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.

Sometimes Words Fail

Ironic title, right? Be honest, though-there is a lot of truth to it. Sometimes words do fail us.  There are moods, moments, and feelings that cannot in any way, shape or form, be communicated in a coherent manner through spoken or written word. The prime example is during moments of loss. In such times, nothing can fully convey the myriad of thoughts, emotions, and feelings that the person experiencing the loss is going through. Everyone's been there-that instance where nothing but a good scream session or crying spell to a favorite emotional song will do. Contemporary society seems to privilege "talking it out" or journaling. They do have their place. However, sometimes it's ok to express emotion not through writing or speaking, but just being. Wether releasing through that "good cry", dance, song or scream (preferably not AT someone), allow yourself-and others the space to express themselves if such methods are the best suited for the occaision.

"...Sudanese and Congolese who put the roll in the rock..."

(Photo from AmericanCatholic.org)

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita. Enslaved as a young girl in late 1800's Sudan, she went on to gain her freedom in Italy and become a nun devoted to faith and service. That faith and service lead to Pope John Paul II cannonizing her in 2000.

The best article about her life can be found  at the link below:



http://wau.org/resources/article/re_from_slave_to_saint1/

There is a line in a song that goes as follows:

    

"...frozen, they were stolen,all the kings and the queens- Sudanese and Congolese who put the roll in the rock...".

 Such words couldn't ring truer in Bakhita's life. The "rock" was her faith and her Maker. The "roll" was her steadfastness. Hers is a true freedom fighting story.

Trailblaizer: Mother Mary Lange

Photo: Courtesy of the Mother Lange Guild Website

To celebrate Black History Month, your humble blogger would like to introduce to you Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first religious congregation of women of color in the Universal Church. Why Mother Lange, you ask? Hers is a little known story within Black, Catholic, and American history as a whole. Here is her story:

/biography.html

For more information on the Oblate Sisters of Providence, go to http://www.oblatesisters.com

Investigation into cause for Mother Lange's beatification and cannonization has been opened. Information is available at http://motherlangeguild.homestead.com

To Michigan on it's 175th Birthday

Dear Michigan,

Given your name comes from a Native American word meaning "turtle", it's probably no coincidence my first pet was a turtle. Maybe it was your way of instilling a sense of place within me during my formative years. You raised me and the majority of my family. You welcomed my father and grandparents, who came from the South. I was blessed to walk through the hallowed halls of your University in Ann Arbor for four years. You put the world on wheels. You have birthed a plethora of figures who have impacted the country and the world. Recent years have been rough for you, however. Many have left you and others negatively comment about you. Despite this, you are always home to those who have resided within your borders. From Ann Arbor to Zeeland, there is no other place quite like you. May you be blessed this and many years to come

With love,
Rana Dianne Irby
A Michigander born and raised.