An Eye!

As I drink my cup o' joe this morning, I'm pondering over the fact that we wake up every morning, get dressed, and start our daily routines, without considering how very blessed we really are. What miracles were performed with out our knowledge... things we take for granted? How did we wake up - what carried us throughout the night? Why were we allowed to breathe, sustain, and even given the honor of embracing another morning, another day, another chance to be grateful? But are we?

Do you realize there is an 'all seeing' eye watching over you?

 Here's my take on 'An Eye'

As I reach pivotal times in my life

I realize-

He's watching over me

As I venture wins, losses,

gains and even strife

I realize-

He's watching over me

He comes across my mind,

when I least expect it

guides me, protects me,

as the things I do and say,

reflects it

And He should be first and furthermost

As natural as air from coast to coast

Without realizing His impact

As now I ponder and reflect on it

I realize-

He still watches over me

PJ Payne

That DNA

Too many times we forget to correlate who we are with where we came from, biologically… what is our make-up? It is our whole being.

In this day and age, there is a lot of focus on ‘baby daddies and baby mamas’. Unfortunately the connotation that goes along with it is usually negative. But, disregarding the hype, we’re talking about what constitutes the making of a child … boy or girl. It's that simple!

Scientifically speaking, Chromosomes;

In humans each cell normally contains 23 pairs of chromosomes (23 from each gamete) totaling 46. Twenty-two of these pairs, called autosomes, look the same in both males and females. The 23^rd pair, the sex chromosome, differs between males and females.

DNA- (Deoxyribonucleic Acid is a self) replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information. It is also the fundamental and distinctive UNCHANGEABLE characteristics of something or someone. So, no matter what people think…

You’re not about, what other folks say. 
What you are about is your DNA! 
Just who you are and what you do is 'relatively' diagnosed; it’s what’s IN you.

Other folks can’t dictate your being! 
Other folks see your ‘matter’ without seeing it.  
Because the DNA is deeply embedded, creating our surfaces that are predestined already. 
Yes the blood runs deep-flowing genes inside, so that man can’t deny it, run from it and hide.

And when some say “You look ‘jus like yo Daddy,” or 
“You got yo Mamma’s ways,” no need to get mad at it! 
Because it’s all in you, the DNA, that is.

That microscopic seed. “And ‘tis what ‘tis!”

Blessings, 
PJ Payne

BE STILL

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

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

If you’re anything like me, you rise up early, just to have that cup of coffee or tea and time alone. 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 just you, the sunrise and stillness. Then daybreak!

So, what are your days like? Do you take any YOU time? If I were to tell you that taking that short period of time is medicinally invigorating, would you believe me? It is medicine for the soul. It’s an exhalation of heavy weights. It makes you ready for new tasks. It replenishes the spirit. It gives a better perspective on what your next move will be. It’s basically parallel to a power nap. Please don’t go on a guilt trip, or think it’s selfish to have some ‘you time.’ This is not an age appropriate suggestion. We all need that time as mothers, grannies, fathers, grandpas, aunts, and the list goes on.

Imagine this:

Dark space - 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 the actuality of what our mornings look like. But the similarity is there for those who can take themselves to that place of the imagination. 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, the beginning of our day and night!

Ever thought about the fact that when you open your eyes to daybreak, it doesn’t belong to you any longer? You become discombobulated as your space gets occupied with other things be it family, jobs, or the hustle and bustle of daily goings-on.

So, before daybreak, if you were to take just a moment... or maybe you're not a morning person, whatever your preference of day or night, to 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, Be Still, and listen…

Blessings,

PJ Payne

Make the Call

Decisions, decisions! Has there ever been a time in your life when you were left to make an impacting decision on something MAJOR? All eyes were on you and you couldn't bail out because your responsibility dictated that YOU had the final say. The ball was in your court!

Problem: Even if you're passionate about a cause, the execution of a decision you make may not bear the assertive boost needed to execute it, in its entirety. That’s because your demeanor is passive, with a tad of aggression. You generally hesitate to make 'big' decisions for fear of failing, hurting someone's feelings, much less making an 'unpopular' call.

With that being said, how did you get yourself into this situation? Well, as you think about the Chrono-logicality of events, you realize the initial concept was yours; you put it out there, so your counterparts just ‘ran’ with it. Talk was cheap, but now those ideas have begun to come into fruition. The next step is to execute and finalize what YOU had started. Now you've got to step up your game, make a call or foul-out!

Realization: Somebody believed in you, "Now what?” You started this and you've got to progress to the next level. HOW do you muster-up the courage to pick up the ball and run with it... or just pass?

Answer: Don’t EVER make a decision hastily, no matter if you’re under the pressure of a time frame or talking with the ‘head of heads,’ make a carefully thought out, and logical call.

You won’t regret it!

Blessings,

PJ Payne

Remember When...

Reflecting back on life, it seems times really have not completely changed. Sometimes the memories make you want to go back to those young carefree childhood days. Unfortunately, you have to move forward with the times.

