Can I be a nurse? Cure people so they can live Feed the hungry ones Provide homes to all people From my dream I awaken
~Little girls with dreams become women with vision-unknown~
Now that I'm older Recruit all the helping hands Volunteer, I am My vision is bright and clear Fight the good fight, persevere
Dreams to Light is about little girls who have big dreams of their own. Some are realized and some are merely a dream. Growing up and coming of age, into adulthood, womanhood, the vision forms. It can be as simple as gathering like-minded people together. Maybe even starting to act on those long-lost dreams as a child.
We all have different experiences in life and different ideas about what the world should look like, how people should live. It all starts with imagination and transforms to something bigger, more meaningful. If only we dare to bring those dreams to light.
Dreams turn to visions, then into movements. I pose this question to women who had dreams as a child; how has your dream shaped your life today?
In this video is a segment called Split Personality on the Connect the Dots podcast. The host, Louis poses questions, to which we both delve into these questions and give our perspectives.
Connect the Dots Split Personalities episode with O’Nika
Check out the Connect the Dots podcast on You Tube.
One day it felt like I was on top of the world. Living life with the finest things. So, it seems from the outside looking in. A career that I love. Helping people with services to enhance their lives.A comfortable home fully furnished. Plush yard, lots of square footage.A luxury car. Foreign import with butterfly doors and heated seats.
You understand where this is going.
Next week, on a Monday morning, I woke up. Feeling good, I have my cup of coffee with French vanilla creamer. My apple fritter is in the microwave for ten seconds. I sit down in the kitchen and indulge in my daily breakfast. After, I get dressed in a beautiful Blue A-line dress with a plunging neckline. Slip into my heels and do a quick turnaround in front of the mirror. Ok, I’m all good. Out the door, I go.
Defining Moment
An hour later, I arrived at work. Walk into my office and sit down. Let me check my calendar for the day. A knock at the door distracts me. Irritated, I respond, “come in!” The big boss walks in. A dry expression on his face. He sits opposite my desk. “Good morning, Amani, do you have a minute?” Mr. Walker firmly asks.
“Yes, of course. Is everything okay?” I responded. “Well, no, it isn’t. I have some bad news,” He retorted. “We have to let you go. The company is downsizing and there is no place for you. I’m sorry.”
“What! Are you fricking serious right now? I have a mortgage and car payments!”- I angrily shouted at him.
Mr. Walker stood up, turned to me once more and said, “I’m really sorry.” Then he left my office.
Devastated by the news, I started to panic. It felt like someone sucked all the air out of the room. In an attempt to calm down, I sat. Swiveling in my plush, comfortable, high back, leather, office chair. A sly grin slowly formed across my face. The wheels of a plot were coming together in my head.
Security came into my office. “We are ready to escort you out now,” says the squatty guard with masking tape on his glasses.
I gathered my personal belongings. Before exiting my office for the last time, I stood in the doorway and took a final look. As I turn around, all eyes are on me as I walk down the long hallway.
The Get Back
Now, alone, in my car. I exact revenge on Mr. Walker. Who does he think he is firing me! He has some nerve! I’ll show him how much of a big boss he thinks he is. I use an AI app on my phone. I prompt the app to create a picture of my co-worker with a handsome, young, buff, attractive man. The image shows the young man and the woman in a seductive embrace and smiling.
The co-worker is the wife of Mr. Walker. The caption on the image reads, “this is what satisfaction looks like.” I add heart and fire emoji’s. Next, I press the send button. A huge smile takes over my face, and I am smiling so wide; it starts to hurt. Feeling such a sense of gratification, I sit in the car and wait.
Five minutes pass and Mr. Walker storms out and is talking on his phone. “Who the hell is this man you are with? Have you lost your mind woman!” shouts Mr. Walker. Meanwhile, I am sitting there watching and listening to the conversation unfold. He sees me sitting in my car grinning and gives me a dirty look. He continues to shout and yell at his wife as he drives off.
Karma Takes Over
I get home and find two cars in the driveway. One belongs to my husband Malik. The other, I have not seen before. The smile quickly fades and concern takes over. It is 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon and Malik is supposed to be at work. Walking inside I hear romantic music playing. The baby-making kind. A pair of women’s shoes are in the living room.
