Hold On

...The things that we sometimes hear and see in our sleep are clear reflections of what are happening in the present, some of which we know and many of which we don't know; However, many of the dreams that we experience during restless nights are mere deflections of the fears that we hold close to our hearts...YMC Fear not, be patient, aspire to overcome, for all that you now intuitively know, is more than you yourself believed that you could understand before this time. Think positive, be lifted, be uplifted and be encouraged, for in this day, you shall be set free by a much needed peace, indeed.

YMC

RestPHULL

I opened my eyes, because for some reason this night seemed longer than the last. I just looked over at my favorite alarm clock. and it said 12:43 A.M., and when I closed my eyes and opened them again, the clock said 12:51 a.m.. Wow, time seemed to have slowed down, not that I was in any rush for the morning to come, because no wet eyes here! I got out of bed and tip toed to my computer, I grabbed my remote and turned on my stereo, hit shuffle and and by the luck of the draw, guess what started playing? Jennifer Hudson singing "I've Changed", An interesting choice for this early morning mini retreat. As always, I began analyzing the moment, and allowed my self to enjoy the thought of the fact that I have changed. It was dark and the light of the moon was bouncing off of my tumbler filled with green tea.

An Open Eye

The next song that began to play had me grooving, but in a different way, Wilson Phillips' song Hold On! This is one of the many songs that are near and dear to my heart. I began to assess my recent experiences as well as my writings, and saw the story that I never thought I'd live to tell, begin to take PHORM!. So I thanked God for another moment and began to write!

I am grateful for this "STILLNESS' tonight, because it's mine. I feel most open right now as I think that I am getting through the most difficult stages of this GROWING THING. When the rest of this day unfolds, I am sure that it will be most exciting and interesting. I'm sure I'll greet my loved ones with a Huge Smile, enjoy their presence and go on with my day. Always make sure that the people you love and that love you know how you feel, because if tomorrow never comes, will they ever know?

Declaration

I must declare that there are just some things that I am finding to be most interesting, like How God is dealing with me, the things that I now see that I never saw, the things that I hear that I never heard, and all that I am becoming, that I never thought I could become. So many cliche's, but they are true. It's like when you have a new born baby and they wake up in the middle of the night, to be held, rocked or to feed on the good sweet breast milk. Anyway, that's just me and my metaphoric analogies!

2nd... Chances

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you wouldn't have...? Well I have, and that's a dangerous place to be, because it's not like we are "Benjamin Button" and we live our lives backwards! We must be intentional about going forward into Good Places, and set our affections on the Greater Good. The way that I resolve my thinking in this area is to think of what I can do differently moving forward. Every area of our lives, can stand to be tweaked and that's the beauty of it all. Remember that you always have a chance to MAKE BETTER CHOICES AND DECISIONS. What I have found is that when you take chances on taking the granted opportunities to Do Better, you miss out of A CHANCE OF A LIFE TIME.

Remember, that No matter what you experience, your endurance and resilience is paramount to who you ARE BECOMING.

Blessings to PHAMLI,

This is what was on my heart, early this morning! As always things come to me in pieces, and I'm good with that. I express it, how I see it. I send out prayers and positive vibrations to all who will receive it. Keep your Heads Up, Stay Positive and Keep it Moving. Once you find yourself, never lose yourself. Grab hold to what you know to be beautiful, positive and true and TAKE OWNERSHIP OF IT. I pray for your families, jobs, health and relationships and businesses, that you prosper fully beyond your most wildest dreams. May you experience Good Love and Pure Joy.

Until Next Time

Yahminah McIntosh

...an excerpt from

HOLDING ON

One day some thing is going to happen in your life that will

tear you up, break you down and make you cry

don't let it hold you down, and waste time chasing your tail,

asking yourself the reason why

Just know that, from this you'll heal and grow

and things will change, and things will go your way

IF YOU JUST HOLD ON FOR 1 MORE DAY, EVERYTHING WILL BE OK.

...

