I’ve recycled this poem a couple of times. It was originally born in support of a dear friend who suffered an unimaginable loss. Before I could share it with her, I misplaced it and sought to recreate it from memory. What you read here, this final piece, in the days following the horrific shootings at Virgina Tech.

Haiti deserves a fresh poem. A gift that belongs to Haiti alone. And it will come. But…for now, I find it hard to string words together that will convey my feelings. No, I’m not Haitian. But I am human. And my heart is heavy for Haiti. Make no mistake about it - while my heart is heavy, it does not wrap itself in pity.

After all, if the history of Haiti has taught us nothing else, it will forever leave us with a hymn of strength, resilience…a psalm of praise for the overcomers. We mustn’t forget - it was Haiti who first said NO to slavery. And while the world exacted an economic price for that bold decision, Haiti will forever remain free in a way that the rest of the world will never understand.

Who could pity that?

Life changes, moment to moment. Nothing remains the same. Each and every moment brings with it a change, a revision to what we think of as “normal”. An everyday occurrence that we take no notice of – after all, it’s “normal”. Sometimes, events come together, ripping the very fabric of “normal” such that it ends up looking like a patchwork quilt. And so it is this week. There is a hole in the fabric…but not in our soul. We cry, hold onto to each other, sift through our memories as we wade through the hurt, reminding ourselves that beauty lies on the other side of the pain that has come into our midst, uninvited.

When hope stutters. We have to reach deep inside ourselves – give thanks for the foundation that holds us up even in the midst of such a tragedy. We hold our family/friends tighter, vow to call or visit more often, volunteer more often, offer random acts of kindness to those we pass every day because…moment to moment, we do not know. And so, we promise to live better, love deeper, be present, pay attention, build the dream.

When hope stutters. We remind ourselves that pain is real. And we must remind ourselves that so is healing.

The Haiti you see on the news today is not the Haiti of tomorrow. Rest your understanding and healing on that. Let that become the bass line accompanying your grief.

Haitians are resilent, beautiful people with a rich, deep history.

Trust and believe…Haiti will reteach the world the story of its loveliness.

As Haiti works to restore itself, to reach for a new and higher glory, I urge you to not only GET involved but to STAY involved. Not only in Haiti but in issues that may be closer to home for you. Tutor a child. Teach an adult to read. Donate food to local foodbanks. Do what you can where you can and know that nothing you do or give from a sincere heart is EVER too small.

Walk in Love,
*~* MsJayye *~*

I pray each of you as peaceful a Friday as your heart can stand.
~ J ~

In 2002, Giovanni contributed to a Smithsonian special exhibition, In the Spirit of Martin: The Living Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following is her poem, In The Spirit of Martin:

** This post is something I shared with my “Daily Motivators” Group back in August 2008. As I was cleaning out my emails, I happened upon it and thought it share worthy. Hopefully you will feel the same. Feel free to leave your footprints in the comments section or in my guest book. Keep Rising! **

What You Know Must Come

Go ahead and be the person you are here now to be. Go ahead and experience the richness of all that is in this moment.

Your most authentic intentions have brought you to this point. Just as reliably, those intentions are moving you forward even now. Whatever you are certain that you will create, is already taking shape. Whatever you know to be possible, has already begun to happen.

There is no need for striving to make things happen. Those things for which you must strive won’t bring real value anyway. Instead, focus on the real and valuable and meaningful things you can lovingly and gratefully allow to be. With your thoughts, your actions and your energy, bring to life what you already know to be good and worthwhile and true.

The very life that you most earnestly desire is ready for you to let it become real. What you know must come, is already on the way.

– Ralph Marston

No matter how many times God shows up and/or shows out in my life, I am as much in awe and in love with Him as I was the very first time I realized that He loved me. He is not new to me but I pray each and every day to be “NEW” in Him. I offer this mini-testimony because every once in a while, I let me self get sidetracked. I allow myself to momentarily lose focus on where I’m going and why. I take full responsibility for that. Why? Because God has already spoken the destination into my life, confirmed and reconfirmed it and blessed me with His GPS (God’s Protection/Provision System). I started sending these posts to some friends at work. Sometimes I didn’t even read them – I would just cut, paste, send. But when I slowed down long enough to read them, to absorb them? They did indeed hit home. Alright, on to the meat of the subject….

“Go ahead and be the person you are here now to be.” Dive into who you are meant to be with both feet until you are simply saturated in YOU up to the very tip top of your head. Baby, stop trying to be like whoever cause there is a job description out there specifically designed for YOU. You cannot fail at this job. DO YOU. BE YOU. All day, every day – 24/7, 365, twice when it’s Leap Year.

Find out what you are here to do and set about doing it. Today. Take small steps if you need to. As someone once said to me, “YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT – JUST GET IT GOING.” True words.

Stop “getting ready”, stop “thinking about it”, stop “researching”. Call it what it is - “analysis paralysis”, procrastination, fear. Name it, claim it, sit it down and then evict it. Be on fire for YOU, for who YOU are. Let that fire light the way.

Once you make up your mind and take the first step, you will be amazed at the resources and people who seem to just rise up out of nowhere to help you move further into your calling.

Dream BIG.

Dream Bold Inspired Goals.

I dream a dream so big it gives me butterflies and I know that it is nothing but God painting the picture. The world may tell you “NO” in both subtle and not-so subtle ways.

Put the world on notice that the One who called you into “WHAT YOU KNOW MUST COME” specializes in the intangible, the invisible, the improbable, the impossible and He has never failed.

Dream YOU.
Dream big.
Dream constantly.
Dream wide awake.
Dream in motion.
DREAM OUT LOUD.

Live DELICIOUSLY!
*~* MsJayye *~*