Liberating One's Self: Healing and Helping Others Do the Same So that Together, We Can Reach Our Highest Potential
Musings ~happy to be happy…abundantly blessed…focused, balanced, centered…healthy and thriving…celebrating the shade I’m in. Wishing you all the kind of day that makes you smile from ear to ear while honoring and celebrating yourself…and the shade you’re in. Wishing you all the kind of day that makes you happy.
I AM so very blessed to start my 59th year today. All thanks, honor, glory, and praise be to The Creator for my journey…the gift of life.
I was surprised with a ticket to Australia on Mother’s Day 2016. I was planning to go to Africa but there was a bigger plan in motion. Since I do my best to be flexible and learned that it’s best to go with the flow (understanding that I could have more fun that way), I decided to shift gears because I could change my travel plans to Africa and instead go see about this place affectionately (depending on who you’re talking to) known as The Land Down Under. Understanding that I was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime,...
Reflection ~I’m celebrating my Mama and Daddy today. Here they are…my Father giving my Mother a surprise birthday party, bringing out her amazing dimples and sparkling personality. I remember that day and so many others…filled with good memories of life, love, and laughter. I cherish these times because my parents were good people. They left quite a legacy of faith, hope, and love…doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. They were united in their belief that “we the people” could and would form a more perfect union. Observation ~Memories can bring pain especially when tragedy is...
I remember learning about the tortoise and the hare. There’s a strategy for success in this fable. It involves learning how to be a marathon runner. You must be in it for the long haul. Pace yourself. Remember: Good things come to those who wait. Be patient because it really is a virtue, a strength. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race. Making progress is a process. Here’s the why –> The Tortoise and The Hare The song below is one of my favorites. It’s good for the times I have to dig deeper and remember: Nothing is impossible. We must...
I used to walk with him to school, discussing our plans, coming up with all kinds of great ideas. When I first visited Melbourne, Australia to spend time with my precious gift from The Most High, I walked with him on his way to work. Wow, wow, wow…here we are over 30 years later…still walking together…still sharing our plans and great ideas. Oh what a journey…oh what a blessing my Sun is to me. Grateful…
All too often we hide behind our professional masks afraid to show the real me. The “me” that’s just one side of the professional me. It’s as though we can’t really be ourselves. When I turned 55 in 2017, I realized even more strongly how important it is to not hide behind my professional mask. I’m learning to connect that mask with my true identity, the Joanna who loves to live, love, and laugh. Besides my prestigious degrees and well-educated life, I’ve been even more fortunate to experience other cultures through food, language, clothes, and traditions. I’ve also been fortunate...
Reflection ~It’s so important to reach out…to ask for help. I was feeling some kind of way today. Being an activist is hard work and I definitely needed a break so I took it. Glad I did…it was a blessing because I know I’m standing on the shoulders of greatness but I’ve got to take a step back sometimes. Remember who’s really in charge: GOD. Observation ~Who answered my call for help? The one and only, my amazing, incredible, phenomenal woman, my very own Faith, my daughter. Her wisdom is a balm to my Gilead. Thank YOU, Faith. I needed...
Reflection ~long hair…short hair…dreadlocks…perms….African garb…regular garb…Chi-Town…Westside…east coast…west coast…down south…midwest…up north….Australia…Africa…if it’s one thing that rings true it’s what my Mama said…Joanna Grace…yes, Ma…her dimples smiled…just remember this…you take yourself wherever you go. Observation ~what would I do without all of the people who showed me just how important it is to be you. :~)
