Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Open Letter to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

In honor of today marking the first eleven years of travel through life with the companionship of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., I am sharing this letter that was penned four days ago and read during my acceptance of induction into the Hall of Fame of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Kappa Iota Zeta Chapter.  Happy Zeta-versary Six S.O.L.E. Survivors of Psi (CAU, Spring 2002)!

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Last night (and all throughout my slumber), I heard rather clearly the request to write Zeta a letter from The Cocoon today – and read it at Hall of Fame tonight; so, what follows here is part one of my obedience. Love willing, part two will be obliged at Hall of Fame tonight.

Dearest Zeta —

Great Hall of Fame morning! As I sit at my desk to honor your request for a letter, my self-reflection won't allow me to let another moment pass without simply saying THANK YOU! Singer / Songwriter Natalie Stewart declares in her song "Need You" the following:

Even when I need you
Even if you cannot come when I call you
It simply means that I can handle it without you
But I know when next I see you
It'll be just when I need you

Zeta, this is the story of our life together. At Clark Atlanta University, in the fall of 2001, I FELT like I needed you; so, I called YOU, but to my initial disappointment and dismay, you didn't come. With a fervent heart, I prayed for you daily. If only I had known then what I know now, I would have grasped the concept that you DIDN'T come, because you COULDN'T come, because I really DIDN'T NEED you. My revelatory sign SHOULD have been the fact that I called YOU! Little did I know that a few more months down the road, I WOULD see you (in the spring of 2002), and that would be JUST when I needed you. How do I know? Because this time, YOU called me! And as your hymn dictates, when YOU call, I'll answer — not the other way around.

I didn't see it then, but YOU called ME just as I was entering my decade of wilderness experiences, EXACTLY when you knew that I would need you. Not only did you call me, but you met me there, at my wilderness threshold, with a healing and nurturing throng of very FINE women (each at their respective points of growth) who too know you well enough to recognize your voice. You saw where my footsteps were traveling, deciphered the necessity of your presence, and YOU called ME with my oldest sister Candice by your side. Along the way, you called me to stand with you as you called my sister Natalie and my mama too. Even when I thought I had lost my way, you kept me occupied in positivity (and did your business ever keep my occupied) and you continued to shine your light upon my path. Thank you for calling me and helping me trust that you will continue to be there just when I need you.

Nearly 11 years later, as I greet you in this morning's rain, on the other side of my wilderness, I'm grateful to still hear your voice. So Zeta, I honor your call; and, I honor the challenge before me to take my new place among the Elders (in life, in labor, in leisure, ...in YOU). If rain aids in the growth of new life, then I welcome it as majestic confirmation that the destiny of THIS transitional day IS blessed. Zeta, let us TOGETHER recognize that (just as the entities around us that we call nature) the skies are granting us permission to keep growing and be elevated by extending ourselves in loving service to all, whether our presence is recognized or not. WE have life-giving and life-sustaining energy, and this morning's rain reminds us that moment by moment, drop by drop, we are jolted by liveliness into a renewed, precious, and fragile state that is strengthened by our collective existence. I just give thanks that of all of the masses and thirsty places among us, the heavens saw fit to love on US and let the rain meet US where WE are.

Today, with my listening ears (those seen and unseen), I've heard your latest call; and, here I stand (Courageously Authentic, by Choice) willing to answer it and receive tonight's induction with humility. I delight in giving thanks for YOU and for this moment. Fore THIS ... IS ... B.i.G.! I love you now, and I welcome our new experiences on the THIS side of wilderness!

Sincerely,

–me!

From My Cocoon, 03/23/13, 1:20:11 PM




Sunday, February 3, 2013

December 24, 2012

Today's Truth and Beauty: Metamorphosis awaits; embrace the cocoon. En♥, -me!



