Wow! It is still amazing to realize that my fifth year work anniversary is just around the corner! I arrived in Kingdom on August 20, 2009 and started work on August 22, 2009, launching this incredible Saudi Arabian Journey! As I celebrated with colleagues who were honored on May 5, 2014 for five years of service, it was also a time of reflection and contemplation. So, here is a dream poem in light of this exciting achievement!

I was blessed to read and perform poetry at the International Elementary School this week with 1st place Talent Show winner Rana Nazzal, an outstanding Arabic Poet and Spoken Word artist!

Some of my favorite questions of the day:

“Can men write poetry?”
TP: Yes, of course!
“When did you start reciting poetry”
TP: “If for Girls” was my first poem recited, heavily influenced by Grandmother and Mother; first small speech delivered at 5 years old
“Why do you write poetry?”
TP: My passion for reading books began at age 8, I love words; words have power and can be used to paint a picture.
“Why did you choose poetry as a way to express yourself instead of soccer?”
TP: Poetry moves me!
“How do you start writing a poem?”
TP: Take my journal with me, observe, record, & create!

The day after Dr. Maya Angelou passed, I was in the Heathrow Airport. When the TSA was going through my bags she saw the laminated copy of “Phenomenal Woman” for a chorale reading project. She asked, what do you do? 🙂 I told her my vocation and that I also love the poetry of this great woman; she had not heard of Dr. Maya Angelou! Thankfully, if she read the May 29th London Daily Telegraphic, she will be enlightened and know the whole world is pausing to reflect on our “treasure” as my Sistafriend Adande Imashema Ra put it so well in a Facebook post!

Stepping back to the mic after a 3 year hiatus; by my favorite element, the Red Sea, it is my pure delight to recite “old school” poetry by Dr. Mari Evans: “I am a Black Woman”; Derek Walcott’s “Love after Love”; and sharing two of my own pieces: “Red Sea Salt” and “Happy Hair”.

Finding and capturing encouraging, inspiring, beautiful moments is my passion. This is one of many photos taken by the Red Sea that depicts different routes to happiness and joy, both which stem from within. —Temille Porter

Are you living the life of your dreams? Now is the time to:

Cast the Vision, Make it Plain and “…Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4 (NASB)

Joy is enduring, while happiness is but a fleeting moment captured in a picture – a delightful evening at Bus Boys and Poets. It’s a time of refreshing at the old farm house. Places change, people come and go. God is the only source of everlasting fulfillment. He gives me the strength to go through, to be content in whatever situation that tries to take over my optimistic mindset, and finally, I am able to truly count it all Joy!

Can you have 100 straight days of happiness and joy? I am on my way!
100happydays.com

I’m happy to embody hope and a beautiful “Heel The World” message through the young African Entrepreneurs in Ghana who started this empowerment movement!! “The black beads represent hard work, the gold one is the reward”.  ‪#‎100HAPPYDAYS‬

Had to get more of Africa in me than one drumming lesson (one joy filled moment in time last month by the Red Sea!). So refreshing and restful to see water and a reflection of family everywhere I go! It is a joy to be in the presence of the LORD!