Immediately, I got angry. I head to the bedroom and push the door open. My husband and some hussy are in bed together. My bed! “Malik, what are you doing at home and who is this bird?!”- I demanded. Stuttering, he replies, “nobody, she is nobody. Baby, I can explain!”. Yelling back, “there is nothing to explain. Get out!”
Feeling deflated and humiliated, I retreat to the bathroom and slam the door. Now, I know how Mr. Walker must have felt when he received a text with a picture of his wife and another man.
It’s Not So Sweet
The moral of the story is that two wrongs never make a right. Amani is a woman who defines her life by appearances and status. She quickly learned that when you use manipulation tactics, it does not end well. Amani felt so proud of herself for sending that fake AI image to her boss, Mr. Walker, who had just fired her. She was in for the shock of her life when she came home. Amani found her husband, Malik in their matrimonial home with another woman.
The unconscious mind plays tricks and then laughs. Rectifying actions and words too. Making it feel natural and true. Realization comes late, hindsight now in the forefront.
What have I done wrong? Did I offend? Make it right, think, amend
Offer a solution with consciousness. Being of sound mind, intention takes over. Correction now the focus. Foster humility. Ego is no longer welcome, cast out conceit. Psyche needs tending, bring forth modesty.
Tending To The Psyche is written for the W3challenge. Sally has asked writers to think about the many things that lie beneath the surface. We can write about growth, change, discovery, hidden truths, difficult work, things that need tending, or anything else.
I chose to write about growth and discovery. The psyche is complex and when the revelation hits, it weighs heavily. It is like the lightbulb moment. The, “aha!” moment. Being self-aware is a segue to change, and gives power to consciousness and intentionality.
That feeling you get Drowning in regret Lonely Isolated, yet Happy and content Only Seeing silhouette Of past me, I fret wholly
Dancehall of Sorrows was written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge by Melissa.
Is it possible to be happy and content and live with regret? This question is one that I was thinking about while writing the poem. If one has regrets, do they have to be down and out, and sad? The answer I came up with is no. A person can still live a full and happy life.
Life is good, what can be better Relaxing, no string or tether The sun giving me strength The water spreading cool Just enough to level out the heat Peaceful thoughts to be had at no cost Looking up at the sky, mind getting lost The shine of rays Penetrating through the leaves Captivating movement with every breeze Sparks of new ideas and motivation Encapsulating every wish and dream of mine Innermost thoughts rushing in quickly Reminding me to just enjoy life and Take it light
Taking It Light is written for the prompt by Sadje for WDYS. The inspiration was drawn from the image below provided for this week’s prompt.
New poem-Crimson Bricks Tumbling Down is now on Spillwords
Crimson Bricks Tumbling Down, was written and based on the theme of the weight we carry. The prompt instructions are to describe the physical or emotional shape of a heavy feeling you know well. Give it form, texture, temperature, weight, and color. Let the reader feel it with you.
Working and having a job feels mostly like what? Work. It doesn’t have to. If the thing you do helps to put food on the table, and a roof over your head does that mean it has to be boring or mundane? Of course not.
Passion for a hobby or possessing natural talent for what brings in revenue can make all the difference. Also, your dream job will provide enjoyment, so it negates the feeling of doing something out of sheer necessity.
Some of us dream to be on the world stage. Singing or performing in the arts. Others want to travel and see the world. Fashionistas want to dress in the finest clothes and model for print or commercial ads. Also, there are humanitarians who have a knack for helping people.
If money were no object, what would you pursue in life? What job would bring you fulfillment and happiness?
Are you living in the past, present or future? It might sound like a question with an obvious answer, right? Well, you see, sometimes we relish our younger years and do not want to let go. It leads us to hold on to those days and try to relive the good times. It can also be memories of certain places, people or things from back in the day that keep us stuck.
Living in the present is a pragmatic way to live. It is a way to prevent the past from dictating what you are doing today. Also, you relieve yourself of worry about what is to come later in life. The approach of one day at a time can be described for people who live in the moment of today.
The future poses a layer of uncertainty. If you live in the future, maybe you feel that there is nothing to worry about. On the other hand, this way of thinking can help you reach your goals. It sets you up for the frame of mind to be clear about what you want for your future self. Living for the future also gives you the ability to prepare and set goals.
Can you answer this? Are you living in the past, present or future?
