be at peace, let it go

A gift one can give to self is peace by letting things go.

put them bags down

Be free and be at peace..

Keep in mind, peace must be nurtured. Keep pushing for the sake of living you best life.

Living your best and being your best is a priceless gift of selflove

don’t cheat yourself with being cheap

BE AT PEACE and LET IT GO

It takes courage

it’s about change

It’s necessary to reflect upon the reasons for ending a relationship no matter the type.

HEALING

Healing is a process.

It starts with the #thought, yes just a thought to be different. When the #desire to be healed presents itself, it will facilitate the shift from the thought to a #vision. Once you see yourself healed, you will begin the work it takes to be #healed. Besides, the thought, desire, and vision, #courage is a necessary ingredient to #move through the challenge. 🌄

Yes, it takes courage to heal

Disenfranchisement

“A vote is a prayer for the world you want to live in.” ~@ReverendWarnock

I support this statement because our faith will move us to action.

Your #vote counts. Make sure you vote in all the elections.

There are efforts to #disenfranchise particular people and groups.

Voting exercises #power


#pray for all #elected officials and hold them accountable


Encourage your #family #neighbors #friends to vote. Take someone to the poll.

ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL

It’s all about control

Take the #time to #assess what you can #control.

Honestly, one can only control what they can do. Those things one is unable to do is out of their control.

When one has #determined what they can control, this will reduce #anxiety and put some things into #perspective.

This is a big #relief for some and give a sense of #emotional and #mental well-being. Focus on what you can do.

Mental #health is as important as #physical health.

Connections Matter

It is said “birds of a feather flock together”

Chickens are not with eagles. The sparrow does not fly with penguins. Well, penguins don’t fly, so that says that.

Having the right connections determine the right trajectory.

When one is surrounded by great people there is pressure to be great too. This is good pressure. Great people will love you enough to ensure they are an example to model greatness and help you acquire greatness.

THINK BIG

Those who think small want others to think the same. They may seem pessimistic but their thoughts are limited and stay within the box.

To be great, one must defy the boundaries and go beyond the limitations placed upon them. These limits can be themselves or others. When one sees greatness, they have something for which to strive. The game changer is to think GREAT so you can be GREAT.

Connect and network with those who are smarter and help you to be better than your best. Yes, let others in the room be the smartest in the room. Color outside of the lines and redefine them.

Set yourself up with the right network for the proper connections.

Yes, #connections matter!!

Honesty is the best policy

Policy is different than a practice. Honesty is the best policy. It is the best because being honest demonstrate actions that withstand scrutiny.

Be #honest
Tell the #truth
Be #courageous and be #vulnerable
Yes, it is #uncomfortable
Be the #light in the darkness, the candle.

Those who are dishonest have an agenda to be comfortable

Vulnerability can be fearful.

Some fear being open, open to be wounded, open to be damaged, open to be harmed, open to being attacked. The whole aspect of being exposed to something out of their control breeds fear for some.

So, following the policy of honesty is contrary to a level of comfort some can handle.

Believing a lie, telling a lie, and sharing a lie has a level of comfort others can handle; therefore, they choose comfort over vulnerability; therefore, they are safe instead of exposed.

Ultimately, what you require for yourself, you will require for others.

It is either honesty and vulnerability or lying and comfortability.

you CHOOSE!!

The Main Thing

Be deliberate with taking care of you.

Self-care is a necessary priority

The above definition says self-care is a DELIBERATE CHOICE. What do you do intentionally to make yourself better? The answer must be to take care of yourself so you may be better than your best.

Self-care is the obligation one must have for self. It is the foundation from which one goes out into the world.

Make sure to take care of yourself. It is protection against the worst and preparation for the best. It is rejuvenation and regeneration. Honestly, it is a sort of re-engagement with putting first things first, you, yourself. Take the time to make the time. Make a difference by being different. You need you. So, practice #selfcare and make it the Main Thing.

Healing

Healing is a #process and a necessary one.

Start the #healing process in the most #basic way possible.

There are #levels to it. Start the #healing process in the most #basic way possible.

Be determined to #heal your #mind #body #soul without apology.

See yourself healed and liberated. 🌄 .

Community Schools for NBOE

Peace and blessings.  

There are some definite changes that are necessary for NBOE to progress and prosper. 