I remember when my mom use to say, "Don't worry about what's going on now or the past. It will come back full circle." Never would I have dreamt that shoes, furnishings, toys, cars, music, styles of clothing, 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, it’s the same. Somebody just revamped an old style!

Don’t you just hate it though! Think of all of the older styles of clothing that have made a comeback... a complete circle. Makes you think you should have kept that paisley blouse, hoop earrings, or clog shoes you use to stylishly flaunt. But of course fabrics, colors and cut have changes. And ‘new age’ folks can tell the difference, so “Nah, it wouldn’t work!”

Have you ever asked yourself, what will styles be like in twenty years? Who knows? But what we do have are the memories... unless, medical issues arise, they won't leave and sometimes we can vividly go back. They are etched and fixed! 

Deep-Seated Memories

When I was younger, I use to stay in the mirror.  A flip here; a curl there. I couldn’t get enough of trying to find a superior look, to the other look of my hair, 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. And 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 annoy me; Lol! That hair, my flair, flairs up nowhere. But!  If I look a little closer, I know I’ll find it there.

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

Ahhh, memories...

PJ Payne

Mama Said...

Do you recall as a child not wanting to turn out like your parents? I think we all have at some point. But what usually happens is the very thing we fought against at a young age, comes to pass and reveals itself.  And now I am so grateful that it has come to fruition in my life.

I write colloquially or use clichés sometimes, because I have experiences that are thought-provoking and memorable. Therefore, I jot down my coffee thoughts, dubbed, ‘Coffee and Thee’.  More importantly, I had a very wise mentor who passed on many gifts and taught me so much about life, living and loving… my Mother.

There ‘were’ six of us; four girls and two boys and each could attest to the fact that our mother literally LIVED for us. She worked as a Maid for many years, and then became what they called in her days, a Beautician and a Seamstress. She toiled countless hours, sometimes throughout the night and just LOVED her coffee. It was the first thing we would smell in the mornings and the last thing at night. I was her ‘coffee-maker’ so to speak; consequently I vowed I would NEVER drink the stuff! Now, “I drink coffee and I AM my Mother’s child!” As a single mother she demanded an education from us, respect her, ourselves, and others. But first God! Proverbs 3:6 KJV In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

My mother was a woman of PLENTY words! But the thing I remember the most is that no matter what she said or how she said it, it was profound!

This is an excerpt from my memoirs - ‘Mama Said’.

Mama said- If God said it, it’s guaranteed!

Mama said- The good Lord knows jus’ what you need

Mama said- You gittin’ too big for yo britches, huh?

Mama said- Chile, don’t ever burn yo bridges

Mama said- A hard head makes a soft behind

Mama said- You might think he’s late, but he’s ALWAYS on time

Mama said- “Boy I brought you in this world, and I’ll take you out!”

Mama said- You might run, but you CAN NOT hide

Mama said- His time is NOT yo time... His way… not yo way

Mama said- Don’t worry ‘bout tomorrow, live for today

Mama said- If it don’t fit, don’t force it

Mama said- Don’t buy it, if you can’t afford it

Mama said- You ‘git’ what you give

Mama said- You only got one life to live

Mama said- God’s gonna ALWAYS carry you through

Mama said- If you make one step, He’ll make two

I remember, Mama, what you said. Your words of wisdom stay in my head. These seeds I’ve planted in my children’s head. So, they too will remember what Mama said.

PJ Payne

The Difference Is...

Sitting and sipping today, I realized something. "In life, there comes a time when an individual has to just STAND out, stand up, and stand alone!" Don't be afraid to be different. If everyone were ALIKE, then there would be no choices.

There is validity, and truth to the statement 'No man is an island' as we depend on each other. And the beauty in that is, we do need each other, so "you're not alone, just not alike"! Individuals! 
Comparisons-
Life has given man so many 'lemons' and not everyone knows how or has the strength to make Lemonade, as the common adage goes. Instead, there are comparisons made, like 'Apples to Oranges'. We are a comparative generation! But when I think about it, we have been compared throughout our lives even from birth... "Oh, she is sooo cute," to "Ummm, isn't he a little short for his age..?"  Judgement and comparison goes on throughout our adulthood. And it's no ALL bad, given the verbiage and meaning behind it.
Why can't people just let well enough alone and let someone just 'BE'? Well, my answer to that is, man has not been able, from the beginning of time, to naturally be proactive. As humans, we need an extra push, motivation, fuel injection, because a lot of us are not self-starters. We are basically on automatic pilot, so we need a  GPS from time to time. That's what comparisons, like apples to oranges is all about, so it is not ALL bad. Think about it. Pick one and see. Look for the difference or likeness; firm or soft, tart or sweet, small or large, green, red, yellow or golden... not measured by seed but weight and texture, indeed... Apples to Oranges, comparatively; Apples and Oranges' diversities.

No matter how much someone is told they are like some one else, they must choose to embrace individuality comfortably. What 'apple to oranges' (comparison of two people or things that are irreconcilably or fundamentally different) does for one is it makes him/her STAND out...
Even if you are an apple also you're not necessarily the bad apples, only a different apple!
As is coffee - just taste and see!

PJ Payne