What does the world need from me in 2011?

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Howard Thurman.

Someone in my old meditation group posed the question when considering what occupation she wanted to pursue. The discussion was loosely based on virtuous careers (if there is such a thing), and how to balance between living a peaceful life and existing in the real world. I'm struggling in my present job because it seems so unnecessary and redundant. Simply put, I find it boring. But then as I say to my son, "if you're bored, it's because you are the one who is boring." I need to find a new way to conceptualize my work.

So today, I stumble across this quote from Howard Thurman. I'd never heard of him before, which was a surprise to me. When I was growing up, my parents were determined to instill cultural awareness throughout our home. My mother made sure we never missed a Jet, Ebony, Right On! or Essence when I was growing up. My father made sure we had the Call & Post every Thursday, which is still today Ohio's leading black newspaper. I'm sure I read something of him, but it didn't stick. According to the always reliable Wikipedia, Mr. Thurman  was an influential American author, philosopher, theologian, educator and civil rights leader. I thought what does the world need was a big question. But now I think what makes me come alive is so much bigger and way more relevant.

Off the top of my head what makes me come alive is being creative. Being creative, thinking creatively, repairing or building, cooking, reading, learning are all things that make me feel engaged and plugged in. Recently, I've been really frustrated with the buildup of dog hair in the house. My vacuum didn't seem to be picking up all of the hair. I would find myself on my hands and knees with masking tape trying to remove the excess hair the vacuum just rolled right over. Considering the entire house except the kitchen and baths are carpeted, you can imagine how frustrated I was. Especially since my vacuum is a Bissell Animal Carpet Vac. I bought it for the express purpose of keeping my dog. It was really discouraging. That Dyson jerk kept popping up in my head, but I refuse to give him $500 dollars because he likes his balls.

Now with the holidays, I felt really ashamed to have folks come for a visit. I decided to take a look at the vacuum; broken belt, clogged filters, duh!! Off to the big blue box, spend $25 bucks, tinker, tinker, crack, fix...brand new-live vacuum!! Ta-da!! I was so happy, I vacuumed every inch of carpet I could find. I was genuinely proud of myself for doing what I should have done anyway. Very simple task, but it affected the quality of life in my home. Or maybe just in my mind. But to me it's the same difference. And the dog stays.

So now I figure I need to really focus on activities and projects that give me the same results. I think this is much more interesting than trying to save the world or finding what makes me happy. The vacuum really is irrelevant. Creativity is my fuel.

Are U Shittn' Me? A Review of Al B. Sure's Honey I'm Home

Today we have a new blog feature, Are U Shittn' Me? This category will feature news, events, etc. I find unbelievable that people do, don't do, buy, don't buy, own, believe or recognize.

First up is my review on Al B's latest; Honey I'm Home. I also posted this review on Amazon.

I wish I knew how to really break down how powerful this CD is. I grew up on R&B, but lately, I've resented most entertainers who claim to represent this genre. The songwriting and musical arrangement has been too formulaic, too sophomoric, too ridiculous for serious consideration from me. That said, I am indeed a music snob. I'm one to read liner notes, take note of which performers actually write, produce and arrange their music. I'm not a musician at all, but I am an artist and I respect creativity and craft. Real craft.

That said, like a few of the other reviews, I can't decide which song is my favorite. I've been psycho-listening to this CD all day. It is that tight. First off, the instrumentation is wonderfully refreshing. I don't hear the typical arrangements; before the song begins my feet are tapping and my head is bobbing.

Now, getting to the lyrics. Just sheer romance, seduction, and humor. Al and the gang have put together some very, very clever songs that tell stories, not just verses and refrains. I don't know if there are videos out yet, but really when you hear these songs you can close your eyes and let Al's singing put the picture in your mind.

You can't call it R&B without some deep breathy whispers, seductive talking and a few woos here and there. Al manages to pull this off without being cheesy, overbearing or just plain eww. Can you whisper in a classy way? Al can. He sings effortlessly and meaningfully. I don't doubt that these songs mean something to him. I love the background harmonies, which are not always where you might expect them. He's really put together a package that ought to blow the charts up, but we know quality is not always recognized and respected by the masses. Hence, why I am writing this review. You will not regret the purchase of this CD.

