Helping Homeless Veterans

The VA2K is an event that benefits homeless veterans. In lieu of a registration fee, participants are asked to bring items the vets are in great need of. I jammed out to music the whole way.  This was my theme song:

Looking serious (actually it was HOT & I was tired) at the finish line!

Falling in Self Love: Day 333 I Want Sex, Food & Money

This week I got willing to admit that in addition to wanting to give to the communities I love so dearly and be a good daughter, partner & person overall.....I really want a healthier-sexier body, lots more money doing what I love and more of the horizontal mambo....yup sex!  It's so easy sometimes for me (and maybe you?) to get caught in the coaching, prayers, support groups, meditations, affirmations for things that are altruistic, spiritual, unifying....  I think all of that is really important.  That's part of what INNER WORK is supposed to be about right?  But this month I found through my spiritual practice that my "inner" is PERFECT.  Haha! My ESSENCE is in fact in tact. Yes!  It (my inner) is arguably the most resilient part of me.  The SPIRIT of a person never really breaks.  I believe the body may get bumped, bruised or beat up but it is the springy, flowiness (our inner) that comes up standing time & time again.  So perhaps the industry should be called "outer work"?

Falling in Self Love: Day 303 Is GOD really EVERYWHERE?

...because I think I found GOD at the club.  When I was younger I used to attempt to dodge Sunday school by claiming that if GOD were everywhere surely he was in my bedroom and I could sleep in and pray to him after breakfast.  Needless to say, my mother was less than pleased.  Fastforward about 20 years....

C = Chefs, Cookies, Comical Crack-Ups & Monsters

I have been craving sweets lately so I decided to make cookies!  I made vegan coconut-oatmeal cookies and g/f peanut butter cookies.  Instead of granulated sugar I used local honey (where the recipe called for white sugar) and grade B maple syrup (where the recipe called for brown sugar). It's worth noting that I could have been slightly influenced as a little girl. That is to say, a little girl, with a mini record player and just ONE album.  Perhaps I hypnotized myself (lol) by playing this song over and over and over again....

Falling in Self Love: Day 234 Tears of a Clown

Yesterday started out as a difficult day.  There seemed to be a dark cloud looming over me that I just couldn't shake.  After trying a few things from my vibrant living bag-o-tricks, I reached out to loved ones for support.  Simply asking them to hold me in a positive and loving thought, prayer... As the day went on I was mesmerized by the magic of synchronicity!  The subject I was scheduled to teach in class inspired a question from a student which spoke directly to my present circumstance.  My partner surprised me after work with a healthy salad that nourished my body.  Later on I went to a memorial service for a fellow comic.  It was wonderful to hear about his life from his family and friends.  Each comedian at the open mic told and retired one of his jokes.  It really was beautiful.  We gathered at a restaurant afterward and talked about life...the subject of addiction came up (our friend had lost his battle with substance abuse).  As I fell asleep and woke this morning I found myself thinking of all that I'd learned about sadness and the ways we chose to deal with our fears.  I am thankful that I felt my feelings yesterday.  I am thankful for the loving support I received. I am thankful that I've chosen a career that allows me to laugh, cry, be triumphant, scared, inspiring and hopeful, publicly. That my truth (in any given moment) may be part of life's rainfall of lessons not only to myself but to any witness or participant.  In this moment, I am humble, filled with gratitude and joy...let it rain!

Yesterday this was my unstoppable song!

Falling in Self Love: Day 162 Friends

I am learning great lessons about relationship. I had an opportunity to see people I hadn't seen in a loong time and it was as if no time had passed. We danced, laughed and had a great time at a party celebrating a mutual friend.  It felt good to see them.  My relationship with my parents (my father in particular)continues to improve.  I used to think I could not multi-task...I am realizing that is a crock of....well let's stick with CROCK.  ;D  I am enjoying the art of managing career, relationships, wellness and more!

Falling in Self Love: Day 148 Peace, Love & Oranges

As I walked with my father this morning, our time spent moved from awkwardness to ease & laughter.  We strolled the backwoods of the community where he & my mom live (Florida).  The homes are beautiful, as are the trees with dangling moss.  The temperature felt perfect.  It's always nice to share good times with my father, especially since we have had many moments of difficulty.

