Month: May 2018

Poverty Shaming

I was surprised to see a former military leader suggest the presence of robots at a fast food restaurant was the result of workers demanding an increase in the minimum wage.

There was no blame for the housing industry which has made it difficult for a person with one minimum wage job to afford a place to live or energy companies which are enjoying record setting profits while charging record-setting prices or any other entity which has contributed to a higher cost of living in this country.

Nope. All blame was directed at workers trying to keep their heads above water.

I guess I just expected a little more compassion…

“The income-inequality trajectory observed in the United States is largely due to massive educational inequalities, combined with a tax system that grew less progressive…” ~ Beatrice Dupuy, Newsweek

Inhale Compassion, Exhale Inequality…
Inhale Compassion, Exhale Greed…
Inhale Compassion, Exhale Excess…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Just Breathe…

Iyanla Vanzant used “Inhale, Exhale” in a tweet and I created an entire story around why I would no longer be able to use the phrase …

I talked myself off the edge by taking some deep breaths…and remembering that using our breath to create a sense of calm is as old as breathing, and yet it might still be new to the people I’m called to share it with.

And that “Just Breathe” is my God-given gift to act on regardless of what others might be doing.

“What God has for me, it is for me…” Lyrics by Joy Lavonne Brown Cooper

Inhale God’s Promises, Exhale Panic…
Inhale Faith, Exhale Fear…
Inhale Deeply, Exhale Slowly…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Fear

Tell It…

One of my clients was reluctant to share the details of the childhood trauma that stunted her personal and professional growth in a speech.

So I reminded her that her truth could be inspirational to an audience … and that it’s only in the telling that a test can become a testimony.

“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.” James 1:12 MSG

Inhale Test, Exhale Stuck…
Inhale Truth, Exhale Shame…
Inhale Testimony, Exhale Silence…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Rooted in Fear

At the root of all of the reasons you’re not doing what you need to do is fear …
Fear that someone will say no.
Fear that the people currently in your life will no longer be in your life.
Fear that someone will feel inconvenienced or disappointed and the relationship will be damaged.
Fear that those you expect assistance from won’t offer it.
Fear that you will build it and they won’t come.
Fear that pursuing your dreams won’t sustain you.

“Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn.” ~ Marianne Williamson

Inhale Action, Exhale Inertia…
Inhale Assured, Exhale Doubtful…
Inhale Achievement, Exhale Fear…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Image by Stephan Keller, Pixabay

Clear Narrative

I’ve learned that everything I think I know about myself is really just a part of my story, developed over time in response to my interpretation about what was happening to me. And I find that when I look closely, when I pull the pieces apart, when I seek clarity about certain aspects, sometimes the narrative changes.

“We live, embrace and put to rest our dearest things, including how we see ourselves, so we can resurrect our lives anew.” ~ Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

Inhale Examination, Exhale Assumptions…
Inhale Clarity, Exhale Story…
Inhale Reality, Exhale False Narrative…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Reality

Incomplete Reality

One of the most poignant moments of a recent “Iyanla, Fix My Life” episode was the discovery by siblings that their mother had not abandoned one for the other, but had abandoned them both.

They had both created narratives around their mother’s absence based on incorrect information and these competing, incomplete stories had prevented them from moving forward in healing their relationship.

Fortunately, they had the wisdom and courage to let go of their “realities” and accept the truth.

“Sometimes a change of perspective may be all that it will take to transform a painful experience into an empowering growth experience.” ~ Iyanla Vanzant

Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Status Quo…
Inhale Courage, Exhale Ignorance…
Inhale Reality, Exhale Delusion…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Reality

Filtered Reality

The extent to which some Americans accept as fact the manufactured lies spouted by those holding political power in our country is an alarming example of how our perceptions of reality are impacted by our own blind spots, biases, and bigotry.

“Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.” Proverbs 2:2 MSG

Inhale Reality, Exhale Prejudice…
Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Bias…
Inhale Discernment, Exhale Bigotry…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Reality