  1. The Board is no longer an Advisory Board where the DOE appoints the Superintendent. You all need to govern appropriately or you’re all guilty of Newark losing Governance under QSAC.  You all are responsible for the NBOE and the allocation of its resources.  Appropriate support and resources are necessary for success. The amount of funding received for mental health services was squandered on services that do not address mental health.  SOCIAL and EMOTIONAL LEARNING is a tool and does not replace a mental health professional who can provide appropriate supports to the students, families, staff, and faculty.  Some of those supports are treatment, education, referrals, and consultation.  SEL DOES NOT DO THAT.  It is a disservice someone would think that was appropriate to allocate funding to an area that is not an actual solution to the problem.  Which one of your friends or someone in your network received that contract?  Inquiring minds want to know. I am disgusted this happened and it perpetuates the negligence of your fiduciary responsibility as a Board and mental health stigma.  Also, it creates an impediment to learning and academic success. The community fought hard to acquire full local control and FULL LOCAL CONTROL is necessary to maintain and sustain. Whatever training you need, seek it out. Your responsibility and accountability impact people’s lives. It is a matter of life and death. Hopefully, you all know the consequence of losing Governance and will make the necessary changes for governing NBOE.  
  2. Board member A’Dorian Murray please help me understand your reason for not resigning from this board. Honestly, I believe it would be best for you to remain on that Board since you are a product of that District and educational organization.  NBOE is a public board that has ethical requirements and serving on both boards is a violation of those ethics. Being committed to Newark children is a little different than being committed to NBOE.
  3. Josephine Garcia still needs to resign from the Board and be held accountable for her disrespectful remarks towards the community as she is elected to serve. 

Now, I would like to discuss my main point about community schools. This is a model that encompasses the school as the hub of the community.  If the community had input about the allocation of those funds received for mental health services, the propaganda would not have won for SEL services and actual mental health services would have been contracted with behavioral health treatment providers here in Newark.  Again, I’m disgusted with whoever squandered that money. This happened because the school is no longer the hub of the community especially under the neoliberalism auspices of “choice”  The current One Newark Enrollment plan needs to be immediately dismantled.  Families being required to choose 8 schools is not a “real choice” since people may only have 3-4 choices. As a community, we must reject the neoliberalism notion of choice because it is destabilizing our communities. 

The Board needs to have more transparency and include the community in making decisions that impact the lives of NBOE students, families, staff, and faculty. These same efforts were done under state control and are continuing under local control. Collaborate with parents and invested community members for the success and safety of NBOE schools. 

Practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands for 20 seconds, get vaccinated. Have a blessed and safe holiday season.

Resources for Self-care

Keeping some things in mind.

#selfcare is tending to all aspects of self #spiritual #financial #occupational #emotional #intellectual #physical #environmental #social


This is about #social #spiritual #emotional #occupational wellness


Wellness is the #goal
Healing is the #process
#spiritual #physical #social #emotional  wellness


Connections matter
Attachments make the difference
#social #emotional #spiritual #financial wellness


#forgiveness is #liberation
#trust is a game changer
#spiritual #emotional #social #intellectual wellness


Share these resources with others and keep for self if necessary

Reference to maintain your self-care routine

Being OK, okay

It’s ok to not be ok

The above caption is a reminder that some days are better than others. This is a fact of life. Another reminder is it is ok to not be ok.

Each of us can only live one day at a time. When we do this, it reduces some of the anxiety that thinking about tomorrow brings. Yes, it’s always best to plan for the future but keep in mind some things are out of our control.

It takes practice to be in the now and learn to work through the discomfort the “now” brings.

There are levels, stages, and a spectrum of being ok or not being ok. Also, being ok is contextual. Depending on the timing, the day, or the season, we may be great or better or something other.

Living life on life’s terms is challenging. The important thing is to work through it to reach what’s ok for you. Please do not allow another to define your OK. Know for yourself when you’re not ok and what you need to do to be ok.

Here are some suggestions to help you. *****💜💜💜💜💜******💜💜💜💜💜****** 1. Identify what triggers you to not be ok. 2. Have a method to move from that feeling such as reading, reading an affirmation, positive self-talk, talking to another, or listening to music.

You are worth it

A blessing instead of a curse

Blessings

A thought I’m learning to have and word I’m learning to share with others is #bless you.

Just want to be a #light of #love despite my thoughts and feelings of another.

Also, I’m learning others are #mad cause you choose to be #glad. They prefer you to simmer and wallow with feelings of offense. Yes, be a “victim” Holding on to that feeling is #bondage. When there is a choice to move in #liberty, move with the #freedom that no one can #deny that a #righteous choice was made. And, yes I know it’s easier said than done. But, it’s so much better to do it than not do it. It feels good to feel good SO #feel good.

