Archives

Praying for Peace and Justice

Jul8

The following is a post I wrote on Facebook in response to the various emotions that are flowing through me at this time. Seeing what is going on in our nation with Black people being murdered by law enforcement is very disturbing.

We pray, we protest, we sing, we cry, we dance, we enforce, we retreat, we kill, we are killed, we talk, we give birth, we make love, we fight, we mobilize, we vote,we expatriate, we bear arms, we revenge, we ignore, we unplug, we blame, we love, we hate, we get angry, we calm down, we go through all the motions of what we know is humanely right and respond accordingly, we just be who we be… and it still ain’t enough. The invisible force still finds a way to seep in. On my Facebook page I posted a few musical selections that came to mind (there were many more) but I wanted to cover everyone with something that might speak to you and where you are at mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

There are better ways to do this. There has to be. Praying for Peace and Justice.

This entry was posted on July 8, 2016.

Healing words in lieu of all the shootings across America

Jul8

With the increasing number of Blacks dying daily at the hands of law enforcement this has left society with a lot of unanswered questions coupled with pain and sorrow, sometimes on both sides.

There are no words that can truly fill in the brokenness. Yet, I will strive to offer comfort to those who mourn.

The Bible tells us for those that mourn, God will give us beauty for ashes. I’m here for you. Hugs. I sympathize with you. I stand with you. I know it’s not enough.

Let’s pray with our feet. Take action. Get involved. Offer comfort. Love on one another. Make changes. Offer support.

Lastly, there are no words to bring back the dearly departed. It also takes time to forgive and then a measure of healing can take place. Let us remember the names of those who we are standing in the gap for.

This entry was posted on July 8, 2016.

Spotlight on Anna Julia Cooper

Feb11

I mentioned in my previous post that I would highlight several African-Americans. One of my favorite African-American women, coming behind my mother and grandmothers, is Anna Julia Cooper. I learned about her life while reading a book that a friend gifted me over 20 years ago.
Anna Julia Cooper is one of my top ten because she was an educator and activist. The part of her life that touched me so much was the fact that she graduated with a Ph.D. at age 67 and did it while raising her brother’s five children after he passed away. Reading about her life gave me the tenacity to keep forging ahead towards reaching my goals.

Here is where you can read more about this powerhouse of a woman. http://blackhistorynow.com/anna-julia-cooper/

Believe

Feb11

 

During the month of February, African-American history month highlights, celebrates, and educates many on the great inventions and success of countless black people in America and globally.

I will be highlighting a few over the next few days.  Their stories have given me courage to keep believing and pressing forward when I didn’t want to.  My thought for today is belief and strength.  When you want to give up or think a situation is hopeless, press in and recapture strength and believe it will change for the better.  Believe that you will succeed.  Even if it seems like defeat has happened, the victory is that you believed things would be better and held fast to that.

photo source: pixabay.com

photo source: pixabay.com

 

Poetry therapy

Jan31

The art of writing poetry is therapy. Listening to poetry can be therapeutic as well.

According to the National Association of Poetry Therapy, “poetry therapy, or poetry which is used for healing and personal growth, may be traced back to primitive man, who used religious rites in which shamans and witchdoctors chanted poetry for the well-being of the tribe or individual. It is documented that as far back as the fourth millennium B.C.E. in ancient Egypt, words were written on papyrus and then dissolved into a solution so that the words could be physically ingested by the patient and take effect as quickly as possible. It is also recorded that around 1030 B.C.E., the music of a shepherd boy named David soothed the “savage breast” of King Saul”. http://www.poetrytherapy.org/history.html

Check out some of my poetic expressions.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/yvette-r-toko/breath-eyes-memory-in-me/paperback/product-22529331.html

Grieving and grace

Jan8

It has been almost two months since my mother passed away. Most stats note that it takes two years to “get over” the loss of a loved one. I am nowhere near that timeline, so I cannot say if it will be the same for me. I’ve known loss, but not the loss my mother, who I was very close to.