Fragile is such a touching and poignant rendition to the Sting classic. He also covers Lady in My Life. Al makes these his own songs, full of admiration and passion.

The CD is love instruction 101. How to treat a lover, how to be a man, how to build a relationship, and what not to do to tear it down. Keep in mind, humor is all over this too. He doesn't take all this romance-y stuff to seriously, as evidenced in Top of Your Lungs (I'm right here!).

If you're looking for the club song, that would be Whatcha Got. I'll admit I un-checked this song on the playlist; but I'm a romantic purist and this just didn't do it for me. Don't let that stop you. This whole CD is perfect.

My best to Al B. Sure, Kyle West and Hidden Beach!

Haiku of the moment.

I have to go with

the feeling that flows within

or else I'll dry up.

Today's mood is...

"I'm a recovering undercover over-lover
recovering from a love I can't get over...

...20 feet out of ashes I can rise
Just like birds and children
I can fly
And I'll take my phoenix flight
And you can't take mine..." 

Erykah Badu is a musical enigma. She satisfies and surprises me at every lyrical turn. She is both wise and arrogant beyond her years; and neither descriptive is meant as a compliment or an insult. These are the facts with Ms. Badu, as far as I'm concerned.

Merriman-Webster defines arrogance as,

"an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions."

She has skills and a talent for expression that is difficult for me to fully appreciate. I stretch and grow when I listen to her music. She's one of those artists like, Prince, Lee Daniels, Whoopi and a handful of others, who expects (or demands) full engagement as part of the artwork or knowledge gained. You cannot listen to or view a piece of work from any of the aforementioned and not have your soul stirred. They are the few who really seem to understand the effect they have AND have the dexterity, tenacity, and focus to manage it well.

I plan to post more about my thoughts on these and other artists and this truly unique talent in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, if you have not heard this song, "Out My Mind, Just In Time"...please to enjoy.

"...Round and round I seem to go
always had the antidote
looking for the Holy Ghost
Found him in the missing note
sinking in a holy boat
Round and round
I seem to go...

...guess it's time to grab a coat
evolution time to grow
Ego trying to block the door
Might not have nowhere to go
I finally got a leading role
introducing super dope
Staring in her episode
Hello, new world
out my mind."

Arrangement by: Erykah Badu // Lyrics by: Erykah Badu//Inspired by Suheir Hammad's poem “WHAT I WILL”

Beckie is a thespian.

I spend alot of time comparing my childhood to my adult life. I think about the things I enjoyed doing as a kid or wanted to do. I hike, I ride my bike and I have learned how to swim. I also love to perform. I've always been in plays, church productions, skits, whatever you wanna call it. I the sixth grade, I wrote, directed and performed in a play about unionizing coal miners. In high school, I sang in the chorale (glee club), and in college I was in two productions; A Day of Absence and Home.

So in keeping with the practice of reconnecting with my youth, I responded to an ad in the local paper for actors & crew members needed for a local production. Initially, I was going to be the make-up person/PA/female understudy. I ended up playing one of the characters in the play. We were able to improv, and I think I did ok with it, considering that was my first time trying it. We were only able to pull off one production of it. I'm hoping we can do more with this next one.

I'm now doing a second play, where I am the mother of a young woman, who becomes a victim of domestic violence. This is a subject near and dear to my heart, as I am a survivor and witness of domestic violence. The curious thing in this case is I don't know the ending of the play. We will see how this goes...

I'm also preparing for NaNoWriMo 2009. Even though I signed up in 2007, I never even attempted writing anything. This year will be different. I don't know what story I'm going tell; I've had the idea of writing about a first-hand experience at an abortion clinic some years ago, but I really haven't fleshed that one out. Sometimes I think it's just too old of a story to tell, and I should start with something fresh. But it's really the first experience where I witnessed something truly amazing and thought this needs to be recreated and given some presence for others to respond to. Also, I don't know if I can do it justice.

Stay tuned...

Elizabeth Gilbert: A new way to think about creativity

These TED talks are amazing! Thanks to Diary of a Content Black Woman for posting this.