'Work It Out'

How can one handle situations or 'states of affairs' that you KNOW won't change... basically there is no sign of change in the forecast - not in your work sector... Well, something or someone has to go!

It never ceases to amaze me the things people will do. It never ceases to amaze me, the things you must go through when you try your very best to right a wrong that's imparted unto you. You're shown blatant unfairness as well as partiality; singled out. You try to focus on thoughts that are fresh and anew; especially in an atmosphere that has proven to be so unaptly suited for you. The air that surrounds you is so thick, you can cut it with a knife (so to speak).  What do you do when your work setting disputes work ethics? Run?

In the world today, a working environment has so many 'states of minds’. You don't know which you will face from one morning to the next, even from one 'face’ to the next... See, the humility you so suitably possess is sometimes tried or offset by others’ outwardly appearance of senility. Their inadequacies, lack of innate abilities, disrespect and just downright stupidity tries your patience.  

Although you may be suffering at the expense of your colleagues absurdities, you handle adversity and  what you're facing daily with poise and dignity. BUT, the human side allow frustration can beset you quickly! You look to whence cometh your help aggressively, as you "need help Lord", to endure, to secure, to procure and retain modesty and meekness. 

You’ve tried at best, to be calm ‘n collect in certain situations, but their unscrupulous behavior is a reality, staring you in the face. You can’t get around the ‘mess’ as it encompasses and infiltrates ‘your space.’ So…What do you do to regain composure and keep the little couth you still possess? 

You just keep your head up, breathe deep and ride the waves till the end of your voyage.  Daily you may  be tossed to and fro, but hold tight as He moves at His own pace. In Him you will find that refuge and solace, as He Works it out.

Blessings,

PJ

Petroleum

As a poet and writer, there is always something that inspires me to put on paper what's in my head. The bulk of my inspiration has come by seeing and listening to the works of some of our most renown Black Poets, namely Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. I truly believe most writers write through inspirations and experiences. Our heritage and experiences are the stepping stones for us as black poets to articulate our movement; convey our thoughts 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.

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 with a Cup 'o Joe, my Bible or journal and my inspiration-Thee. My thoughts utter, via pen, whatever creeps into mind at that time. today it's about children, so I've dubbed this my 

Petroleum

You are my inspiration

my source of rejuvenation

The sweetener

for my cup-o-tea        

The morning coffee

I think I need

The fuel that

jump-starts my day

are your little words

that pave the way. 
Our talks - easy for me

Innocence - freely for me

Refreshing

Fulfilling

A bond so close

for you, I'm willing....

Seeing you smile

carries me that extra mile.
Throughout the day

precious 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

Petroleum

~PJPayne

Together

The Mind

A terrible thing to waste

Genes

Nothing can take their place

The Soul

Innate ability to succumb

The Body

All encompasses One

Wherever the ‘mind-set’ goes

is derivation of the genes

But, empowerment from the soul

floods the body; then actions seem

to take on character and shape.

And in every light we begin

inadvertently, but cohesively, seeing

Wow, you’re my twin!

You and me

Mind

Genes

Soul

And Bod…..y

Connectivity

Collectively

Together

'Coffee and Writing'

FORTITUDE

The Devil LOVES it when he thinks he has won and you’re down for the count. Don’t give him an inkling of credit!  When ‘life happens’, it hits hard. My suggestion- "take the lick’n and keep on kick’n”!

Don’t give the Devil the glory for anything you feel has gone wrong in your life. When you do that, you are opening yourself up for more disasters, more mistakes, more wrong decisions, more seemingly unresolvable issues. Don’t let him in! Close that door of negativity. Leave no room for advancement of unconstructiveness, and pessimism. After you close the door, keep it under lock and key! 
Circumspectly, we even open ourselves up for blunders when we trust people. On the other hand, we just "open mouth, insert foot"!  Don’t leave access and room for disaster.   And by that I mean, watch the company you keep, you train of thoughts, your daily travels, circle of friends; even you facial expressions… sometimes the face tells the whole story; usually one you are not prepared to let go- “that’s a whole other book!” Lol.

