This is the scene I woke up to on my 33rd birthday: A simple, elegant, vibrant daisy brilliantly and naturally lit by the morning sun.
Tag Archives: hope
On Elections and Voting: Empower others
19 OctWhy worry about who someone’s voting for or why? Where is the power in that?
Why not focus instead on whether someone has found their voice, whether they are exercising their power by voting, whether they are encouraging others to vote? That is powerful.
In 2008, I cried watching diverse people of all ages and races unite on election night. I teared up again when our President proclaimed his pride, while my friend’s family and their infant daughter watched, in executing another human being. I fumed reading headlines about battles in Washington DC, about budget crises, hate, restrictive new voting laws.
Where is the power in that?
I listened in stunned agreement when the Governor known best for lying spoke truth about faith and politics. I heard the absent cry of humans dying around the world when foreign policy was discussed.
Where is the power in that?
I shuddered in early 2008 with the understanding that our then-campaigning President would be no advocate for the poor. Today I ache to see growing references to slavery in movies and media. Ache, hearing the familiar entitlement, condescending tone in the Governor’s voice as he addresses the President.
Where is the power in that?
It hurts to see people struggle to treat others with dignity, because I know how much they must be hurting if being kind brings them pain. It’s frustrating to witness the confounding struggle to protect freedom by limiting it.
Where is the power in that?
It’s unclear how the average person is supposed to understand how legislation and policy breaks down along lines of class, race, gender and geography. It’s difficult to clearly see and truly understand a reality that has been shaped, retouched, rewritten, finessed, and highlighted to advance a specific agenda. I’ve watched in frustration, the ravaging conundrum that is capitalism, contingent freedom, and privileged democracy.
Where is the power in that?
While the entertainment factor of US campaigning and the distress factor around the world skyrockets, very little is said about how important, how easy it is to vote. There’s been more interest in toys and office supplies during these campaigns than voter’s rights.
Where’s the power in that?
Of course, things do get better. Always.
Whether that happens because things can get no worse, or because we slowly progress forward, is of no matter.
Place trust, faith in no man.
When our nation was born, our constitution said… Says… I am not fully human, and am not allowed to vote both because I’m black and because I’m a woman. We limit ourselves by expecting any human being to change the downward spiral of the planet and human race, particularly in the same length of time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Where is the power in that?
I’m no politician, but I have a voice. I’ve dedicated my life to figuring out how and when to use it for the best purpose. That is powerful.
We can’t let the terribly divisive tactics of media, political parties and personal agenda drive us into angered silence. That only feeds self-destruction. Nothing grows or flourishes when it seeks to destroy itself. Sickness worsens with neglect.
Where is the power in that?
Be informed. Learn about what’s at stake this election. Research it, from all sides. Make a decision. Vote. That is powerful.
I turn 33 this year, and look forward to my birthday because something important that’s not about me tends to happen around that date. One year, we earned hundreds of thousands of dollars for a local urban farm. Another year hundreds of volunteers helped improve our community center. Another year a man was elected to lead a nation… In spite of the fact that its founders proclaimed him less than human. That is powerful.
This year, we have a chance to vote not only for the President, but for Senate and Assembly seats, for laws that affect how we all live. That is powerful.
Wherever we all stand on issues of politics, we can agree voting is important, powerful. Think about how much of your time and effort is spent empowering others to simply find and use their voice by voting, vs. how much time is spent distracting from their empowerment to advance your agenda.
Where is the power in that?
If you are one of the privileged few who understand and feel impassioned about the way the American democracy works, your voice will be particularly important in empowering others to use theirs and vote, as election day nears.
That is powerful.
The load test: Don’t cheat yourself with delusions about happy endings
11 SepOne night my best friend and I were watching a really great kung fu movie, Curse of the Golden Flower. The movie ending was abrupt, anti-climactic, irresolute and inconclusive. It left us with no sense of reconciliation, optimism, perseverance, or any of those other happy-ending feelings so typical of most movies.
As the ending approached, my friend cried out in horror:
“No! Oh Lord, No! This is NOT the ending. Stop it. YOU, stop that! Stop it right now.”
Funny as the moment was, we could have stopped the film but it wouldn’t have ended.
It was done.
In the film, a family fell apart, destroyed by greed, lust, hatred and power. We reflected afterward, realizing and accepting that as terrible as it felt, some things are just tragic:
There is no way to prettily correct and quickly soothe the wrong that doesn’t dismiss and belittle the tragedy itself.
Tragedy is.
All we can know is what we learned. And sometimes all we learn is just how much we can handle.
