Musings of an 80's Baby

Let me be that motivational voice in your head for a second. It's Monday, it's gloomy outside, the weekend is over, you got 48039722 things to do..but I want you to forget about all those problems and GO GET SHIT DONE! Life is too damn short to dwell on the small stuff and forget to LIVE. Take a moment this week to go out and do whatever it is that makes your soul dance. Put on some bomb ass music and let that shit move you. Move your hips to the beat and sing along all loud and obnoxious. Feel it!!!! Call the people that bring a smile to your face, tell them how dope they are. All the unnecessary bullshit is for the birds. Make unforgettable memories. Relive those epic moments that still make you catch your breath. Next time you stress over something unimportant, stop yourself! What are you worried about? You are ALIVE aren't you? If you are healthy and able and have basic necessities, please take a moment of reflection to be GRATEFUL. All those crazy ass dreams you h

Living in a neighborhood full of street smart kids, Standing around casually, always up to no good. Making mud pies and climbing trees, Canon-balling into a pool on a hot midsummer's day. Filling up water guns and Running around like mad cows. Speaking of cows, Collecting figurines of favorite animals. Walking down the street singing,  "I don't wanna be a player no more."  Not knowing what those lyrics truly mean.  Smelling funky odors from El Cap middle school's restrooms,  Realizing that smell isn't a skunk. Putting rubber bands around the ankles of baggy jeans. Showing off new high tops; White tees and some Nikes.  Attending the baby shower of teen parents - two of our neighbors' kids now Celebrating an unplanned child of their own. Instant-messaging on AIM,  Thinking of witty Away Messages.   Walking on to high school grounds, conscious of body and grades and new found interest in crushes.  Slow dancing at

I claim my own power and I purposefully create my own reality. Endless possibilities are within my reach.  I give and receive all the love that I possibly can.  In this moment, I feel peace.  I evolve and increase my threshold for positivity. Change is a welcome and necessary aspect of my life. I live authentically and let my inner-self shine. Gratitude is my best attitude. I will not dwell on things I cannot control. Every element I need to feel energized surrounds me. I deserve compassion and support. No hardship is too great for me to overcome. I possess everything I need to be fulfilled.  Today, and everyday, the universe responds to my intentions.  I am enough. 

On a cold and cloudy Saturday in January, I woke up with the anticipation of a historic day. I put my rain proof outfit on and walked briskly to BART. As I approached the platform I saw two girls wearing glittery tiaras that said "#WOKEBITCH" and immediately I knew I was in good company. A few other people had posters, pink pussy hats, "The Future is Female" t-shirts and all kinds of resistance paraphernalia. We were on our way to the Women's March in Oakland. The energy of my fellow travelers was almost tangible. Seeing the BART fill up with all types of people united with the same purpose gave me a rush. The numbness of watching Trump take his oath was warming into activism. Tens of thousands of people were side by side with me in Oakland and even though I had come alone, I was engulfed in a feeling of connectedness. The Women's March organizers knew the best response to a government that seems like its from the Dark Ages was getting people to unify. As

I inherited the need to scribble words on to a notebook from my father, he was a lyricist and a poet. Journals filled with fragments describing the life of an only son, sent to live in a place that had no space for a dreamer. I never paid attention to my dad's self expression through his writing; his method of relating to the world around him. Maybe it was his favorite way to free his mind, until alcohol came along. On a Thursday night when I see an empty bottle of Merlot, I worry about inheriting other dispositions from my father too. Cognizant of the fact that one relaxing glass of wine a day could turn into an addiction. A fair share of positive and negative was passed down to me: a good sense of humor and charisma, coupled with a stubborn hot head. "You've got your dad's long legs," I'm told. And it's true, that, and his perfectly long arched eyebrows. I am heir to his internal struggles: Being an introvert and an extrovert. One mome