1
breathe life…
L O VE
Vol. 1 Issue 1
SUMMER 2018
YOUR SELF
YOUR COMMUNITY YOUR WORLD
2
MEET THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Shaquala Green “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a Butterly.”
Essence Leftridge
is an MPH Grad in Healthcare Organization. She’s a licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and a Plant-Based Foodie
Mother. Wanderlust. Free spirit. Plant-based foodie.
Holistic Medicine Enthusiast. Friend.
Lover of nature, people, good vibes, and great music.
Rachel Horton. She’s a lover of sports, people, art in all forms, and good vibes. Born in Miami, FL, but Atlanta, GA helped raise her. Sometimes she writes. Sometimes she hoops. But mostly she tries her best, to
Rob Bailey
enjoy life. ! ☺
A therapist at Beach Stone Counseling in Pompano Beach, Florida. He also conducts character development/ enrichment seminars and workshops in the education, not for profit and corporate sector.
Kristen Johnson “The work starts within.” Writer. Artist. Servant. Leader. Advocate. Sister. Friend. Melodious Soul. Radiant Love. Phenomenal Woman. Virtuous Queen.
Lydia Allen. A coffee aficionado. Wanderlust. Her interests encompass all things literary, seaworthy, convivial and eternal. Defined by His will,
Dana H. is. She’s a
speaker, Youtube, Blogger and lover of Life
CJ is a thinker, a connector, a lover of sports, an adventurer, a writer, a mentor, a 'mountain man', but most importantly someone who loves growth, people, and communities.
3
TableContents of
A Child”s Love
18
Inhale. Exhale. Breath. Love
9
Self-ish.
An Anthem to Humanity
15
Breathe into Music
13
8
Healing, a Nation?
Breathe into Love
16
5
11 5 Herbs to Help Reduce STRESS and ANXIETY
19Make it Medicine Odes To Strong Tears
21
4 simiaye.
to breath life...
in to your mind, in
Editor’s Note:
to your body, in to your spirit.
out to your relationships, out to your endeavors, out to your vision.
there’s a feeling of fullness we experience, in whatever aspects of life we immerse in..
a heightened awareness,
enhanced perception,
a broader understanding,
an idea or concept fulfilled.
my aim is to curate a space that reminds us that we can open up to a more balanced and fulfilled life and how we can become more conscious to ways that we already do.
music/art. diet/body. mind/knowledge. what out there in the world, is teeming with life?
what both stops your breath and lightens and infuses your spirit with wonder and sensation?
what heals you? your body, your mind, your spirit? what can you create that can heal yourself, your community and the world? what can make your existence more whole?
and when we use the term “life”, we mean things that are, vibrant, stimulating, energetic, brilliant, inspiring, resonant and rich.
when it comes to songs, drinks, history and poetry, meals and dishes, science and discovery, films and productions.
any thing that we engage with, how do they and how can they breathe life into our existence? this, is the core of what the simiaye brand speaks to.
this, is what the curators and creators of this brand will deliver.
this, is what those who connect with simiaye will experience.
life. breath. humanity.
5
“
Breathe Into Love
W
hy can’t I do this?” My muscles burned and my core chastised me for the rigorous work I’d just put it through; my half-hour long yoga flow was nearing its end. I had twisted, turned, discovered new muscles, fallen, and gotten up again. The hardest part had passed. I laid on my mat in Savasana - the
6
pose intended for
the performance of the endless
inspiring gratitude and
tasks of life!
relaxation, allowing myself to let go. I began with my toes, then my feet, next were my legs, belly, and arms. Lastly, my heart. Here is where the connection was lost. My left arm tensed in an effort to resist the process of breathing and connecting. “Come on, you got this,” I thought. “Relax, breathe…”, I began counting backward, “10… 9…8…7…,” Another futile attempt. “Shaquala, get your ish together and do this,” I chided myself. Do. How easy it is to loose ourselves in the doing, in
I can’t be alone in getting lost in the do-ing of life. Leaping out of bed at the crack of dawn and dashing off to accomplish the many tasks of the day-all before crashing in an exhausted heap in front of my laptop, just in time to watch Insecure. As if my unending tasks weren’t enough, once I settled in for the day, my brain would pick up the baton and sprint from one deadline to the next. In all my doing, dashing, sprinting, and being harsh with myself, I failed to create a space where I could connect with my essence. A
7
space to be kind to myself, to
blubbering like child, I caught a
nurture myself, and to breathe.
glimpse of my heart. I caught a glimpse of that magnificent,
After a few decades (Just two!) of engaging in this mad cycle of
rugged work of art that was the essence of my being. And I loved it.
busyness and pleasing others, I lost myself.