What has happened so far is unannounced crying spells, prolonged sadness, bursts of joy, anxiety, anger, ruminating the last memory of words mom spoke to me, feeling distant, and hope that I am processing my grief as to be expected. I believe I have been given grace so that I can press on like my mother would want me to.

Two years to a grieving person feels like an eternity. The memories of the dearly departed is what keeps me on the lookout for the turns up ahead. Telling myself healing words, supporting others who are grieving, reading inspirational material, being still, meditating, praying, journaling, drawing, and receiving support from loved ones keeps me going. Next stop… healed and joyful.

My latest e-books

Dec12

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0198A3YNC
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197L1VR8
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197JK7AC

This entry was posted on December 12, 2015.

A week of thankfulness in memory of my mother

Dec1

During the Thanksgiving holiday week, I went home to bury my mother. She fought a good fight and now is among the ancestors.
I am especially thankful because I normally am unable to spend time with my maternal clan during the holidays due to distance. Being with them this time helped me appreciate the love of family. In spite of the differences or similarities, I value each and every person for their contribution of making our family special. My mother was a woman who encouraged everyone and it is the gift she passed on to me. During a circle of thankfulness, I reminded everyone to:
Forgive often.
Love.
Let the past stay in the past.
Talk about hurts but celebrate joys.
Pray.
Laugh.
Eat.
Tell stories.
Take pictures.
Tell one another how much you love them.
Unburden self and let go of judgement.
Prepare well for “rainy” days.
Appreciate every family member.
Play.
Dream.
Practice gratitude.
Ignore drama.
Help.
Be kind.
Rest body and mind.

Affirmative Prayer

Oct28
photo source: pixabay.com

photo source: pixabay.com

Recently I viewed the movie War Room.  It was a movie based on the power of prayer.  Moreover the movie outlined an elderly woman’s prayer life and strategies.  The strategies or techniques of prayer shown in the movie paralleled with fighting for the desires of our heart in prayer, just like we do in a physical fight.  The idea was that when having a physical fight, one uses certain strategies if they want to win.  The same goes for prayer.

I am a believer in praying affirmative prayers.  I started keeping a prayer journal in 2011. I begin by thanking God for receiving the things I prayed for. I record my prayers that I make for myself and others believing it will happen.   When the prayers have been answered I check them off. The next day I give thanks for those prayers that have been answered.  I list them one by one.

Periodically I will go back and scroll my prayer journal for prayers that are still out there and ask again believing it will be granted. When things look bleak at times, I work hard to remain in a position of prayer and stay focused on the outcome. It has it’s challenges such as being impatient or wanting to give up, but staying committed to the process is worth it.  So after a bout with worry or grief, I bounce back quickly and get back in the ring.  I have witnessed too many answered prayers to give up now.

Thanksgiving. Pray. Believe. Write.

Thanksgiving. Pray. Believe. Write.

Thanksgiving. Pray. Believe. Write.

Joyfully until next time,

Yvette

 

Go through it, to dilute it

Aug29

I was listening to a speech and one line that caught my attention was “go through it, to dilute it”. The phrase caught my attention because I thought about a conversation I was having with one of my soror sisters today and we were complaining about an issue. The issue we both were having can only be resolved if we dilute it to something more manageable.

After some reflection we came away with a few solutions. One was to pray and stop ruminating on the issue. The other was accept that there are more options to resolve the issue even if it is not one we previously consider. Thirdly was to consider the other options if they will help resolve the issue even if they require a little more time or expense. Also accepting what is in the meantime and not burden ourselves with thoughts of negativity but know it is not permanent. Lastly we realized that by talking it over with a supportive person who will listen and encourage you helps take the pressure off a little and allow clear thinking and perhaps even a conclusion.

Ain’t nothing to it. Don’t stand and look at your Promised Land. Deal with the situation so that you can enjoy all the benefits that your Promised Land has to offer. Go through it, to dilute it.

This entry was posted on August 29, 2015.