TheGrits.com Virtual Book Tour Archive

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From Dusk to Dawn: Against all odds 2008 Virtual Book Tour






From Dusk to Dawn
Niambi Brown Davis
Parker Publishing, May 1st, 2008
$10.95 US;
ISBN-10: 1600430368





Meet Bilal and Ayo, two people who are polar opposites in every way. He’s 32 and she’s 42. Bilal is ready to get married and start a family. Ayo, on the other hand, is a comfortably relaxed, in- her own skin widow with a 20 year old son. And she's certain her child-bearing days are over. Bilal is Muslim, and Ayo is most certainly not. Neither Bilal's father, nor Ayo's son are too happy about the relationship. These two, having nothing in common, would struggle to even hold a conversation, much less fall in love? And after their disastrous first encounter, you’d think it was impossible. Or is it?
But not so fast. I’ve been invited to participate in the FROM DUSK TO DAWN: Against All Odds 2008 Virtual Book Tour. Debut author, Niambi Brown Davis, has asked me this question, "Which of these issues--older woman/younger man; different faiths; disgruntled family members; late in life motherhood/infertily has the potential to wreck the most havoc on Ayo and Bilal's relationship and keep them from walking down the aisle.

But before I give my perspective, watch the trailer.


The fate of this relationship is quite questionable since there are issues and obstacles right from the very beginning. From their May/December romance, to their different faiths and feelings regarding children/starting a family, to the disapproval of family members, this couple will definitely find out if their love is real enough to last. But for the sake of blogging, I'm going to delve into all the different obstacles facing them and decide which one I think could possibly manifest the biggest problems and be the hardest to overcome.

Albeit, all relationships are a work in progress, but starting off behind the eight ball only makes things harder. Notice I didn't say impossible? And while I do believe any of these challenges could potentially cause havoc in a relationship, I think the biggest issue facing this couple is their different religious beliefs. All the other obstacles can be overcome by the mighty "L" word. But having very different religious beliefs and faiths would be the most detrimental in any relationship, even if the love is true.

Why?
Because a person's faith and religious customs and beliefs may influence the way he or she eats, sleeps, prays, and possibly even celebrates holidays, it would be ridiculous to think that a major difference in two views would be of little concern. Also, that faith is the determining factor for how the person will both act and react in a certain situation and how circumstances are viewed. It makes no difference if the situation or circumstance is positive or negative, serious or not so serious. So when crises occur within that relationship, if the two people involved are not in some sort of agreement about how to handle them, or at least what the expected the outcomes should be, then chances for having huge, unresolved issues, which can lead to breakdown in communication and ultimately broken relationships, increase drastically.

Now we all know that every relationship will cause a few scrapes and bruises from time to time. But when the love is real, these hurts will heal easily and be barely noticeable in no time. But when you start mixing religions or trying to change a person's belief system and how he or she worships and views the world, now we're talking big, gaping wound territory.

This novel is most extraordinary! National Best-selling Romance and Romantic Suspence Author, Deidre Savoy, describes it as Sizzling!

You DON'T want to miss this one!

About the author:

Niambi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She and her family lived for many years in Washington, DC and for three and a half years, made the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago their home. She has written for Bronze Thrills, True Confessions and Black Romance Magazines. Niambi indulged her passion for sailing and travel by serving as publicist for the Black Boaters Summit and as a member of the National Association of Black Travel Writers. Presently, Niambi writes for Travel Lady Magazine. Her first digital novella was published in January 2008 by Arrow Publications, LLC. Aside from writing and travel, Niambi is an avid reader of historical fiction, and deeply involved in tracing the history of both branches of her family tree. Her day job is running the business of Sand & Silk/Soleful Strut, where she produces private label products for hair and skincare companies as well as her own line of handcrafted soaps, creams and scrubs.

For more information on Niambi Brown Davis, please visit:
http://www.niambibrowndavis.com/
http://niambibrowndavis.blogspot.com/

The Against All Odds 2008 Virtual Book Tour hosted by Yasmin Coleman of http://www.apooo.org/

Peace, Love, Light, & Good Reading,

Vee

posted by Vee Jefferson @ Tuesday, May 06, 2008

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The Humble Housewife 2008 Virtual Book Tour

Sweet Georgia Brown
Cheryl Robinson
NAL Trade, January 2, 2008
$13.95 US; ISBN: 0451222288

Meet Georgia Brown-a humble housewife determined to become a household name….
After eleven years of marriage, Georgia Brown is fed up with her husband, Marvin, a popular radio personality. It’s not just because she suspects he’s having an affair, or because she’s suddenly expected to raise his thirteen-year-old daughter, Chloe-whom she never even knew existed. It’s because of the comments he makes about her weight, their marriage, and their sex life…on national radio! Now, to save their marriage, Marvin invites Georgia to the station for an on-air rebuttal . . . .

I’ve been invited to participate in the SWEET GEORGIA BROWN: Humble Housewife 2008 Virtual Book Tour. Cheryl Robinson, the author of this exciting new release has asked me the question, “If I was in her humble housewife, Georgia Brown’s shoes, what would my on-air rebuttal be?”

But before I give my rebuttal, watch the trailer.

Sweet Georgia Brown



Vee's Rebuttal
"Marvin, I'm still mad as hell! You bringing these strangers into our bedroom?! How could you do that? You bring all this drama into my life at home, and then have the nerve to disgrace me on live radio? And you've got them thinking you're all that and you've got it going on. Well honey, seems to me that I'm not the only one who could use a little stretching. And I ain't talking 'bout your mind, if you know what I mean!

But see baby, I never would have taken it there, not on air. But you wanna play dirty, so okay let's do it.

You see, all these things you think are so wrong with me, some see as beauty. And I could conform to your ideal, if I chose to. I could change myself and my weight, but it wouldn't change who I am. But now you, can you change the s...

You know what? Never mind. humh. I can't even play your game. I'm too classy for this. The honest truth is I loved you. And all your imperfections, I adored, because I adored you. But I tell you what, Marvin, I deserve better.

And I WON'T hold you any longer, dear.
You have broken my heart, but you will NOT break my spirit,
and you WILL NOT steal my joy.

Not anymore.

You are free...to...go.

And baby...your things will be outside waiting for you when you get home.

This is Sweet Georgia Brown, everyone, signing off."


For more info on Cheryl Robinson, please visit:
http://www.cherylrobinson.com/
www.myspace.com/cherylrobinson
Video directed by Brett Haley






posted by Vee Jefferson @ Thursday, January 24, 2008

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Never Without You...Again, by Francine Craft

I just had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Francine Craft, author of Never Without You...Again. The multi-talented Ms. Craft is a national best selling romance writer whose novels have completely captured the hearts of her readers. After reading her latest treasure, I decided I wanted to know a little more about the lady behind the pages of,
Never Without You… Again

Vee: In the “Dear Reader” letter located in the beginning of your new release, Never Without You Again, you say that the story of Hunter Davis and Theda Coles has been in your head for a long time. How so and why is their story so special to you?

Francine: I have had especially good luck with a rekindled romance, so it remains solidly in my heart as an all time favorite. I think this is the major reason the story is so special to me.

Vee: Hunter Davis is a renowned photographer in this novel and you mention that photography is one of your hobbies. Tell us more about this hobby and how you incorporated it into this story.

Francine: I don't have as much time for photography as I've had in the past, but I still like to read the books on photography and study the photographs of masters and amateurs. I've taken some photos in my time that friends and those in the field have praised highly. Like so many people, I probably have a natural knack for it.

Vee: How have readers and reviewers responded to this new release so far?