I wanted nothing more than to caress my little heart and breathe
And so, here I lay on my mat.
love into it. I found love on my mat and learned the importance of
Frustrated because I could not do Savasana. After trying, pushing,
creating time to love myself.
willing and chiding myself-to no avail, I experienced an “a-ha”
Whether it’s by speaking kindly to yourself, practicing meditation
moment. I realized that I resisted the process of “going there”
every morning, putting a favorite song on repeat, frolicking in the
because the unknown crevices of my heart terrified me. When all the
woods, or taking an extra 5 minutes in the shower. I want to
doing was stripped away, who was I? Who was I without the masks of
encourage you to pause and breathe into love.
others’ ideas, hopes, and dreams of me? What would I find if I
“It is indeed a radical act of love
ventured “there”? Could I accept me-all of me? It was at that point I
just to sit down and be quiet for a time by yourself.”- Jon Kabat-Zinn
knew what I must do. In a final act of surrender, I took a deep breath and rested in the pause. w As I lay on my mat,
Shaquala Green @cocoalocs
8
Music has the power to excite your spirit, your body and your mind. The rhythmic, analogous, lyrical play. The carrying of the story by the melody, bass, and meter of the instrumental production all play a part in the completed art form. Here we want to introduce to you artists and projects that breathe life into us, and can breathe life into you.
“The lyrics take you on a soulful journey as they are backed by smooth bass to keep your heart in tune with the movement.”
Soul Travelin’ S t r a n ge F r u i t P r o j e ct
“It’s divine. It’s alluring. It’s exhilarating.”
Sunflower Soul L ondrelle
9
I once told a multimillionaire that money doesn’t make the world go round, that people do; he laughed at me and in front of a room of about 40 budding entrepreneurs he told me I was in the wrong place to be pursuing socialism. He misunderstood my point, much like the most of world misunderstands the importance of love and the value of people.
Inhale. Exhale.
Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Love.
Relationships drive everything in this world. You can’t make money without some sort of exchange between people. You can’t receive a service or buy groceries or get your car fixed or any other basic necessity without human interaction. Overall, the world has a pretty good understanding on how to make money, but no firm grasp of how to maintain, feed, and grow healthy relationships. We’re all born into a society that teaches us to prioritize and chase the almighty dollar. But there are millionaires and billionaires that are unhappy and unfulfilled because the chase of money made them lose out on building relationships and the opportunity to love deeply. Now don’t get it twisted money is important. Money can and does bring about financial security and stability. Money can bring about happiness. But how much further can your dollar stretch if you are also fulfilled with love and relationships. Love is often looked at as an emotion, but it is so much more. Love is a noun, a verb, an adjective and any other grammatical notation you can think of as far
10
as words go. Love knows no boundaries and when we operate in and out of love life is lighter. If you don’t believe me just think of all the millions of people living in huts, unsure of where their next meal is going to come from, that have to wash their clothes in a river, without clean drinking water that are all living with hearts wide open. In 2012 I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. To them my 18 year old self from America with nice clothes, shoes, and comfortable sleeping quarters appeared to be rich. After all we were in their small town of Higüey to build two churches. The dirt roads, lack of industry, and economy spoke to the lack of wealth all around, but everyday that my group was on the construction site kids from all over came to play baseball and soccer in the streets. They laughed and made jokes despite the language barrier between them and most. The elders of the town came to help with the construction of the churches and those who spoke english helped with translation as necessary. These
people who didn’t even have the means for a place of worship never once seemed unhappy. The only feasible explanation for happiness when you’re living in extreme poverty is love. Money can’t buy or replace what true love does for the soul. The ability to love and to love deeply has more of an impact on those around you than sharing money alone could ever have. Money alone is not e n o u g h . Pe o p l e m a t t e r. Relationships matter. Love matters. Ask yourself how has your love impacted someone. Loving one person in a genuine way could be the catalyst for hundreds or maybe even thousands of people loving someone else in a more genuine way. Make your money, strive for success, but don’t forget to be human along the way, remember to love.
