Full

     Photo Credit: Joel Stephens

     Today--Well actually, this past week, I've had this tangible feeling of fulfillment. It's such a beautiful thing. At this moment in time, my life feels incredibly full. And I feel as if I'm lacking nothing.

     I'm not just proclaiming that I'm lacking nothing. I actually feel as though I'm am not lacking anything. It's an amazing transition for me.

     These are big words coming from someone who had been constantly on the search for romance to add the missing piece of life's meaning to her already busy life.

     But something shifted a few weeks ago.

     I should have shared this with you sooner. Nevertheless, I'll fill you in now. I won't give all of the details, but I'll just say this: There is something to be said of sacrifice, timing, dreams, and fulfillment.

     I laid down my dreams of writing and traditional narrative filmmaking after I left film school. It was necessary. God was working on my heart. And I let Him.

     Fast Forward 4 years later and I am now in an amazing writing group and I'm working on my first feature length script. The process alone has brought life to me in ways that I can't even fully explain. It has brought fulfillment and light to every other aspect of my life (Vocationally and Ministry wise).

     The stories that are coming out of me come from a place of patience and my unique experiences and observations. Mostly, the things that matter most to me.

     I cannot wait to share these stories with you in the future...

Wisdom's Knocking:

Don't fight the process and the journey. 

Oh Man, I'm a Lady!

Photographer: Lindsay Coleman

     Earlier this week, I must have been giving off the Vibe. You know. The Vibe.

     Men folk were sniffing like dogs. And someone dared to kiss my neck upon a goodbye salutation. Wow.

     I was looking at myself in the mirror earlier this week to see if I could recognize any sort of tangible difference in my demeanor or physique in the last few months. I scanned and couldn't find anything out of the normal. Well, you know, besides being a Brick House. But that wasn't necessarily a surprise to me.

     I'm always curious to know how one hits the Vibe Stride. It's like one minute your a spinster and then the next your the Bachlorette and folks start acting a bit like paparazzi and personal assistants..."I just want to be on your team."

     I wish I knew how to bottle this Vibe up. But alas, it's fun to be surprised when it hits.

     So today, I guess, I'll simply enjoy being a lady.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Don't be afraid of your own beauty.

Line of the Day

     Helena. This blog post is for you.

     I'm almost positive I had one of the best childhoods ever. And I was keen enough to realize that fact while I was living in that particular prime of my life. My summers were pretty much the business. I grew up in Southern California, but I spent all of my summers in Upstate New York, until about the age of 16.

     My Grandmother, Aunt, Cousins, Best Friend Tammy, and a slew of extended family and other friends were there. And I was never lacking in terms of exciting outings, summer reading, and amazing stories that would forever shape my mindset, work ethic, and the way I understand family and community.

     My earliest memories revolved around the amazing concerts my Aunt began taking me to at about age 10. I went to more concerts that I can even count. And we were almost always near the front row. I believe the first concert she took me to, was at the Starlite Theatre in Latham, NY. I absolutely LOVED that theatre. It was a music venue "In the round". And who did I see at my first concert. Oh, just Chaka Khan. Um. Yes. Believe it.

     I distinctly remember the beautiful glitter in Chaka Khan's hair. And I vowed that when I became a grown up,  I would wear glitter on everything I owned, including my hair.

     Today I was reminded of an amazing memory:

"Patrice, do you remember when you were on stage with Diana Ross and she asked you want you wanted to be when you grew up, and you said a lawyer?" - Helena

   
     Why yes I do. It's a true story. I was about 12 years old. My on-stage concert experiences would continue with the likes of Luther Vandross as well.

     So what ever happened to the Starlite Theatre...

     The Starlite was for many years an iconic place in the Capital Region, acting as one of the area’s key performance halls. In its glory days, it hosted legends like Johnny Cash, Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr.

     But the theater closed in the late 1990s and is now dilapidated. Visitors, in fact, can walk right through holes in the exterior fence for an impromptu– and somewhat creepy — tour of the Starlite, which is still littered with programs for one of the last events there: the 1998 graduation ceremony for Shaker High School.

Credit: TimesUnion. Com 

     The article goes on to describe the possible construction of office space in the place of the Starlite. Sigh. It's a bit heartbreaking.

    So who were the last artists I saw play at the Starlite? Kriss Kross. And I'm pretty sure I wore my pants backwards. And did I also mention that Mike Tyson pinched (not punched) my face at the Starlite? Good times.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Take the time to enjoy the good times. Because the memories of such moments will become like streams of encouragement and hope in the desert of a weary heart.

Ride or Die Chick

     It's only fitting that I'm listening to M.C. Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" as I write about my next "Top Pick" person.

     Yes, the one and only, Yajaira "Heidi" Reynolds. I know she is probably cringing because I am putting on her blast and causing her to come into the stage light and out of the wings.

     Not only did she pioneer and administrate the best surprise birthday celebration for me, spanning different locations in Los Angeles and beyond, but she's been the friend that has believed in my talents and character when I least felt worthy to walk in my own shoes.

     I learned a great deal about freedom, fighting, resolve, patience, and fashion from her. She's definitely a chick that has Chutzpah. 

     For whatever reason, Heidi, has chosen to be loyal to me through the "Highs" and the "Lows" (Quotes denoting that this is a hilarious inside joke between the both of us. Perhaps we'll tell you about it one day).

     But in recent years, I've been the most proud by watching her step out on her own and pursue her dreams whole heartedly. It's been a rough and sincere journey. Most men would have fainted and bowed out. But Heidi stands. And not only stands, but continues to excel in her current vocation.

     Heidi will be that friend that reminds you of the truth, no matter how unpopular it may be at the time. She'll remind you of that truth that once poured from your lips. So that when you're in a circumstance that looks like a lie, she'll simply ask you to remember the truth.  

     And above all that, she will cut you if you talk about me or do me wrong. So watch your step.

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     **Note: I'm posting this video because this is the language that Heidi and I use. Jill Scott is speaking our language.**

     And Jill Scott and Idris Elba!! Well. Just watch the clip for yourself...

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     Not only is Heidi an amazing career woman in the world of fashion, but she's SINGLE. Say What! Here I go again being a P.R. Love agent.

Ms. Yajaira Reynolds

What I love about her: She's a Hustler (She knows how to improvise and get the job done) and she's a Romantic.


What you probably don't know about her: She's far more sensitive and gentle than she would have you believe.


What you should bring to the table: A good tattoo with meaning, A beard, Knowledge of the Word, and the ability to think outside the box.

Wisdom's Knocking:

"I hustle for my muscle, and you look weak son, real weak

Yeah, I'm going for all that I can get

Kickin it at the top, 'cause I'm too legit to quit." --M.C. Hammer

Don't Run Away

Photo Credit: Victoria Clemmons     

     While looking forward, it's easy to see the tornado ahead. But do you quiet yourself enough in the chaos to feel the whisper behind you?

     We love drama. Sometimes we jump into it, just to have something to talk about. Some of us don't know how to live a life that is drama free. Because to be still and at peace would somehow ruin our image of an exciting life. So we think.

      While you may be running, Someone is running faster than you. Someone is running towards you as you are running away.

      I tend to fight love.

      The biggest step for me, is surrendering to love.

      And today, I'm gonna try to not run away from love as it runs towards me. Because that tornado ahead look like crazy talk, but if I look closer, it's actually a cloud of wind-like love, fierce as can be, running towards me.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Love never fails.