rePost!

I find myself revisiting these thoughts from a former holiday season…need the reminders.

Thinking about Mother Mary this holiday season, had me overwhelmed with emotion…

She was “highly favored” AND pregnant but not married in a time that looked down on such things

“Highly favored” AND couldn’t get a loan…a bank account…or a phone on her own

“Highly favored” AND couldn’t get a place in her own name

“Highly favored” AND rejected by the local townsfolk, gossiped about by the praying and the prEying

“Highly favored” AND discredited, made fun of and most likely ostracized by the Believers Only Club and the At-least-we-lookiN-Holy Inc

“Highly favored” AND how many “friends” disappeared once she went public w/her “condition”

“Highly favored” AND which religious circle/s welcomed her into their group

“Highly favored” AND she had to tell her fiancé, I’m pregnant oh…it’s Heaven’s Child – like ain’t no man did this

“Highly favored” AND she appeared mentally unstable

“Highly favored” AND how much prenatal care she get

“Highly Favored” AND in the dead of night, had to leave erythAng she knew AnD move…not up to the East side, no…she had to move to a place that certainly didn’t look HeavenSent

“Highly Favored” AND she laid on the dirtY floor of a stable…a barn, surrounded by animals, LAWD, the smells alone – I need to know, did somebody give the girl some lemon, lavender, mint…anything?

“Highly Favored” AND she gave birth to her firstborn: The Most Powerful and simultaneously Gentle One, The Great Spirit, The Divine, My Sovereign One behind the Bethlehem Bed and Breakfast.

“Highly Favored”…now, maybe we should talk about the definitions for this word, Favor – kindness, approval, support, over generous, preferential treatment…wait a minute, whose definition of FavoR we talkiN’ about here?

Favor from Heaven’s perspective is NOthing like what earth may have yuh believing!

Remember to remind yaSelf of the way Heaven views Favor

iF you are Highly Favored, Heaven will drop a seed into ya system that Heaven alone can germinate and develop and finally cause to “show” on the outside.

Heaven alone can take credit for the nourishment, birth and growth of this new life.

This new life will have limitless potential but NO human can decide what the path will look like. It may not appear “logical” but iF ya keep your ears open to the Sound of the Angels, they’re coming in this season of miracles to remind you that you are “Highly Favored” and EverY single occurrence in your is because…

You are Highly Favored/favoured!

raise yuh hand…up in the air w/me now…make a fist and say it out LOUD…I AM Highly Favored/Favoured!

That interview that did NoT turn into an offer is because I AM Highly Favored

That promotion I was promised but didn’t receive is because I AM Highly Favored

That house loan I was assured wasn’t granted because I AM Highly Favored

That relationship (friendship or romantic) didn’t go as I planned because I AM Highly Favored

What are you being Protected from because you are Highly Favored?

What is Heaven allowing to happen so people will shun you, even in and maybe especially in religious circles?

What is Heaven allowing so people will speak terribly to you and about you because you are Highly Favored?

What is it that isn’t looking like good sense but is Heaven’s leading?

What is it that has you shaking yuh head because despite the lack of logic, you know in yuh heart, all is well?

What has you seeing the Wonder amidst the worrisome?

Regardless of how it appears, the Truth that holds me is I AM Highly Favored/Favoured!

Common Day Hero: To see, experience and know it all through the wonder of a child…that is my prayer. May we never lose the wonder…you hold it so well. I miss you immensely and hold ya in my heart always. My dear Robin Diane, I dedicate this post to you.

Amazon

I have exciting news…I created a grief workbook…it’s available on Amazon now…and for all my fellow humans processing grief, HOPE (Heavenly Oxygen Permeating Earth) this is a comfort, a solid prompt or guide of sorts on the journey.

elements

Suddenly, these words came spilling out of me and I couldn’t seem to write or type quickly enough because thoughts move at the speed of light -hahaH!

When you feel parched beyond description and need to quench yuh thirst, drink me in – I AM watAH/water

When yuh feel cold, distant and yuh body shiveriN, touch me and feel my warmth – I AM fiYAH/fire

I will envelop, console and refine yuh

When yuh heart heavy and pressured with negative weight, ground yuhSelf in me…let yuh fingers run in and over and through me…caress and embrace me till yuh content…I AM earth…actually, an Earth Angel!

When yuh overwhelmed and struggliN to breathe, take me in -slow and steady – I AM air!

the very oxygen needed…to calm yuh lungs

to soothe yuh nerves

to fill yuh body

to ease yuh mind

and heal yuh heart…

my dearest, yuh also all the above feh me!

Common Day Hero: Our paths crossed quite unexpectedly and in a way that was so Divinely orchestrated…with much love from Heaven. We challenge and inspire each other, in every way. May we ever be surrendered and continue to bring Heaven to our slice of Earth. Dedicating this post to you, Dev.

special

Aren’t we all special...not just individuals who are a part of Special Ed? My dear sister, Leela, has autism and severe developmental delays. She is among the reasons I love all people and am ever an advocate.

I believe we are all differently abled, special, challenged and worthy of kindness and love.

When was the first time we realized we are not the same?

When did differences begin standing out more than similarities?

Did it become cause for division rather than unity?

Different doesn’t equal exclude or keep at a distance.

We each have beauty to offer and a diverse array of gifts to bring to the table…and together, I believe all of it creates something to be enjoyed and appreciated by all.

Maybe it’s patience, kindness and genuine care that will help with change…in our circles and then the circles at large.

What is one way you can include someone who is typically not included?

Is there a gathering, an event perhaps, which you can make a part of your calendar this year?

Could you host a party for those who often aren’t on the invite list?

Inclusion is simple…pleasantly surprising…rewarding even because our hearts were made for connection.

Here’s to being special!

Common Day Hero: You bring so much laughter to our world. You are a genius and don’t know it (I’ve seen your work). May your light shine brightly always. Hugs and best wishes, EMJ!

sublime

As the years pass, I realize life is less than sublime…I don’t know if all of us believed (at some point in our younger years) that life was peaches and cream or rainbows and unicorns or faloodeh (falooda/faluda) and rasgullas!

Life is big and beautiful, gloriously difficult and fun, looming and tiresome…and from my perspective, so worth the living.

Speaking with someone this morning, I realized I have a wish/prayer for us all this month of love…

May you take as many deep and full breaths as you need.

May you light a candle, on the darkest of nights/days, even if it’s the only light in the moment…focus on the flame as you hum, sing, count or sit mesmerized by all that is illuminated by this smallest of lights.

May you walk in the park, or on a trail in the city, or simply down the sidewalk and bask in the sun.

May you find your way to a body of water if water speaks comfort, healing and joy to your soul…whether that be a pond, lake, swimming pool or the ocean herself.

May the sights and sounds of nature bring delight to you…the birds chirping and flying together (for reasons still unclear to me, seeing the V formation delights my soul!) , the squirrels and bunnies’ sudden movements, the beauty of the trees, the movement made by the wind…

May you be gently reminded of how much you’re valued, wanted…and needed here.

May you hug and hold yourself if no one is present to physically hold you now. The experts say we need eight hugs to survive and twelve to thrive…daily!

May words of affirmation and encouragement rise up through lyrics, verses, cards, comedy, your circle as well as pleasantly surprising and unexpected sources.

May there be moments of wonder and awe and…sheer delight and pure joy.

May dreams be awakened within you…vivid and colorful and carefree…may visions continue to come to you and fuel your HOPE (Heavenly Oxygen Permeating Earth).

May you find grounding techniques helpful.

May you touch five different things…various fabrics, papers, paint or other liquids…and may you fully feel them…the texture, the way it feels on your fingertips, the way it feels to hold…

May you look intently at four things and be comforted…maybe see some things never seen before.

May you listen to three different sounds and be soothed, encouraged, consoled, have creativity spark…maybe close your eyes to concentrate on the sounds.

May you smell two different scents and immerse yourself in the aroma…and where it takes you.

May you taste one sweet or savory item of your choice (or both sweet and salty!) and give yourself the freedom to truly relish it.

May you find comfort and courage and strength in all the above.

May you know that strength is found in letting our tears freely flow down our face…and body, in laughing till our sides hurt, in smiling at strangers as we pass, in sitting in the silence, in doodling, in dancing, in drawing, in yoga, in looking in the mirror and offering love to ourselves even if only through our eyes (words if you choose and of your choosing), in Pilates, in speaking with friends, in sharing with support groups and therapists and in so many more ways than I can even begin to list.

Fortitude to you…to us all, as we navigate what’s new and different and difficult/challenging.

Wisdom to us for/on this journey and always…

Grace upon grace.

Common Day Hero: College, the newness of things, the pain of the past, life in general…for all of it, I dedicate this post to you, Emma R. You are held, always…in the warmest of thoughts and most positive energy and by our ancestors whose strength and resilience flows through your veins, empowering and propelling you forward. Be bold and brave as you are evolving and ever-becoming…a beautiful butterfly.

birth

Anytime something/one new is born, there is pain.

We typically may not think of that, but it seems to hold true that from pain comes purpose…from experience comes empathy and/or extra understanding…from turmoil come opportunities for transformation…

May we fully mourn and lament the loss of what we thought might have been…what ended unexpectedly…what blindsided us because only when we release are we free to receive.

When we release the past, we free ourselves to receive the present (pun intended – present/gift).

We can then celebrate the birth of new things!

We can live in child-like awe and wonder!

We can open ourselves up to fully enjoy all the pleasant surprises Heaven sends our way!

What is being birthed in our lives now…or waiting to be birthed once we mourn, lament and release?

What/whom do we need to release to make room for the new?

Common Day Hero: I don’t know your personal story. What I know is that you come from a family full of faith and lots of fun. The way you love and serve is seen. Today, I dedicate this post to you, Aunty Nazma.

vision

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been blessed (at times feels like a curse) with the gift of seeing visions. For me, it’s as if someone has turned the TV on and I see scenes/clips…

Visions occur when awake. Dreams occur when asleep.

