Ego Tripping By Nikki Giovanni

I love poetry, "Ego Tripping" is that poem by the extraordinary and legendary Nikki Giovanni!  Words are so powerful and used well, they can deposit within us, joy strength and beauty!

Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why)



I was born in the congo

I walked to the fertile crescent and built
the sphinx

I designed a pyramid so tough that a star

that only glows every one hundred years falls

into the center giving divine perfect light

I am bad



I sat on the throne

drinking nectar with allah

I got hot and sent an ice age to europe

to cool my thirst

My oldest daughter is nefertiti

the tears from my birth pains

created the nile

I am a beautiful woman



I gazed on the forest and burned

out the sahara desert

with a packet of goat's meat

and a change of clothes

I crossed it in two hours

I am a gazelle so swift

so swift you can't catch me



For a birthday present when he was three

I gave my son hannibal an elephant

He gave me rome for mother's day

My strength flows ever on



My son noah built new/ark and

I stood proudly at the helm

as we sailed on a soft summer day

I turned myself into myself and was

jesus

men intone my loving name

All praises All praises

I am the one who would save



I sowed diamonds in my back yard

My bowels deliver uranium

the filings from my fingernails are

semi-precious jewels

On a trip north

I caught a cold and blew

My nose giving oil to the arab world

I am so hip even my errors are correct

I sailed west to reach east and had to round off

the earth as I went

The hair from my head thinned and gold was laid

across three continents



I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal

I cannot be comprehended except by my permission



I mean...I...can fly

like a bird in the sky...

 
Poet: Nikki Giovanni


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Spring is in the air...things taking too long!

Thank God, March is here and Spring near! Living in a cold weather climate, such as, Chicago can push you to the limit and make  a native want to pack up and leave this windy and cold city. I look forward to at least being able to live out winters in a more warmer climate. Born in the Spiring, I truly have an awakening each and every season as summer is right around the corner. Then we move on to complaining about the unruly heat, never satisfied I guess? To go through days, weeks of cloudy days and no sun in sight takes it toll as I fancy myself as a Sun Goddess! Well, I'm ready and taking these couple of months before summer hits to lose weight, exercise more, really to become more physically fit, so I'll have more energy to be more active. It truly is mind over matter. With all the forward thinking, I'm dilligently working on staying in a present time mold, "the power of now" kinda stuff.

I saw Fashion Designer, Film Director Tom Ford on Oprah and he imparted some wisdom I've read and have known, but served as a reminder, he commented on "the power of now." I'll come back with more about his story later. No matter how many plans we make, our hopes for a brighter tomorrow, it's really now that counts more than tomorrow's promises. We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds it, God for those who believe. As I get anxious, I remind myself, if I don't stay in present time, I'm not in balance and my angst will only recyle itself dressed up as different problems. The reality is regardless of problems, it's really about maintaining balance, because there'll always be something to fix or fixate over, so get over it and live right this instant! Boy, do I need this reminder as I grow impatient about things I'm working on and waiting on fruition of some dreams I never stopped dreamming, when in actuality, I'm waiting on the fullness of time. But, I must stay in a place of balance, never mind how hard I've worked, my sacrifices and preparation, problem-solving, my peace and fulfillment doesn't lie in resolutions or achievements, but in my state of mind and how I decide to see obstacles, delays or challenges. Do I make what can make me feel discomfort the predominate force in my life, I think not. What does this have to do with beauty?

Well, what we stress over diminishes our overall healthiness and this is the crux of beauty, physical, mentally and emotionally wellness. Our attitudes make us beautiful, but we can't feel beautiful and exude this powerful energy when we're lamenting over what's broken or taking to long to manifest.

Counting your blessings is a way to bring you back to a state of gratitude, the foundation of spirituality. Living in present time is crucial as you forge ahead with exciting new projects, meeting new people, exploring possibilities and taking life head on, you need to be present,  focused and carefree!

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What am I happy about?

This is a question I ask myself when I feel down or some low-grade depression trying to settle in on me. I ask, "what am I happy about!"

If works, because in spite of what's wrong or could use correction, there's much to be excited about!

I'm happy that Sade is back and will do over 400k for her first week sales. Oh, how we need some real music, our souls depends on it! I'm also happy that Jill and Erykah are making their way back to front stage and center and can't wait for the Lilith Fair 2010!

I'm happy that I'll be able to take a vacation with my family this year. Very pleased and happy just for this day and my daily bread! I'm happy that I was able to give to the Haiti Relief in their time of need and will continue to give. I vow not to forget about these people and their devastation as new headlines garner my attention, I won't forget!

I'm happy that God gave me an enormous capacity to feel and humor and I can enjoy life from various views. I love that I do work at getting over it and fight conformity, even though, I, too, fall victim to it, but I keep on repelling what doesn't feel good to me.

I'm happy that 2010 is off to a great start and 2009 was a Phoenix experience as I rose from the ashes and now take flight, mending wings included, once again!

