Good Friday #621: Lemonade (Friday, November 30)

One thing I love about visiting the Caribbean or other "third world" countries - the people's attitude. No matter what trials and personal tribulations they endure, they press on and are resilient. We can learn a lot from them.

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“The I is originally from West Kingston. I and I real name is Herman Gordon but most people call me One foot Busta. I prefer Busta one foot so I turned it around enuh? (Smiles) When I was eleven, I hitched a ride on a train near the Darling Street area in Kingston. In those days, every youth ah hop train. My luck ran out one day when my foot got caught under the train. Sistren, me never feel so much pain in my entire life. The pain was so bad, I don’t even think I cried. It is true what they say…’man was made to endure pain.’ As an amputee, it was difficult to watch my friends moving around while my situation just slow me dung so… but what the I do? I just trod the earth same way. I love music and anywhere the Father lead me, ah there me go. Sometimes I am here in Negril, sometimes Ocho Rios and at times, I end up in Kingston. From a tender age, I love the art of music. I don't just play for tourist only because everyone have listening ears. Music is the only thing that can free my mind and soul. It makes me feel complete. Where there is music, I don’t feel left out. If me nah play music, I just relax with a spliff, drink a one rum, beer, whisky or Champaign. Everyday can’t be the same. The I have friends too enuh, who give me a shot ah anything me want. Yeah man, one day ah beer and the next day the friends rope in with some Champagne. (Laughs) A Brethren gave me a prosthetic leg but it is not easy to wear it on the sand. I wear it at times when I am in Kingston. He also got me an electric bicycle which I am planning to ride to Kingston. I question myself about the distance at times but not because me nuh have me foot no mean that I can’t live that dream? Nothing nuh bring me down Sistren… nothing! You see how long this beach is? Seven miles long… you see how far the I coming from? Way down there! What if I never start walking, you think I would be here talking to you now? If you sit and think about the journey you will never move. The I have to motivate myself. Ah so we have to live, you hear me sistren? Same so. Respect.” #RealJamaicans #Realstories #Ourjamaica #Onelove #Rasta #Negril #Motivateyourself #thesimplelife

A post shared by Our Jamaica (@ourjamaica876) on Nov 24, 2018 at 7:31pm PST

Good Friday #620: You Are A Person, Not A Brand

Sometimes when you see these wonderfully curated social media pages, it can make you forget that the people behind them are real people with problems and struggles just like the rest of us. That no matter how great and stylish "the brand" looks like from the outside, the person may be facing challenges you cannot even imagine.


This story is a little long, but I urge you to read it all: http://www.findingpaola.com/blog/2018/11/22/my-truth-my-colors-my-layers

Good Friday #619: Why? (Friday, November 16)

What's your why? What is the reason you get up every day? Everyone needs a purpose:

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What’s your word for 2019?(You know it’s 6 weeks away, right?) That was the question/ topic of discussion that came up at a recent dinner with @sheamoisture and their CBO @kimepaige Words like lucrative (yes please), growth, elevate and several other great adjectives were dropped. As for mine... Purposeful / Intentional. It’s my goal to have purpose in everything I do- from the events I attend, the people I associate with to the work that I do. It should all have purpose - Not necessarily to benefit me per se but to serve a greater good. I think it’s the perfect follow up and compliment to my 2018 theme of FAITH over fear. What do you think; What will be your word of 2019? #BeIntentional #OnPurpose #Goals #StayReady #BookedBusyBlessed™️ #ChooseHappiness #StandForSomething

A post shared by Kéla Walker (KAY-la) (@kelawalker) on Nov 15, 2018 at 6:54pm PST

Good Friday #618: Full Circle (Friday, November 9)

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Something you probably don’t know about me is that I used to model. I know I do a variation of that now, but years ago, a friend and I got scouted to be on ANTM, where they would eventually offer me a spot on the show. I turned it down last minute because I didn’t want to be on reality TV and chose to go to NYC instead to try to become a “serious model”. • I moved to NYC for a few months where I would go on casting after casting and have to hear some really gut wrenching things about myself. Hearing all the things “wrong” with you is something you’re never really prepared for, but it’s just the nature of that business, so have to be very thick skinned. After a few months of feeling so drained, I decided it just wasn’t for me and went back to Atlanta; eventually letting that dream go for the sake of my sanity. • I don’t talk about that period of my life because of the anxiety and depression I experienced, but I have to say it feels good to be in a place where I can now talk about it easily. Being in Paris for a project, particularly during fashion week, I can’t help but smile at how some things in life come full circle. // #spiritedpursuit

A post shared by Lee Litumbe 🇨🇲🇺🇸 (@spiritedpursuit) on Oct 5, 2018 at 11:16am PDT

Good Friday #617: Love (Friday, November 2)

Sometimes the most powerful expressions of love isn't in what's said, but what is unsaid.

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It just dawned on me that I’ve known Jonathan for 10 years. He was one of the only people in college who always called me by my full name - he’d yell “what up Ijeoma!” across Harvard Yard while wearing his then uniform of a random T-shirt (the kind you get at school events) and khakis that were always a few inches too short. I found it funny but kept a straight face and would reply with a very nonchalant “hey” and the black head nod 😂 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Little did I know 10 years later I’d be stuck in the house with him while he coughs all up in my face... he’s taking the in sickness and in health part of our vows a bit too seriously and now I have an itch in my throat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ These stories actually have nothing to do with each other. Just wanted to share that I’ve known Jonathan for 10 years and his way of celebrating our friendship is by spreading germs. Folks are rude. #theKolaFam #blacklovedoc 📷 @thelocdbella

A post shared by IJEOMA KOLA (@ijeomakola) on Oct 16, 2018 at 12:19pm PDT