September 11, 2001.
The world certainly was different.
Who knows what might have been.
Would we have been at war? Would Bush have been reelected?
Maybe.
Maybe Katrina would have turned out differently. Maybe Obama wouldn’t have been elected. Maybe Citizens United wouldn’t have happened.
Maybe people wouldn’t think George W. Bush or Osama bin Laden when they heard the term Christian or Muslim. Maybe hate crimes would have been fewer. Maybe the world would be less black and white, good against evil, occidental vs. oriental, rich vs. poor.
Maybe not.
We can’t know.
What we can do is trust, that we have farther to go. The ending of that film invited the viewer to accept the gravity of the tragedy, then resolve it for themselves. It left us with responsibility for what comes next.
The resolution and happy ending filled with love and joy can’t be given to us, we have to make it. Otherwise it’s as meaningless as the superficial joy brought by any other love for purchase.
There’s strength in knowing there’s more ahead and the painful past is a tool of refinement to learn from. It’s difficult to trust though, especially if we don’t know who we’re trusting in.
So for some, there’s a desperate need to understand: For it all to make sense.
Some find security in knowing we won’t ever understand: Because if man could, that would mean man’s intellectual capacity were equal to that of God.
And what kind of God would that be? To me, it’s far more reassuring to know the world rests in the hands of the infinitely good, Great Unknown whose thinking is light years beyond my own.
That is very black and white.
So I try, with every wound and every scar, every moment of anguish and desperation to look at what it really says about me: What can I handle?
That is our load test. The scary danger of the load test is that it always puts the subject at risk.
By definition though, if the subject doesn’t break under the load it’s strong enough to bear it.
The only way to determine maximum operating capacity is to increase the load.
Unlike machines, we grow and change and develop constantly as we’re operating. So… As long as we’re alive we’ll continue to be tested as our capacity increases.
Accept it.
A machine wouldn’t flip out, rust up and run into a corner to drink and party itself to death because the technician entered the building to administer the test.
Readiness is all that’s needed.
Let’s stay ready, stay reverent, trusting.
Empowered refusal: If_____, then _____. vs. Is_____, and_____.
5 SepDoubt, mistakes, anger, fear, judgment, weakness, hatred, confusion, disloyalty, discord, disqualification and unworthiness all come from a mindset of:
If __________,
Then_________.
Love, joy, peace, faith, hope, power, wisdom, strength, hope, excellence, acceptance, unity and order all come from a mindset of:
Is__________,
And ____________.
We’re here. We’re alive. We’re perfect just as we are. There is no contingency, qualifier, or prerequisite for us to be ready, worthy, or able. We’re not yesterday’s mistake, last year’s distress, or childhood defeat. And neither is any one else.
So what qualifies you to say otherwise, and more importantly… What damage is done to ourselves and others when we choose the mindset of fear, doubt, and contingency? How could we even know what we’ve held back from ourselves or someone else by refusing?
Refusal isn’t always, “No.” More often we refuse by saying,
“If _____, then.”
The easiest way to win a battle is to keep your enemy from ever showing up to fight. Battles are over when one side is unable or unwilling to fight. How often do you not even show up because you refuse, assuming you’re not going to win?
Thinking in a pattern of
If, Then
is refusing to show up for your own life.
Operating from a place of
Is, And
is accepting the fact that as long as you’re breathing, who you are, where you are, and what you have is all you or anyone else needs. This is your life, it is the right time, everything is ready, all you need is here and, you’ll win.
Be careful not to disqualify yourself or any one else from success.
You never know what fight will be lost as a result of empowered refusal.
Can’t vs. Won’t: Where ability and willingness collide to create roadblocks.
1 AugConstant self-development is a fascinating feature. Every moment you find yourself uncovering something new and different… And when that isn’t happening, you find yourself wondering, “Why not?”
That’s the question.
What’s stopping you?
At what point did you get bound up, blindfolded, gagged, deafened, starved, hobbled, isolated and disoriented to the point where you just can’t?
That hasn’t happened yet and never will.
What happens instead, is that you won’t.
Can’t is the state of being unable and willing.
Won’t is the state of being able and unwilling.
When you let ability and willingness collide they form roadblocks in your life, a halting confusion of self-deceit that keeps you from moving forward.
How ridiculous is that?
I mean, can’t you just picture a 4 year-old crying incessantly and pitching a fit and hurting themselves because they want chocolate… But refuse to get up to grab the Godiva on a silver platter on the table?
Everyone’s problems look insurmountable to them, while they’re happening: Otherwise, they wouldn’t have a problem.
