Ran to the Sea

Untitled poem by Shell
Morning came
I ran to the sea
to find
where Mountains
kissed Sky
so I got in my boat
with my best lilac dress on
and sailed away
to see all I could
in a blue sky day..
(inspired by a painting by Mystele)

Thursday!

Last night, I didn't sleep too well. Today, I woke up to a bright day. Which instantly lifted me up. In honor of my favorite day of the week! I'm celebrating what is making me happy today.

1) I have my new issue of Romantic Homes to read.
2) Boss of You by Lauren Bacon is waiting for me at the library. Which I'm going to pick up today
3) It is a beautiful sunny day
4) I have been exercising daily for 10-15 minutes and results are slowly beginning to show.
5) I am soon getting pretty yellow paint to do more painting in my apartment.

What is making you happy today? Please share, I love to hear all.

As always, I hope you spend time to work on your dream today.

Fantasy on a misty day

This is one of my top ten videos of all time. Wicked Game by Chris Isaak is a beautiful song. Back in the day Supermodel Helena Christensen and Chris heat up the screen. This gem directed by Herb Ritts makes me lament his untimely passing. He had a way with photography and videos that is timeless. I can't believe this song and video is almost 20 years old. Wow. It fits the weather today. All misty and cloudy here in New York. Enjoy.

Abundance

I have been experiencing cash flow issues. It has been challenging, I'm staying committed to the road to abundance and success. I do indulge the dark clouds on occasion with woe is me thoughts, I try to balance it with feeding my mind with positive things. I took out of the library this week Zero to Zillionaire by Chellie Campbell. I've read her books before, they always give me a pickme up. I especially like she's a former actress! It's a fun and down to earth book.

I had to go check out my credit card statement today, I wanted to have some positive music as I went there. I found this video which has a simple message about money. It's about five minutes long, as you go on to other blogs. Just leave it on. You will be singing by the end of it. Trust me. If this song was remixed with a phat beat, it would be a hit.

Here are some of my favorite affirmations from Chellie.

All my dues are paid in full.
Money flows to me like water from a faucet.
People love to give me money.
Something wonderful is happening to me today - I can feel it.
Thank you God, for my abundant blessings.
Money is rushing to me from expected and unexpeceted places.
A lot of money is coming into my life. I deserve it and will use it for myself and others.
My positive thinking works for me, whether I believe it does or not.


As always, I hope you continue to work on your dreams daily.

Looking ahead

Happy Monday. I've been around happily going to everyone else's blogs seeing what is going on. It has been fun. I was able to take the needed time to think where I want to go for the next six months.

I know people generally do a year's plan or five years' plan. I like to do it in smaller increments. The truth is the future is always in motion. You never know when your going to be thrown a wicked curveball in your plans. Have to know where you wish to go and also be flexible when you need to sail in another direction.

I also thought about how good it is to know what you will say no to. The power of the word No is awesome. No means yes to yourself. No means knowing what your heart really wants to do instead of giving a weak yes. This weekend I found myself saying No and feeling free.

I'll be back tomorrow. I'm going to work on doing a video too. Haven't done one in a while. Thinking of reading a passage from Jane Eyre. As always, I hope you are taking time to work on your dream daily.

Time to Dream

I got to see Harry Potter last night at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC. I've said this before, it's a wonderful place to watch a movie. It was great being back in the movie theater again. Since my Sean's passing, I haven't gone at all. I enjoyed Harry Potter and it was wonderful to escape to another world.

I'm almost at the halfway mark in my birth year. I am feeling the need to reflect, dream and and listen to where I want to co-pilot my life in these next six months. I'm going to take a few days away. I'll be visiting all of your places, of course.

I do hope you take time to work on your dream today and every day. Remember your dreams are waiting for you to make them live.

Dream Thought #14

"Today choose to be the point of transformation for your people. Make your decision and then act accordingly. Countless numbers of future generations may have you to thank for having the courage to break the cycle of multi-generational dysfunction and limitation, allowing your descendants to live a more fulfilling and joyful life. My heart sings at the possibility." - Maria Durden

More Jane Eyre

I know I go on and on about Jane Eyre. I truly love this book. I found this yesterday, I had to share. The Center of the Performing Arts in Beijing, China is staging Jane Eyre. I so love to see this. Here is a video of it.