Yahminah McIntosh Copyright 2009

Freedom

Reflection

It is most interesting how time comes to a close, its always the same routine, morning, afternoon, evening and night. We get up, we work, we get home we go to bed. Well in the course of our routines we have to make a conscious effort to make time to pay attention to ourselves, our loved ones and our lives. Reflection is Key in Survival, because nothing can be accomplished and stick, if you never know what's going on in your life.

The Plan

Take a moment to reflect on your life. Put aside everything else that distracts you from thinking clearly and sit down, relax and write down your goals visions and aspirations that you have. Make them all plain and be realistic about each and every one of them.

This is a personal self evaluation that we all must do, as we take an assessment of ourselves. I believe it will help make clear the direction in our lives that we are going. Create your own personal life plan. If you have a significant other, partner or "SO" share your plan with them and seek to have a fruitful discussion. I believe that we should always be open to share our dreams, goals and aspirations with those that are at our sides, because its important to be on one accord. Remember you can conquer nothing divided but on one accord you can change your world ;).

Make your life plan as simple as you want but completely full of what you desire, don't complicate it with your own insecurities. I don't believe in making New Year Resolutions but New Day Resolutions, because you only own the moments and minutes in time where you stand.

LIFE

I believe that we all desire to be happy, be filled with joy and problem free; However, the reality of that is, that life is only what you make it, and because we are imperfect people, we will sometimes sow imperfect actions that get not so desirable results. Take time this week to think about where you want to see yourself in 1 year from today and how you will get there. The idea is to always get better and not to regress.

Potential with hard work births Maturity and Fruit. Maturity Births Wisdom, and coupled together they will both have great results.

Think about what areas you need to improve in?

How will you go about improving these areas?

What are your short term goals for the upcoming year?

What will you be more intentional about?

How will you make time to rest your mind?

What distractions will you eliminate and what things do you need to remove out of your life so that you may function more efficiently?

Think about how you can become a better steward of your finances, the material and effectual possessions that you have?

This piece is short but meaningful, and carries a message to all that every day is precious and even though we may encounter things that may hinder growth in areas that we need to grow in, progress does not ever have to be stopped. I pray for freedom of the mind to all and that you all embrace the opportunity to live your fullest life, no matter what you go through, what you've done and what the journey lies ahead looks like. Remember, it ain't over until its over, and when the Fat lady begins to sing, hope

she's on key because her tunes stop nothing!

My Dearest PHAMLI,

As always I encourage you to take time out for YOU today. I can not impress upon you how important every single moment of your life is. Although this thought can be pressure filled it shouldn't, it should be more of an encouragement for us to GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE. Live today as if its your last, because no one is ever promised tomorrow. Sow good seeds today in your life in the people that you love, in the universe and all around you and don't be afraid of being your best in this day. Remember that words have wings, and if you believe it, whatever the it is can happen. As many of us are ambitious, driven and hopeful people beginning to look at yourself and fine tuning YOU, is paramount in achieving the great successes that we DESIRE.

Assess your attitude and way of thinking. Are you on a fast track to upward mobility or are you regressing? Growth is Important in your existence and essential to a good and healthy survival in every area of your life. I pray that you are strong enough to look at your life as a blank and exclusive canvas, where only the most cherished colors can be used. My suggestion is to use them, and choose your colors wisely. I wish you well and loads of Prosperity and Joy! I send a wave of Love and Encouragement to all of you TODAY, AND EVERYDAY THAT YOU ARE GRANTED A CHANCE TO BE HERE.

...Miracles are born in an atmosphere of expectancy...YMC

an excerpt

FREE
...No matter what you do in this day
may it yield, desired blessings for you
and may the sun shine through your smile
for darkened souls to see, helping them to get through
may everything you touch flourish
and may you prosper beyond your wildest dreams
and respect your human nature
appreciate your precious and gifted moments here

and may you have unspeakable joy

at your driest times, and be replenished by life's streams
focus on good things
and may your heart be granted
it's deserved requests
and may you be at peace
and embrace tranquility as you rest
and may you have provision for your every need
and at every MOMENT IN THIS DAY FEEL FREE
...INDEED

Yahminah McIntosh Copyright 2009

UNTIL NEXT TIME

BE WELL

NAMASTE'

The Fruit of Thanksgiving

The Fruit of Thanks Giving
Many times we underestimate the power of being thankful, when we should be grateful and thankful for all things in our lives. I believe that when we begin taking what we have been given for granted, we will sometimes have the unfortunate experience of feeling it's ABSENCE. I have so much to be thankful for, and there would be no way to fit it all within the limitations of 1 day; However, right now is a great time to start making intentional efforts to show my gratitude and give thanks!

