Choosing To Stay Booked, Busy & Blessed Despite COVID-19

In recent months - weeks for some, the #1 trending topic has been CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Each time we pick up our mobile devices, turn on the TV, or sign onto a social media platform we have been inundated with life saving information for ourselves and families. Unfortunately, we have also been overwhelmed with doom and gloom, conspiracy theorists, and misinformation from trusted individuals.  My day to day routine, just like yours, has been completely turned upside down.
Thankfully, many have created a good balance between staying informed, and not allowing themselves to become engrossed in the fake news frenzy.

The very first weekend the STAY HOME order was put in place in my area, I had some pretty major professional and personal events that I was really looking forward to:

*The 3rd Annual Middle & High School STEP Show and Competition. CANCELLED!
*My Non Profit  The Lemonade Stand Kidpreneur Workshop. CANCELLED!!
*My VERY off-off-off Broadway Dance Theatre performance at York College. CANCELLED!!!.

I sat at home that weekend, totally bummed at how quickly the events that took me months to plan, were altered, how necessary it is for us all to embrace change and learn how to pivot when times like this arise.
Then the domino effect began; schools across the country closed their doors and implemented remote learning curriculum - what seemed like overnight,  business' started to close, the toilet paper wars began, more and more events were cancelled, news channels all began to look and sound alike...and everyone was fearing the unknown.

People everywhere began to panic and due to me not being a panicky type of person,  I had a decision to make. The decision was exactly how much of my peace, joy, energy, and time was I going to dedicate to this crisis. I chose to be a vessel of information, good cheer, and hope rather than the bad news bone collector.

I figured my personal and professional purpose had always been sharing ideas and options where there would otherwise be none. So my mission now was to share educational activities for children, daily scheduling templates, meal prep ideas, funny, uplifting social media posts, easy at home exercise and entertainment options to keep households engaged and stress free.
It was imperative to convey to my friends, family, social media circle, and readers that this was our new normal- for now; not forever. I had every intention of surviving this and they would too.

It was and still is vital that we keep talking, laughing, planning, sharing, moving and enjoying each other whether there are 50, 10 or 2 of us gathered,  6 feet apart or on Zoom. Especially for those in our families that may have a harder time adjusting to drastic changes in their day to day routines; the children and the elderly. Both of which live with me.

Just as I did before the crisis, I found ways to stay busy and gladly invited others along for the ride.

To my surprise there were more just like me out there hosting parties, attending classes, courses, webinars, podcasts, tours, support groups etc.

My "What I Did During Quarantine" Journal  (so far)

Last weekend, we drove to Washington DC to move my daughter out of her Off Campus Apartment. ROAD TRIP!!!  We found a virtual dance party on Instagram hosted by DJ D-Nice. THE LEGEND.  He got us through about five hours of cleaning cabinets and packing boxes; My husband and I 2-stepping down memory lane, while my daughter was totally mortified and sharing it on SnapChat.
DJ D-Nice even got us back up I-95 for the 4 hour drive back home the next day.

Our family participated in Social Distancing Spirit Week (Pajama Day, Crazy Sock Day, Xmas in March Day, Twin Day, Disney Day)

Entertained the shoppers in Aisles 6, 7, and 8 at STOP N SHOP;  Dance video off-course!

Toured The Orchid Show at the Botanical Gardens

Danced with The Alvin Ailey Dancers (they were so kind and patient)

Attended a Dance Class taught by Debbie Allen & another by Brukwine Aerobics

Accepted a few Tik Tok Dance Challenges

Raised my glass for a good friend at her 50th Birthday Party via ZOOM

Movie Nights (Tiger King, 21 Bridges, Richard Jewell, Uncorked, Family, Madam CJ Walker)

Journaling / Blogging / Reading

Cooking; Mr. & Mrs. Cook-off (Coming Soon)

Was even able to get some really good "couch seats" for friends to see Elton John & Backstreet Boys

A few Virtual Vacations (Europe & Central America were drastically discounted)

Preparing to be interviewed on a Podcast this week

Tonight my AMAZING Wedding DJ is hosting a Virtual Birthday party with Old School Tunes

....more planning......more planning........MORE PLANNING!!

Can you imagine turning down a Quarantine invitation because you've already made "other plans"????

We can all agree that this adjustment of staying home, not being able to spend time with friends and family the way we were accustomed, remembering to run at top speed  if someone looks like  they want to embrace you or release a cough, and putting on battle armor just to purchase milk is a very hard pill to swallow.

Please keep in mind though, that we determine how we come out of this crisis. We either allow time to pass us by while sitting at home on the couch, or we can choose to feed our mind, body, spirit and soul by getting up, getting dressed and LIVING LIFE! .

What will you choose??? 

Our hearts and prayers go out to every man, woman and child that has been affected by this Pandemic. We acknowledge the people that have lost loved ones, colleagues, jobs, business opportunities, and those that have had their education journey interrupted.
We extend our utmost gratitude to all of  the essential professionals that are still getting up each and everyday, to make physical, mental and emotional sacrifices for the safety of their communities.

Please continue to adhere to the health and safety recommendations by the CDC and local elected officials.

Be Safe. Stay Home. Be Well.

Rediscover Family Traditions

For as long as I can remember, there have been family traditions in my household.

Traditions around bedtime, mealtime, first day of school, holidays, dance recitals, birthday and celebrations alike. Some I have forgotten, but many I hold near and dear to my heart till this day.

I think a part of the reason why some of these traditions were so memorable and important were because my parents were new to the United States and had to create a new normal for our family.

To me, shopping for the first day of school from 1^st grade to 8^th grade, was similar to the Forest Gump ‘life is like a box of chocolates quote’. I never knew what I was going to get.