(pictures from english. CCTV.com)

It got me thinking if someone did an all Black version of Jane Eyre. You could change the time period a bit. The essential story remains the same. It could work with the right people involved. I can see it. (Maybe someone has, I just never heard about it.)

"Thank you, Mr. Rochester, for your great kindness. I am strangely glad to get back again to you;and wherever you are is my home -- my only home." Jane to Mr. Rochester on returning to Thornfield Hall.

Be Another you for a day

One of the best acting tips I got was when I working on a play in my 20's. The director told me to do a whole day of things that wasn't me. Whatever I do normally, do the opposite of. The idea was to help me break out of certain habits so I can get into the crazy character I was doing. I loved that idea. It is something I do from time to time to shake me out of routine and expand my idea of self.

Now, the weekend is here. I suggest for all of you to try this. Today, tomorrow or even Sunday..do things that is unlike you. Here's a easy one. Wear something that is not "you." If you wear dark colors, wear bright colors. If you wear heels all the time, wear flats. If you wear a lot of makeup going out, go with a natural look. If you always listen to a certain type of music, then go for something completely different. I'm sure you get the idea. Run with it and sees what happens.

On Wednesday, I wore a pretty tank top. I don't like having my arms out because my upper arms are too jelly for my taste. (I'm currently working on that to correct the problem.) I felt uncomfortable at first, after a while I felt so good and free. So I'm going to do it again.

If you do try this tip, let me know how it works for you. I do hope you spend time working on your dream today. Your dreams are waiting for you to help bring them to life.

Moss Love

I said before how I love the british comedy tv series: IT Crowd. My fave is Moss played by the very funny Richard Ayoade. He is so cute! Yes, I definitely have Moss Love. Enjoy the clip.

Bright Ideas

Bright ideas swimming in my head:

1) Working on my first proposal to teach a class on monologues.
2) Beginning to get a feel on how I like to teach acting.
3) I need to eventually find studio space to rent.
4) Muting my inner critic who I call Ms. Priss..cause she is prissy!! (Prissiness runs in my family, though thankfully I don't have a lot of this trait) who keeps telling me you can't possibly do this.
5) Reminded that sometimes the hardest thing is just to start a new venture. Everything after that seems to get easier.
6) Shell self promotion: if anyone needs a private acting teacher in NYC area just send me an e-mail.

Now..my brain feels happy. I can relax. On other news, I finished Jane Eyre yesterday. I do adore this book. And I'm now rereading Persuasion. Yes, I know I just read it. I felt the need to revisit it again. It's even better the second time around. After that, I'm rereading Women who run with wolves. I've read it when it first came out and again about seven years ago. Now time for a third read with me in a new decade.

Tomorrow, I'll be back with another post. Something silly and fun. I do hope you have worked on your dream today.

Your True Voice

Our family and friends from when we are little to being grown women and men share their advice, thoughts and ideas on life. It can be a great thing. There comes a time when you have to look through all you have heard and taken in. Make choices on what rings true for you. I feel the voice you need to hear when you starting a new path in your life, want to take a calculated risk or just want to shake things up is your true voice. Not the voices from relatives and friends who admonish you to play it safe, just be content with what you have, be grateful and don't reach too far and, give up on your long held dreams.

How do you find your true voice? You get quiet. Turn of the cd, the tv, the mp3 player, your computer and put down your book. Just be. Maybe write in your journal, paint, sing, pray or whatever you can do to get you into a peaceful state. Listen and you'll hear your real voice speaking to you.

As my beloved Yoda would say: "When you are calm and at peace, you will know." So will you, my friends.

As you do your daily play and work on your dreams and plans, let your true voice guide you on what your next step is to be.

Dreamy Sunday

I've been off and on trying to write a post today. My mind wanders and weaves in ideas and thoughts.

Today the quote:" Live your questions now, and perhaps even without knowing it, you will live along some distant day into your answers" by Rainer Maria Rilke stepped into my brain.

I was having a conversation with a friend and suddenly I heard a click in my head. As if an answer I sought unknowingly for years made sense. When I got off the phone, I cried not with sadness. I cried with understanding.

People show love in many forms. We can discount it and ignore it because it doesn't come in the way we wish. Nevertheless, it is still Love. Today I am reminded of this deeply.

Thursday and me

I enjoyed going over to everyone's blog for The Simple Things party yesterday. I loved reading everyone's list. I even found some which were just like mine. Love that! Thanks to all who came here to share their thoughts and love with me.

