In Ancient Kemet (Egypt), Ptah refers to the divine source of all life, power, health and creations. Hotep means “satisfaction” and “peace”. Therefore, Ptahhotep means, “he who acts so that God is satisfied” (Asa Hilliard, pg. 97).

Employing clear, calm and grounding practices that nourish our hearts, enrich our minds, bodies, spirits and souls is a radical and compassionate act of loving kindness that begins inwardly and eventually extends outwardly.

To live, love and be well is a matter of choice and perspective. Wellness is a multi-dimensional and interactive continual process that can be summarized in the following 6 domains of intentional engagement towards enhanced quality of living:

iChoose to rejoice
iChoose to praise
iChoose to give thanks
iChoose to believe
iChoose to be faith filled
iChoose to be peace
iChoose to have joy
iChoose to caste my cares on the Lord
iChoose to make room for God’s strength
iChoose to believe in the beauty of my dreams
iChoose to let go of burdens
iChoose to be victorious in my thinking
iChoose to be positive
iChoose a new beginning
iChoose to release worry about my future
iChoose to stay in God’s grip

T.S. Porter

We do not belong to those who only get their thoughts from books, or at the prompting of books, it is our custom to think in the open air, walking, leaping, climbing or dancing on lonesome mountains by preference, or close to the sea, wherever the paths become thoughtful. –Friedrich Nietzche

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I am sending out loving kindness to all Survivors. It is a challenging walk physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, socially and even environmentally, yet through it all, you are still here and there is HOPE as long as you are breathing!

It is not physical solitude that actually separates one from others, not physical isolation, but spiritual isolation. It is not the desert island nor the stony wilderness that cuts you off from the people you love. It is the wilderness in the mind, the desert wastes in the heart through which one wanders lost and a stranger. When one is a stranger to oneself, then one is estranged from others, too. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh in Gift From the Sea

Rare Nature: Reflections from the Red Sea

There is no accident that I was pulled from sea to shining sea, transported from the roaring pacific blue to a reflective calm place along the shores of the Red Sea. My deepest Sankofa moments reveal how often the sea has spoken gently to my soul. In times of love and loss, celebration and sorrow, I am reminded of several quotes I would like to share with you!

The one we love is everywhere. By wakefully inhabiting our longing for the beloved, we are carried into the arms of love itself. — Tara Brach

Ultimately love is about choosing and serving. We are all free to choose when and where we enter intimate space, who the subject of our desire will be, how to best serve and what can be done to support our beloved in being inspired by their highest good works that makes life more deeply meaningful.

Finally a study validates what I have been telling students and clients for the longest time: movement makes mind/body health much better! Rather than focusing on burning fat or altering shapes, a daily commitment to simply move, as scientists continue to confirm, will lead to an instant shift in mood.

According to a New York Times article (6/19/2010), Laura Blue writes that exercise “…not only relieves depressive symptoms, but appears to prevent them from recurring”.

Neuroscientist Phillip Holmes reports: “…that exercise is the more normal or natural condition, and that being sedentary is really the abnormal situation…”. This news article further asserts that: “Our brains simply may not be built for an environment without physical activity. Research has also suggested that exercise may be an effective treatment not just for depression, but also against related anxiety disorders and even substance dependence.” (Blue, 2010)

Situated five stories above a coffee house, in the middle of the Serafi Mall, is the  ATHR Gallery;  a wonderful place that eloquently captures so much of the inspirational beauty in this region, and reminds me to remain intentional about finding creativity.

On one of my first of several visits, I was blessed to take in the profound work of Tajammul Hussain in an exhibit entitled “Illuminating the Word” that truly expanded the power of Nommo (in the African tradition, a term that refers to the generative and productive power of the spoken word) through illustration and text from the Holy Quran. Simply, Divinely inspired and amazing; the particular use of colorful shapes (some of my favorite including, circles, spirals, leaves, flowers and arch openings) and Islamic inspired symbolism to illuminate sacred space was captivating.

