AAAHHHAAA! God's Got Me!

Paula Bernette Brooks

     Love and Light to All!  I had a SERIOUS Aaahhhaaa moment recently when I was fired from my job!  The scene in HR seemed surreal to me as I listened to the HR Manager tell me that she had no choice but to terminate me.  I had been taking classes toward my teacher certification, but my last waiver to teach without it had been denied.  I felt numb and glanced over at my supervisor.  In his spare time he's a happy go lucky biker, but his eyes were now bloodshot and bright with tears.  He assured me that he would give me a good reference and stated how sorry he was to lose me.

    Strangely,  I felt a curious mixture of anxiety and relief.  It seemed as though a great weight had lifted and  a sense of peace and relief washed over me.  Of course I had fleeting thoughts of my mortgage payment and other bills, as Ms. HR continued what sounded to me like "blah, blah blah".  But the overwhelming emotion was "light-heartedness," as the sun managed to break through the room's heavy draperies like a bright omen of things to come.
    
     Walking back to my classroom to pack up the many books and belongings accumulated over my 5 year tenure, I was greeted by students with hugs and loving cries of "Hi Ms. Brooks"!  I felt the first pangs of sadness, knowing that I would really miss them.  Several said they were coming to see me Monday, and I couldn't bear to tell them I wouldn't be there.  Hurriedly, I said my goodbyes to my former co-workers, as they helped me pack.   I tried to stay "mindful" and in the moment, as I took my last drive down that winding country road toward home.  The autumn day was unseasonably warm and absolutely magnificent.  Sunlight gleamed through the dense foliage, illuminating the spectacular red and gold leaves of the trees overhanging the road.

      My Aaahhhaaa moment began as I sat quietly in my living room and realized that "God's got me"! I reflected on how far He/She had brought me during my almost 15 years clean. I knew that the ending of my "Divine Assignment" at Job Corps had ended in God's time-not mine.  I thought back to the end of my active addiction, when I contemplated suicide, overwhelmed by feelings of desolation and despair. I had cried out with that simple, yet most powerful of prayers-"GOD HELP ME"!  Indeed, since that moment, I have been continually blessed beyond my greatest expectations.  My life is truly a study in Grace and Mercy.

    I fast forwarded back to my present situation.  After falling and injuring myself at work in May, I returned to the job 5 months later, only to find out nothing had changed.  Back for little over a month, I felt like I was treading water again.  I seemed to be drowning in an ocean of too many tasks, and not enough time to complete them.  I had no time to nurture myself with exercise and healthy food preparation. The week-ends flashed by in a blur, and then it was time to start the breakneck cycle all over again.  I had no time to BREATHE.   I  longed for, and envisioned a life where I "worked to live, instead of living to work". The Universe responded by doing for me, what I was too afraid to do for myself.

Pauline Brooks, boutique owner

 

    Reflecting on my recent unemployment, a Wave of Gratitude engulfed me!  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that angels walk with me daily.  Instead of being fearful, I must embrace this new stage of transition and the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.  I had told myself that I wanted to write. Out of the blue, based on a friend's recommendation, a young lady brought me her book to edit.  Another sistah asked me to write an article on my mother, Pauline Brooks, for her magazine.  I will also be doing a presentation on  Pauline Brooks, retail pioneer, on February 4th at the Reggie Lewis Museum.

      I understand that my heart and mind must remain open to Spirit!  This is the only way my steps can be directed to create the life of my dreams.  I know that I am a loving and talented spiritual being, on temporary assignment here on Earth.  I deserve-as we all do-to have a job that appreciates and honors me for the gifts I bring to the table and also affords me the opportunity to be in service.  In short, a job that I love and look forward to going to every day. 

     Please stay tuned for my next post, which will be about my beloved "Butterflies Emerge" program.  I need to find a new home/sponsor for the group.  I started it to help young women fall passionately in love with themselves, and make positive lifestyle choices.  I now know that working with young women and helping raise their quality of life is my life's purpose.  In so doing, the lives of their children and families will be positively impacted as well.  I look forward to hearing any ideas, suggestions or assistance you can provide!

"Butterflies" on visit to NYC to see play "Langston in Harlem".

Play's cast included my "nephew", talented Baltimore native Jonathan Burke and Josh Tower as Langston.

I'd like to leave you with some encouraging words to consider from the November Science of Mind magazine. 