Now, an optimistic view of the ‘stuff’ that happens is, maybe God is allowing it. You do know that He does allow us to go through difficult times, right? We may not understand it at the time, but ‘in His time’ we will understand.

Remember that adversity is always waiting; a happenstance away, therefore some things, we just can’t prevent. But for those in which we can, stomp on ‘em! 

Get an ATTITUDE of FORTITUDE and march on!

Blessings,

-PJ Payne

My Escape

I have always heard the term 'Experience is the best teacher.' Over the years, I didn't take that quote to heart, because when I imagined teaching I automatically relegated it to school or books. 
Those who knew me knew that I’ve always had a joyous, happy and excitable attitude about everything. Miss Positive. I saw the glass half full, instead of half empty. And that was and still is who I am. They seemed to think that I didn’t have a worry in the world… always there for the other person; a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a sounding board – All those things. Deep down, I HID. But, I had an escape.

Let me give you a peek into my upbringing.

I had a STRONG Mom. Single but took care of all six of her children. From the outside, you didn’t see the struggle. Her statement to us was “Never let’em see you sweat! Be steadfast stand tall in what you believe in"! I understood that completely and carried it into my adulthood and family.

Yes, just like the next fella, I had problems but just didn’t show it; didn’t carry everything on my sleeves; didn't have a permanent print of a frown on my forehead, Lol. It seems I always wanted to portray the zeal and zest for life, a renowned strength, the epitome of positivity and that’s the person I wanted to exude - to be visible to my peers.

But, deep inside

But, hidden within

But, to only my best friend

But, my bad experiences

But, to the only One I can depend

But God knows the key that unlocks my door... to my escape

“…it’s why I write”.

~PJ Payne

Be Still...

My best time of the day is mornings… the quiet, the nothingness, the peace, innocence, tranquility, but more than anything, its stillness.

Mornings are new beginnings. Mornings are diamonds in the rough. Mornings are the nothingness that can become something big. Mornings are like untouched clay you can mold and make into whatever you want it to be.

If you’re anything like me, you rise up early, just to have that cup of coffee, time alone, read the Word, write or muse. Your 'you' time. The rest of the family and the world are still asleep and don’t seem to exist. Your thoughts are not bogged down with the worries of what’s going to happen next, because your morning is tranquil; the sunrise and stillness. You have that time to meditate or even create.

Imagine this for a minute. Just before God created heaven and earth, there was nothingness.

Genesis 1: 1 states “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep…”

This biblical depiction goes way beyond actuality of what our mornings look like. But the similarity is there for those who can take themselves to that place of the imagination, in the mornings. It’s clean. It's pure. It's uninhabited.

And then in verse 3, “and God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. 4. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from darkness…" Thus, our day and night!

But before daybreak, if we were to take just a moment - or maybe you're not a morning person, whatever your preference of day or night, just meditate on some things. I truly think it would make for a purer, clearer picture and outlook on life. Just try to find your ‘before creation’ time and Be Still.

Blessings

FIXED

Reflecting back on life, it seems times really have not changed so much. I remember when my mom used to say, "Don't worry about what's going on now, it will come back full circle". Never would I have dreamt that furnishings, cars, music, styles of clothing, shoes, jewelry, even hairdos would evolve. We see this all the time in our children's choices; trends on tv and social media. The change may be that a style has a different name or different hue in color, but in essence, the same. Somebody just revamped an old style!

Think about it. What will styles be like in twenty years? Who knows? But what we do have are memories... they won't leave and sometimes we can vividly go back. They are etched and fixed! 

 

Deep-Seated Memories

When I was younger, I used to stay in the mirror.  A flip here. A curl there. Couldn’t get enough of trying to find a superior look, to the other look of my hair that I had already done in the mirror.

I was hoping to wear uniquely, a style never worn; never to have it said that I was ever outdone... setting the trend with classiness, not a gimmick, but a leader on my own that others dreamed to mimic.

And now, the mirror I try to avoid. Reflecting back and my recollection of that age, only annoys me; Lol! That hair, my flair, flairs up, no where. But!  If I look a little closer, I know I’ll find it there. Ahhh, fixed memories...

When I was younger, I used to stay in the mirror!  :-)