Francine: Readers and reviewers have been wonderful concerning Never Without You....Again. I just got a notice that the book has sold out, which doesn't mean it isn't still very much on sale and available. Readers and reviewers have been more than kind, with many singing praise. This doesn't mean it doesn't have its detractors, but there haven't been many, and I think the late President Truman said it best: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Vee: Do all of your books contain a special message you want readers to grasp and understand?

Francine: I think all my books contain a message or messages:
1) Learn to trust yourself and others, whatever you do, and be discriminating about it,
2)Love and caring are so absolutely necessary to a good life.

Vee: What makes a good heroine and what qualities should a good hero have?

Francine: I think a heroine should be loving (or at least have the capacity to be), be caring and want to trust her heart. She is a good friend and a good lover. She is dedicated to finding the best that life has to offer and to lending what aid and assistance she can to others. A hero should have the same qualities, but men have been trained to hide these qualities under a macho mask.

Vee: What do you enjoy most hearing from your fans?

Francine: I just enjoy about everything I hear from my fans. I have been privileged to get some of the most warm-hearted, endearing letters you can imagine, and trust me I answer right away. I love it when fans identify with the characters in my books and when they write long letters and tell me about this or the other character. My own head is often chock-full of characters to come and I don't always instantaneously remember, but I'm charmed, pleased and just go into orbit when they do this. I also love it when fans suggest spin-offs and other books and I've been able to use a few of these. The personal touch is big with me; when someone says why on earth did you have so and so do such and such? I laugh out loud and think about it. And yes, I love good, constructive criticism and I think I develop from it. You didn't ask, but I'll tell you what I don't like and that's when someone takes off on me in a mindless, vindictive tear and without rhyme or reason picks something I've written to pieces. But hey, that's all a part of the game. You've got to learn early that you just can't win them all.

`

Vee: Well Ms. Craft, it has certainly been a pleasure talking with you. Thank you for stopping by.

`
Francine: No Vee, thanks for having me and much love!

About the Author

Francine Craft is the pen name of this Washington, D.C. based writer who has enjoyed writing for many years. She has been writing romance since 1995 and has a total of 21 titles - 16 novels and 4 anthologies. Never Without You . . . Again is her latest Kimani Romance release. Visit her online at http://www.francinecraft.com/ or www.myspace.com/francinecraft for more information.



Never Without You . . . Again by Francine Craft is available wherever books are sold!

posted by Vee Jefferson @ Thursday, November 29, 2007

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Otis Collier - Personal Success Coach

For everyone who doesn't know Otis yet, I advise that you browse around his web site and check out his podcast. They're informative, real, and witty. Subject matter ranges vastly. Everything from spiritual, financial and personal growth, to advice on marriage and romantic relationships, with tips on how to keep your partner satisfied and on FIRE!

Otis just happens to be a personal, life long friend of mine, but also my business mentor. I've learned so much from him already. So whether you're thinking about starting your own business, looking for the perfect job, wondering if the stock market is for you, or are just interested in listening to a few good podcasts for entertainment purposes only, check him out at http://www.otiscollier.com/

But let me get back to the real reason for doing this post. I just finished

listening to his podcast called, "For Women Only." It was absolutely wonderful. We as women have to learn how to be good to our men. The old adage is true: Behind every good man is a good woman. We are the backbone because our strength is inherent to who we are. And with this comes a lot of responsibility. We have the ability to hold our men back, as well as the power to lift them up and release them from their own bondage to become who they were destined to be. Gentle, loving nudges go a whole lot further than constant nagging or condescending jibber jabber.

And so as to not leave out the fellas, Otis has a special podcast just for you too. So go ahead and check out, "For Men Only." Knowing what I know about Otis, I'm sure he's got some good, solid wisdom for you as well.

Peace, Love, & Light,

Vee

Chaka Khan is Back!

Do you guys remember seriously grooving to Chaka?





Well she's Back!

The new album, produced by R&B superproducers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis marks Khan's first full length studio effort (including new, unreleased compositions) in over ten years. With covers of tracks popularized by Prince ('Sign of the Times'), Dee Dee Warwick ('Foolish Fool'), Jimi Hendrix ('Castle in the Sand') and her former band Rufus ('You Got the Love'), 'Funk This' is well balanced with new and original compositions, most notably the poignant 'Angel,' which is an entry from her diary. The album is due to be released via Burgundy Records/Sony on Sept. 25, 2007.
Khan feels that her latest album may remind people of her early Rufus albums because she's in a similar "soul space."

I can't wait!

Where is Celie Now?

Ever wonder what became of the young Celie from the movie, The Color Purple?

She was touted as the "ugly" sister with the unruly plaits, but now she's a beautiful woman with a spirit to match. Her name is Desreta Jackson and she is a successful entrepreneur. She's the founder of Mahogany Mane Inc., a real estate development company with some very innovative ideas and services.

Not only is her story inspirational, but she offers very valuable and much needed services to those who would otherwise fall between the cracks.

Her story:

Three years ago, Mahogany Mane had its start when its founder left her lucrative day job to begin her home based hair braiding business. While working at home, she marketed herself as not your run-of-the-mill home based business, but a large company offering professional one-on-one attention. She found herself immersed in the study of hair, offering homemade remedies for her clients.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.

With capital from Mahogany Mane's hair styling business, Desreta used her negotiation and management skills to buy properties, refurbish them, and rent homes. Initially rejected by lenders, her extended family assisted her in construction projects to help build her credit and credibility.

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

At Mahogany Mane, we believe in community and the value of beautification of neighborhoods in greatest need. Our typical clients may be single mothers on assistance and/or people who are credit-challenged and supporting large families. We also work with abused and battered women's organizations and community outreach programs to find qualified renters who are a good fit for our properties. Together with our community partners, we provide credit and family counseling for those in need.

For more, click on Mahogany Mane to visit her site.

Well, if only Celie had had a friend like Desreta...

Then again, we wouldn't have had the pleasure of being able to read this critically acclaimed, 1983 Pulitzer Prize winning book written by Alice Walker, now would we? Oh yeah, and Fantasia wouldn't be on Broadway burning it up!

Yirser Ra Hotep

A friend recently told me about this big event coming to the D.C. area soon. The Soul Yoga Fest will be held at the University of Maryland on May 25 - May 28.

Yirser Ra Hotep, a personal friend and founder and director of the Society of Kemetic Yoga, is one of the featured presenters. He will be speaking, conducting workshops, and you will get the chance of a lifetime - the chance to participate in one of his famously talked about yoga classes.

He is truly an amazing man. Yirser (Elvrid Lawrence) has taught Yoga for over 27 years. He is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the foremost masters and innovators of Kemetic Yoga (ancient Egyptian system of Yoga) in the world. He is the author of "Kemetic Yoga," a three volume set of Instructional Yoga tapes and "Journey to Amenta," an audio meditation and music CD. He has lectured and written extensively on the African origins of Yoga; stress management, health and wellness for African Americans; African American culture and health; Yoga therapy, meditation and spirituality.

Yirser has taught Yoga and lectured throughout the United States and in various countries around the world. He has recently been featured in such magazines and books as Yoga Journal, Yoga Chicago, Whole Life Health.Com, Houston Life, Chicago Parent, Healthy, Ebony Magazine, Chicago Tribune and Natural Living in Chicago and various TV and radio shows around the U.S. including ABC and WGN. He has been recognized nationally for his work with children with disabilities Easter Seals Headstart programs in Chicago.