Maintain perspective and remember there’s more. And nothing can stop you.
There is nothing in life that will prevent you from realizing your purpose. In fact, things will align for you as you start to progress toward it. Yes, you will meet with violent opposition too, but as that happens you’ll have increasing capacity to overcome.
There’s nothing you can’t do, only things you won’t do.
There is plenty in you that will prevent you from realizing your purpose. Feelings of guilt, shame, fear, doubt, rejection, inadequacy will lock you up and throw away the key. Why bind and limit yourself?
Let it go.
Get out of your way.
Stop magnifying things you won’t do and calling them impossibilities.
Quit pretending “you don’t feel like it” is a big deal, or any excuse not to live your dreams.
Get down to business.
You are willing and able.
You can and will.
Go.
Gifted part 2: Honoring men who embrace and share their gifts.
10 JulOver the weekend, some girlfriends and I had a stirring conversation about authority, and how differently we communicate when we embrace authority. We also acknowledged how intimidating it can be to know the awesome responsibility that comes with it.
As I continue the never-ending journey of self-discovery, there are several awe-inspiring, beautiful souls who motivate me, and changed who I am for the better: People who walk with authority, who boldly and courageously follow their purpose in full surrender.
Some of these beautiful souls are women, writers and professionals I’m privileged to call my friends, who prompted me to honor their gifts in this forum.
Today, this post will honor some brilliant, powerful, talented men who are fearless and commanding leaders, a blessing to all.
These men impact the lives of thousands of people and through their struggle and guiding light, are making the world a better place.
But let me assure you…
At some point every single one of these formidable men was a little boy playing with toys, whose wildest dreams didn’t compare to the vision of their lives now.
Timothy Watkins.
His father Ted was a civil rights leader and activist who migrated to California from Mississippi at 13, fleeing a lynch mob. Tim is the leader of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, a non-profit in Watts Ted founded in 1965. WLCAC helps more than 30,000 homeless, elderly, impoverished, unemployed people every year. Tim is my daddy and friend, an amazing father, musician, carpenter, mechanic, artist, leader and man who I learn from every day.
Learn more about Tim’s work at WLCAC.
Pastor Touré Roberts (PT):
The movement PT started changed my life on February 14th, 2010. Before then, I scoffed at church. Since then, I’m slowly uncovering the truth through his leadership, membership, and ministry, which is about life. Love. Power. Purpose. Strength. Joy. Peace. The deadly-serious, love and life-filled prophetic messages he shares and Godly example he sets has freed and empowered me to live fully… And I rightfully thought I was living it up pretty strong before. PT is the founder and leader of One Church International, and the Artist Resource Center (ARC) in North Hollywood and has a phenomenally talented family. And he’s flippin’ hilarious. Who quotes Suga Free in church?
Learn more about PT’s work at One Church and the ARC.
Jason Mitchell:
There are friends you feel you’ve known forever. Who leave no doubt there are no coincidences in this world, no random connections. A photographer, community activist, spiritual leader and motivational speaker, Jason is a force to be reckoned with. I’m inspired by his life, excited to see how his journey continues to unfold.
Learn more about Jason’s photography.
Travis Townsend:
Travis is using his talent as a communicator and young attorney to change the way people understand the law and break the cycle of incarceration for young people of color. He built his own practice in Atlanta, is an active community leader, speaker, volunteer, mentor, and co-author of the groundbreaking book, When the Cops Come Knocking, an instructional guide to criminal law using laymen’s terms. He’s definitely one of those guys who leave you wondering whether you really optimized your time today.
Learn more about Travis’ law firm or book.
PeQue Brown:
It is extremely rare for someone to be born a talented visual artist, leader, singer, visionary and pastor. It’s even more rare to meet and work with such a person. PeQue is all those things and more, and his unique ministry, LIQUID, uses live mural painting, song, dance, spoken word, acting, and hip hop to transform lives all over the world. 
Gabriel Roland:
I’ve been singing for over thirty years. Only last year did I realize my singing had the power to change my own life and others through worship. This realization came in part because of Gabe, who’s had the privilege of being mentored by PT. His commitment to excellence, exemplary guiding force and leadership for the most powerful music ministry I’ve ever heard, has truly transformed the way I saw my own gifts, and helped me grow as a singer, person and leader. Not to mention, he’s got a fantastic voice, is an amazing songwriter, pianist and guitarist, cuts a mean rug…
And generous spirit he is, his mix tape is online.
$Free.99
Nathan Fluellan:
This man lives for a living. I mean, he travels the world experiencing different cultures and lifestyles, and has made it his purpose to share that with others. He has a genuine love for people and appreciation of life that shows in everything he does, whether it’s flying an airplane, leading karaoke (singing is not Nathan’s purpose), running with the bulls in Barcelona, or ascending mountains in Cape Town.
Learn more about Nate’s company, World Wide Nate.
Jaime Guerrero:
Like jewelry making, glassblowing is an extremely rare and expensive art form. Few artists learn the craft, and even fewer use it to facilitate social change and impact the lives of those less fortunate. Through his work with Tim at WLCAC, Jaime is diligently using his passion for the dangerous and beautiful art form to turn life around for kids in Watts who had no idea they could become expert glassblowers… Much less put their talents to the test. Jaime’s sculptures deal with symbols of Chicano culture that resonate with youth living in poverty all over the country.
Ebenezer Quaye:
Ebenezer is an admirable man, friend, teacher, actor, writer, singer, dancer, cook, and baker. He has the most powerfully insightful understanding of human nature I’ve ever seen, and an enormous heart. He shares inspiring meditations on scripture daily. His approach to life and presence within mine necessitated self-evolution in ways I didn’t know were possible. I’m a different, and better person in part, because of him. Ebenezer is a living example: The way we live our own life can change someone else’s for the better.
A living example.
Not one month ago, the healthy, vivacious spirit below was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition: Multiple blood clots in both lungs. Came out of nowhere, had no explanation. How did he take it?
As a sign of God’s plan for greatness in his life: Ordinary people aren’t targeted for assassination.
Read Ebenezer’s daily inspirational messages here.
Every single one of these men are living their lives with the intent and purpose that comes with knowing every life, every day, every hour matters.
These men are shining beacons of God’s light and glory, beautiful examples inside and out, of what we can achieve when we MOVE, fearless and without shame, FORWARD.
Do what you love.
Don’t be afraid of the responsibility that comes with authority.
Don’t forget:
You never know how a small part of your life is making a big difference in another’s.
Be encouraged.
Mortality and awakening
9 JulLast month, my best friend, the love of my life who is a really healthy, active, sensible eater and non-drinker, ended up in the hospital unexpectedly with a condition that usually causes sudden death, and is usually brought on by a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and a host of other things.
None of which apply. He is a walking anomaly, exception, strange case.
This weekend Kyle Glover, an 11-year-old boy suffered a traumatic accident and is fighting for his laugh, having been declared brain dead.
Life is lost and given unexpectedly enough for us to understand: No earthly thing is promised.
Confronting mortality brings a powerful sense of perspective into your life.
All of a sudden, you are forced to realize when it comes down to life or death, nothing matters but you and God.
The following five statements are excerpted from an article about the top five regrets of patients living out their last days.
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Read more about the top 5 regrets.
For many of us, in this moment, we aren’t on our deathbed. We are alive and free, healthy and roaming. Don’t wait for a death scare to hit you or a loved one to awaken you.
Take a minute.
You never know what you’ll be faced with, but you can choose to let it strengthen you, re-center you.
Like these inspiring ladies:
Over the weekend, the Williams sisters have once again made history.
“Returning to the tennis court wasn’t easy for Serena who suffered a two year tennis drought after winning the Wimbledon in 2010. That same year… She underwent an emergency surgery for blood clots found in her lungs…
‘…I just wanted to make it out of the hospital. And I wasn’t even thinking about tennis. I was just thinking about my family, and thinking about just making it out of that moment. That’s when you realize you have perspectives about life… Ultimately, I’m the one out there and I make my own destiny.’”
Read more: Serena Williams Overcomes Adversity To Take Home 5th Wimbledon Trophy
Be inspired.
Be encouraged.
Every minute you’re alive is a chance to get it right.
Faith- Song lyrics
27 JunPain:
A sweet and oily ominous warning.
Trust:
Abandon, all surrendering, nothing knowing.
Blood:
Poisonous, precious, life and death,
Slow coursing, cycling,
Pure and light-filled.
Love.
Of all these, love.
Love.
Touch of skin warm with life,
Laughter floating formed in strife,
Ever failing ever ripe,
Deeper, deeper, deeper, still.
Deeper, deeper, deeper, still.
Love.
Of all these, love,
Love.
Gaze at you lit with life,
Tears outpouring, all is right,
Always living all ways life,
Higher, higher, higher, still.
Higher, higher, higher, still.
Trust
Abandon all-surrendering, nothing knowing.
Love.
Of all these, love,
Love.