I see prophetic dreams as well. Prophetic dreams are dreams showing bits and pieces of the future. Sometimes with dreams and visions, what I see doesn’t play out in the exact way I saw/thought.

That is alright. Always, we are free to receive or reject what is seen. Always, I remain open to Heaven’s interpretations and unfolding of it all.

Typically, I say, I fully receive every good and perfect gift that Heaven is bringing/sending my way. Always, I sit with it. I don’t dismiss or ignore it. I sit and let it be…most times, I share with my inner circle.

They give feedback/critique; they pray; they sit with me. Grateful for my inner circle.

My visions don’t always connect or make logical sense. That is alright.

I decided some time ago that although I AM logical and a deep thinker, I choose to surrender. My logic bows to The Divine because I believe that I can’t see/understand/begin to wrap my mind around it all.

I AM content – to not know…to see visions and dreams…to feel…to receive messages from ALL of Heaven – and so are you, dear one, IF you want.

Whether you see dreams or visions; whether you sense things; whether you feel energy – all is well. The Divine is ever speaking; for some, it’s always in the foreground. For others, we have to go on a scavenger hunt of sorts.

Courage and fortitude to you dear one.

Common Day Hero: You bring so many laughs and thoughts any time I’m with you. May you always hear the Voices of Heaven and keep that boldness to follow what you hear. Your heart is important. Tre and Reagan, today, I dedicate this post to you.

milestones

Graduation season…transition, endings, change, new beginnings…I was invited to a few ceremonies and parties…always a reminder (for me) that life is zooming by faster than we realize, at times.

Attending the grad ceremonies and parties had me wondering…are we only focused on external accomplishments? Ambition, goals and all the external achievements are good; however, are we also prioritizing emotional/spiritual inner healing and growth?

Are we taking time to focus on inner healing, create emotional/spiritual goals and count internal health and growth among our achievements and celebrate those milestones?

Consider clocking these as milestones:

Making it one day, one week, one month, one year without calling/texting/sexting/emailing/hanging out with/hookingUP with someone who is unhealthy/damaging/disrespectful

Not being manipulated, gaslit, controlled, run over/by others (regardless of whether theyS blood)

Not allowing our energy or time to be robbed in any way by those who don’t show value for us

No longer needing to “prove” anything to ANYone (being and doing only what’s on our hearts)

Responding versus reacting (recently someone said some unkind things intended to cut/hurt me; I remained silent. I knew there was no need for words with someone hell-bent on having the last word).

Remaining silent rather than wasting our energy on those who don’t care for us

Living fully/freely from the heart (not from fear or societal, familial obligations/expectations or other unhealthy places and patterns)

AND re: all the above – redirecting ourselves as often as we need and keeping ourselves accountable to trustworthy/safe individuals

How can we prioritize our emotional/spiritual/mental health today?

Which emotional/spiritual/mental growth and milestones can we celebrate this week?

Grace upon grace to you dear ones; I’m here on the journey with you and always cheering for you!

Common Day Hero: You are respectful, funny, gorgeous and kind. May you always be Led (in every facet of life) by the impressions/dreams/visions on your heart.  Your heart counts! Madelyn, grateful for you, here for you always and today, I dedicate this post to you.

shadow

I live in the Shadow of The Almighty.

There is shade, safety and solace in the Shadow of The Almighty.

In my shadow, there is work that needs to be done. Sometimes things are hidden in the shadows…we are all the better for doing shadow work.

Shadow work is said to be work that reveals the parts of ourselves that we hide/repress. The hiding may be because of trauma, conditioning, upbringing, environment or other variables.

Sometimes we don’t like parts of ourselves because of familial, societal, cultural norms or the words of those whom we have elevated as “better” than us.

At times, we may feel pressure/weight, from the well-intentioned, but let us not be run by it!

Speaking of not being run by others…I have exciting news coming soon! How soon? Maybe not soon enough for our current culture but soon!

What specifically is in the shadows for you now?

Once named, we can begin shadow work so we can be our most authentic/free selves!

Let’s commit to working towards ALL that needs to be faced, sorted, healed…ever on the journey with you – together we shine!

Common Day Hero: Your heart was stomped on beyond recognition. I feel it. You survived nights that at times, may have seemed insurmountable. Grateful you opened your heart up to true love and now…her Light shines on, through you. Grieving this deep loss alongside you. Even in these darkest of times, your inextinguishable Light; your radiant smile, your kind heart are seen and felt. I AM grateful. Today, Uncle Farouk, I dedicate this post to you.

figure

We need not figure anything out…ever…really…the world (including the religious world) has us believing that we must first figure it out -whatever “it” is.

And only once “it” has been figured out, we can move forward.

If we have figured it all out, is any faith required on the journey?

I live by/in faith. I do not live by the seen/visible. Thank you to my parents.

Rest, dear heart.

Nothing to figure; embrace faith so all can be faced.

Here, alongside you on the journey…always.

Common Day Hero: You are bold, tenacious and kind. May every endeavor prosper as your soul and mind prosper. May the kindness you extend return to you a hundred fold always. PaulaB, I dedicate this post to you.

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