For the past two years he has been a staff writer for Recovered Magazine in Chicago and is a professor of Stress Management and Wellness at DePaul University.
In 1979 he began a career in Social Work and counseling where he has used his knowledge of Yoga, Tai Chi and holistic health to develop innovative treatment programs for at risk youth, substance abusers, developmentally disabled persons, the elderly, AIDS patients, teen parents and many other populations.

In addition to his expertise in Yoga, Yirser is a Social Worker, has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Masters Degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.

I'm so thrilled to have been invited and wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm so pumped up about it that I had to share it with you, and also give you the opportunity to come and share the experience with me. Click on the link for more information on The Soul Yoga Fest, or for more on where to register.

Vee

SOUL YOGA FEST

The Society of Kemetic Yoga and
The Belly Dancers of Color Association Presents:

SOUL YOGA FEST
May 25 to 28, 2007

University of Maryland
3501 University Blvd
College Park MD 20783

301 985-7300/800 288-9290



This festival of Yoga for people of the African Diaspora features teachers of various Yoga, Meditation and other internal healing and transformational traditions that have their roots in ancient Africa. The Soul Yoga Fest seeks to honor the unity of all internal systems of spiritual transformation including Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi, Chi Qong and Traditional African Spirituality. It the mission of the Society of Kemetic Yoga to bring together these systems of spiritual development from Africa and Asia and demonstrate their common African origin and the utility for ensuring health, wellness and spiritual transformation for all of us today.



Workshops Include:


Ausarian Yoga: Kwesi Karamoko

African Origins of Yoga: Yirser Ra Hotep

META Chi Gong: Professor Karim

Tai Yoga Massage: Angela Walker

Kundalini Yoga, Lazarus Emenogu

The 6 Healing Sounds, Wayne Chandler

Yoga for Partners

Yoga for Children

Pranayama and Meditation

Tantric Yoga, Professor Shakoor

Kriya Yoga, Professor Shakoor



Keynote Address:

By Wayne B. Chandler

Friday May 25, 2007

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM



AFRICA: ANCIENT MOTHER OF SPIRITUAL SCIENCE

Wayne B. Chandler has authored the book, Ancient Future: The Teachings and Prophetic wisdom of The Seven Hermetic Laws of Ancient Egypt


For Information Go to:

www.yogaskils.com

773 908 7074

or

or register at:

http://www.bellydancersofcolor.com/

773 908-7074


Reserve your spot online now!

See you there,

Vee

Wayne Simmons and Levon kirkland

Both pro-ballers. Both lived lives many of us can only dream about. Both began their journeys at almost the same starting point, but their paths some how took them in much different directions.

I knew both these guys. Not very well, but I do remember my first impressions of them. I went to Clemson University in August, 1988. Levon was an upper classman, and Wayne was a freshman. I had a class with each of them, but during different semesters. Math with Levon, and I believe Sociology with Wayne. Both these guys were incredibly handsome with beautifully well defined bodies. And both of them were destined for greatness. Little did I know.

So like I said, I didn't know them well, but you know that feeling you get when you're around someone for the first time? Well, it really is the most important clue into who they really are. Levon was quiet and had a soft, demure, almost child-like honesty about him. He was nice and courteous, and it was obvious just in his presence and how he carried himself. He wasn't the stereotypical college football player. You could tell that it wasn't his plan to bed as many girls as possible. Nor did he use his position in sports as any kind of leverage, except for his own personal dreams and career goals. He was a man on a mission, and his intentions were good.
I remember, he walked me home one night just because it was dark. No other reason than that. And he didn't even attempt to come in. Levon was always the gentleman.

Wayne was a nice guy too, but much different from Levon. His demeanor automatically made the people around him take notice. He was funny, out going, and out spoken. I can hardly remember seeing him without a smile on his face. I remember once, Wayne came over to our place with a friend. It was the first time I'd ever met him. Within an hour, he'd eaten some frosted mini wheats and showed us the new dance he was trying to perfect. The cereal, he said was, "kinda nasty, but one side was good as hell!" The sweet side of course. And the dance, it was so animated and contrived. Like he'd just gotten the basic steps, but not quite sure how to really put it all together. We were laughing hysterically.

But Wayne, like Levon, was at Clemson to play football. He was there to create his destiny. But what I didn't know then was just how bright he was. When I read about his childhood, it was so hard to believe that hidden beneath the smile I remembered, was a little boy who'd gone through so much to be there in that place back then. So he was also on a mission. A mission to make his life better, but also to fulfill a promise to his mom, who'd struggled all of her young life to provide for her children. When he was young, he'd found his mom crying. She told him she was going to have to put him up for adoption, because she couldn't afford to take care of him. She was working three jobs at that time. He asked her to please allow him to stay, and made a promise to her that if she did, he would make sure that one day she would never have to worry about money again.

Which brings me to my blog. I knew both these guys had made it to the pros, but I never kept up with them or their careers. I'm not a fan of football, and so I didn't know which teams they played for or how big they'd gotten. About a month ago, I decided to google them. What I found was that my initial impressions of them still rang true. Their personalities and talents had taken them both to wondrous heights.


Levon Kirkland was an all-pro linebacker in the NFL. A second-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992, he went on to play 11 years in the NFL including 9 seasons with the Steelers, and one each for the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. He became a starter at inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season, 1993, replacing Pro Bowler David Little. By 1995, he was recognized as one of the top inside linebackers in the league, and had a stellar performance in Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the season. In a surprise move, the Steelers waived Kirkland just before the 2001 season due to salary cap pressure. That year many star players were waived due the salary cap including John Randle, Troy Aikman, Jerry Rice and many others. Kirkland went to the Seattle Seahawks where he became a leader on the defense and had over 100 tackles. The next year he played his final season for the Eagles, becoming the veteran leader of a defense that ranked 7th in the league and advanced to the NFC Championship game before losing to the Rams. He finished his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. The latest information I found on Levon, who'd earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology, stated he'd gone back to Clemson in 2005 after being named coordinator of minority recruitment initiatives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But when I googled Wayne, I was stunned and puzzled. I got a picture with an article and a epitaphial-like date (December 15, 1969 - August 23, 2002). I knew what a date like that usually meant, but it had to mean something else this time. He couldn't be dead. I felt such a sense of loss. And I couldn't explain why, but I did. I hadn't known him well, nor did he probably even remember me. I thought of the famous story by Hemingway and asked myself, For Whom Does the Bell Toll? I felt like I finally understood how someone could conceive that when someone dies, a little piece of everyone dies with him.


Wayne had been a linebacker in the NFL, who was drafted in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He signed a 3.2 million dollar contract and earned a Super Bowl ring in 1996 with them. He later played a year with the Kansas City Chiefs, and one with the Buffalo Bills. Wayne retired from football in February 1999. {Simmons was the 15th pick of the first round by the Packers in 1993 and went on to play six seasons and 90 games in the National Football League.}

He was young and he had lived some big dreams. He'd been a successful ball player. He'd gotten a Superbowl ring, which some of the credit was due largely to him as a player. He'd kept his promise to his mother and had gotten her way out of the path of poverty. He'd opened up a trendy restaurant in Kansas City called, 50/50 on Main. From all the information I've been able to dig up, it seems that he lived a fast, and sometimes very loud life. But his character still remained true to the person I met at Clemson. He had still been the life of the party, and his sense of humor had remained just as infectious as ever to everyone around him, except of course for those he was making fun of. Wayne was just Wayne. And I really think that's the best way to be.

Of course he had his share of drama in his last few years. Some of it, his own doing. He was who he was, and apparently some people were not okay with that. I read a article, and a man very close to Wayne for most of his life, said that Wayne had told him that he was going to enjoy his life, because he was going to die early anyway. I wondered if he really knew this, or if it was just one of those off-handed comments we sometimes make when we're trying to answer some really hard questions or trying to rationalize our own realities to ourselves.

