Mangled Spaghetti

    It began many moons ago as a great release, encourager, and a pathway to self-reflection

Book after book, video after darn video, article after article...yeah I ain't mad but man I've digested a lot, perhaps too much! 

I read, I listened, I dissected and wrote...I paused (well sort of) and then I pressed the repeat button

I thought that is how it was SUPPOSED to be done, this healing piece

However, tonight I sit in the midst of all the thoughts and all the feels, and it feels like I've created a big crazy bowl of mangled spaghetti in my own head! And darn it, I don't know what in the world to do about it, ugh grrrr!!!

    After all this time, shouldn't I have a make myself feel better remedy, some quote or song or affirmation to make me feel cool, calm and whole?

I sat quietly for a long, long, long time...ok well 10 minutes and tried my hardest to fix it and unravel the noodled mess, but yep, they are still there

I scrolled the social media rooms, in hopes that the cure all would pop up on a timeline somehow or someway...no luck 

    I listened to "Black Butterfly" over and over and over and over again and that helped a bit...true story

I rubbed my dog, showered off the day, sat in my sacred garden and that helped a little

Then, I text my energy coach, surely, she could fix it...no response

Then a thought, mystical and quiet, crept into my head space...perhaps there is no fix (Ms Fix It)! Perhaps, sometimes feelings and mangled spaghetti just happen, and you just sit with it, yup give yourself some loving space to just be uncomfortable in it and know it is not something you control or fix and make disappear. And so, I did and am... just sitting in my kitchen with a head full of mangled spaghetti and surprisingly, it is okay. 

Community Stand Up!

 People, we are a very fascinating species. We are full of contradictions. 

On the one hand we are keeping it 100 and on the other we are terrified to give 50% of our authentic selves to others.

We have this tough unbendable outer shell yet we are traumatized scared children on the inside that crave belonging.

We share our innermost angers on social media platforms but find it challenging to be vulnerable and have intimate conversations with our partners, children and parents.

We are quick to say what we absolutely don't have time for: fuckery, bullshit, disrespect, haters, new friends! Yet, we find it almost impossible to surrender to having time for the things that would possibly serve us well: Mental health check ups, forgiveness, reading, investing in true holistic healing, investing in our future better selves, time away from social media and other toxic behaviors.

Many of us are hurting in ways that we don't even recognize, we need to be reminded that we are valued, needed, enough, and so very loved and seen. 

We are in need of a nurturing and uplifting Village. 

We need our Community to Stand Up!

Sometimes Celebrating Looks Like This

Mother's Day is today and there will be brunches and lunches,

there maybe flowers and gifts delivered

there may even be road trips taken and airline tickets purchased...because today is a big big day for many!

But Sometimes, there are cards from years gone by that are read over and over,

Sometimes, there are tears that flow and don't seem to have an end in sight

Sometimes, there are movies that are watched or songs that are played because of the memories that go along with them

Sometimes, there is cooking or cleaning and sometimes there's not

Sometimes it's reading a book

Sometimes there is staying in bed all day because you just can't today 

Sometimes there is working

Sometimes there are walks in the park

Sometimes there is turning off you're phone

Sometimes there is hugging someone tightly that loves you dearly

Sometimes there is laughter and sometimes there's not

Sometimes it is going to your place of worship

Sometimes it is cuddling up with your dog or cat and sometimes it's not

Sometimes Mother's Day is just another day and Sometimes it is an absolutely amazing one!

However this day in May plays out for you and for me, how we choose to celebrate or not to... just know it is OKAY...it is absolutely OKAY!

The Table-Reflections

 

We all come to the table with stuff

Hopes, disappointments, snapshots from InstaBook and a desire to have the good life

The table is our friendships and our relationships

I ask: What is being served at the table? Is it edifying for the body and nourishment for the soul?

Does magic fill you to overflowing and call you to your higher self, your naughty self, your free self, your true self?

Again I ponder: What is being served at the table? Is it edifying for the body and nourishment for the soul?

Does it ground you, balance you, lift you, and walk beside you? Does it give, take and listen with the intention to understand you?

Suddenly I hear...Respect is being served and Love is being served!

I answer: At this table I will sit and at this table heartily I will eat.