Rachel Horton @CharneleMarie12
11
5 Herbs to help reduce
Stress and Anxiety You know that feeling? Muscles tense. Heartbeat quickens and breathing becomes more rapid. You recognize that your body is in a “flight or flight” mode. Mind is in a fog. You begin to think of worst-case scenarios. And so the spiral begins… Anxiety disorder is a far more common problem than was once thought. It can affect people in their teenage years through middle age and later. Anxiety disorder appears to affect twice as many women as men, though there may not actually be that wide a disparity between the sexes. Psychologists believe that men are far less prone to report or even acknowledge having a problem of this.
Let’s talk about it. Men and women. Let’s recognize and confront what we are dealing with, and most importantly, let’s find healing. When our bodies are under a lot of stress, we become more vulnerable to free radical damage (when reactive oxygen molecules attack our body’s cells). Thankfully, there are herbs we can include in our diet that are rich in flavonoids (antioxidants) that neutralize free radicals. 1. Billberry is thought to curb inflammation and protect against diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gingivitis, and age-related cognitive decline.
12
2.Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to improve cognitive function because it promotes good blood circulation in the brain and protects the brain and other parts from neuronal damage. 3. Milk Thistle has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and is commonly used to detoxify the body, especially the liver. The last two I will spotlight are: 4. Kava Kava is a beverage or extract that is made from Piper methysticum, a plant native to the western Pacific islands. The name "kava" comes from the Polynesian word "awa," which means bitter. Some people take kava by mouth to calm anxiety, stress, and restlessness, and to treat sleeping problems (insomnia). 5.Fennel relieves anxiety-related gastrointestinal upsets, reduces flatulence and abdominal tension, and relaxes the large intestine. Let’s heal from within. Look for these herbs in your nearest health food store or on the tea aisle of the grocery store. Every decision we make to improve our well-being, no matter how small, is a good decision. Be well. Breathe life.
Essence Leftridge @onebalancedvegan
Essence is an MPH Grad in Healthcare Organization. She’s a licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and a Plant-Based Foodie
13
“
We were
meant to
delve into the deep
an
ANTHEM
mystery of the God who created us
“
to humanity
We were meant to be world conquerors The ones the people lost in fear look to, and find bravery in us We were meant to Defy every law that stands to hold us in place Every lie that says we cannot demand more of this world and receive back tenfold what we gave of ourselves to prove it was worth trying. We were meant to be the philosophers who don't settle for easy answers that make no sense and calm no souls other than those looking to quiet their inner mind. We were meant to delve into the deep mystery of the God who created us and adopted us as sons. We were meant to be the pyromaniacs Dancing around the fires we build, our ageless skin glowing in the turbulent light
14
We were meant to be the doctors, the physicists, the artists, the writers that this world longs to see We were meant to see the unity all around us. To call attention to it when everyone else is walking around with their hands on their ears and their minds taped up into neat little boxes. We were meant to be workers To toil till the world is sleeping around us, and fall asleep only when we know we have given our all. We were meant to clean the dirty floors, to scrub the filthy toilets. We were meant to be leaders. The ones who surprise others into excellence simply from the example we gave. We were meant to sing Till our throats are sore with the fullness of the words we've lifted We were meant to be sailors Brave navigators of storms and joyous washers of the decks, our skin tanned and our hair full of salt. We were meant to love till our heart cracks into thin and tiny pieces So we can be put back together again by the one who loved us to His own shattering. We were meant to love even more till those same mended seams come crashing in And again, And again. We were meant to love. We were meant to be..anything and everything. No limits.
Lydia Allen @aidyluminous
15
Self-ish Some may say it’s selfish
You assume you think, “It’s
But I’m on some self-ish.
Fine Kristen won’t mind!”
A poem from the heart of a young woman on the beautiful and eternal road to selfdiscovery and self-love. As I rehearse her words, the thoughts, emotions and sentiments spring from the page and wash over my psyche with soothing familiarity.
If I don’t look out for me; then who?
But do you ever take the time
Is it that I care too much for you?
