Interdependence Day*

Just because you think you’re not being impacted by oppression in this country, doesn’t mean you’re not being impacted by oppression in this country. The privileged in this country are complicit in and culpable for the continuation of racist institutions that systemically oppress the less privileged.

“Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave.” ‭‭John‬ ‭8:34-38‬ ‭MSG

Inhale Interdependence, Exhale Independence…
Inhale Connection, Exhale Separation…
Inhale Freedom, Exhale Enslavement…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#MyAmericaToo

*Interdependence Day coined by Reesheda Graham Washington

Commitment to Freedom

I honor those pursuing the call of freedom in and out of uniform…those committed to making the ultimate sacrifice if asked…those at the forefront of our internal struggle to realize our country’s commitment to freedom… those resisting the daily assault on the freedoms declared by our founders so many years ago…

”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Freedom is not free; freedom requires commitment.

Inhale Commitment, Exhale Constraint…
Inhale Sacrifice, Exhale Inequality…
Inhale Freedom, Exhale Assault…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Commitment
#MyAmerica
#IsAmericaFreeYet?

Evolution

I was looking through a carefully constructed album of pictures of me put together by my mom and I noticed how my smile seemed to evolve over the years.

The introverted book worm who felt compelled to read everything, even cereal boxes, evolved into the ambiverted cheerleader who needed to express herself through movement, who turned into the military officer known for smiling, actually laughing loudly and frequently.

And since all of those versions of me sill exist, maybe the evolution was my confidence in and comfort with all aspects of my personality.

Inhale Growth, Exhale Fear…
Inhale Awareness, Exhale Fear…
Inhale Confidence, Exhale Fear…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Compassion

Have you ever watched someone you’re close to make a stupid choice and wondered, “Why can’t she see this is NOT going to turn out well?”

I’ve done that…and then I remember the stupid thing I did when I didn’t pay attention to my accountability partners or my own inner knowing…my God voice whispering, then shouting… “Don’t. Do It!”

And I work on being a little more compassionate…

“It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt?” Matthew 7: 3-4 MSG

Inhale Compassion, Exhale Judgment…
Inhale Compassion, Exhale Hypocrisy…
Inhale Compassion, Exhale Contempt…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

You Mad…?

A friend of mine once said he was mad at God when the choice he made didn’t work out as planned. I wondered out loud if he was mad at God…or himself for not listening to his God guidance.

“People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?” Proverbs 19:3 MSG

Inhale Listening, Exhale Ignoring…
Inhale Guidance, Exhale Blindness…
Inhale Knowing, Exhale Undiscerning…
Just Breathe

#JustBreath
Reflections With Renita

Blind Spot

One of the lessons I’ve learned from coaching is how easy it is to see the possible negative outcomes from the choices others are making…and how difficult it is to see when the mistake is MINE.

And that’s why the coach has a coach!

“Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it’s a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.” ~ Al Franken

Inhale Objectivity, Exhale Obsession…
Inhale Detachment, Exhale Deception…
Inhale Discernment, Exhale Disposition…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Core Self

I have a tendency to see the good in people and I’m somewhat surprised when people behave in ways that are contrary to my experience of them. I’ve learned that often, bad behavior is in response to fear… something we believe about ourselves, or something we believe we can’t have or something we have but don’t want.

What we believe about who we are at our core will eventually surface.

“Most bad behavior is about that person’s core fears about themselves; it is rarely about you.” ~ Kimberly Giles

Inhale Truth, Exhale Fear…
Inhale Realness, Exhale Fakeness…
Inhale Authenticity, Exhale Duplicity…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Representative Self

Have you ever heard something about another person that was totally contrary to your own experience? I believe part of that is because the energy we exude impacts how others interact with us. So my (mostly positive) energy elicits a totally different reaction than someone else’s energy.

Or maybe the person in question hasn’t discovered and/or decided who they want to be …

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15 NIV

Inhale Ownership, Exhale Irresponsibility…
Inhale Intention, Exhale Unconsciousness…
Inhale Focused, Exhale Meandering…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Space for Impact

My years in the military taught me there is always someone else to do what needs to be done. Just when you think NO ONE else could do it better, someone else comes along to engage your heart, take on the impossible and raise the standard even higher for maximum impact.

All you have to do is make space.

“When you create space, you create possibility.” ~ Dr. Maryska Taylor

Inhale Open, Exhale Closed…
Inhale Space, Exhale Cluttered…
Inhale Expansive, Exhale Constricted….
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Impact

Core Truth

If we are connected to others from a place of truth, is there space for jealousy? If we understand the truth of who we are at our core, can we speak negatively about another? If we believe in a Higher Power, is it necessary to take on the responsibility of judging someone else’s truth?

“The mind judges what is good or bad. Love brings only good.” ~ Deepak Chopra

Inhale Truth, Exhale Jealousy…
Inhale Core Self, Exhale Negative Energy…
Inhale Love, Exhale Vengeance…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe