Leaves in the Wind, Part I

Looking through the window of my bedroom, I watch a pile of leaves as they took flight with the assistance of Autumn's wind.  Once racked neatly in a heap, now all of a sudden each leaf was on its own. Nothing or no one to guide them and tell them how to maneuver.  They were alone with no predetermined destination.  Some didn't fly for long! Some would land and just lay dormant.  Then there were the leaves, with the lucky disposition to fall for any a quick minute of rest, to be abruptly swept up again by the mighty winds of nature.  Never having rest, but creating whirlwinds of entertainment for lurkers.  


In life we start in one place, then the breeze of life happens, and we're spinning from one place to the other.  Like the leaves, we have no control of where we will land, and we're just hoping for the best. 

Then others have learned how to ride the breeze and glide through life with a specific destination en-route, never letting the wind control their destination, yet an internal navigation system, DIVINE PURPOSE. 

My oldest daughter is turning 16 this weekend.  She enjoys many things and is still trying to understand herself and her talents, so I asked her last night, "Why do you think you're here?"  In normal teenage fashion, she just shrugged her shoulders and answered, "I don't know." 

Many of us are now in our 30's and 40's and when asked this question would give the same answer.  We're struggling, just trying to figure things out as we go.  Haphazardly, blowing along through life.  Being picked up and tossed by our jobs, and every little traumatic event we indulge in; as we watch way too much television.  Our lives are purposeless!

In the Dagara indigenous tradition, of the Burkina Faso,  when a mother is pregnant she must go through a Hearing Ritual.  Sonbonfu Some explained this ritual in a 2009 article for Cultural Survival Quarterly Magazine, "The purpose of a hearing ritual is to listen to the incoming baby; to find out who it is; why it’s coming at this time; what it’s purpose is; what it likes or dislikes; and what the living can do to prepare space for this person."  

Each child is born with a purpose, and it's the task of the village or community to help them remember and fulfill their destiny. 

Living in a system where material gain determines self-worth, it's hard to live on purpose.  Our primary objective is to make money and if we're lucky - make a lot of it! Therefore, we're still blowing in the wind, shrugging our shoulders not knowing who we are, why we came here and what we're meant to do. 

I'll share a secret with you; I had a hearing ritual (so to say) at the age of 38. I was I shocked and honestly a little disappointed to learn; I volunteered to come back and be a mother to my children.  As time went by, I began to reminisce about my life.  With each crisis and push of the wind, it started to make sense.  If I came here to be a mother to my children, then who are my children?  I didn't return to amend a wrong, or to be the next multi-millionaire; I volunteered to be a mother.  So who are my children?  And what must I guide them to do?

We don't know, but this mother ain't raising no leaves! 

To be Continued...

Welcome the Plot Twists

When the story takes unexpected turns, and the antagonists seem to have the upper hand; how does your character survive?

Enjoy the Plot Twists of life! As the pages of life's story turn, the Plot Twists are life's signals of a forthcoming Climax. 

Right after graduating high school, I was all set (so I thought) to start my new life story as a college freshman at an all-girls college outside of Atlanta.  Shortly after arriving at the campus, an open-handed, five finger slap landed furiously across my face! 

Plot Twist!  

I had an outstanding balance of over a several thousand dollars.  My scholarship and financial aid left me a lovely, expensive gift!

PLOT TWIST!

So my college journey didn't start it that fall.  I went back home and started at the local university.  Nevertheless, it was still a magical experience. I got my first real job, met some life-long friends, and made more mistakes (plot twist) while creating unforgettable memories.  

Now in hindsight, I wasn't mature enough to attend college just thirty minutes away from a major metropolitan city.  Instead, I would journey off to college, approximately a year and a half later.  

My cup may not have runneth over with wisdom, but attending school while living at home for a year gave me a better perspective of my intellectual talents, while I learned the rules and regulations of tackling college courses with successful ease.  With all this new knowledge, I was able to attend college, away from home, making the President's List several times, without having a nervous breakdown or over indulging in destructive vices.

