Category: Inspiration

Helping Professionals To Use Story to Transform Communities

When You Fall

What happens when you’re out in front and you fall? Over the past few years, I’ve watched the media, really anyone with access to an audience, pick apart people in the public eye. We can no longer tell the difference between holding someone accountable to a standard, and criticizing with a malicious intention. It’s easy…
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When Children Kill Each Other

I need you to get something. If you are disturbed at the violence of today’s youth, you need to get closer to them. Visit a classroom. Not just one. Not just high school. They need to see you. They need to know it’s not just me who sees them and cares for their well-being. The farther away you stand,…
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Be Your Own Ambassador

We caught up to Rachelle Salnave, director of La Belle Vie: The Good Life, between multinational trips and film festival screenings, to discuss the vision behind her filmmaking. — When Rachelle Salnave lived in Harlem with her family, she had a hard time convincing other Haitians that she was one of their sistren. Haitian had a certain…
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A Smart Picture of Dr. Jones

Be Your Own Educator

Anika Madison interviews hometown hero, Dr. Billy P. Jones, a dedicated educator who uses his classroom as a springboard for more than just learning. We’re happy that Anika discovered his story! — My interview with Dr. Billy Jones took place in his office where he is always surrounded by treasured memories and an impressive library.…
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The Procrastinator’s Guide to Action

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Adventures at Hermitage: Day 3

People from all walks of life are walking up and down the beach with these metal nets, digging up the sand, sifting through it and dumping it back on the beach. I walk up to one of them. “What are you looking for?” I ask. “Shark teeth,” he answers. “They’re here!” Apparently, shark teeth are…
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The body

Why We Don’t Heal

Healing is physical, but it’s also emotional and spiritual. This is an excerpt from an upcoming work I’m writing. I’m especially grateful to the folks at Hermitage Artist Retreat for giving me uninterrupted time to write. Your questions and comments are appreciated. — The most pervasive block to healing is guilt. A secondary block is…
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Not the Luck of the Irish

Rev. Sherri James asked for a word on “happy”. Happy to oblige! Happy‘s original meaning came from the word hap, which indicated a chance event or opportunity. Happy originally meant lucky. — Since July of last year, I’ve been shopping for a certified used car. Just about every weekend I have found myself at a car…
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The Opposite of No

Yes!  – Rev. Sheree Thompson asked me to blog on this word. Of course, I said yes. — It’s a small word. But it’s a powerhouse. It’s origin is interesting. It’s a combination of both Middle English words “yea” and “si”, which mean “here” and “being” respectively. It’s defined first as an adverb, which is…
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We Can All Agree On One Thing

James “New Papa” Barbour said he wanted me to blog on TACOS. He didn’t realize the gift he was giving me. — Tacos are the best food. You can’t argue with me on that. They are universally accepted as awesome pretty much everywhere. They have juicy meat, cool vegetables, a little spice, and some tangy…
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