We found oranges growing on  trees along our path.  The seemingly cutest ones were so outrageously tart they made my eyes feel like they would cross!  HaHa!  Then we came upon a tree with 4 large mature & richly colored fruit.  They were not easy to reach...took quite a bit of maneuvering and help from my dad.  In the end they were deliciously sweet, juicy...perfect.  In this moment I am realizing that our walk and these oranges are very much like my relationship with my father.  With that, I thank God for our time. In honor of daddy, here is one of HIS Unstoppable Songs: ("Forever Young" by Rod Stewart) 

US: Overtone "Colorblind"

US: AC/DC "Dirty Deads Done Cheap"

Generally AC/DC is not my style but I gotta say....I'm liking the feel of this song!  I see myself listening to it (to keep me motivated) on a grueling section of an AIDSride.  Yep, I'm feelin' it!

Falling in Self Love: Day 138 Dance Little Sister

"Give up the ghost that's haunting you now."  My brother had really bad asthma his entire life.  I never had it except for one other time (years ago). This morning I woke up coughing which turned into asthma attack #2.  After using an inhaler my bones hurt. When I finally fell back to sleep I had two nightmares about death.  OK God, I'm listening....

The first line of this song is so fitting!! My brother died 16 days after his 38th birthday. That is TODAY for me. The last few weeks have been quite interesting.  For the past 3 years I have been living in the shadow of his death, feeling like I had to do well because I was been spared (yet again) and given the gift of life.   Now, I want to LIVE for ME!  I want to dream wildly and act accordingly!



I just finished teaching my students and class was wonderful!  I LOVE my job!  I love that we are creating a positive ripple effect in the community!  I WANT TO DO MORE!  I feel inspired, impassioned READY for what's next!

US: O'Jays "Love Train"

In light of recent events, I am really feeling this song & video.  I would love to know what kind of universal community dance would happen if people all over the world really joined hands and started a love train???

US: Jefferson Starship "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"

Thank you Susan B. for submitting this song. Keep on feeling UNSTOPPABLE!

US: Bob Marley "Three Little Birds"

I grew up listening to Bob Marley.  I can remember hearing my uncle sing this song and "steppin' softly" to this song.  To this day it makes me smile.  I am happy that this song was voted as an Unstoppable Song!  Enjoy!

US: Will.i.am "What I AM"

I have been enjoying a trip down memory lane. I found this collaboration between Sesame Street & Will.i.am.....I LOVE IT! Have a great day!

US: Madonna "Express Yourself"

Falling in Self Love: Day 127 Lovin' My Locks!

I heard about a song on Sesame Street called, "I love my hair!" I rushed to check it out and I LOVE IT!! Thank you Segi & Joey Mazzarino for this wonderful contribution to the conversation on black hair. Last night I went to Gardner Village (UT) and fell in love with a store that sold games.  I gasped (with joy) and commented aloud, about one game that had a black girl and Latino boy on the cover of the box...WOW!  Now I am remembering...when I was a little girl, there were no black dolls or toys. Finally, in my teens the first black Cabbage Patch doll came out, it was a big deal!

I now have dreadlocks and I love how fast they grow, how versatile they are...I love creating styles that suit my mood and it's so easy. I don't own the plethora of styling tools and products I once did...so, as it turns out, my natural style costs less too. Most importantly, I feel PROUD of my hair. These days, I actually believe that my hair IS my crowning glory!

More press about the song

ABC News

NPR: All Things Considered

Cascading Fountain

Corkscrew

Urban Goddess

Ceremonial Celebration

Falling in Self Love: Day 126 Sweet in the Mornin'

Today I rose early to enjoy a very slooow start to my day. Gosh, I'd forgotten how getting up very early resets my body's authentic pace.  The most creativity happens in my body during pre-dawn hours.  Its almost as if the rest of the day was created solely for me to carry out the orders laid before me during those pre-dawn hours.  Here's a song that matched my mood this morning. Enjoy!

US: "Champion" Queen Latifah

I already loved this song but it just got elevated to another level since Queen Latifah & Common visited the PS22 Chorus in New York.

Unstoppable Song: Halloween Series

...and for the last song of the series...

 Happy Birthday to meee! 

Unstoppable Song: Halloween Series