My Plot Twist of returning home was only preparing me for a more significant learning experience. It may not have been notably smoother (plot twist, after plot twist), yet my resilience flourished. 

Life's unexpected circumstances or Plot Twists develops critical thinking skills.  With each twist, new roads are created, bringing a magnitude of lessons and welcomed companions to share them! 

Welcome the Plot Twist, then create your best life's story! Turn with the twist and await for the Climax!

To Love a Natural Woman, A Modern Fairytale

Once upon a time... 

There lived a Natural Woman.  She had a lovely spirit and was immensely attractive.  Men waited for her to pass in the market, just so to see her smile and interact with the shop keepers.   The town admired her beauty, yet  feared her murderous wrath. This Natural Woman was also an assassin.  


This Natural Woman, killed with her tongue. Her words could be sweet like the honey, then if angered she would spit venom.  This woman loved humanity, yet she was equipped to kill at a moments notice if her sensibilities were threatened.  Many men took chances in loving her. The Natural Woman welcomed some of their advances, yet they all failed. 

Then the Natural Man come to town. His complexion was like the starless night and smoother than the richest dark chocolate. This Natural man walked into town with the power to love any woman he pleased.  He came from a land where he was always accepted and never had to fight or legitimize his existence. 

The calm and wise Natural Man was intrigued by the Natural Woman's beauty, yet after witnessing her venomous destruction, he was dumbfounded. He was astonished. Why did a Natural Woman, blessed with such beauty, annihilate with such venomous words and a piercing glances. 

The Natural Man was not afraid of the Natural Woman.  He was fascinated by the immensity of her contrasting personality mannerisms.  The Natural Man decided to learn the Natural Woman's ways.  Even though she had the power to destroy him, he loved her.

The Natural Man began to court the enchanting Natural Woman.  Now, the Natural Woman was attracted to the Natural Man.  Nonetheless,  she held her abilities close.  She was ready to kill, if this Natural Man ever became a threat to her perceived happiness. 

Time went on...the Natural Woman would spit her venom at The Natural Man when she felt threaten, but the Natural Man was never injured.  He would catch her venom in his month, and quietly walk into the fields. After some time, he would come back and smile at his Natural Woman and whisper, "My love for you is unyielding."

Each time the Natural Woman would hear these words, she would feel regret for trying to offend her Natural Man. 

She began to think why this Natural Man could take so much of her venom and never perish.  So likewise, she began to watch him.  

He would react to every life experience with a smile and a kind response.  Her Natural Man was strong and kind. If someone wronged him, the Natural Man would stand tall and would make his opponent hide their face in shame. The Natural Woman held these lessons close. 

One day the Natural Man forgot to bring the Natural Woman his regular gift of purple roses.  The Natural Man was ready

to take the venom which awaited him.   The Natural Woman slowly turned to the Natural Man. She opened her mouth and sweet words of gratitude poured into the Natural Man's ears.  She did not have venom for him.  Her words brushed the Natural Man's ears like satin clouds.

The Natural Man began to cry. The Natural Woman wiped his tears and said, " You have shown me true love.  Your love has finally helped me control my powers.  I'm eternally grateful to you. I hated how the towns people feared me.  That's why I was so charming and nice to them.  Some would take advantage of my kindness and abuse me.  Their insolence triggered my venom. I had no control over it. Now because the love of a Natural Man, I now come into a better understanding of myself."

The Natural man responded, "Yes my love. I learned it was how you guarded your heart. I had to learn to penetrate your cognizance, then your heart would be free." 

The Natural Woman covered her face and tears leaked behind her hands. "But I could have killed you. How did you survive my venom?"

Her beloved Natural Man replied , "My Princess, I held the venom in my mouth, then sprayed it over the soil to eradicate the vermin around your purple rose garden.  Your venom protects your roses and let's them grow without molestation.  When used suitably, venom protects the beautiful things of this life."

The Natural Woman began to use her venom to protect the town people from invaders and external assaults.  Her community loved her and all fear dissipated. 

The Natural Man continued to love and learn his Natural Woman.  Together, they continued to protect and cultivate the beautiful things of  this life. 

It's Never The End, Just another Beginning...