What's Your Fuel?

As a writer and poet, I believe what inspires me is life’s lessons, COFFEE, and the Holy Spirit. These thoroughfares, so to speak, always inspire me to put on paper what's in my head, but also, a large part of my inspiration has come by seeing and listening to the works of some of our most renowned artists and poets, namely Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. I truly believe most writers write through inspirations and experiences. Heritage is also a stepping stone to articulate our movement, convey our thoughts, and put them to print. 

Sometimes I feel as though I have so much to say and if I didn't have a outlet, I'd burst wide open... my brain goes much faster than even my fingers can wrap around a pen, type on a keyboard, or even my body can move, to express what I am thinking.

My thoughts utter, via pen, whatever creeps into mind at that time.  

I've been writing since my kids were little and always thought of it as my "Coffee and Thee" moments whereas I spent time alone (whenever I could, lol). 

Today my inspiration is about children… just the thought of them and how precious they are. 

My children are a large part of my inspirations… Life wouldn’t be the same; they are my fuel...

My Petroleum

You are my inspiration

my source of rejuvenation

The fuel that

jump-starts my day

Little words

that pave the way.

The sweetener

for my cup-o-tea        

The morning coffee

I think I need

Time well spent with you

Refreshing, fulfilling

Bonds so close

for you, I'm willing....

Seeing your smiles

carry me that extra mile.

Throughout the day

memories pave the way

Encompassing and

soothing my soul

giving me peace

lightening my load

And when I began again...

You are my inspiration

my source of rejuvenation

My Petroleum

PJ Payne

Look Up!

Differences! It is what makes us unique. “I'm not like you and you're not like me." Differences! They are not disdainful, just adjustable because one has to adjust to another person’s dissimilarities. We were all made equal, but not alike. The whole makeup of an individual (genetically or environmentally) may have similarities, but not identical.

With that being said, because we are all different, don’t allow your diversity to be a stumbling block in your life. Don’t let another person’s view of you ‘make or break you,’ because they may be for you today and against you tomorrow.

I want to briefly share a story of an individual on Instagram. She posted this and asked for advice.

She went to a party one night, but didn’t change clothes… wearing what she had worn to work that day, which she considered traditional. Well, because she was dressed so differently from her peers, she was sneered at and shunned. There were comments like “Don’t you have something better than that dress; maybe something shorter or jeans?” And there were also references to how she was not fitting in. Being the individual she was, she did not reply to the person. Instead, she hung her head because this made her feel out of place. Although she wanted to, she didn’t leave, as it may have drawn more attention to her. Some time later someone else walked up to her and said: “You look beautiful in that traditional suit”. By now she was really confused. She thanked them and finally left the party feeling blank, empty, and puzzled.
In reply to her post, many of her followers said she should have said something back to the people who insulted her…even going as far as WHAT she should have said. She humbly thanked them and agreed. By then, I was baffled! But, there was one, ‘only one’ individual who said, “I read your post. I would continue dressing the way I felt the most comfortable, and would spend little if any time with people making unkind remarks… even on IG with this solicited, but very opinionated advice."

In my opinion, that was the best advice she could have received. Too many times we depend on what society thinks and dictates. It can get the best of even the strongest of individuals, if you allow it. Don't let anyone steal your joy. You are beautiful in your own skin, so OWN IT!

Look Up!

Don’t look down

Don’t you dare!

Look up, look up

Cause you are there

You are a light to others

Shine bright in the sky

Illuminate vibrancy

Clarity on high

Keep your head up

Esteem is your anchor

Pride is the foundation

Heritage… where you came from

You see, you can’t let man

Or anything steal your joy

Can’t let doubt dictate

To your mind and heart

Victory is yours for the taking

Your future is at stake

Claim it and sustain it

Just take your place

Don’t look down, I say

Don’t you dare!

Blessings,

PJ Payne

The Magic Touch

We are constantly hustling and bustling, trying to figure things out. We're shedding tears. Our blood pressure rises... we get frenzied when our backs are against the wall. Stuff happens!! So when we can't find immediate answers, those humanistic instincts kick in. But God is so good! He gives us just what we need, in His time, which is when we need it. Sometimes we don't even realize that we need help because we think we can work our own magic.

"Oh, ye of little faith," how soon we forget whose child we are. As Christians, we say we know God, but do we really? We throw up our hands in despair, we throw temper tantrums like little kids who can't have their way, and we get all worked up because 'we' can't work out the problem. We personalize failure and give up! But guess what? That's what He really wants us to do... let Him.

Just when we think it's all over, we've run the race, we've lost the battle, He is standing on the sidelines watching and waiting and then... HE INTERCEDES!

He guides us as He touches us… takes the reins to lead us out of confusion. He clears the path of obstacles so that we can see and think clearly, as to not draw own conclusions. And then, only then do we grasp who truly has the answers. Then and only then, we realize we had no control; no say in the matter. He’s already laid hands on the situation and unassumingly, worked it out.

The only magic touch is the 'Touch of the Master'! When we let Him guide us in the path He wants us to take, we will realize we're in for the ride of a life time with little effort of our own. Consequently, we wonder "what was all the fuss.”

Blessings,
PJ Payne

The Ride Outside

As I drive and ride, sometimes I just exhale. I absorb all the beauty around me. It's about the feeling, the atmosphere, auras... although others may not envision the beauty that I see. They may just see things, but I see miracles! Miracles of a new morning, a new day, dewdrops on leaves, bursting sun, hustle and bustle of traffic, and so on… I see and feel the blessing of just having a vehicle to ride in; even something as simple as being able to see! So yes, I enjoy the ride.

I’m not even consumed with actually driving, but freedom in a mental state, focusing on the moment. How sweet is the taste, very subtly, the opportunity to being foot loose and fancy free. See, I’m not in control of my destiny and what’s within my reach, in my hand, in my grasp, for that is His decision.  I realize, as human beings, we are powerless, no matter what WE think we are able to do… it’s all about God.  

So find your pleasure, find your peace, find your freedom. I've found mine...

A Ride Outside

Seems I wanna ride…

Wanna ‘scape by-ways and hide

Wanna through, hi-ways confide

Wanna spread my secret wide

Of my emotions, I’ll confess

Of my inner being, express

Of life’s’ turmoil and tests

Of how I cope and try my best

To keep at bay the insanity

To keep away the profanity

To know “this too shall pass”

To know freedom, alas

‘Til dispersion is free, not frugal

‘Til destiny cannot be 'googled’

‘Til there’s room for my scruples

‘Til there’s peace. How do you do it?

“Seems I wanna just ride.”

Blessings,
PJ Payne