Besides choosing to be glad instead of mad, I will #defy the normal expectation of cursing another. This requires #intentionality and must happen on purpose with #purpose. Living and acting with A Purpose Driven Life is a book that reminds one to know Gods purpose for self and one purpose is to be a #lover of people.

God has a purpose for all of us and that is to be a blessing. A blessing to yourself and others instead of a curse. A curse is speaking death and negatively towards another. Words have power. So, when you think something other, ask God to help you be a light. Say, “bless you”

Always remember, you’re perfectly imperfect and in a #process for #progress. One thing to do is keep striving to be better. Practice makes perfect.

The Law of Attraction

What you THINK

Thoughts matter and #think positive with intentionality. Yes, positive thoughts impacts who you are, what you do, and your future aspirations. Think positive, be positive, and do it with positivity.

What you FEEL…

Feelings make a difference. Be determined to #feel encouraged beyond measure. Keep in mind feelings are fickle. Be stable, sober, resilient, and courageous. These are what you attract with the energy in your feelings.

What you IMAGINE…

You have to see it to believe it so it’s best to #imagine love in all its aspects and everything it has to offer. Love your self, family, friends, community, work, imperfections, uniqueness with audacity and defiance. Love is light which allows you to create a radiance that shines for others. Let it replicate for others to shine bright with the light of love.

Community Schools for Newark, NJ

NBOE Board Meeting, 10/28/21

There are some definite changes that are necessary for NBOE to progress and prosper. 

Peace and blessings.

  1. It is essential Board members are committed to NBOE public schools as they took an oath and are elected to serve the needs of the children who attend NBOE. Board member A’Dorian Murray needs to resign as a Board member and serve on the KIPP Foundation.  Congratulations on your appointment and I think it would be best for you to remain on that Board since you are a product of that District and educational organization.  NBOE is a public board that has ethical requirements and serving on both boards is a violation of those ethics.  Honestly, I doubted your commitment to NBOE from your initial election run for the seat. Being committed to Newark children is a little different than being committed to NBOE.
  2. Josephine Garcia still needs to resign from the Board and be held accountable for her disrespectful remarks towards the community as she is elected to serve. 
  3. The Board is no longer an Advisory Board where the DOE appoints the Superintendent. You all need to govern appropriately or you’re all guilty of Newark losing Governance under QSAC. The community fought hard to acquire full local control and FULL LOCAL CONTROL is necessary to maintain and sustain. Whatever training you need, seek it out. Your responsibility and accountability impact people’s lives. It is a matter of life and death. Hopefully, you all know the consequence of losing Governance and will make the necessary changes for governing NBOE.

Now, I would like to discuss my main point about community schools. This is a model that encompasses the school as the hub of the community.  However, the school is no longer the hub of the community especially under the neoliberalism auspices of “choice”  The current One Newark Enrollment plan needs to be immediately dismantled.  Families being required to choose 8 schools is not a “real choice” since people may only have 3-4 choices. As a community, we must reject the neoliberalism notion of choice because it is destabilizing our communities.  This was done under state control and is continuing under local control. 

Appropriate support and resources are necessary for success. One of these resources was funding for mental health supports, what happened? Inquiring minds want to know.  The support is essential for all, students, staff, and faculty.  The lack of support perpetuates mental health stigma and is an impediment to a safe learning environment.

Collaborate with parents and invested community members for the success and safety of NBOE schools. Facilitate a genuine survey of the community to determine their needs and desires. Survey the entire community instead of a segment of it.  For the record, a Freedom School is much different than a community school. 

Practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands for 20 seconds, get vaccinated.

Peace and blessings.

Time is of the Essence

Time is of the essence is so cliché but it is a matter of fact. As the picture’s words say, “One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time”

Time is so #precious and #priceless. It is important to be #purposeful and #intentional with using your time.

Time can’t be recycled. Let me help you understand “once it is used, it can not be used again or used for something else”

TIME IS MONEY

Time is like money where it needs to be budgeted but this is something most of us do not consider to do, “create a budget for our time” However, we can have good time management strategies such as using a calendar, wearing a watch, and being on time for appointments.

Time is not like money where it can be saved for later. What ever time you have now, has to be used now. Unused time is wasted time.

Make a list and check it twice

Make a list of things you do throughout the day. When you review the list, determine where you may not be using your time wisely. However, using time to take care of your needs is using your time wisely. Start using a calendar to help yourself better manage time.

Keep in mind: Time is of the essence.