To just think and rewind? And contemplate your I recall her wrestling with actions balancing the duality of love for Like mathematical fractions? herself and selfless love to others. See, I add and multiply And your subtract and I rejoice as she comes to the alldivide important understanding that not only is this duality possible, Until the product of this it is absolutely necessary. equation
That I’m Used Abused Taken advantage of And for granted cause’ You say really care But you’re never really there. Some may say it’s selfish But I’m on some self-ish. Is it that I love so hard That my heart is scarred?
Is a jacked up situation And the one who is left in pain is– Me. Some may say it’s selfish
Not putting myself before you Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? It’s a choice, it’s what I choose “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.”
But I’m on some self-ish.
But hey! I need love too! I can hurt, feel, and cry just like you!
A relief is what I need What I desire
I reminisce on this young, relentless love and I smile. For she finally learned to accept the fierceness of her love unapologetically. And she achieved it, first, within.
You see I’m on some self-ish Because I must take time for myself, its The only way to be It’s my way of being free From all the drama, hurt, and negativity
Some may say it’s selfish
And require But the only way I will receive
But I’m on some self-ish.
Is if I take time for me.
You take my kindness for weakness,
Self-Ish.
Kristen Small @KristenJanine
HEALING
16
A NATION?
THE
EMOTIONAL STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE OF PEOPLE IN
AMERICA
For us, as a whole, to first receive the complete tearing down of our beings, spiritually, physically, socially, intellectually, morally. Then to have a collective of people attempt to GIVE back, piece by piece, a semblance of citizenship and status in a place we were stolen to, all the while half, if not more of the nation, the nation that we are inclined to stand behind, still not believing we fully deserve said status. They make little to no attempt to understand our predicament, our human condition, questioning us whenever we attempt to advocate for ourselves, constantly reminding us in both grand and subtle ways of how
BLACK
IS UNPRECEDENTED.
they truly believe we should live and be treated. We as the collective people of African descent in this country have not yet had the chance to actually heal. And we (America) is out here talking about healing the NATION?! How deeply, truly, was the European American race wounded as a result of the end of slavery, the end of Jim crow, integration and the attempts to bring equality to the human race on this land. How much damage was sustained by the lighter hue of people as compared to that of both the Native Americans and African Americans. In no way, do I intend to remove the rightful struggle that each
17
human bears and must manage through, however, lets take a real consideration into the healing that must take place within the races. Considering so, we must heal ourselves. In spite of it all, we have to heal, ourselves. We must choose as often as possible to look within, to see our pain, to soothe our pain, and to heal from it. We must rise and grow. We must love deeper than we ever thought possible. To heal a broken childhood of one individual, with intention and focus, may take 15 years. Imagine the time it will take, to heal a people, a nation. As I listened to a newscast this morning on the road, it detailed how two young black twin boys were handcued, at gun point, as there were assumed to have been a
suspect carrying a handgun. I felt their pain. I felt their fear. Their confusion and possible rage. Their mother, oh their mother. It hurt, deeply. And I don’t know when, or how it will change or will stop, but I must write. We must share. We have to communicate, to listen to engage. Forgive, and remove ego. Remove fear and selfishness. Seek, understanding and humanity. We have to breathe life, into our world.
 
Edward Titus @edwardtitusiv
18
A Child’s Love
I once filled a balloon with air for a 3 year old. He took that balloon and played with it for a moment. Then after a while, he came over, climbed right into in my lap, leaned his head against my chest, and whispered, “I Love You!” So I asked “Is it because I blew up your balloon?” “Yep!”, he responded assuredly. I laughed, gave him a hug and said “I love you too.” To me this was such a magical moment; a feeling that I’m not sure how to put into words. The ability to witness love and appreciation from a human full of innocence, one who has yet to be programed into hiding his emotions, one who has yet to be shaped into a “man” by the unspoken rules of society. It was beautiful to witness. And this is why I love kids! They are raw and uncut. They tell it like it is; unafraid and unbothered. They share their feelings without the fear that someone will judge them for it, because they’re “just a kid.” They love hard, they love real and their disdain for you, if any, is real too.
There’s no pretending with them. They either like you or they don’t and if you did something that they don’t like, they let you know. Their forgiveness is quick, almost never holding a grudge. And once they let it go it seems as though they never remember it anymore. I wonder if that’s how we were supposed to be. I wonder if this is what God expects of us. I think so! When I look at children, I see God. I see His unconditional love, His willingness to forgive, and His choice to never hold a grudge. When I look at children, I see Jesus. "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 18:3 xoxo Dana H.
