Shared Wisdom

I was blessed to have my grandparents in my life until I was fully grown. My paternal grandmother would advise me to “Listen, and listen good,” and proceed to share what she felt I need to know, whether or not I wanted to hear it. She often did not spare my feelings. I am eternally grateful.

“If I don’t tell you, how will you know?” ~ Hattie Pride Smith

Inhale Knowledge, Exhale Stupidity…
Inhale Information, Exhale Cluelessness…
Inhale Experience, Exhale Ignorance…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Wisdom

Phase Two

One of my faithful blog readers recently wondered why a particular post had not been widely shared on social media. I thanked HIM for sharing and reminded myself that in this phase of my life, I’m called to share what I’ve learned, regardless of what happens with the information.

“We have taken the wisdom factor right out of modern civilization. We use retirement as the way to get [people] out [of the work force] as soon as possible … just when they know something, just when their experience and their own sense of moral choices has now been developed to a high point ’cause that’s what aging is. It’s the wisdom factor.” ~ Joan D. Chittister

Inhale Aging, Exhale Youth Obsessed…
Inhale Development, Exhale Stagnation…
Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Ignorance…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Wisdom

A Platform of One’s Own

I heard a negative comment about Jada Pinket Smith’s new Facebook show which features three generations of black women having very transparent, vulnerable conversations.

I didn’t really understand why Smith using her very large platform to share what she’s learned on a variety of topics would be perceived negatively. And I wondered if the commenter was using HER stage similarly.

“Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.” Proverbs 11: 14 MSG

Inhale Experience, Exhale Immaturity…
Inhale Knowledge, Exhale Ignorance…
Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Rejection…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

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

Discernment

I always think of discernment as the ability to see beyond the obvious when making decisions. And yet, I don’t think discernment was even required for Americans to have made decisions during the fall of 2016 that would make our present more palatable.

Because it was obvious to me that a candidate who surrounded himself with white supremacists who ran the spectrum from Jeff Sessions’ “good ‘ole boy’ southern racist” to the full blown “blow it all up” beliefs of Steve Bannon, was probably not going to be a president who continued the efforts to provide healthcare to all Americans or examine why Americans make up 5 percent of the world’s population but 25 percent of the incarcerated population…

What was required by Americans was the willingness to actually look…

Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, MSG

Inhale Examine, Exhale Ignore…
Inhale Knowing, Exhale Ignoring…
Inhale Discernment, Exhale Ignorance…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Clarity

American Nightmare

This week, while some Americans were celebrating the American Experiment, the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were marking the 1-year anniversary of their state-sanctioned deaths.

While many Americans over indulged, over 2 million Americans, almost 25 percent of the world’s incarcerated population, provided practically free labor to corporations focused on profits.

Many American’s seem to accept these realities as indictments against other Americans. They cannot see their connection to or comprehend their complicity in the systemic and relentless racism that is the reality for many in this country.

No one is free until we are all free.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Inhale Freedom, Exhale Apathy…
Inhale Freedom, Exhale Disconnection…
Inhale Freedom, Exhale Ignorance…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#MyAmerica
#AreWeFreeYet?

True Self

I’ve seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are. It reveals who you are.” ~ Michelle Obama, FLOTUS.

It’s so interesting to me that people continue to be surprised by #45’s actions. I mean … it’s not like he appeared out of nowhere or just started demonstrating the behavior we see now. He’s been living in the public eye since the early 1980s, being his authentically racist, sexist, elitist, boorish, etc. self. He’s just being who he has always been…

When people show you who they are, believe them.” ~ Dr. Maya Angelou

Inhale Knowing, Exhale Unconsciousness…
Inhale Reception, Exhale Rejection…
Inhale Insight, Exhale Ignoring…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Lessons

I’m a learner. I’ve course corrected many times on my life journey to incorporate the lessons learned from experience, mine and others, and the consequences of my choices, good and bad.

I’m also a helper, so I try to share those life lessons, especially when I see folks going through something similar. But I’ve learned that for some people, the only lessons retained are those learned through experience. And that is perfectly okay.

We cannot drink only of happiness or sorrow and have life remain life.” Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

Inhale Experience, Exhale Ignorance…
Inhale Consequences, Exhale Confusion…
Inhale Retention, Exhale Destruction…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Wisdom

Discovery

There are all kinds of assessments out there to help you understand more about yourself, whether it’s to understand how you make decisions, how you prefer to receive information, or how you can lead effectively. In fact, I’m convinced that knowledge leading to greater self awareness is the key to effective leadership, to include leading yourself.

Of course, that’s only true if the knowledge informs your behavior. For example, knowing you have the analytical ability to ferret out all the factors affecting a decision is great however, if your analytical strength prevents you from making a decision, then it could be considered a liability.

If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.” ~ Romans 12: 6-8

Inhale Awareness, Exhale Unconsciousness…
Inhale Recognition, Exhale Rejection…
Inhale Insight, Exhale Ignorance…
Just Breathe…

#Awareness
#JustBreathe