Wayne had some career set backs following his team's Superbowl victory. He and his coaches didn't get along well, which inevitably led to a downward spiral that ended in death. Wayne died in a one car collision in Independence, Missouri. Gone at 32. Damn!

In an instant I was forced to face my own feelings about my own mortality. Once I got over the initial shock and had done some self reflection, I left the experience feeling blessed to be able to appreciate where I was at that very point in my personal and spiritual journey. I felt overjoyed that my creative and industrious spirit had returned. I felt invigorated. I felt inspired. And it's all because I decided to google a couple of almost perfect strangers. But their lives (and in Wayne's case - his death) have touched me in a profound way. And I believe they will continue to touch all those who are open and receptive enough to understand the lessons.

So what did I learn from them?

Live like today is your last. Dream like you have forever. Work your passion until you're no longer able to. Work on Fulfilling your promises to yourself and whomever else you truly care about (you'll be surprised at just how many you accomplish). And when your time comes, you'll leave not just an epitaph, but also a legacy. And...even in death, you will continue to inspire others.

-- Vee Jefferson (Jowaje Philosophy)

Friends

can't turn a seasonal friend into a forever friend.
can't turn a forever friend into a seasonal friend.
whether it's a season...or the whole life long,
won't know the difference until you realize that the season has come and gone.

some blessings take a life time to earn.
some lessons take only a season to learn.
so I welcome each into my life.
and if the season does change, I stop for a minute and cry if I must cry;

all the while, remembering it was knowledge and wisdom that I yearned.
and while my world continues to turn
I'm going to be my best me,
while discovering and becoming who it is I'm supposed to be


I couldn't stand 24 hours of daylight?
I definitely couldn't stand 24 hours of night?
but they each have their purpose,
offering growth and understanding.
working together to make sure everything's balanced just right.


If only I could send the overstanding I have now to me back then.
I would stop and tell my two best friends,
who have remained true through thick and thin,
how happy I was that we were making this life long mend,
cause our forevers were starting then,
And a little birdie told me it would never end.

Coretta and Gail, I Love You.

Peace is Priceless

A friend of mine is going through some personal problems in his marriage right now. I truly respect him for his honesty and integrity. And at the same time, I'm very honored that he was willing to share with me. Instead of acting out of frustration, he decided to sit down and write down his feelings. Speaking your thoughts and writing them down can be very therapeutic. You're better able to internalize the problems, allowing room for growth, instead of just reacting to them in a negative, and sometimes very unhealthy way.

So he decided to blog, although he's not officially a blogger. When I read it, I asked him to please allow me to post it. I invite you to read it. It's funny. It's real. It's relatable. And he shows a vulnerable side that most men are afraid to reveal.

You know it's true.
Women are always given a platform to voice their problems. Everything from physical abuse to just plain being disrespected by the men in their lives. And men are considered weak for taking on the 'feminine' role of talking about their feelings. Men are stereotyped as being hard and closed-lipped when it comes to talking about their pain and the realities of their relationships. We ask them to talk to us. We ask them to be open with us. We always say that this is what we need from them, but are we really willing to listen?

So I decided to give a brother the spotlight. And boy did he have a mouthful to say. It's honest and real, and was very enlightening to me as a woman. So open your minds and listen as you read his words.



Love...$50 at the candy store. $150 at the Florist.
Happiness...$2,500 for a night at a posh hotel.

Peace...Priceless

When I was young I was told by many to seek love, peace, and happiness. The funny thing about that is the fact that most people say it without ever seeking it. The other thing is, we as people always seem to put emphasis on the love and happiness, but not the peace. Al Greene, one of greatest singers ever, made a #1 hit song called, "Love and Happiness." The song takes it's listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of a love relationship and what two people are really capable of. One verse I seem to recall very well, "Love will make you do right. Love will make you do wrong. Make you come home early. Make you stay out all night long. Oh, talkin' bout power. The power of love."

Back to the matter at hand...Peace!
Why does everyone forget to put a emphasis on the importance of peace? How can we enjoy love, and how can we recognize happiness if we don't have peace? Many of us have learned to adapt to such hectic and stressful lifestyles that peace becomes a sacrifice for greater tangible gifts. The gifts we hold in high regard are at best material, replaceable, and temporary.

For example, we may think that staying on a job that affords us the ability to pay our bills is worth the extra stress. Well if you have enslaved yourself to a job by acquiring things that are far above your means, then yes it might be worth the stress for you. But it would be wonderful if everyone could have enough financial security and/or family/friendly resources to come to their aid in the case of an emergency. I think taking time away from a job or anything else that may be stealing your peace should be labeled a dire emergency. And it should be handled fast, because what a lot of people fail to realize is that the very things we claim to live for can also be the things we end up dying for. "I'm here to tell you, it ain't worth the stress."

You know what else ain't worth the stress?
Well let's begin the list.

1.)A spouse that you can never please because she is unhappy with who you are at the core.

The core is the depth of your spirit and the essence of who you are. Fortunately, and at times unfortunately, what you see at the core - good, bad, or ugly - is what you get in the end and possibly for a lifetime. We need to realize, after a certain age, people really don't change, so why not change your environment if you're unhappy? If you're in a environment that is sucking the peace out of you, then guess what? It is also sucking the energy out of you. And once you lose the energy that makes you who you are, then you are basically useless for your God given purpose. Maaannn, I've been beaten down to the point of feeling like a zombie. What good is having a zombie for a spouse?

You may have guessed it by now, but just in case, yes this article is by an angry, married, man. It's purpose? To shed some light from the testosterone point of view. Everyone hears about the woes of the angry woman, but in the background you have a man silently screaming to be heard. But there's a problem. If we complain to anyone outside of our wives or the marriage counselors, which by the way always seem to be WOMAN-sided, oops, I mean ONE-sided, then we are criticized and ridiculed for taking issues outside of the marriage. It seems that only our wives have the right to speak of, talk about, or complain about their marriages.

I believe that the marriage vows need to be rewritten for the sake of honesty and openness. For men It should start off more like our Miranda rights.

--You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in any court this woman decides to take you to.

--You have the right to retain a lawyer. If for some reason your wife has taken all the money out the account before you, and you can't afford a lawyer, then one will be appointed to you by the state.

--You also have many other rights, but just like the legal system, we won't tell you about any that might benefit you in this marriage until it's too late! GOTCHA!

--Now do you understand your rights?

--And even if you're unsure about this marriage thing - still trying to figure out how you've made it thus far - say "I do" anyway.

--You may now kiss the judge, because this woman is going to judge you for the rest of your life,in spite of what you say or do. No amount of money in the world, or anything else you think your money can buy, will please her. No amount of love you shower on her will ever make her believe she's really fortunate for having you in her life. She will always make you feel inadequate based on her own insecurities with herself. She will always suspect you of cheating when she puts you on poo poo punishment, because she can't conceive that you're actually disciplined enough to be without her and maintain your respect for the marriage, since she truly does not believe men can go without sex for long periods of time. And somewhere in this sick, twisted mental game, she may actually want you to cheat,so when she catches you, she can use the defense: My husband's a cheating dog!

Well is a dog wrong for eating the neighbors dog food if his owner won't feed him? (Poor Hungry Dog)
Should a dog die of starvation because his owner has punished him?
These questions are concerns that both men and woman should be aware of. But the most important thing is your peace. Where's the peace?

