Looking into the Splendor Image by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
Looking into the splendor
Beyond the door I see light
Openness, growth and happiness
Beyond the door I see life
A place so full of opportunity
But, behind the door is another thing entirely
Behind the door there is darkness
Gloom, sadness and no excitement
Cross the threshold, into the light
Feel the openness as you entertain things outside of your realm of reality
Experience the growth, as you come to your own conclusion
Bask in the happiness, only you can make this happen
Life is all around us in physical form, but some rely more on the digital world
Opportunity abounds, just open your eyes and choose to see
Looking into the splendor
---O'Nika McGill---
Speaking to someone in passing
Saying, hello
They seem to just look over you
Like you aren't there
Asking a question
The silence creeps in
No one replies
Hello, is anyone there?
Being seen and heard
Not much to ask
Doesn't cost anything
No credit card or cash
Perhaps it's lazy lips
No need to part your mouth
In an effort, to be civil or kind
Just keep your head down looking south
Are you that self-centered
Too busy to speak
How does it feel when it happens to you
You are not so unique
Get out of your head
Come back down to earth
Live in the real world
Not in a fictional place instead
Too much of a burden to exchange a greeting?
To smile or wave to someone in passing
Just a simple gesture between people
Try it, it is not so fleeting
--O'Nika McGill--
Chasing away the chaos. Ever wonder when you turn on the TV if there will be good news? The war in Ukraine is still ongoing. Gun violence is still rampant. Gas prices are on the rise, once again. Food prices are steadily increasing. Housing costs are through the roof. Is there any relief in sight?
The chaos that goes on today poses a question about what to do to find some semblance of calm? One way to chase away the chaos is to stop watching the news. I can’t remember the last time I saw something good on the news. While it is imperative to stay informed about what’s going on, it is also sad and depressing.
Changing the world is no easy task but we can start with changing the way we see things. Look at things in a positive light and focus on that. It is very easy to fall into the negative zone and the gloom and doom takes over. Think of someone who always has something to complain about. Something is always a problem, or they are always, “in their feelings”.
Things may not be sweet all the time but there is always something positive in every situation. In some cases, people choose to focus on the negative aspect. Why is that?
Below is a previous article about inner peace. Maybe it will help with chasing away the chaos in your world. I hope it sheds some light and helps to turn things around for those going through a dark situation.
Majestic eyes
see many a thing
some of which
makes my heart sing
People take one look at me
they often wonder
is this a fierce beast
or do I see majesty
A big lion with small eyes
eyes that observe much
from a vantage point fit
for the likes of a lion and such
Such beauty in the wild
things that we ignore
slow down, take stock
these things you will flock
Flock to observe these majestic creatures
their imposing size, big mane
mighty roar, intoxicating gaze
among other features
A fierce beast or a big cat
what do you see?
---O'Nika McGill---
Written in response to Sadje's picture prompt #153
September 11, 2001 was a day of mass casualties and destruction. The United States was attacked by a terrorist group known as al-Qaeda. This act against the country not only changed the landscape of the City but also the landscape of people’s lives.
Compassion is what we need. Not only for people we know and people closest to us. But we must have compassion for everyone. I know it is not easy to do in every situation, but a simple kind word or smile can do wonders.
Transform your life by taking up a very different job or adapting a new way of life. Re-create is a verb which means that we have to take action. We can’t just sit on our ideas. We have to take action toward our goals. I know you heard the saying, “don’t talk about it, be about it”. It is not easy to start something new. Sometimes we need a little push or some motivation. The good news is that once we act on our vision and ideas, it gets easier every day.
Speaking from experience, it is hard for me to start something new, or just keep up with something that I know I should do. But once I get started it makes it a lot easier to keep going. After I force myself to do something I feel a lot better afterwards. Yes, I said force. Meaning that I went against what my mental was saying at the time and did the physical work.
Re-creating ourselves can come in several forms. We can take on a new hobby, start a business, adapt a new lifestyle, exercise more, eat a healthier diet, and we can elevate ourselves mentally also. Thinking in a different way can change our whole outlook on life.
Start by writing or typing some things that you have been wanting to do but never had a chance to start. Use regular pen and paper, use a note app on your cell phone (tread carefully with this one), use a whiteboard or your computer. Whatever is best and most convenient. The goal is to make it as visible as possible.
Next, think about the things you are good at. Think about your strengths and the things that just come naturally. After that think about the things that you are not so good at and would like to improve. Write it down.
Ask your closest friends and/or relatives to name at least 2 things about you that they think you are good at. By doing this, it may give you some insight as to what direction you want to go.
Re-create by taking on a new hobby
If you are a creative person who likes to make things, a new hobby may be just the thing for you. You might think about making clothes for yourself or other people. If you can draw you might become a tattoo artist. You might even think about painting portraits for people. If photography is your thing, start with that.
This newfound hobby may lead to you starting your own business. The possibilities are endless when you start receiving good feedback about your side hobby and people are liking what you do. Who knows where it might lead! Therefore, don’t wait. Start now.
Photography
Dare to adapt a new lifestyle
Adapting a new lifestyle will take some time but begin slowly. If you want to start exercising more, for example. Start off by walking or using a treadmill or stationary bike. Don’t try to do too much in the beginning. You have to work your way up and increase your activity over time. If you try too much in the beginning, it can cause injury. Also, you might feel frustrated that things are not progressing like you expected. This might lead to you quitting altogether before you even get started. We don’t want that.
Exercise keeps us healthy and helps us live longer. It keeps us out of the doctor’s office, and we are less prone to certain types of illnesses and/or injuries. Along with exercise we can also try to eat better. This is my struggle! I am a junk food junkie!!