 My father would always go to the Flea Market at Aqueduct Raceway in Queens NY, and purchase two, sometimes four pair of shoes / sneakers that either no one would know or ever look at. He reminded that the shoes were good quality and what good use I would get out of them. After awhile it just became a joke in the house, because he meant well. But the shoes were always god awful ugly!

I remember always celebrating Birthdays at Red Lobster. ALWAYS!

Why Red Lobster you ask? Because they always gave away an entire chocolate cake for FREE as well as sang a cheesy birthday song. (It was even cheesier back then).

My father worked and travelled a lot, so most of what I remember of our traditions included just my mother and me.

In hindsight, I applaud my mother. She made great efforts to create traditions for our family- Christmas and New Year’s included. Some that would warm the heart, and some that would be slightly questionable in a court of law.  LOL!

On Christmas Eve, we would drink hot chocolate and sing Christmas Carols – sometimes in a round out of this very thin, yet well preserved green book she kept from her school days in Jamaica W.I. She would also allow me to open at least one of my gifts…sometimes we had a tree – sometimes we did not; nonetheless, we had fun memories that I will cherish forever.

Christmas was never boring in our home, money or no money, friends or no friends, parties or no parties. I looked forward to every minute of it. Because we were together.

For years we would ring in the New Year hopping from theatre to theatre in the former SUNRISE Multiplex in Valley Stream, NY.

(I am pretty confident that the statute of limitations on movie hopping has expired by now, so I can proceed with my story). 

We didn’t have loads of money to spend on a night on the town; but what we did have was two tickets, popcorn, and fast moving, feet when it became necessary to run from theatre to theatre when each movie ended and the ticket / cleaning crew came around.

 I miss those days.  They brought me such joy and comfort. I am sure that I am not alone...can you relate? 

When I became a growing adult, with a growing family, I felt it was only right to rediscover the fun and joy of family traditions. Now I make an effort to drag my children to see the Christmas Tree. 

Yup, the same Christmas Tree that they drop off at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, every single year. I drag them to the Saks windows on 5^th Ave. 

Yup, the same windows displaying things I can’t afford, with a little fake snow thrown around. 

I still watch “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “March of The Wooden Soldiers with Laurel & Hardy” (off-course), and “The Honeymooners” marathon. 

Each year I purchase a REAL tree, as opposed to an artificial one, so that my home smells like and looks like LIFE. 

These intentional choices are vital; they send a message to my kids of who we are and what we can be.

So many of us as adults don’t value traditions anymore. We forget that those same experiences, shaped the people that we have become, both good and bad. When we turn our backs on those things, we are choosing to dismiss a major part of who we are and where we have come from. 

If you are fortunate enough to share your life with a partner, spouse, or children you are also denying them the opportunity of getting to know a piece of your past and journey.  

Traditions help us to connect our past to our present. They help to reinforce our values, faith, ethics, selflessness, and appreciation for our role models and the experiences they have imparted on us.

Whether anyone understands my need and desire to cultivate these traditions, they are necessary. They are necessary for me. They are necessary for my identity and sense of belonging to my family, culture, and community.

 Especially as I get older, and losing loved ones, is a reality.

The truth is that as we age, our beliefs and traditions become diluted and the things that shaped us -suddenly become foreign to us. It’s our responsibility especially if there are children in our lives, to remind ourselves and them that they are a part of a bigger story. It will hopefully, give them understanding and inspire confidence.

I want to encourage everyone to think about and take advantage of every opportunity to celebrate the values and beliefs that they hold dear.

 It doesn’t matter your religious beliefs, political affiliations, or financial status.

Don’t look at it as just another daunting task, but rather a blessing that you get to create and nurture something that will one day outlive you.

Traditions, moments spent with loved ones, stories, activities, memories, routines, create generational ties that should never be taken for granted.

Your Message Is BIGGER Than Your Circumstance

So,  I was just sitting at home, minding my own business when I heard Cynthia Erivo (the Star of the soon to be released film "HARRIET" in theaters this Friday) say,

 "Your message is bigger than your circumstance". 

I immediately jumped up, and grabbed my laptop, because I thought someone else may need to be reminded of that as well. 

Each day, everyone of us young,old, black, white, tall, short, rich, not so rich,  experience lonely, painful, challenges that we assume no-one could possibly understand. Remember those challenges when we are in so deep, prevent us from seeing that many before us have experienced the same or worse and survived. 

It's possible! 

Quite a few of us do not have the family situation we would like to have; some struggle with health issues; many struggle with employment and financial challenges; if you are a student, you may have issues meeting your academic goals;  most if not all of us struggle  with trying to move on from some type of loss that we have endured. I am here to tell you as a person that has been affected and deeply hurt by all of the above, I have survived, and am living proof that my message is way bigger than my circumstance. 

We  often make decisions, some good and some not so good, based on the emotions and perception of our circumstances.  Each of us  have a responsibility  not only to our families and community but most importantly to ourselves, to make choices that will benefit us and help us become better people. Don't use your circumstance - not matter how dark and frustrating, as an excuse  not to  be the best version of yourself; instead try and see how you can use your journey and message to inspire and encourage others to be their best self as well.

Everyday, I CHOOSE to surround myself only with friends and family, that encourage me to share my best message; not my worst circumstance. So no matter what the universe throws our way, let's  always strive to be an example to others. 

 We each have a message, a story, a purpose, and it is very important that we honor that even in the midst of our challenging circmstances. 

Cynthia Erivo was also a cast member in the Broadway version of The Color Purple and she performed a song titled "I'm Here". 

I thought the lyrics were so fitting for this Mindset Moment.  

Please take a moment to listen, hopefully share this message & INSPIRE. 

Copy & Paste the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-aAn2u5Pr4#action=share