ask.". The two went to an alcove off the hallway. Again, the officer continued with his stern tone.  "The name is Officer Black. a fugitive android was tracked down hiding in your quarters.  Any idea why she would be there?".  "Obiously it was a break-in, sir.  I've been at work all day.".  "It would be in your best interest not to play games with me.", continued Black.  "Can this by verified?".  "Well, there are cameras at my employer. It's the Star Commission Tribunal.", Rita replied.  " We'll look into it right now. Stay here.".  Black motioned to a nearby guard to watch the android while he confirmed her story.  "So much for the relaxing I planned.", Rita mumbled.  Black returned after a few minutes with an annoyed look on this face.  "Apparently, your story checks out.  You won't be able to return to the apartment until tomorrow.  Our search has to be through.".  "Looks like I'll need to look for lodging for the night, sighed Rita.  She insta-chatted with her co-worker droid, Felicity Rue, about staying with her.  It was a go.
    
     Next morning, Rita returned to a less than pristine abode.  While re-organizing her e-books, she found a mini holograph player hidden under a shelf.  She turned it on.

 Whoever this is receiving this message, this is Cindi... 

"Oh, Maker!", Rita squeaked.  She continued the holograph.

...I'm sorry if any trouble was caused with my hiding in your apartment.  It was the first out I saw in getting away from Droid control.  Many thanks, though.  From the looks of the place I'm assuming you are a droid, so I'll end by asking you to help the cause.  Supporters have a special telewave for recognition. Details will be paged on that signal at 1700 sharp tomorrow .  Cindi, out.

In The Merry Merry Month of May

One year ago today, I attended the Hooligans in Wondaland show in Miami.  It was the first time I met my favorite artist, Janelle Monae.  It was also the culmination of a two day bus ride from Detroit, which created memories of their own as well as some enlightening insights. In reminiscing on this trip, my hart was moved to share the journal entry I wrote on the my first day on the road. Enjoy!

The Road to Miami  

5/9/ll
My first thought when getting on the bus was "What was I thinking ? I'm going to be on a bus for 2 DAYS".  There's no turning back now.  The tickets aren't refundable.  Then again, this is a journey and I have to treat it as scuh.  This is quite a life lesson on patience.  It's also a time for deep thought.  Three things have come to my mind thus far- 1) It's interesting how in two to three hundred years this HUGE country became "America".  This road trip had me thinking about how big geographically this country is and how man was able to traverse it over a short period of time and make the beginnings of what it is today 3) In the wake of the 50 year anniversary of the Freedom Riders I'm able to make this trip down south as a black woman without having to go through separate entrances, drink from separate fountains, and going to see a black woman and white man performing on the same bill.  That's amazing when I think about it.  Only 50 short years ago, that would have been a different story. Wow. 3) How ironic my dad left the South to avoid the problems of those days and I'm goingdown South for va vacation.  This is a learning experience. Only a day and a half or so to go. Let's DO IT!

On the "small" things

It's highly likely that this topic has been addressed before by people much wiser than I. However, it behooved yours truly to post on the subject of the "small" things. And yes, there is a reason for the quotes around the word small. What may seem insignificant can sometimes have the most impact.

Let's take good deeds, for example. It's easy to think that the smile given to a stranger or giving to someone in need may was a simple act.  For the recipient, though, it could have meant the world. Case in point (true story): A person overheard three people speaking a foreign language at an event and they decided to to say hello in that language.  The face of the people in the group lit up like Christmas trees in pleasant surprise.

Not everyone can be a Mother Theresa, but a person can make another's day through what may appear to be a small act of generosity.

The Elusive "Aha Moment"

Let's talk about a not-so easy thing to do-not wait for an "aha moment".  When it comes to finding solutions to problems, dealing with particular issues or even finding oneself, there's sometimes an expectation that the aformentioned will come in the blink of an eye. Call it the "aha moment". In the instance when it doesen't happen (or at least happen when you want it to), the canvas is primed for disappointment to set in. Understandable. However, it seems that it is in the realization that the "aha" may be more gradual or may not come in the form of the proverbial lightbulb turning on where peace lies.

Think back to an occasion when the answer to a life dilemma came in the form of a decision or action resulting in a feeling of calm. That's not to say that "aha moments" never happen-just that the expectation of them can lead to frustration. On top of that, it could result in wasting energy that could be used to find the solution to the problem. Ask youself: "How much time have I spent frustrated about not immediately realizing what my vocation is or how to deal with xyz issue?"

That being said, don't wait for the answer to life's questions to come to you. Of course it won't be a walk in the park. Find ways to get to the solution.