Photo and Poem

Plain Language

You want to write?

Don't rack your brain

Just keep it from the heart

and make it plain.

I almost forgot...Peace~

Thursday Thoughts

Hello everyone. I thought I would just share a few of my thoughts this afternoon. It’s been a really busy day here at work and it has reminded me how important it is to do what you love in life. I like the way that Aaron Neville said it in his 1966 hit, Tell it like it is:

“Life is too short to have sorrow
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live
Baby go on live”

It would be wise of us to make the best of this ephemeral existence (on earth) given to us by God. We should strive to do all the things most important to us and with all of our might. For me, I will strive to pray with all my might. I will love with all my might. I will hope with all my might and I will live with all my might. I’m not really sure where this road in life will take me, but I know I will not be alone. Enjoy your weekend and accomplish something. Peace~

C'est la vie

Hello all! I haven't posted this week because life and work has been a bit demanding. It's all good though. It's all for the better. By the way, this a picture of me giving a presentation at one our meetings a month ago. Ain't I clean? I was witty that day. The crowd appreciated my twisted humor. *smile* Peace~

Lil' Stevie's Question on Crime

[Stevie arrives home from school. His mother is in the kitchen making dinner.]
Stevie: “Hey, momma!”

Momma: “Hey Stevie! How was school today?”

Stevie: “It was okay.”

[Stevie slumps into the chair at the kitchen table]

Momma: “What’s wrong baby? Is everything all right in school?”

Stevie: “Momma, didn’t you always tell me that if somebody put their hands on me that I should make sure that they don’t do it again?”

Momma: [Mother rushes to look at Stevie closely] “Yes. Why, did somebody put their hands on you today?”

Stevie: “No, but Officer Friendly was at our school today.”

Momma: “Oh, that’s nice. I used to love it when Officer Friendly came to visit our school when I was a little girl. What did he share with the kids today?”

Stevie: “Momma, he said that more and more young black men are dying by the hands of another black man every day in America before they reach the age of 21. Officer friendly said that kids are dying by the thousands!”

Momma: “Yes child…it’s a mess out there. A young boy was just killed over on 4th Street just the other day, but what does that have to do with what I told you?”

Stevie: “Well, I was thinking. There must be a lot of mothers out there telling their sons the same thing that you told me.”

Momma: “Hmmm…what makes you say that?”

Stevie: “Well, I was thinking...there are thousands of young black men who will never get a chance to put their hands on anybody ever again.”

Photography: The DC I See

Note: Photo was taken at Mocha Hut on U Street in Washington D.C.

Questions On A Monday Afternoon

Do you ever think about the fact that you don't have total control of your life? Perhaps you do? Oh, we'd like to think that we have it together and that we're in complete control of our lives, but are we? I'm thinking this because I know that there are plans and activities that I have in my mind to execute, but my body and spirit won't budge??? This leads me to believe that there is an opposing force holding me back. Perhaps it's just me?

Why Am I Here?

Life is about overcoming the predicament of human existence. It is conquering our human selves and moving past the vainglorious perceptions of who we are. It is endeavoring for a higher form of existence through self examination and spiritual awareness. If not, then why are we here?

Bewildered

Good morning!

Life is funny you know. I mean really..... do you know? I was just talking to a friend of mine yesterday and we were discussing how difficult life has become as an adult. I think that 80% of our grief and confusion is self-induced. We put ourselves through so much trying to decide what to do with our lives. I hope to circumvent all of the hoping and wondering and get right to it. Yeah, good luck Steve!!! I know! It's all about an action plan. I must compose an action plan! This will help me move things along at a faster pace. It's worked in the past and there is no way I would be where I am otherwise. I'm glad that It has been at my own pace to a certain extent because it has slowed the aging process. I'm not nearly as stressed as some who seem to have everything. That's right....I don't want to move along because things are so bad. I want to move along because things are so comfortable. Besides, I am the locomotive type. I must move along eventually. I know what you must be thinking, 'Steve has commitment issues.' I don't mind committing. I just have to decide what it is that I want to commit to. Anyway, may the rest be the best.