Now what is today? It's Thursday!! My favorite day of the week. Does anyone else love Thursdays as much as I do? If you do, let a sistah know.

I got tagged by Dee to list ten interesting things about myself.

Here is my top ten:

1) I am 5'3 and wear a size 10 shoe. (I know that is so wrong!)
2) I was born during a great snowstorm.
3) If I could go back in time to see people perform, I love to see Judy Garland, Nat "King" Cole and Jimi Hendrix.
4) I love the British shows IT crowd and Wire in The Blood.
5) Tahiti is one of my dream destinations.
6) I love lip gloss.
7) I dream of Gerard Butler way too much. I like to think he dreams of me too!
8) My local library is one of my favorite places to be.
9) One of my dream roles is to play Queen Nzingha in a movie.
10) I have a big crush on Tukufu Zuberi from History Detectives.

I'm not going to tag anyone this time. I know a lot of people don't enjoy being tagged. If you do want to play along, just let me know I love to read you list.

As always, I do hope your spending time working on your dream today.

More Simple things...

Today is all about appreciating the simple things in life. Please go over to Christina's place to celebrate with all the other bloggers on this beautiful day.

Here is my list:

Waking up to a day of sunshine and blue skies.

Wild daisies, buttercups and pansies growing around where I live.

Rereading Jane Eyre.

Listening to classical and swing music.

Having my toes painted with clear sparkly nail polish.

Unexpected calls and texts from dear friends.

Remembering happy times with my Sean.

Learning a new poem to perform one day.

The stars and The Sweet Berry Moon

Yesterday, was a full acting day for me. Which I always love! I had to be up before dawn to get to the film shoot by seven. It was worth it. I played a police receptionist in a film called Art=(Love)2. I'm only in one scene; I am still happy to be in the film. The director and producer are pushing for it to be released on the festival circuit. My fingers are crossed. As things progress, I'll let you all know.

Then I went on IMDB and found a film I worked on two years ago is listed. It's called Playing Doctor. So the whole cast is up there except me. I contacted the director and she e-mailed me back quickly. She told me she sent out an e-mail in May to all the actors about this. Some reason, I didn't get it. I sent her all the info she needed. I'm hoping by week's end my name should be up there on imdb. I worked two all night shoots on this, a sistah needs to get her credit!

Today, I'm working on updating my resume and catching up on other work. Also, It's a Full Moon tonight. This name has many names: Mead Moon, Hay Moon, Blessings Moon, Thunder Moon. I'm naming it the Sweet Berry Moon because around here I see all these sweet berries growing on the trees.

Do something special tonight to honor the Sweet Berry Moon and yourself. As always, spend time today working and playing on your dream.

July 4th

"I tired of the routine of eight years in one afternoon. I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer."- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

"Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be"- James Baldwin.

If there are areas of your life that you don't feel free in. Declare your own independence today! Stay safe, enjoy and have a beautiful July 4th.

Thursday Love: Imagination

Imagination! who can sing thy force?
Or who describe the swiftness of thy course?
Soaring though air to find the bright abode,
Th'empyreal palace of the thund'ring God,
We on thy pinions can surpass the wind,
And leave the rolling universe behind;
From star to star the mental optics rove,
Measure the skies, and range the realms above.
There in one view we grasp the mighty whole,
Or with new worlds amaze th' unbounded soul.

from On Imagination by Phillis Wheatley

July and Canada Day

Happy July! It's also Canada Day. So I send a big Happy Canada Day out to all Canadians. This day brings back memories of meeting my Sean for the first time in Ottawa. He was so excited about me being there to celebrate Canada Day. We had a beautiful time together.

The first half of 2009 was extremely painful for me with Sean's passing. I knew if I could make it to summer, I'll would be able to survive this. And I have because I had to and I know he want me to. It has also made me more fearless in how I live. I can't explain it. Maybe when you lose someone you love so much, other things don't seem as scary or worth fretting over.

I've already started on a recent dream of mine: I am privately teaching acting. Something I was told to do about ten years ago by my friend Lady R. I didn't think I was ready to. Now, I am. Or perhaps I needed to give myself permission to do it. So far, it has been fun and rewarding. Made me strengthen my own daily acting exercises and work I do on my own.

I hope you are all working on your dreams daily; also, attempt to act fearless in one thing you do this week. See how it feels.