"And from such daily meditation, he (she) should venture forth into a life of action, with the will to do, the determination to be, and a joy in becoming!"  The Science of Mind, pg. 168

"Where there is a will, there is a wall.  Where there is willingness, there is a way." Michael Bernard Beckwith

"We must trust in the Invisible, for It is the sole cause of that which is visible...."

Namaste!

Mama Tabulah's 65th Earthday!

Sandra Pretlow and Mama Tabulah

 I recently attended the 65th "Earthday" celebration of Mama Vivian "Tabulah" Adigun. The high energy of the elders in attendance was contagious! At 65, 75, 85, & yes, even 95 years of age-they still exhibited a wonderful zest for living! 

Taulah dances while Baba Omawalie and guests look on.

The lively celebration was held at the Memorial Garden Senior Apts. in Bolton Hill. Mama Tabulah is an esteemed African Dance instructor who lived in "Cali" for many years and studied under Eartha Kitt. The spirit of her internationally reknowned mentor clearly lives on in Mama Taulah. The gorgeous, fabulously fit, sister lit up the room with her constant flow of sexy, Afro-centric movements. Mama Tabulah has the high energy of a 20 year old, combined with decades of experience! Wow! She was stunning in a white lace tunic spangled with silver paillettes, over a long white dress with a thigh high slit. At her request, most of the attendees also wore white, which elevated the affair to a high spiritual level.

Seniors enjoyed good food, fellowshipping and hand dancing to old school doo wop which was the order of the evening, until the reggae beat began to reverberate through the room. Then it was on! The energy went right through the roof when brother Kaki (well known local artist, Robert Mcqueen), his sister Inora McQueen (poet, musician & cultural historian), Tabulah's close friend, Sandra Pretlow, and Mocko Jumbi (or stilt walker), Brother Bilal, began drumming as if their lives depended on it!

It was clear that the primal rhythms were intensely felt by all. Talk about therapeutic! One 95 year old brother stayed on the dance floor and amazingly kept up with every move thrown on him by Sister Sandra. Elders and youngsters-those of us below 60-took to the floor and danced with the abandon of children that don't care who's watching! Check out the pix below!

95 year old elder keeps up with Sandra's every move

Tabulah and her aunt

85 year old elder pose with Sandra after "shaking a leg" in 3 inch heels!

Chalene Johnson, Sandra Pretlow, Tabulah Adigun, Abiola Olabasi & Inora McQueen

Welcome to Divine Reflections!

Paula Brooks

The creation of this blog has been on my heart for years.  One thing that  I KNOW for sure, is "Everything is in DIVINE ORDER"! Everything I've done-or not done, has led up to this moment.  For years I have been dismayed by the amount of negativity portrayed by the news media-especially as it relates to people of color. I feel compelled to document our POSITVE experiences-those things no matter how small, that add richness and meaning to our lives.  Hence, the birth of "Divine Reflections".  This blog is about the spark of Divinity that resides in each of us, and the positive, creative ways we choose to manifest our God given talents, and express our life's purpose. 

So this space is about my perspectives, but more importantly, it's about my encounters with you!  I now know that I am a story-teller by birth.  I love using words to paint pictures, and this space is devoted to telling your stories. I look forward to hearing from you! If you have an event that you'd like to have documented, or if you have a story that will uplift and inspire, I'd love to let our community know about it!

Pauline Brooks

Two things inspired me to finally begin this blog.  The first was my take on the movie "The Help".  I left the theater feeling so encouraged!  I reflected on how far we've come as a people, and especially as African-American  women.  I remembered hearing my own mother, Pauline Brooks, describe the years she spent working as a domestic. Yet she courageously followed her dream of owning a women's retail clothing store.  At that time it was unheard of for a black woman to knock on showroom doors in New York.  Despite blatant and covert racism, she opened her store in 1953 and managed to keep it open for 35 years.                                                                                                             

Then I thought about how Aibileen, the lead character in the movie, must have felt as she walked down that long, dark road at the end.  Although she had been fired, she knew she had out-grown her dead end job.   Her heart must have fluttered at the knowledge that God had greater works in store for her.  She had already broken down a huge barrier by giving a voice to "the help"-poor, uneducated women who had never even been asked what they thought, or how they felt about anything.   I'm sure she was fearful and anxious, but her spirit must have soared at the prospect of taking another step into uncharted territory.  She knew it was time to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

Hope to hear from you soon!  Namaste' (I behold the light in you)!