I once read a scripture in the bible that stated, and with all thy getting get understanding. The verse went on to describe how precious wisdom is and how it outlasts all things. I think the verse could have easily been describing peace as well as wisdom. To me peace is precious and valuable, and more important than most things we put before it. How can we ever appreciate life without the peace in life it takes to enjoy it?

Sisters and brothers hear me and trust,
the mess really ain't worth the stress.

Your lover, your job, or anything else that you may feel indebted or committed to should bring you peace. And peace should naturally be just as expected as love and happiness. I remember watching a movie, Disappearing Acts, starring Wesley Snipes and Sanaa Lathan. One line from the movie struck me pretty hard. Wesley's character's ex girlfriend and "baby momma" said to him, "Well you tell her to call me. I'll tell her, 'honey the big d*#! ain't worth the stress'"

Well brothers, here's my version of that line. Oh yeah, I was working on a list wasn't I? Anyway...

2.) The big butt ain't worth the stress.
3.) The breasts ain't worth the stress.
4.) Her sex ain't worth the stress.

And fellas c'mon, I know you know by now,

5.) The pretty smile definitely ain't worth the stress.

Everyday you step out the door and you may see a sister that's a bit more blessed in certain areas than your baby may be. That's just the work of God and he has created the most diverse formula for what we call beauty and what attracts a man to a woman. Take me, for instance. I've never been a man to pay much attention to a woman's legs, but as I've grown older and studied the anatomy of woman, in all of it's beautiful femininity, I now can appreciate her from the root of her hair to the bottom of her feet.

I've learned something else. Once you find that special someone...the right one, all the things I said weren't worth the stress, suddenly become worth it.
Why?

Well the one for you - no, really the one God has for you - will be worth all that and then some. When you measure the amount of PEACE, LOVE, and JOY she will add to your life, only a fool would risk losing her over foolishness. You will then be able to make statements like "nothing is worth me losing my wife or family." "For the sake of our marriage, I'm gonna stop doing that thing she keeps complaining about, because it's not worth disappointing her." "I absolutely love making her happy. When her eyes smile, my heart smiles."

Those are just a few heartfelt sentiments I long to genuinely utter about my life with my wife. Over time, life teaches us what's important. The reason so many marriages are broken and bent is because we try before we buy. Once you try, the relationship begins to cloud your spiritual judgement about what's good for your spirit and what's not. The test-drive method has been the reason for giving someone another chance for the sake of "it just feels so good." Or the reason, in some cases, for not giving a good brother a second chance, because it wasn't quite good enough. And the same goes for women. Men sometimes try to hold their ladies to the standards of a lust affair he had with a stripper or his wildest fantasy, instead of allowing her to grow into that fantasy and eventually becoming his personal, private dancer.

I hope my venting helps somebody out there in cyber space. I honestly feel a lot better for haven written it. And it darn sure beats cruising the streets for trouble or digging up the little black book for a quick fix. Personally, I don't believe in quick fixes. I believe in all or nothing. And once I have given my all, once I've given everything I have and I'm running on empty, if my house still remains unchanged, I will tear it down and rebuild without hesitation, and without regret. For I will have learned a valuable lesson and gained so much wisdom in the process. I'll be ready, and the next time, my house will have a solid foundation, with sturdy walls and a leak proof ceiling, because the materials I will have chosen will be much better suited for my blueprint.

Hear me!

If there is a next time, the next relationship I build with someone will last forever. And if she ever attempts to leave me, then hell...I'm going with her.
Funny but true!

I'm signing out, but remember in all thine getting, along with wisdom, also try for some peace! I'm not an advocate of divorce or any other drastic measures, but these are my thoughts...the thoughts from the mind of an angry, married man who has not acted out wrongfully on any of his emotions. I will say though, that with each passing day of this marriage, I am learning how to treasure the simple, most basic pleasures of life and love and how to be complete within myself.


Sincerely my thoughts,
A Hurt, Angry, Married Man.

A poem: The Tree of Life with roots and hidden fruit

Definitely a piece of art that can stand alone.
I started to post it simply for you to use your imagination and come up with your own story, or poem, or epiphany! But then it wouldn't fit into a blog, now would it?


Eerily romantic, and hauntingly captivating, I call this piece The Tree of Life with roots and hidden fruit.  Wonder what the artist calls it. 


It is so...so...
thought provoking.
Emotion evoking.

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

A soft kiss
A warm, but strong embrace
Bodies - still, silent movie
No name, no face.

It's no one
It's everyone
It's love and life
and Divine union

Barbaric, yet gentle
Naked, but unobtrusive
The secrets to life
So simple it's Elusive

With time, will the colors eventually turn green and blue, with hues of orange, brown?
Will there be water and stars and leaves to blow in the wind and fall down?
Will there one day be birds singing and animals playing and running around?
Or will the picture always be sepia-toned with the same message playing out loud
...feel me, see me.
What do you think of when you look at me?

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

Barren surroundings,
yet the tree brings forth life.
But where did he come from?
From the earth or from the sky?
Did he drop down from their loins
and travel through the root cave to the light.
Or did he simply fall from a branch,
you know the one with hidden fruit and remains out of sight?

Sensual and mysterious,
It makes me curious...
Will the babe grow up,
wrap his arms about his parents making the tree ever so much stronger?
Or will he simply crawl away, find a mate,
and plant his roots even longer?

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

Dark and ambiguous,
It makes me curious...
How tall are the branches?
How far do they extend?
How deep are the roots?
Freeze frame deception
-so what did the artist intend?

It's sexual and erotic,
enchanting and exotic.
Profound, and yes to some profane.
But what anyway is in a name?
As Shakespeare so eloquently put it,
titled by any name, it's still the same...

True Art!

PS.   And if you're reading this and know the artist's name, please let me know. 

Will I ever find love like that again?

A real, unconditional, sustaining, nurturing, no holds barred kind of love. The kind of love that you feel when you look at someone so imperfect, but see only perfection. The kind of love that can't be bought or sold. The kind of love that has truly stood the tests of time and fear, and passed. The kind of love that has weathered every storm and was stronger for it...

This is the kind of love I received from my parents. After my mom passed a few years back, my dad was still there to pour it all over me everyday. But with my dad's passing recently, I couldn't help but cry, and one of the reasons was because I knew I'd never have this type of love again.

The other day I was thinking about it. I was thinking about him, and I began to cry more tears. I thought about how overly protective he was, and how he worried about me "too much." I thought about how he was my biggest fan and has supported everything I've ever done. I thought about how he was the best coach and counselor in the world. I thought about how wise and humble he was. I thought about his quiet inner-strength. And I missed him so much.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself. But right at the point of total dispair, I could see my wonderful, lovely baby boy in my mind's eye. My dad had poured all of himself into my son before he moved on. And he did so with purpose, so that there would be enough of him left here to sustain me. He knew me so well.

So that real, unconditional, sustaining, nurturing, no holds barred kind of love... well I never lost it at all. My son looks at me just the way my dad did. He loves me the same way my dad did. He inspires me the same way my dad did. And he thinks I can do anything.

The tears dried up so quickly that I almost forgot they had ever been there. I smiled and I wondered how I'd even questioned finding this kind of love again when it had been right there staring at me all the time.

Secrets to be Kept

"SECRETS TO BE KEPT" An Urban Play
Friday, April 27th at 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 28th at 8:00 PM

Purchase Tickets for Friday, April 27th (sorry, tickets to this show no longer available)

Purchase Tickets for Saturday, April 28th (sorry, tickets to this show no longer available)

"Secrets to Be Kept" goes from small secrets to opening unwanted doors. Juanita Davis and Abby Davis are sisters that are bonded by lies and deception. Juanita's daughter Yolanda has not been in college for six months and her mother does not know. What else is she keeping from her mother? Greg Taylor is Juanita's companion and unbeknownst to Juanita, Greg is manipulative and deceptive. His secret and deception could destroy family ties.

Tyrone Moses, Juanita's childhood friend carries a torch for Juanita but he has a secret that could shatter his friendship with Juanita. Ms. Shirley White, Juanita's neighbor, is always around for each secret to fall in her lap. The cast also includes Antwanette, the outspoken mail carrier, and her side-kick, Antwon (also a mail carrier).

Can a family remain united and continue to love each other in spite of deception and dark secrets?

Written, produced, and directed by Yvette Mann Joshua, CEO of My Joshua Productions.

My Original Poetry - From VJBS Archives

Just Gotta Have a man! - A spoken word piece
...So Speak it With Rhythm;-)

Girl,
Why you always acting like you just gotta have a man?!!!
What is it about you that says alone you can't stand?
I mean,
don't get me wrong...
Right now I'm single too and sometimes I feel a little lonely,
But I know I loooove me some me.
And when I find that special one,
I'll make him my one and only.

But until then,
I refuse to run behind,
someone not even worth my time,
tryin' to use me or take what's mine,
and think it's his God-given right
...just cause God made him fine.

Believe me, what I have is awesome,
and definitely worth preserving.
Not to be given away so easily
to someone so undeserving.

So whatcha think 'bout what you got?
Is it worth a dozen roses, or a single forget-me-not?
And tell me, what values are you really teaching your daughter?
You're not taking care of yourself and your house ain't in order.

She's learning from you
and at the same time raising herself
And you want to know what HER problem is?
H#!!

Ok, so why is it okay
that he hit you last night?
Eye still black. Lip "swole" up!
But I guess that's just alright,
huh?

Why is it okay
that you're alone this holiday,
while your man is having the time of his life
celebrating at home with his kids and...his wife?

Why is it okay
for him to hurt your kids and treat them bad?
And you wondering why they're making bad grades in school
and always looking sad.
whew!

And last, but not least...
Why is it okay
for him to talk to you like a child?
For him to belittle you and call you names
and wonder why you don't smile.
humh!

But you should be smiling
and you could be smiling!
Drop that &^(%##!!,
pick up the phone and start dialing...

Your loved ones, your friends,
the ones you trust to be there thru thick & thin.
You want a new life?
You want to be happy?
Then this is where you must begin.



Think support system, think sympathetic ears.
Who will listen and won't laugh at my tears?
Who will allow me to speak it out loud and release my fears?



And please take some time between this one and the next.
Every guy I hear you mention, you're calling him your ex.
Spend some time with you just getting to know yourself.
You've got to be confident and comfortable in your own shell.

Find a hobby.
Do you even know what it is you like to do?
Oh, I get it.
It's been so long that you've forgotten what pleases you.

Ok, so join a book club.
Take down a book from the ole dusty shelf.
Get back to loving your kids,
and honey get back to loving yourself!

Occupy your mind.
Fill your thoughts with sunshine.
Invite your kids to share with you their hopes and dreams,
and how they spend their time.

Plant a flower garden.
Dig in the soil and the dirt.
You know there are many hidden treasures
here on God's green earth.

Find someone or something else to give life and light to
besides that guy who so "thoughtfully" hurt you.
Drop them bags like Erykah told you to.
Be true to yourself and simply do you.

But forgive him
and all his deeds just the same,
So you can take back your power and
reclaim your true name.
QUEEN!
Stop being his victim of shame.

And don't forget, exercise is always good,
especially if you'd like to shed a few pounds.
Try Yoga classes to relieve the stress.
You'll start to have more ups than downs.

Now,
You've worked on your mental
and you've worked on your physical,
so complete your circle, sis,
and work on your spiritual.

Before you know it,
you'll feel like a different person.
Oh, you'll still be you,
but just a better version.

Then...
You'll be ready for a partner.
Not just a man or any man,
but someone you can actually start to:
Share your dreams with,
watch TV and laugh with,
comfort and make love to,
or simply relax and chill with.

Let down your guard and cry on,
someone you can depend on,
to see you through the tough times
or guide you through a storm.

And sweetie,
the men you will then attract
will make them sorry Kats look so slack.
Cause they will be kind, and gentle, and sweet.
And you won't have to ask them to watch your back.

So what about me?
I know so much, where's my guy?
Well I'm truly not a hypocrite,
so I will not lie.

Right now I'm still working on me.
Trying to be the best me I can be.
Not yet done with my metamorphosis,
But he should be along shortly is my guess;-)

So again I ask you...
Girl,
Why you always acting like you just gotta have a man?
What is it about yourself that you just can't stand?
I mean,
don't get me wrong...
Right now I'm single and sometimes feel a a wee bit lonely,
But I know I looooove me some Vee.
And when I find that special one,
I'll make him my one and only.

How's that for some Jowaje Philosophy?

Peace,
love,
Light,
& Self Respect My Beautiful Sisters,

Vee
posted by Vee Jefferson @ Monday, June 23, 2008

---

The Afro!



To me
The Afro signifies power and strength.
With just a hint of militancy, it whispers to those who are listening, "I am free! And I am free to be me."

It's naturally regal edginess personifies the struggle of a people to first understand, then overcome and overstand.
But not only to overstand what's right in front of us and what should be apparent, but also the lessons of the ancestors...
the lessons of the past.
To overstand the oppression and the fight.
To overstand the self-doubt and self-hatred that has been buried deep within our subconscious minds.
To move ahead to self-acceptance and appreciation, and to self-love.

To me,
The Afro represents determination, perseverance, and the ability
To rise again and remember who we are,
and what we are.

To me,
The Afro is symbolic of a people digging up their rightful crowns and
hanging them where they belong.
Need I explain that one?
No, because I'm sure you know.
On some level, you already know.

So this week, I'm wearing a big Afro wig.
And even though I'm loving my short naps,
and absolutely was delighted with my bald head,
and will probably do the big chop once more before I let it grow much longer...
I look forward to the day when my Afro is as big and woolly as it is in my pictures.

The day when I
can pick up My crown
and wear It with honor, humility and grace.

February is Black History month, but I say let's celebrate it all year long!

Vee

(btw, this was challenge 6 in the Miss Nappturality Contest. I won this one;-)

Originally written by Vee Jefferson on Saturday, February 09, 2008, for the Miss Nappturality Contest.

---

I Need This Day

I'm not answering the phone today.
I will not answer the door.
I need this day to myself.
So tomorrow I can soar.

I want to reminisce on 2007.
Sort through the lessons and file them on the shelf.
I want to meditate and recreate.
I want to reconnect with my inner-self .

I need healing energy for the coming new year,
to energize and renew my body, my mind, and my spirit.
No one else's woe can help me today,
Cause when I hear, I have to live it.

And I don't mind, not usually.
Hey, you got a problem, you can use me.
But not today, cause today's my day.
My baby's upstairs,
Zion and Sampson are around,
And my Mighty Master's beside me.

He needs this time alone with me
to work on me and mine.
I am a recluse for just this day,
But tomorrow I will shine.

And once I'm
brightly shining,
I'll have so many rays to share.
So please, let me be for just...this...day,
and tomorrow I'll be there.

Peace, Love, & Light,
Vee

-original poem written by Vee May 3, 2003
-edited today!
-current mood - Reflective

-listening to:

India Arie's Private Party..!........

posted by Vee Jefferson @ Sunday, December 30, 2007

---

Couldn't Sleep...
... written on 10/02/02 @ 0625

As I lay my head sideways upon his chest,
nestled safely in the warmth and strength of his bosom,
salty tears snake across my face
-slithering, burning, searing my sensitive flesh.