Dana H. @danas_diaries
19
I have an autoimmune disorder that has made life uniquely awkward for me. When I adjust to it, and it is so severe as to demand adjustment, I usually knock something else over. I do my best to act normal, though I am 100% in crisis mode. I have to fight to believe I will overcome it. The worst, though, is that at times I have let sickness take more than health.
Make it
On one occasion I was interviewing for my dream job. I was fresh out of graduate school. Full of wisdom and student loans. I thought I was on my way. I knock out the first part of the process, I think to myself, “I’m in 3rd, maybe 4th place with time to recover." We’re moving to another part of the school for a different activity and people were staring at me. No worries, I didn’t let it phase me. Finally, a few of the students from the high school that had been assisting the organization told me that my face was bleeding.
MEDICINE
“Oh wow. Thanks. Which way is the bathroom?” “Its over there to the…” she said pointing. Phheeeuuuummmmm There weren’t even MIRRORS in the bathroom. I use the camera on my phone and I see how bad it had gotten. My face had been looking crazy for over an hour. I never recovered. Not to mention the competition I was up against was really good. A couple hours later the day is almost over and we conclude with a recap in front of a 25 person group. It’s my turn and nobody was listening. I tried
20
to get their attention respectfully. They ignored me and apparently I raised my voice just a little too much, with a pinch of aggression. The room fell silent and everyone was looking at me like I kicked a small child. Needless to say I didn’t get the job. The cosmetic issue wasn’t new. My private war however, was spilling into the public. How many casualties are there of our private wars. When things are bad, instead of cutting our losses we self destruct. When its time to rally, we surrender. We self destruct on people, opportunities, abilities and time. I don’t know too many people who aren’t mishandling some aspect of their life as a response to some trauma they suffered. When there is an explosion in your life we must find the awareness to salvage what
shifted but didn’t collapse. We’ve got to stop breaking the table because the roof is gone. You going to need that table to rebuild. Ancient civilizations leave behind artifacts that speak to the beauty of times past but also the inevitable loss we must all suffer. Everything that didn’t collapse in your life is a priceless artifact of a chapter closed. My homegirl Antelmina from Angola once told me that when life hits you, you have to hit it back. Don’t Iet grief rob you of the living as well. Don’t let the trauma of old rob you of the beauty of the present. Don't lose it all, because you lost a lot. Refine your tragedy and make it medicine for you, your loved ones and your dreams. Peace and success to you. -Robert A. Bailey
Robert A. Bailey baileyr@andrews.edu
21
ODES TO STRONG TEARS To the person who’s been forced to be strong To the fight to fit, the battle to belong To the clenched fist, the yearning heart To the close connections miles apart To the brightness of your light To the times you’ve caused the shadow To the darkness of the night To the deep internal battle ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To the taste of intimacy and the cure To the lack of occupancy in the pure Sections of the heart, of this, you can’t be sure Scars from other’s past mistakes, and cracks from yours Leave foundations shaken, stirred up, insecure ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To the isolating walls built for safety Windows barred, doors are blocked and locked the gate, keys are hidden here with hope and having faith s/he can calmly knock and sit although you’ve told them “wait please, Take these eyes, these windows, glimpses to my soul Take these tears and hold them, listen as they roll Take the good, the bad, the poison and the gold Take my origami heart let it unfold” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here’s a warm embrace To the arms tired from picking themselves up Here’s a shoulder to lean on To the neck tired from ‘keeping your head up’ Here’s a place to lie or sit still To the legs tired from standing tall Here’s to strong tears. Here’s to those who cry them and get up to meet the next day.
CJ Goulding @goulding_jr
22
thank you for taking a few moments to breathe with us. we hope your time has heightened your awareness, enhanced your perception, a broadened your understanding. that it has brought balance to your life we hope that you feel more whole, more grounded, more human. .simiaye.
special thanks to..
Jourdan Ways - Amber Harris - Bunmi Ejide - Sasha Diambois - Henry Chaney Carolina Daney - Je Roberts - Joe Mackenzie - Laina and Anthony
Mychal Ashburn - Laville Russell - Mylon Medley - Chantae Cruse - Kendra Niles Esperanza Terrell - Tricia Caruth - Almarie Hill - Donna Green-Goodman
