FORGiveNESS

Is it really true what they say about forgiveness?
That in order to move on from past hurts you have to learn how to forgive the people or person that caused you the hurt. But what if that person never acknowledges that they did anything wrong? Living in a sea of denial, or in perpetual jealousy, they don't even remember what comes out of their mouth, so ignorant and emotionally deprived that they know not what they do? All they know is to strike and belittle. Do you become the bigger person and forgive anyway?

The answer to that is yes. Forgiveness can be a long hard road. If you do not the resentment, hate or whatever has you feeling this content, can rob and steal your power. It can set you back to that moment of time that caused the pain over and over again. In order to be free you have to release the pain, let go, empower yourself and recognize people in their true form and deal with them accordingly.

I do not think it's the same as turning the other cheek. It is making a decision to not let someone else's lack of compassion become your fault. It's making a decision that, yes, you hurt me, but you do not own me! You will not dictate the way I live my life. I will thrive, live and continue to love those that deserve it and continue to give with a kind hear. Love those that are sincere and who has a true interest in your happiness. Know the real from the imposter's. Believe me folks, they do exist, and sometimes they come with gifts.

I can tell you about a few self righteous people that have past through my life. They thought they had all the answers when they had none. Hungry for validation from so many outside sources, when their insides are torn and infested with insecurities. So in turn they tried to invalidate me. And yes, at times I was hurt in the process, but I was not broken. There is a higher power that lives in me, it gives me strength, helps me to persevere.  It's been there since I was a child. My power comes from the pit of my soul. So I overcame, I forgave and I moved on.  The great news is, we all have that power.

I am not sure how those people who spread hate, poison minds with untruths' and spread vicious gossip sleep at night; or even if they do for that matter.  How do the weary rest?  They try to mask happiness with overeating, alcohol, popping pills or whatever else that does not allow them to recognize how shitty they really are. Hiding behind empty titles, behind a desk, fighting for a empty cause. It's a sad way to be.

My advice is to not let those that dish out hate and disparity become your weight. Those that have caused you pain, let them be, forgive, but never forget what has made you stronger. Rise above what is being thrown and become more than expected. Those same people who do not recognize how screwed up they are, will still be in the same place, alone in a crowded room, with their minds to remind them of who they really are.

Peace & Love Ya'll

Love & Happiness

As I replay Love & Happiness by Al Green in my mind, I can remember when my mom and her sisters used to blast that song so loud that they thought they were in concert. They would sing the words as if they wrote them, "Love will make you do right, Love will make you do wrong"...Those were the words that echoed throughout my grandmother's house in the swamps of Mississippi. It was my first introduction to what love could be, what it was, what it could do, and who was lovin' who.

Along with Al Green, was Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Williams and many other great true R & B artists that expressed the sound of love. Love meant something and if you had experienced it in any kind of way, you could feel every word. If you were not taking care of your woman it was guaranteed that someone else would. If you were out cheatin', or involved in a love/Hate relationship, then you were guaranteed to eventually meet your maker; either be by hot grits or a hot bullet. Marraige meant 'til death do us part". Love was serious, you stayed not strayed.

When I think of the love relationships of now compared to the relationships of then. There is simply no comparison. I am not sure what has the divorce rate so high, Could it be marrying for the wrong reasons? No real committment? She looked good, but couldn't cook? He was good in bed, but bad as a father or friend? Heavy in the pockets, but light weight in the brains? I don't know. Someone said that now that number seems to be going down. I say, who leaves during an economic crisis? It's cheaper to keep her. Ever hear of the couple who are divorced but are forced to live with each other because of financial reasons? How many of us are staying in a marraige for that same reason?

The love songs are even not as strong or as meaningful as they used to. You have the Neo's, damn, I can't even think of anyone else. I am sure they are out there and it is probably what my daughter is listening to. I am glad I am raising her to know the difference between what is real and what is not. Which is why I also introduce her to Jill Scott, Raheem Devine, Amy Winehouse, Laila Hathaway, Dwele, Kem, The Brand New Heavies and new artist Anthony David. Those are just a few artist that represent real love. They make music you can feel and appreciate. Music that takes me almost back to my grandmother's house. I say almost because there is nothing like soul music, old blues that is heard among friends who can relate. Music that makes you move and shake 'em, make love all night, then breakfast lunch and dinner. You never want to leave the rhythm that the music of love creates.

Now What?

As we enter into the third month of the year and the 3rd year of this down fall of an economy there seems to be a quiet change that is taking place for the good. If you listen to the news then you are being programmed to believe that this situation is getting worse, there is no hope, there is no way. But if you know what I know, you will know that we are a resilient people. Some of us are not suffering as much as our counterparts because we have been there and done that, even before this "recession".

Life sometimes throw us curve balls, to see if we are paying attention. We could miss,strike out or we can knock the ball out the park. Unfortunately, some of us stay in perpetual sleep mode. The walking dead, the happiest unhappy people in the world. They never miss anything, but they miss the point. So they remain sleep, constantly hitting the snooze button and never really waking up.

Maybe you know someone like that, maybe you are that person. Whatever the case may be, please understand, just like any other mishap that life throws it can become an opportunity to make the necessary changes that you have long neglected. It maybe your push to go in the right direction. If you are a negative person, you will never see the beauty of change, whether forced or intentionally made, it happens with or without you.

So in all that, my point is do something!

We are in one of what appears to be the hardest economic crisis ever, but so what! Do you! You are not dead and the world is not ending, atleast not yet. Do not be crusified by your situation, make a daring move, be brave and take a risk,I know I am, and I cannot wait to see what happens....

Love

As the rain has been coming down here in the bay for the last few days, it makes me realize how the earth is very capable of taking care of itself. How it naturally without warning or permission gives itself what it needs.

Thats how I feel about love.


LOVE

Love the eternal blood that drains from my body to yours.
The unstoppable gratification of giving this gift and receiving it back wholeheartedly

I Love you.
How many ways can I say it, show it, so that you know it

I Love you as I love the sun that kisses my skin
I Love you as I love the breath I take each day
That is willfully given to me by God

I Love you as I love strawberries and cream
Pecans with my ice cream
Both I enjoy to the fullest, but you I enjoy even more

Cause one bite of you leads to another and another and another.......

I will continue to water our soil that planted this seed
As we grow like vines, intertwined and intermixed
Growing as one.

Hey Ya!

Yes I know it's been a cool minute, but I have been busy concentrating on completing this book and a few smaller projects. Please continue to read my stuff and I will definitely update the latest when I can.

So much has happened! So much that I am excited about....Since I am a very personal personal person. I like to keep things that are dear to me close, I am not sure if I want to share the latest, but as I sink into my thought process in order to make a decision, the best will still be posted.


Smooches, Jolie

Happy Holidays!

As this wonderful year ends and brings cheer to the next
Realize that love is always near and that you are blessed

Love those that need a little more love than others
Appreciate those in your life and love your brothers

Try to shine on what you love about your life
Because comparing yourself to others will only lead to strife

When you live in highest in your mind and actions
Someone's else life should not be your distraction

Be happy and surround yourself with those who can love you in truth
Many blessings to all and Happy New Year to you!

The Holidays

If you have been alive these past few months, you will have experienced some kind of change in your life.

For me, its been a wonderful and exciting change.

Stay tuned!!