Word(s) of the day: 11/2/2012

11/2/2012...
Now that my favorite month of the second half of the year has ended, I have much to reflect on as well as look forward to. We have survived The Sandy here in NYC, less about 35 citizens or so, my sister is en route to NC after much delay and mishap, and we are this much closer to Election Day and a true reckoning of what the next years will bring for this great country. My weekend is pretty set to be hectic, frustrating, exhilarating and tiresome all at once, but I am looking forward to the shared effort!

Two words are at the forefront of my mind now, very loosely connected to each other, but if you know me, they have infinite relationships of value.

1- Dittany: a herb. 'nuff said! The name sounds funny and old fashion-y, which it apparently is... all the way back to Roman manuals for medicine and medieval claims of astral projection. It seems to be related to Oregano and/or Marjoram in herbal scent or flavor. The original(true) variety, Origanum dictamnus or Dittany of Crete, is found in  the most precarious and impossible of mountaintops on the small Greek island, and has been used so much over the millenia that it is now an endagered, highly revered and protected plant with limited production in some small areas of Greece. Apparently, Dittany has also been referred to as an aphrodisiac and thus the focus of many erondades (love seekers), passionate and daring men that sought the pink flowered plant to present to their loves, at the great and often peril of falling deaths.

So, one can conclude that this peculiar hermaphroditic(!) plant is responsible for curing stomach ailments, flavoring prefumes, absinthe and vermouth, making crazy -in-love men climb and fall off mountains, and help witches fly out of their bodies.

2- Gravitas: A Roman virtue from ancient times meaning dignity, weight, seriousness and importance. As in, President Obama's call for such a virtue in the midst of the recovery effort post-Sandy, and pre-election. And, I would add, in the next four years, regardless of who is in office, because the last thing this country needs is the rest of the world looking at us with Schadenfreude.

So where do these two words collide? As my mandate states, I aim to Teach, Sing, Write and Fly. The month of October  has allowed me these opportunities in more ways than I could have imagined. I have Sung Songs from every corner of America, even debuted on Pratt Radio with lushTongue. I have Taught volunteers, voters  and readers alike. I have written many emails to family and friends, colleagues and elected leaders, and managed to squeeze in a few blog entries. And with the revelation of Gravitas and the importance of Dittany, I may very well Fly... if this election goes awry, I will have already applied to United and American Airlines.... let's see where the road takes me!

More Info...
http://www.bagnewsnotes.com/2012/08/gravitas-revisited-when-obama-became-acting-president/

Day 4: Identify Your Values

Ok. I am up early, raring to go, I even took the time to write in the journal, go to the HBW blog, post my comment and read others! That is a lot before nine a.m.! Somehow I cannot see the fruits of my labor in the comment area, so I will just transcribe from my journal instead...

This list (lists, I LIVE by lists!) will be pared down to the top ten, but I just wrote freely as they came to me.

Being financially solvent, seeing myself, my mother and my sisters out of poverty and debt; travel the world, lessen my Western/American footprint in said world; meaningfulness; LOVE without domination; LOVE with accountability; good relationships/communication with my sisters, father, and (who am I kidding) Mom; healty living; no fear of my own authority and agency; my own home; independence; adventure; quiet solitude when I need/want it; a TRUE MATE; connection to and an understanding with nature; public service; strong friendships; published, successful writing; challengin my physical capacity; educating youth and those in crisis; learning and perfecting/being comfortable with/in another language; teaching English or whatever I can impart to others; own some land; fulfilling work and agendas.

And then, when I was reading other posted comments on HBW blog, two women mentioned sexuality. I was refreshed because a lot of the spirituality/God posts were prominent on the list, but I only noticed two instances of that particular line item. If that is not a stiriking commentary on where "we" place the importance of that aspect of ourselves, then I don't know what else to say.

I was heartened by it though, because I saw in myself how it passed my brain, but I self-edited and decided not to put "that" there. My good friend Sacred invited me to her end-of-year presentation/performance a week ago, and it is still resonating with me the vital connection to spiritual health many need to make in relation to the state of their sexuality. We all have so many issues to roll around with when it comes to with whom, when, how, why, and who else makes love. As I said on my mysteriously invisible comment on HBW, God made our flesh as well as our souls. So what are we then, if we ignore/deny/purge that essence of ourselves? Even the nuns and monks have a place for addressing and assessing their sexuality (or compartmentalization of it), I imagine....

Either way, I was very excited to create another list, and hold myself accountable by putting it in this medium.
Happy Black Woman Day 4: Identify Your Values

Love Letter Day 3: Dear Future Me...

Congrats on all your progress you made thus far!
You can truly say that now you have more to be thankful for in every area of your life. You have taken up the gauntlet, and flexed your arm to learn its weight, now you are becoming keen on swinging it to your greatest capacity. Aim high and well, my dear!

In Lifestyle: I love how you have made the decision to separate yourself from the stuff that has cloaked you these long years, that you can step away from it and its claim on your identity.
In Work: I love how you are not staying stuck, that you are drumming up a more determined spirit in what you do now, while simultaneously reaching far and wide to purpose your next move.
In Education: I love that you are willing to take the challenge to learn another language, and take on another certification process, and that you are taking protracted steps to inform yourself about great opportunities in learning, teaching and doing!
In Finances: I love that you see where you need to improve and that you have made significant effort to stay solvent. Keep looking for opportunities to save, to earn and to reconcile! Don't let fear and despair drain your pocketbook!
In Health: I love that you make a great effort to excercise, and seek out programs and friends that support a healthy balanced lifestyle. I applaud your self-awareness in your quest for a stress-free healthy lifestyle and look forward to more happy discoveries on this journey.
In Family: I love that even when you feel aggravated by Mom, you find a small way to apologize for the sharp tongue, that you choose wisely when to not say and when to say something, and that you can recognize your relations as fallible human beings, for it is this that allows them to recognize your own fallibility.
In Relationships: I love that you are bravely living as a single woman, fearlessly taking many steps alone and warming your own shoulders with your own loving arms. Keep doing that. And don't forget to enjoy Joan Anderson's A Weekend to Change Your Life, since it shares great insights and arguments for a time for solitude.

Indeed, your life is so much better now and it's all because of your hard work. Keep it up, girl!

Love,

DelaMae