I sob, I dab, I wipe.
My finger, the pillow case, the sheets.
But my muffled sniffling is in vain!
I don't want him to know I'm crying.
Oh but he does know.

He sees the dark cloud encircling me even in this darkness.
He senses my sorrow in the air.
He saw me pray.
He feels it in the nonrhythmic rhythm of my breathing
-and the uncontrolled twitching of my body.
Thought I was being quiet,
yet he hears me even in this silence.

He holds me, caresses me.
Not exactly sure what to do,
but instinctively does what I need him to.

He holds me, squeezes me, caresses me
'til my breathing once again matches his.
Never once uttering a word.
Never once searching for the tears,
he gave me peace, reassurance, and serenity.
He gave me him.
He gave me love!

Job well done,
he rolls over but continues to give reassuring pats.
He lays his leg next to mine, touching
'til he slumbers off to sleep.

I need to write this down!
If I get up will I wake him?

I'm thinking about you Momma,
remembering this night three years ago.
Remembering my thoughts, my feelings, your words, your face, your eyes.
Watching you.
So strong.
Praying for you to softly slumber off to sleep,but secretly wishing you could stay with me.
Momma I love you,
but maybe now I can fall asleep too.

posted by Vee Jefferson @ Sunday, October 07, 2007

---

A Day in My Life

Thursday, September 06, 2007
Spoken Word Piece by Vee


I love him
I love him
I love him all the time,
but I like him when he's...

...asleep!

He's beautiful
He's beautiful
He's oh so beautiful to me all the time,
but he's absolutely gorgeous when he's...

...asleep!

yeah, I'm talking bout my baby,
my baby boy,
my little prince,
my inspiration,
my muse,
and the biggest pain in the a$$ I've ever seen in my life!

He's the smartest, sweetest, wittiest, funniest little dude I've ever met.
Got reasoning and deduction skills a lot of grown folks don't even possess.
And did I mention he's the biggest pain in the a$$ I've ever seen in my life?

I do believe it is my privilege to say what I want to say about him,
as long as I do what I'm supposed to do for him. To love, to nourish, and to nurture him.

You see, I love him more than words can explain.
I live for him, and I'd die for him.
I'd punch a monster in his eye for him.

I mean, he's my baby!
my heart,
my amazing and splendid gift from God.
And oh yeah, in case I didn't mention, the biggest pain in the a$$ I've ever seen in my life?

You see, only a person who really loves someone can get away with saying something as crude as this and still have people understand how big the love is.

But make no mistake about it.
I'm the only one who can say it.
"See, I's the one that birthed that baby!"

I was the one who was up all night,
sleep deprived, crazy, and looking a fright.
I was the one there with the runny noses,
the scrapes and bruises, the fevers,
the painful tooth buds,
and the nurses with the needles.

H#!!, I breast fed him so long he was walking 'round talkin' bout,
"I want some momma nuke!"
couldn't say momma milk in the beginning,
so momma nuke just kinda stuck.

See, during the hours while he's awake,
I'm constantly talking and explaining,
correcting and persuading,

pleading and begging,
bargaining and threatening.

yelling and fussing,
spanking and sometimes even cussing...

...then embarrassed when I take him to his doctor's appointment,
we're sitting out in the lobby, he picks up a half dragon,
half donkey character from the movie Shrek
and says, "What the h#!! is this?!"

Uhh, my bad!
And no, I didn't spank him for that.
I quickly, but politely answered him, "That's a dronkey baby,"
so as to not give him the chance to ask that question again.

But on a more positive note,
I'm also singing and dancing
playing and laughing

story-telling and teaching
imagining and make-believing,

ABCing and 123ing,
I'm telling you, it can be quite overwhelming.

But when he slows down long enough to fall asleep,
and I can really see this little person whom I've co-created,
...actually see the work I've done,

I can see his beauty,
I can see his blessings,
I can see his purity and innocence,
And I can see his love, all magnified to the brillionth, billionth power.

And I think about all the sh*! we've been through on just that day alone.
Nothing seems as big or as bad as it did earlier.
I find my patience gets a little longer everyday.
I find that I'm not as quickly irritated as I was the day before.
And most importantly, I find myself realizing that I'm getting a little better at this motherhood thing every day that Jordan schools me.

And I look at him,
mouth slightly ajar,
light snore echoing in the background.
I see his chest rise and fall in perfect synchronicity.
I look at his belly button in awe of how it all began.
I marvel at this picture of pure perfection.
I see all that beauty and I realize...

Yeah, I love him all the time,
and like him when he's asleep,
but what I really and truly adore most is the moment he first opens his eyes in the morning.

And I say,
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you for my baby!

But ooooh sh*!,
here we go again!

--Vee Jefferson

posted by Vee Jefferson @ Thursday, September 06, 2007

---

Friends

can't turn a seasonal friend into a forever friend.
can't turn a forever friend into a seasonal friend.
whether it's a season...or the whole life long,
won't know the difference until you realize that the season has come and gone.

some blessings take a life time to earn.
some lessons take only a season to learn.
so I welcome each into my life.
and if the season does change, I stop for a minute and cry if I must cry;

all the while, remembering it was knowledge and wisdom that I yearned.
and while my world continues to turn
I'm going to be my best me,
while discovering and becoming who it is I'm supposed to be

I couldn't stand 24 hours of daylight?
I definitely couldn't stand 24 hours of night?
but they each have their purpose,
offering growth and understanding.
working together to make sure everything's balanced just right.

If only I could send the overstanding I have now to me back then.
I would stop and tell my two best friends
who have remained true through thick and thin
how happy I was that we were making this life long mend
cause our forevers were starting then,
And a little birdie told me it would never end.

Gail and Coretta, I Love You guys!


Labels: poetry
posted by Vee Jefferson @ Sunday, May 20, 2007

---

Definitely a piece of art that can stand alone.
I started to post it simply for you to use your imagination and come up with your own story, or poem, or

epiphany! But then it wouldn't fit into a blog, now would it?


Eerily romantic, and hauntingly captivating, I call this piece The Tree of Life with roots and hidden fruit. Wonder what the artist calls it.


It is so...so...
thought provoking.
Emotion evoking.

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

A soft kiss
A warm, but strong embrace
Bodies - still, silent movie
No name, no face.

It's no one
It's everyone
It's love and life
and Divine union

Barbaric, yet gentle
Naked, but unobtrusive
The secrets to life
So simple it's Elusive

With time, will the colors eventually turn green and blue, with hues of orange, brown?
Will there be water and stars and leaves to blow in the wind and fall down?
Will there one day be birds singing and animals playing and running around?
Or will the picture always be sepia-toned with the same message playing out loud
...feel me, see me.
What do you think of when you look at me?

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

Barren surroundings,
yet the tree brings forth life.
But where did he come from?
From the earth or from the sky?
Did he drop down from their loins
and travel through the root cave to the light.
Or did he simply fall from a branch,
you know the one with hidden fruit and remains out of sight?

Sensual and mysterious,
It makes me curious...
Will the babe grow up,
wrap his arms about his parents making the tree ever so much stronger?
Or will he simply crawl away, find a mate,
and plant his roots even longer?

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

Dark and ambiguous,
It makes me curious...
How tall are the branches?
How far do they extend?
How deep are the roots?
Freeze frame deception
-so what did the artist intend?