Written June 16, 2012
By Tina Watkins
Nothing really matters…
21 JunSomehow, I found a man way better than I ever dreamed and fell in love with him. He fell in love with me, thank goodness or that would have been awkward. Since a few months before we realized we were head-over heels for each other, our friends, family, and random strangers have commented regularly on how powerful our display of love and appreciation for one another is.
We’re both open, cheesy, sappy romantics, and are best friends to boot. We are far, far from perfect but even our worst moments have been miraculously love-filled, love-deepening experiences.
I think the world of this man. He is incredibly handsome, sweet, brilliant, caring, talented, powerful, God-fearing, communicative, intuitive, loyal, strong, successful, and downright hilarious.
It is common to find me staring at him with that goopy-eyed mess reserved for cartoons with hearts reverberating from the character’s eyes.
On top of generally having a deep appreciation for who he is as a man, friend, artist, and spirit, I’ve been very intentional about demonstrating my appreciation for every big and little thing he does. I take special care to show appreciation for being open about the bad times.
I’ve showered this man with the (second-) deepest love and affection I could muster, from supporting and encouraging his spiritual walk, career, relationships, and personal development, to feeding every plane of his existence.
Our relationship has been the journey of a lifetime and it’s still only a toddler.
There’s nothing like a wake-up call to add a little perspective.
I realized recently that in spite of all that, I had been taking him for granted.
Not in the obvious, shallow sense. It was much more simple and profound. The reality simply never sunk in that one day he won’t be around. Not that we might break up or that we might have to make it work long distance. Not alive.
The realization and acceptance of mortality is the most effective reminder of what it means to truly appreciate someone.
I found myself moved to tears by the warmth of the skin covering his hand as I held it. The simple awareness that as I gazed on him sleeping peacefully, he was alive, his mind and heart fully functioning. The open joy of hearing him snore and knowing it means he’s breathing deeply.
It’s a scary feeling to look into the eyes of the person you depend on and find they are incapable of finding yours. Every glance after that is a love story.
Thankfully, along with the basic indicators of vitality we can also still enjoy the many other wonders that make our life together so joyous and purposeful.
Still, I pray I never forget that feeling, of knowing the ocean only runs so deep, of touching the bottom of the ocean floor, and knowing it can’t be danced upon.
I pray that forever, I weigh the importance of my choices against the value of life.
I guess, because it’s so hard, it makes stuff really easy.
Not much matters.
Maybe that’s why children and older folks are so carefree and intentional all at once. The beginning and ending of life is free of distraction from what’s most important.
What are you taking for granted?
What have you not acknowledged as impermanent?
What would you revel in with that realization?
The mid-year mark: June 2012
18 JunOn Tuesday June 5th at 1:30am life changed forever. That hour marked the beginning of new understanding in trust, love, faith, peace, strength, and grace.
I thought I knew.
On Tuesday June 5th at 1:30am the world began to shift: From certain, promised and planned to nothing and everything, all at once.
I thought I believed.
Hours passed and everything dependable disappeared. Faith was all. Like a free-fall without parachute I fell free, into His goodness, trusting patiently.
I thought I loved.
On Tuesday June 5th, at 1:30am I was reminded that nothing is promised, life is not what it appears. Days dragged and the simple blessing of life, captured in love’s look, touch and word overwhelmed.
I thought I was strong.
On Tuesday June 5th at 1:30am my core liquefied: A boiling rage of power releasing soothing mist, with forceful depths supporting life-giving earth. A week passed. Emptiness settled. Cold, uncaring, blaming. I cried for help.
I thought I had a voice.
Wrenched from me in gasping tears, quieted in shame-filled thoughts, stilled in desperate longing, weighted in fervent prayer, lifted in soaring praise, screaming in anguished pain, a powerful call sounded and my voice left me.
It isn’t mine.
That Tuesday marked the beginning of a new, brilliant journey as unfamiliar and unsettling as ever new beginnings are.
Everything washed clean.
A tremendous reaching from Earth’s core to draw roots deeper, from Heaven’s light to pull, lifting higher.
Just two weeks ago, the most important person in my life was nearly lost and we still don’t know the cause.
We knew why.
When you have power, live in purpose, your life becomes a threat.
When you are threatening, any number of strategies may be used to eliminate that threat: By claiming your life, silencing your voice, holding you hostage, decimating your strength.
When you’re in the middle of the battlefield, it’s easy to lose sight of where your most powerful weapons and soldiers are.
When that happens you retreat to take inventory, identify who’s on your side, rethink your strategy, and come up whoopin’ ass.
That’s how the middle of 2012 unfolded.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the year: Of life.
Grateful for what the year has brought so far.