I'm happy that I realize today what matters much more than in the past and know life is a gift, even though, I still might complain about what's not fixed or won't go away. I'm aware that I have to live out cycles and God's timing is indeed the fullness of time!

I'm happy that through all of my trials and tribulations, I walk away a wealthy woman, as I patiently await the financial windfall I've worked for and KNOW is enroute to me!

I'm happy that I've managed to still be kind, even though, jaded about some things and some people, politicians and preachers, smiles that look like they wouldn't melt butter because life can be like swimming with sharks. Oh, how I look forward to swimming with dolphins!

As I listen to Yolanda Adams' masterpiece, "Be Blessed"...I try to remind myself often that I truly am!

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Kim Burrell - Whitney Houston Tribute - BET Honors 2010 - "I Believe In You and Me"

Simply Beautiful...

BET Videos

Ledisi Mesmerize - Tribute To Lionel Richie - An Evening of Stars - UNCF

I simply love the beauty of Ledisi's voice, her soul shines through. I'm so pleased that she's getting some attention in an industry that's had become more about hits and videos instead of real and timeless music, true artistry. Lionel looks so pleased, I'm sure he was deeply honored! His contribution is immeasurable!






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What's Ugly...America's Top Model, Bre Sounds Off...

America's Top Model finalist, Bre sounds off as a Swarm columnist for Honey Mag and her words and thoughts are so true. We have to really question what we read or hear in the media. While the media is a wonderful tool and quite beneficial in circulating news, promoting and selling goods and services, it also molds and shapes attitudes, opinions and can create turmoil and biases when stories aren't fairly reported. Here's what Bre has to say:

While watching the news and reading a variety of blogs over the past few days, I noticed a familiar theme taking shape. One headline read: “CNN’s Anderson Cooper Rescues Boy from Looters in Haiti” another read: “Looting Flares Where Order Breaks Down,” while yet another media outlet reported: “Troops Take on Looters in Haiti.”

It’s starting to sound very much like the picture that was painted about victims after the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe: starving men and women of a natural disaster being described as nothing more than criminals by the press. Hearing these victims referred to as looters feels both hurtful and confusing. Are these people thieves or are they just hungry?

I can only image how someone who has just lost everything – family, friends and all material possessions – might feel. They don’t recognize anyone or anything around them and have likely not enjoyed basic necessities like clean water or food for days. If by some chance I were in their shoes and happened to stumble across food and water, I would not hesitate to take whatever I could. This is common sense, is it not? I would not consider my actions to be wrong in light of the situation. How could anyone blame me? I’m disoriented, exhausted, emotionally crippled and starving! To find out later I was labeled a looter in global newspapers would not only be unimaginable but leave me feeling distraught. I would probably wonder if the people labeling me a looter spoke the same language. What’s the benefit in misrepresenting my actions? Who does it help for me to be viewed this way? Could it be that the word “looter” is more provocative and enticing? Whatever the answer to these questions, I’m just not sure how I could rationalize them labeling me as such.

It’s no secret that media outlets have long made inaccurate assessments and embellished situations in order to increase their audience and earn more advertising dollars. In today’s economy, where media outlets like Air America go bankrupt every day, who could blame them for feeling that publishing racy headlines is more compelling. As a victim in Haiti, taking food that I didn’t pay for, because without it I would die, is no different than a media outlet creating sensationalized headings in order to sell more newspapers. They too are trying to survive. These are both acts of desperation; but because the media’s voice is bigger, their tactics of survival are overlooked while Haiti’s sick and starving are being perceived as criminals. Personally, I believe it’s time to turn the light on and place blame where it belongs: the press. We need to continually question not just what is being written and shown in the media, but why. We need to ask deeper questions like, who gains from these types of negative labeling and at what cost? Honestly, it is purely inhumane to use someone else’s misfortune and then manipulate it for monetary gain. This is exactly what these media outlets are doing with Haiti coverage. I’m really saddened and embarrassed at how we treat our fellow man.

-Bre

Source: www.honeymag.com/

 
 
 
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Being and Feeling Beautiful...

“I feel beauty is an issue that’s plagued women for centuries. Unfortunately, we live in a society where image does matter. In many cases, women just aren’t aware of beauty options and enhancements.

It’s natural for a woman to want to feel beautiful and important that she does! The right shade of lipstick, the cut of a garment to minimize or accent, a deep tissue massage, vitamin therapy, exercise, healthy food choices and embracing one’s individuality help to radiate beauty.

Many of us are stuck in adolescence in how we view ourselves, therefore, carrying with us an outdated childhood self-image. In order for women to be empowered, we must redefine beauty and find what works externally in terms of apparel, makeup and hairstyling, fitness and nutrition, rest and relaxation (good music, books, films, social activities, vacationing) to intrinsic values that generate self-worth and confidence…the heart and soul of beauty!”


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http://www.fineandfabulousmag.com/