It's sexual and erotic,
enchanting and exotic.
Profound, and yes to some profane.
But what anyway is in a name?
As Shakespeare so eloquently put it,
titled by any name, it's still the same...

True Art!


posted by Vee Jefferson @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Dare to Do More Than Dream

By Michele Dortch

A lot of working moms are in a rut. Every day it's the same chaotic and rushed routine — kids, job, housework, etc. Because of your life's frantic pace you eventually lose sight of where you're going...life starts to lose its zeal. Instead of pursuing worthwhile dreams, you wander through the circumstances of life. Of course, there are moments of true joy and fulfillment but you're too distracted to really appreciate these momentary treasures, let alone notice them.

Eventually, you wake up and realize that despite everything that says you should be happy (healthy kids, a beautiful home, a great job, etc.), you're miserable. Why? Because somewhere along your journey through working motherhood you let go of your dream. You stopped believing that the things you pursued with such passion before kids are actually possible now that you have kids. After all, the demands of your children, your job, and your lifestyle leave little time to focus on chasing idle dreams, right?

Here's the wake up call fellow working moms: Your Dreams Are Important. No matter how wild, audacious or bold they may be, your dreams are the key to unlocking harmony in your work/life. When you experience imbalance in your work/life it's usually because your outer world (things you have, what you do, etc.) doesn't line up with your inner world (your dreams, passion, values, etc.). So if you ever hope to truly integrate work and life, you've got to shift the balance and start dreaming.

But it takes more than just having the dream. You're got to pursue it; you've got to dare to do more than dream. Not sure how to move from dreaming to daring? Here are three simple strategies for clarifying and then acting on your dream.

STEP 1. Reaffirm your dream

For most of you, it's been a long time since you considered what you really wanted from life. Instead, you're bombarded with messages from the media, your friends, family, and boss that tell you what you should want — "thinner thighs in 7 days," "more time with your kids," "more money." These external messages never end and they're loud — much louder than your internal voice that longs to be heard. Today is the day to listen to that small inner voice and reaffirm YOUR dream.

Grab a few sheets of blank paper or your journal, and spend the next 15-20 minutes putting your dream down in writing. Make a list of everything YOU want. What would you do if you had no excuses? What makes your heart sing? What would you want, if you could have anything and you couldn't fail?

At this point, "how" you'll achieve your dream isn't as important as declaring what it is you truly want. Just write.

STEP 2. Believe in your dream

For most working moms, the one thing holding you back from achieving harmony in your work/life is believing that you can actually have it. Your beliefs can either hold you captive or free you to achieve whatever you want. Let me share a personal example to help explain this idea.

I've wanted to be a published author since I was a young girl. Faced with the decision to choose a major in college, I shared this dream with my parents. The idea was shot down (lovingly, of course) and I was instilled with the belief that authors don't make money and live miserly lives. This belief has kept me from pursuing a writing career for years. Whenever my inner voice reminds me of my dream, I come up with a million reasons why I can't go for it. To move past this, I needed to clear my beliefs about being an author.

There are many ways to get clear of past beliefs. Here's one that I like in particular. You'll need two sheets of paper to begin.

On one sheet of paper describe the negative beliefs you have about a particular area of your life. Paint a vivid picture and really get into the emotions of it. Set the sheet aside.On a second sheet of paper write the beliefs you want to hold about that same area of your life. Immerse yourself in the positive, joyful feelings associated with it.Review your first sheet, and then burn it. Keep the second sheet in a place where you can read it daily, as a reminder of what you've chosen to believe.

I know it seems simple, maybe even weird, but I've tried it and it works. This exercise demonstrates a physical way to let go of negative beliefs that keep you from daring to do more than dream.

STEP 3. Take inspired action every day

To achieve your dream, you've got to do more than think about it and believe in it. You've got to act on it! Now, let's say your dream is to quit your full-time corporate job and feed your passion (and people's bellies) with your very own bakery. The leap from corporate cog to baker/business owner seems HUGE and often this is where most working moms give up. The impossibility of the dream is much too overwhelming.

The key to achieving your dream is to take "inspired action." In his book, The Attractor Factor: 5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or Anything Else) from the Inside Out, Joe Vitale describes this as "any action you take based on an inside nudge." We've all experienced it. Inspired action happens when you suddenly feel a desire to stop everything and call your child's school to make sure everything is okay. You may not have any idea why you got this inner prompting, but you know you have to do it.

If you want to achieve your work/life dream, then learn to take inspired action. Usually it means doing things differently. It means following an unexplainable hunch. It means having trust even though you don't know exactly what you're being led to do. It means taking action, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, to finally get out of your rut. You've got to move to get unstuck; you've got to take inspired action.

Dare to do more than dream. You have more control over your work/life than you think. Yes, there will be challenges to face and sometimes you'll feel like you're pursuing a hopeless dream. Yet isn't it much better to pursue your dreams (an action filled with hope, inspiration and joy) rather than complain about your circumstances (a behavior filled with negativity, despair and hopelessness)? Make a decision to do things differently. Make a decision to dare to do more than just dream about the work/life you want.

(My Dream Update: As of this writing, I am ACTIVELY pursuing my dream to be a published author and will release my first book in May 2007. Look out for it!)



By Michele Dortch of The Integrated Mother, a nationwide coaching and professional development company providing work/life solutions for working mothers, and their employers. Visit www.integratedmother.com to sign up for a free Work/Life Makeover Kit.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_Dortch
http://EzineArticles.com/?Dare-to-Do-More-Than-Dream&id=341383

The Secret and the Celestine Prophecy

I don't know if you've heard about the secret yet. The book, as well as the concept, has gotten the Oprah Winfrey stamp of approval. I read a blog, and of course someone was criticizing Oprah for dedicating so many shows to The Secret, but I would imagine that if this new way of thinking - well actually, it's not new at all - has touched this self-made, multi-mogul billionaire, then we should at least keep an open mind. I truly believe some people use the secret without knowing they're even using it. Maybe this is the reason Oprah was so taken with it. Could it be that Oprah was, for the first time, really and truly able to understand how she... became Oprah?

I just found out about The Secret a few days ago. And although this particular book was unknown to me, I've always known the secret. But like a lot of other people, I didn't practice it everyday, all day. It's so easy to get disconnected from ourselves and revert to the humanistic ways of thinking. But just recently I'd been thinking about a book that I'd read three times. Yes, I said three times. It was the Celestine Prophecy. I was thinking I should read it again, because it made me feel so good, and when I consciously used the practices described in the book, my world felt light, bright, and so much more fulfilling.

So anyway, a couple of days after thinking about the book, I turned to my HBO on demand movie channel and what did I see? The Celestine Prophecy movie. Of course I watched it. It was the very last night that it was going to air. I was amazed. And with this I decided that I really should read the book again and start practicing the teachings.

The very next night, a friend called and said he had a present for me. You want to guess what it was?

It was The Secret!

I loved it! It was everything I already knew to be true, but amplified to the 20th power. Ask, see it, believe it, say thank you for already having it, and you shall receive it. What a wonderful concept! But wait, isn't this concept in the Bible? Don't the people of the church teach us about faith? Let's see, how's the verse go? If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.


So, my personal goal is to practice the principles on a daily basis and to stay connected and positive at all times - not just some or most of the time. And when negativity tries to sneak in, I'll actively replace those thought with their positive counter thoughts.

So stay tuned to see how it all turns out...

For more information on what the secret is or how you can get a copy of the book or DVD, visit www.thesecret.tv.
Also check out the Celestine Prophecy while you're at it.

But for now, you can enjoy these beautiful affirmations from the creators of The Secret.


Click play now!