Life

Life comes in waves

At times the silence of life is appreciated and at others it can be heartbreakingly loud

Life has a very special and unique way of nudging us awake...through loss, illness, and struggle. We are brought back from the edge of simply drifting through.

TODAY!
This Moment
This View
This Love
This Friendship
This Embrace
This Breath...are all that truly matter
They are simply the most important things

                                                                                                                          Kallista Marie

Create Beauty, Plant Hope

This past weekend, I spent time in meditation (much overdue and needed), recovering from watching "Cloud Atlas (yeah...3 words...Don't Watch It) and was reminded of all kinds of interesting and perhaps random thoughts and they are as follows:

My book, read it

My surroundings, be more attentive of it
My Mind, Get to know it
My time, learn to manage it
My Money, Be more savvy with it
My Faith, Feed it
My Dream, Dare to believe in and Make plans to fulfill it

My Divine Purpose, Boldly walk in it
My Passion, Live it
My Smile, Share it

My Beauty, Embrace it
My Life, Be Thankful for it

Life is what you create and consistently believe it to be.  Create beauty, plant hope, strive to increase joy and live with passion and balance.  

Be And Change the World!

Be Aware,
Be Guarded,
Be Wise,

Be Generous
Be Forgiving
Be Fully Present
Be Inspired
Be Compassionate
Be Understanding
Be Loving and Change The World!

In Honor of President Nelson Mandela

His people needed a leader

He gave them a champion

But, By God's Grace

What happens to me, may affect me,
Perhaps even distract me,
But, By God's Grace,
It will NEVER Break ME!

Because, His Grace is Sufficient...

   
                                               An Original Work of Art by Jalen Walker

Experience the Joy in being Wonderfully Human AGAIN!

Introducing the second installment in the Wonderfully Human (Love Letters and Encouragement for the Soul) series...Vol.II!!!! For 2weeks only it will have an introductory price of $2.99. Download to your Kindle, Kindle Fire, Ipad or Iphon...e using the Free Kindle App or your PC

http://www.amazon.com/Wonderfully-Letters-Encouragement-Vol-II-ebook/dp/B00DK1RD8I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372097407&sr=1-1&keywords=wonderfully+human+vol.II

 

 

Wonderfully Human (Love Letters and Encouragement for the Soul) Vol. II is a heart project that was started many years ago.  A compilation of inspirational thoughts and love letters from a Universe that wants to show each of us how to experience God's Very Best.  My prayer is that you will be inspired, encouraged and perhaps even "Rediscover Your Mojo Jo Jo" as you read the words and view nature's beauty that are here just for you within these pages. 

When You Wish Upon A Star...Dreams Can Come True

About 11 years ago, God placed a dream in my heart and a title for that dream.  That dream has finally become a reality as of today!!!  Ladies and gentlemen it is my absolute pleasure to share my first e-book (which is now available on Amazon.Com) with you, "Wonderfully Human (Love Letters and Encouragement For the Soul)!!! I invite you to visit and purchase your very own copy for your Kindle or Ipad (the Kindle App is needed if you have an Ipad) and please let me know how it touches you.  It is my hope and prayer that the words in this book will inspire and encourage you. 



Just click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/Wonderfully-Human-Letters-Encouragement-ebook/dp/B00CNWOR4S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367847717&sr=1-1&keywords=Wonderfully+Human+Kallista+Walker

It is not just a song to me anymore, it is truth.  When you wish upon a star, Dreams can come true!  Be honest, seek peace, be uniquely you and experience the joy found in being Wonderfully Human.



Recipe For A Strong Family

Recipe For A Strong Family

 3 3/4 Cups Brown Sugar
(For Natural Sweetness)

10 Cups Heaven
(That's where Faith, Hope and Love comes from)

3 Cups Dreams
(There lies the future)

20 (1 carat diamonds)
(For Clarity of Vision)

4 1/2 Tablespoons Cast Iron
(For Strength and Endurance)

A Family That Prays Together..Stays Together

©T.T. Taharaja

Heed The Warning and Just Answer The Call!!

