after the rain

I love the rain... even when it's coming down in sheets as it did the other night... there is something so calming, soothing about rain. It makes me want to stay low-key and silent, and it doesn't help that my body seems to hurt when the atmosphere changes and I know rain is in the forecast. I am almost forced to slow down and retreat. I have learned to appreciate rain. It moisturizes the air and brings nourishment to the earth. And then after the rain, the sun shines again. The skies are clearer, the air is lighter, you can breathe easier.

And that's how I'm feeling right now... I can breathe easier.

For the brief time that I was away from blogging, I felt like I was wearing a poncho and heavy behind rain boots because it was raining all the time... sporadic rain, sometimes a downpour, sometimes a drizzle and when it wasn't raining, it was just gray. I have finally carved out some time so that my creative side can thrive, once again.

I felt like I should done better for myself to prepare for the rain. I knew what season it was in my life, I knew what to expect yet I failed to prepare myself and instead I burned out. Well now I am on the mend. Rain is necessary and rain is inevitable but it doesn't have to be so hard to endure. I have learned that lesson.

Rain by SWV... one of my favorite songs

I Am On...

I did not want to do this... I really do NOT want to do this... I love blogging, I love reading your thoughts and experiences... I must admit that I am indeed taking a break from writing. It is quite evident from my lack of posts that blog writing is not in my focus. Oh I journal daily and there's a myriad of thoughts and posts roaming through my brain but the act of sitting still long enough to allow my thoughts to run through to my finger tips and type is such an arduous task for me right now. I really do not want to do this... but I must.

Before I go though... I wish you all a beautifully brilliant Black History Month for Black History is American History. Enjoy these upcoming Black Love days and I appeal to you to do something loving for the people in your family, your friends and your community. Go to your local library, engage in cultural activities and celebrate your Blackness. Remember that one drop rule... we pro'lly all Black anyway. Black pride!

February 7th was HIV awareness day but I implore all of you use this entire month to know more about HIV and to get tested!!! Know your status and protect yourselves. I love sex, it feels inexplicably great but it feels even better when you know that you are having healthy sex. Wrap that thang up! And take advantage of free testing. You know it's not really free right? Government agencies provide funding to nonprofit groups that will provide testing. That's a beautiful thing. We would take advantage of free concert tickets, free clothing or free food. Let's take advantage of free testing and awareness. If you're in the NY area, my church (In the Bronx) offers free testing every 2nd Saturday and next Friday, the 19th, we are having free testing from 5 - 9PM. Leave me your email address in the comments and I will be sure to email you the address.

Lastly, February is American Heart Month. Let us take the initiative to eat healthier, be more active, drink less alcohol, smoke less cigarettes and focus on our Heart Health.

I love you all... I miss you dearly... but I shall "see" you all very very soon!

Peace & Blessings