Dear Momma

Good afternoon,

Whoa! I got a late start this morning. I had a stop or two to make before I came in to work. I had a restful sleep last night and woke up to the OJay's on the radio. You know that song, "she use to be my girl........she had a charmin' personality.....and I loved her." I can't wake up to the buzzzzzzzzz!!!!! or arnttttttttt!!!!! sound of an alarm; I must wake up to music. Mother's Day is coming up Sunday. I sent my Mother her card and I am going to take her to brunch this Saturday. I'm trying to avoid the whole Mother's Day madness thing.
My mother is a special lady just like many on this planet. She has been through the rain and the storm to where she is now. As a matter of fact, she is that wild flower that is still intact after storm. Like many innercity mothers she raised all four of us alone with very little financial assistance. All of us are not doing what we should, but we are all decent human beings. We are caring individuals who try to help when we can and we all love our mother. Life would've been much more difficult if it weren't for the support of our mother who loved us, but chastised us when we were wrong. She is a blessing to have around. My grandmother Eunice has been gone since 1999. She was a mother to me as well and I know that she is still praying for me in spirit. Thank God for our mothers! I've always felt that my first African ancestor to make it to these American shores was a woman. A strong, beautiful, loving mother. Peace~

Civileyes Thoughts

When I was younger I wanted to be an actor so that I could portray a great character on stage. I became older and thought perhaps I will live my life in such a way that great actors will audition to portray me.

Author: Stephen Bess

Searchin'...

"Vocations which we wanted to pursue, but didn't, bleed, like colors, on the whole of our existence. "
Author: Honore de Balzac

It's Friday!!!!!!!! Yes, I am like this every Friday. Yes, it's Steve the ultimate soul searcher. Seriously, I do more soul searching than Chuck Brown. There are other souls out there like me trying to find their way and looking for that glimmer of light that will lead them in the right direction. There is one thing that I understand about myself though; I want to create! I've always been an artist at heart. I mean everything from painting, playing an instrument, sculpting---you name it. Now, it's only fair to say that I have never been trained at either of those crafts; however, I am fair with a paint brush. As I grow older I realize more and more how important it is to pursue that which gives you most joy. "Material thangs that I thought had so much val-yah...ah girl I found they didn't really have any val-yah at all..." Sang Lionel! It's true though. Go for yours! Follow your dreams! Look inside your heart and you will find your true calling. Don't be slave to Louie V and Gucci. Don't be a slave to a house that you can't afford with an SUV in the driveway. Ok, that might be easier for me to say because I don't have any of those things, but you know I'm right. :) By the way, I'm not saying that it's not alright to have these things, but you should be able to live comfortably with them. Overall, be true to you and live your dreams. You might as well get what you want so go on and live. Have a great weekend! Peace~

The Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known.....

Good morning-

This mornings walk to the subway was cool and brisk. I love the feel of the cool air on my face. It wakes up my senses and it makes me feel more alive. Life is beautiful and sweet. There is beauty in the moment that you see a June bug (rare in DC), or some other beautiful rare thing. It's the little things that mean so much. They are life's sweetners. If you put a little bit of sweetness into your daily existence the day would taste so much better. Yes! Life can leave a bad taste in your mouth sometimes.

This web diary is part of my quest to develop good habits. I want to read and write more and watch less television. Televison can rob you of your ambition. I can't let that happen! What are good habits vs. bad habits? Who decides that? I think that I decide what is good vs bad in terms of my habits. My cousin, Gary says that it is a matter of personal perception and how the individual perceives things. I believe that. Well, I won't get off into any ontological theories, but I just wanted to talk about that for a moment.

I am about to go on my break in a minute. I have my tea every morning at 10:15. It's one of my good habits. I prefer ginger tea with lemon and honey. It's just the right elixir to start my day off and it leaves a sweet taste. God bless my friend, Anthony Blount in Williamston, NC. His mother passed away yesterday. We called her Miss Loraine. Peace~

Photo:  A cup of coffee with plenty of cream