Some of us desire growth, change, and transfiguration of our physical lives and spiritual selves but are unwilling to step into the envelope of alteration. Metamorphosis is unattainable without passage through the cocoon. In this capsule of change, our attentions are directed within, where we come to understand that we are fully equipped with the resources to awaken to the fresh breath of a transformed life and perspective. The truth and beauty is in recognizing that life consistently affords us with metamorphic opportunities, but we must first be willing to undergo the cocoon experience.

"Experience the strength and new beginnings being revealed within you." –Nancy L. Butler-Ross and Michael Suib, Meditation Express

From My Cocoon, 12/23/12, 12:36:47 PM
Today’s Truth and BeautyTM

December 23, 2012

Today's Truth and Beauty: Strength is in composure. En♥, -me!



In the face of perturbation, resist the urge to come apart. The truth and beauty is in remembering that Love Synthesizes! As such, the source of our vigor and power is energized at the amalgamated core. Pull it together; Find the center; Be grounded; Balance.

From My Cocoon, 12/22/12, 11:05:12 AM
Today’s Truth and BeautyTM

December 22, 2012

Today's Truth and Beauty: Each moment requires a private party. En♥, -me!


Pity parties. Passion parties. Everywhere we turn, we can frequently find ourselves engaged in one of the two (or something that qualifies on the spectrum between), and primarily the honored guest is our past perceptions or our future foretellings. What about the present? Often times we spend too much energy planning and hosting parties for the past and future that we fail to realize our neglect to invite the now. And we wonder why we feel so imbalanced!? The truth and beauty comes in understanding that every moment, all we have is this moment; and, it should be eternally celebrated with a private, prominent party. No guest list is necessary because the only other two attempting to get in (past and future) should never be on it. We could increase our potential of being grounded, centered, and balanced if we spent our energy concerning ourselves with gathering socially in observance of every moment, just as it is. So, DJ, turn up the music! Now we've got something really worth celebrating!

From My Cocoon, 12/21/12, 10:29:30 AM 

Today’s Truth and BeautyTM


December 21, 2012

Today's Truth and Beauty: Love Synthesizes! En♥, -me!



My experience has been that when all else fails, love remains. Why? Love Synthesizes! There is a sometimes indescribable power that seems to harmonize and heal even the most fragmented pieces among us. That's love. Love brings us together in song and dance. Love brings us together for hugs and physical embraces. Love brings us together to complete projects as a team. Love brings us together to stand collectively for a cause. Love brings us together after disagreements. Love brings us home. Love brings us unto ourselves. Love brings us unto love. Even the universal symbol for love, the heart (♥), is drawn by the coupling of two halves. Love Synthesizes! The truth and beauty is in recognizing that we need not wait until we feel compartmentalized and broken to experience the everlasting unity and cohesion that love consistently provides.

From My Cocoon, 12/20/12, 10:45:14 AM
 

Today’s Truth and BeautyTM

December 20, 2012

Today's Truth and Beauty: Every hurricane has an eye. Get centered. En♥, -me!



Amid every whirlwind and turbulent encounter, there is a locus of sustenance. At this center is where we find the peace, balance, grounding, support, freedom, and bliss that we so often yearn for. The truth and beauty is in awakening to the various ways in which life frequently beckons us to the nucleus. There are subtle reminders everywhere we look, sometimes in the most unlikely places.

From My Cocoon, 12/19/12, 11:18:06 AM
Today’s Truth and BeautyTM

December 19, 2012

Today's Truth and Beauty: Part of my growth includes honoring where I've grown from. En♥, -me!



It is impossible to know and remember who we are without remembering where we came from. Whether we regard the physical space, community, and experiences of our beginnings as refreshing or tainted, there is no denying that we would not be who / where we are now if we had not passed that way. At the very least, going "home" is a gentle exercise in gratefulness and groundedness; and, it is vital to our growth. The truth and beauty is in understanding that if we fail to acknowledge our beginnings with humility, respect, and love, then (just as the rocking horse) we are in a perpetual state of movement, not progression.

"A forest that has sheltered you, you should not call a patch of scrub." – Oji Proverb

From My Cocoon, 12/18/12, 10:21:36 AM
Today’s Truth and BeautyTM