National Missing Children’s Day is May 25th, a day of dedication to the focus of child safety. A large percentage of missing children are returned home. However, any child that is missing is too much. Abduction of children does not get the attention it needs. To highlight this problem let’s bring awareness. We can be a part of helping those children return home safely.
President Ronald Reagan made May 25th National Missing Children’s Day in 1983. The day is in remembrance of the same date that Etan Patz disappeared in New York City, in 1979.
Whether a child is missing due to running away or abduction there are ways to reduce the incidence of it happening. Also, there are organizations who can help.
How can we protect our children and keep them safe?
Limit online activity and set boundaries
Keep track of who and where your children are spending time
Introduce yourself to the parents of your friends
Never leave children unattended in a car or stroller
Important things to do if a child is missing
Within the first 24 hours, report the child missing.
When a child is taken from home leave the room as is. The authorities can conduct a more comprehensive investigation with the area untouched.
Provide any information about friends of the child or anyone who can provide details of where the child might be.
Give a list of anyone who may have been at the home recently. Contractor, service people, etc.
Surround yourself with family and friends. Support will be much needed at this difficult time.
Figment; or My Imagination is a poem about a parent who is grieving the loss of a child. The child comes to them in a dream, but it seems so real. After the dream is over, the parent is wondering if the child really appeared?
Dear child where have you gone Dear child it's been way too long Missing you, morning, noon, night Longing for the return of your light
Light in your contagious smile Light in your warm touch Light in your healing words Light in your steady gaze
Keep your eyes shut, fear not My smile- contagious still bright My touch- warm is just right My words- healing ever so light My gaze- steady no longer tight
Dear child have I conjured fantasy Is my imagination out on a tangency Eyes now open still in a dream Mind deceives me to the extreme
Mine to have, a dream is a dream Flowing through my bloodstream For me to keep for a lifetime The aura of you is so sublime
Children are precious human beings. We send them to school so that they can continue to develop and learn. Also, for practical reasons, so that parents can work. Today, I’m writing about an incident that happened last week.
Two children were accidentally placed in a rideshare after school. Luckily, they were not harmed and returned to the school. Normally, they are picked up by the same person every day. So, what went wrong this time? Reports surfaced that the mistake happened due to a language barrier with the driver. One of the children spoke up when they realized that they were not at the correct location. Subsequently, they were returned to the school.
Just imagine, being a parent. The panic, fear, uncertainty that comes over you when you don’t know the whereabouts of your children. Even if only for a few minutes.
Who do you think is to blame to for this situation? The school, parents, children or rideshare driver? We teach our children about stranger danger and other safety rules. The school has some responsibility in releasing students to the correct party. Is it all on the school? Is it the parent’s fault for not being there to pick up the children?
Share your thoughts on this situation. Has this or a similar situation happened to you? What could have been done differently to prevent this from happening? I, for one have so many questions about this incident. All the proper precautions may not have necessarily prevented this occurrence. Most schools have routines in place for the car riders being picked up. What do you think about this?
Thank you for stopping by to read.! Thank you for your comments as well!
You are exactlywhere you need to be. When you land in a place that looks unfamiliar, why question it?
You think you should be somewhere else. But in reality, the place you are today was destined for you, only you.
If you see a friend and they are ahead of you in their career, don’t fret. Go at your own pace. Maybe you are going slower but your reward will be greater when you arrive.
We all have those years of progress, slow but steady. Bumpy roads that feel like a stop sign. The bumps are a test to see if we will keep going or quit.
You are exactly where you need to be. We can make all the plans in the world but, we are not in control; no, the Creator is.
You are exactly where you need to be
Thank you for reading Why Question It? 💖🙏🏽
The writing is in response to the prompt by Sadje.
⏳If you were given the chance to reset your life and start again, would you? ⌛
Life is a melting pot of good times, great memories, mistakes, regrets and much more. Sometimes we might dwell on a past error and wish we could do it all over. Maybe, we would have made another choice to improve the outcome.
I would have to answer, no. I believe who we are is determined by our mistakes and triumphs. Some of those fails give us a chance to get it right later. The triumphs in life are a testament that we can accomplish our goals.
The happy moments bring peace and joy into our hearts. Allowing us to extend kindness to others. I am grateful for all the great times and the not-so-great ones. Experience in life is a wonderful teacher.
🤔 Can you answer this?
If you were given the chance to reset your life and start again, would you?