Growing up, my beloved great grandmother (Sis. U.D. Shugart Bryant) kept her grandchildren as close to God and in church as much as she possibly could.  We went to Sunday School, morning service, evening service, prayer meetings, bible study, vacation bible school (faithfully EVERY SUMMER) and probably many other services that my special memory can not remember.  Being around what we call "Church Folk" or as my mother would say, "The Good Christians",  we heard and picked up many cliche statements.  Often we repeated these little sayings, having no clue of their meaning or even knowing if we really believed the words that were coming out of our mouths..LOL.  One of these statements was brought oh so gently to my mind tonight, so gently that although I would simply LOVE to be SLEEPING, here I sit typing until my lil' heart is content (can you hear the sarcasm?).  Many say" "Anyone can praise God but you must intimately know and dare I say love Him to Worship Him".  I have heard it, questioned it and kept it moving many times.  However, tonight as I listened intently to the words of a song (attempting to rehearse) that not so long ago I thought was for "Older Saints" it occurred to me that this statement was and still is so deeply true.  The song was "When The Saints Go To Worship" by Donald Lawrence.  Ok this may be your jam and that's ok, but you should know I am a little special (so don't judge me), ahhh moving on. 

The words came alive to me tonight and in just moments I was transported from an average mundane "I have to moment" to a small space where it was truly just my Heavenly Father and me, vibing (It was lovely).  What is really funny, or maybe not so much is that over the years God has impressed upon me to do many things and out of nervousness, fear and Lack of FAITH (yes yes yes I admit it...L.O.F) I was disobedient and did not move when He said sweet heart move this way or sing when He presented opportunites for me to sing or EVEN write when He generously gave me such eloquent words to write.  God does not change!!  If He wanted you to do it then, I would be willing to bet you some yummy Cold Stone Creamery Cheese Cake icecream that He STILL Wants YOU to Dust Yourself Off And DO IT NOW!!!  Something we need to know and remember about God is that to Him, our obedience is far better than our sacrifice (Thanks Bro. Howell you really brought this point home for me).  God knows that many things that will make our homes, childhoods, neighborhoods, work environments, relationships, finances, health and world better, can only be achieved when we step outside of our comfort zones, have real faith in Him (really believing that nothing is impossible to God and with God) and are obedient to His Divine promptings and instructions....  When the same message is coming to you loud and clear from what seems like EVERY direction, do yourself and those who need what has been placed in you a favor, Heed the Warning and Just Answer the Call!!!! 

Sparkle & Shine, is it in Divine Order?

Sometimes we try to move ahead of God's timing, not realizing or even at times simply forgetting (because we are so determined to have it OUR WAY right now) that God has the hook-up and all the right connections. 
When He delays a thing, Our plans or Our desires, it would behoove us to remember that our Daddy (who sits in heavenly places) does not dwell in foolishness and He ain't gone bless no mess.  No matter how much we throw temper tantrums (and ya'll know we still do..don't play) and pout, God still desires to set things up for us and get them in their proper place.  When we, in our only child state of mind (I am one so that gives me a few rights to say that..please do NOT be offended) decide I want it NOW NOW NOW and choose not to wait on God, trust messiness is on the horizon.  When I say wait on God, this does not mean sitting like a bump on a log with your hands folded in prayer.  Waiting on God is an action word, yes it is a verb which means to be actively doing what God has placed in your heart to do at that time.  It could be just being still (so you can recognize that He is God and is working on your behalf behind the scenes), taking care of an aging or sickly loved one, Forgiving (this is a BIGGIE), paying your tithes (when you feel you don't have nothing so how r you gonna give the CHURCH something), and so many other ways that He desires to use us while He is working on us. As I was saying, when we choose to not wait, we can really mess up some stuff.  Think about a large beautiful home at Christmas, all aglow with sparkling lights exquisitely placed.  Now picture all those lights hurriedly removed, balled up and thrown in a box on New Year's Day in a tangled mess.  When the time comes again for those lights to be displayed and enjoyed, imagine the time that will now be wasted trying to detangle each string of lights simply because the time was not taken to de-light the tree and put them away in an orderly fashion.  As you are frustratingly doing this time consuming job, hoping the lights still work, you will promise yourself yet again that this year you will do it neatly (lol).  After all is said and done, I hope we will begin to take the time to do things in decency and in order, so that when our time comes to Sparkle and Shine, everything will work and flow in it's Divine Order.