Changing our way of thinking
Any action starts with a thought. So, as you can see, how we think dictates what we do. If we just try to see things in a different way and explore things from another angle, we discover so much that we have been missing.
Remember to re-create, if we want a healthier lifestyle. We have to stop saying it and then keep doing the same things. When we fall back into our old habits of not exercising, just remind yourself that this does not lead to the ultimate goal of living a healthy lifestyle. If you come home and sit on the couch or in front of a video game, stop yourself and re-direct. Get off the couch and start moving, doing anything other than sitting on the couch. Alternatively, if you pick up the video game controller, put it back and do something more productive. We have to re-direct our old way of thinking to form new and healthy habits.
In order to improve our diet, we have to do just that. When grocery shopping; don’t load the cart with a bunch of junk food. Try some healthier choices. Even though you might not like fruit, just think how much your body will love it and how much of an improved quality of life you will have. Indulging in a sugary or salty treat is ok, only on occasion. That is of course, if you have the goal to improve your diet.
Sum It Up
Think about it. Write it down. Research your ideas and any equipment you may need to get started. Take Action. Reap the benefits. You get the idea! It all starts with how we think. Making a change is not easy but we can do it! Do not expect immediate results, it takes time. Slow steady progress is better than no progress at all. So, start where you are and be consistent. You will not regret it.
For anyone who missed the show, Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents on iHeart Radio- WDRB Media- The Voice of the Community. You can check it out here. Thank you all for listening!
The host, Ock the Barber will be interviewing me to promote my blog, Inspire By O’Nika. Topic discussion will include my posts on Hip Hop Music Culture of the 80s and 90s, Gun Violence- We Can Do Without It, Self Esteem and Why It’s Important and a host of other things.
A little about the show, Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents. The host is Ock the Barber and he is also the owner of a mobile barber shop. As the name of the show indicates, the show is related to Hip Hop. You will hear Ock along with Louis Hicks, Jr. tackle some subjects like stress, ghostwriting and a tribute to DJs. Even if you do not listen to Hip Hop, you will hear about other things happening in the community. The show will not disappoint. If you want to hear some grown up, clean discussions and music which also includes other things going on take a listen to this radio station.
Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents airs on Sundays at 12:00 am on iHeart Radio-WDRB Media- The Voice of the Community.
I want to give a big thank you to Ock the Barber and Louis Hicks, Jr for making this opportunity possible!
With all the airbrushing we see in magazines and online., there is a lot of pressure to try to look like these “unrealistic” images. Just use what you have naturally. There is nothing wrong with just being you. Sometimes we do too much in an effort to fit in. Come with me on this comical but true journey about some of the cosmetic changes we make. I know you will smile or laugh at yourself at least once. If none of these apply to you, at least you know someone who fits the description.
Eye Lashes
Left- Natural lashes Right- Extra-long falsies
Lashes, lashes and more lashes, you know who you are. Let’s talk about these extra-long eye lashes. Just one question; why? Are you looking for shade for your face? Why do your lashes need to be this long? I know you can’t wear sunglasses or any kind of eyewear with these long lashes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to have full lashes. But…when your eye lashes look like you have a caterpillar or roach on your eye lids, that ain’t cute! Stop it with these extra- long lashes, it’s too much. You are going to mess around and get those lashes caught in something then what are you going to do? We don’t need those problems.
Brows
Nicely shaped brows
On top of having full lashes, it is nice to have a neatly shaped brow. There are a few ways to get them into the shape you want to fit your face. Please remember that you DO NOT want to have the surprised look on your face. You know, when the brows are arched so high that you look surprised all the time… Come on now, admit that at least once you arched your brows too high. Tell the truth! But seriously, arch the brows but not so much so that you look like you are in amazement all day, every day.
Lips
If you have lips that are thin and you want them to look fuller, just try lipstick that has “plumper” added. There are a lot of shades on the market these days. But, when you get your lips injected with filler and your lips are abnormally big for your face; Houston we have a problem! You want your lips to look natural, not like they are swollen and you can stick a pin in them and they will deflate. Or so big that it looks like you had an allergic reaction to something. Also, when applying clear lip gloss; don’t put on so much that it looks like you stuck your face in a bucket of greasy chicken! Just use enough to cover the surface for moisturization. Remember, less is more.
THIS IS NOT THE LOOK YOU WANT
Butt
Now, some of us have a butt and some of us don’t. It’s okay. If you need a little extra cushion or padding, you can always buy butt pads. They look like a girdle but have the padding sewn into the butt area. It’s the same concept of a padded bra. The benefit of wearing butt pads is that you won’t need surgery to achieve the look you want. On the other hand, if you get butt injections to make your back side look bigger, be weary! Some people get too much and it looks so unnatural. If the rest of your body is not proportionate to the size of your butt, it will not look right. Just keep that in mind.
Fingernails
Left- Workable length Right- A little long, claw-like
Nails, nails and more nails. Whether you wear your natural nails, acrylic, gel or press-ons, let’s not get out of hand with the length. The nails are so long that they start to curl under or the press-ons are so long you can’t do certain things. It doesn’t matter how nicely the nails are painted with the colors and designs. You can still have the same look but with a length that is workable. The longer the nails the more germs get under the nail beds. It also makes it harder to perform regular hygienic tasks.
Beauty is important but let’s not sacrifice our health with the unhealthy fillers and injections we get for bigger lips and a bigger butt. The pressure is real, but it is not worth the harmful effects it can have on us later on. What do you say on the subject?