All over the world, indigenous approaches to wellness seem to have one thing in common; reverence for the Creator and Creation. I felt the presence of God in the Gallery and was moved by the painting, calligraphy and positioning of the pieces. Hamza Saleh Serafi was a gracious host and his passion for all things beautiful filled up the room!

Wonderful adventures abound as I recall my first tour of Old Jeddah that began with a drive along the Jeddah Corniche, taking in the splendor of the Red Sea. Inside the Balad area (shops and houses) we saw 500 years of history and a struggle to restore the charm of that period at the Nasseif House. For me, the most moving moment of the evening was to be on the roof top of this historic house, taking tea, with a spectacular view of the city, a gentle breeze blowing through the open spaces, while waiting for the sun to set and to hear the call for prayer emanating from 12 Mosques at the same time!

In the middle of the awe I also had a profound Sankofa (an Akan word that refers to the notion of looking back, while moving forward) moment that reminded me of the contradictions experienced in front of a Portuguese church in Ghana surrounded by the dungeons where enslaved Africans were waiting to be transported through the so called door of “no return”. Portugal tried to enter Saudi Arabia through Jeddah, yet was forced to turn around. At the same time however, Africans were also enslaved in the Kingdom and remained so until 1962. Rather than contemplate further, I slowly sipped my tea and marveled at the beauty of the setting sun.

It has also been my privilege to encounter yet another brilliant display of finery at the Makkiya House, a monumental dwelling place constructed by the Saudi Architect Dr. Sami Engawi that also serves as a Hijazi (referring to traditional Arabic architectural heritage, design, arts and crafts) Museum. We were met by his gracious wife, Amira Mashat (Saudi Women keep their family names when they marry), who treated us to a home cooked feast fit for the Queens that entered this palatial paradise through a 300 years old wooden door! Melodious live Oud music sent soothing sounds throughout the rooms. Amira also has a gift shop in her home, with beautiful one of a kind jewelry designs from her own line, as well as from Egyptian artisans. It was truly an experience; I found some lovely earrings with an Arabic inscription: “Let’s Never Separate”, which of course speaks to my heart’s desire embody the African notions of interconnectivity and the continuity of life.

Creative expressions clearly can serve to usher in meaningful dialogue that leads to positive action for the good of humanity; if only we could start on this common ground instead of debating our differences with a fierce focus on that which divides.  This is not a “we are the world” call; however we who are awake in the world can answer a call that positions us to make a difference by finding our own creativity, sharing it, holding hope for better days, while using these gifts to uplift, encourage and empower others who see in a different light. What women especially need right now is a place to restore, recharge, reconnect, and re-affirm a commitment to passionately pursue their particular callings. Music, art, poetry and songs transcend differences and allow for profoundly impactful cultural exchanges that connect and multiply, rather than conquer or divide.

It has been a most unusual and unparalleled experience to witness the evolution of an international University juxtaposed to the complexities enveloping shifting sands in Saudi Arabia. Thank you for allowing me to share and for being a witness to this incredible journey of discovery and transformation through time, nature, movement, beauty and creativity.

That was true one unforgettable summer night, which will tell you a little bit about me.

“There I was barefoot in the kitchen slicing eggplant, mixing olive oil, and maggi cubes; right where He wanted me to be so that we could really talk. It was a familiar place and yet this particular time, it felt refreshingly different. My mood was more relaxed, not forced in the frantic “man pleaser” mode of my youth. Without a menses for over a year, nothing less than a miracle could create life inside of me, yet creative life energy is alive and flourishing. Maybe it’s because like the rats that ran without exhaustion when it was of their own volition, my neurons are firing and synapses are making all kinds of meaningful connections. Perhaps because I choose to cook, to read, to reflect, listen to God and to write, the ideas flow. Or it could just simply be my season to take back what the locust stole from me? Whatever the reason, it’s a joy to be barefoot in the kitchen, pregnant with possibilities. Engaged in mindful meditation, movement, and miraculous living, the Holy Spirit is guiding my mission to make a positive impact on the planet.”

You’ve really been there,
I’m so glad we can share.

Through the years,
the laughter, the rain;
volumes of tears,
the bliss and pain.