GRACE

Yes today's grace will be said before and after dinner, but what about the grace said when the day opened and has come to a close. When you really think about it, there are too many people in the world, that suffer from lack in areas of their lives (food, health, relationSHIPS, finances, employment, spirituality, etc...) that I have no choice but to be grateful for being better today than I was yesterday and having more in this moment (even though it may not seem like much) than I had in the moment before. Appreciation for life, will grow you, and as you go through the pains of your own growth and realization, it will change your life. There would be less complaining and more thankfulness if more of us aspired to embrace this perspective. I believe in the principle of "Sowing and Reaping" and that if you sow gratitude and thankfulness, you will receive more of what you desire in return.

The Acknowledgement
If it is hard for you to audibly say THANK YOU, then say it to yourself, but whatever you do, acknowledge what you are grateful and thankful for, whatever it is, and just don't stop here, do it more and more every day that is ENTRUSTED TO YOU BY THE CREATOR.

ME

I'm a survivor and if God didn't do anything else, I would take that notion to that place where my spirit would ascend. To be in my Right Mind, Have a Clean Heart and have the will to succeed, the power to push pass the pain, the ambition and resilience to keep on moving in spite of it all and the Vision to see pass all smoke screens that have been put up before me is amazing. Off course I'm grateful for these cushioned slippers that I've been wearing sine early this morning, while I was cooking and the fact that all of my food turned out GREAT! OOHWEE

I am grateful for my family, my son, my "Davyine 1", my Health, my PHAMLI, my friends and my enemies! I could go on and on and on...

A Personal Message

I was moved by the email that I received from the young lady Maya who's autistic daughter was hospitalized at the same hospital where my son "Judah Man" was.

Thank you for such kinds words, and your support. It was a blessing to meet you and Beth. Even though a great deal of time has passed, thank you for holding the words that I spoke to you in your heart. I saw something in you, that I saw in myself not too long ago. Stay Encouraged and Be Strong, because like your precious daughter, My SON is a Prince who was destined to be here. You have so much to be thankful for and just when you are unable to cry anymore tears, the morning will come. I pray that you receive all the love and support that you need and to nurture your seeds. Keep your head up, and know that everything will be just fine.

My Dearest PHAMLI,

I pray that you have a Wonderful Thanksgiving...Take time to reflect and be Thankful. Remember, no matter what it looks like, feels like, sounds like, YOU HAVE ALOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR. Even though we all complain, lets try to do less of that and more of the opposite. Bless your families, your jobs, your finances, your friendships, your health and your relationSHIPS.

Until Next Time!

Be Well

Namaste'

Yahminah

an excerpt from

The Amen Corner

My house was still filled with ones that I love

whose bellies were full and mouths filled with laughter

I thought I would be able to rest around 5,

but when I looked up it was

6 or a little after

the dishes done, plates were made and I bowed out of the conversations

to catch that much needed minute of breath that I needed to take

so I removed my blue apron and placed my towel on the rack

and walked into the dining room and told my guests that I would be right back

I poured myself a special blend of organic juices over crushed ice

and I opened the back door adorned with my a recent picture I painted

that lead to that place

where I could relax, laugh and cry and no judgement could fit in its space

This was my personal holy place, where only bare feet and pure souls were welcome

like the jook joint of my soul,

where when I was overwhelmed, broken or over joyed I would always go

So I began to climb, one step at a time, placing my left hand on that wounded knee

and as goosebumps saw fit to clothe my arms

Grace began to pull me, and my face was dressed with a beautiful smile

unlike the one that those close to me are used to

but that one that can be seen when the GOOD light of the SUN shines upon my face

I reached the top of the stairs and looked back and that door had closed quietly behind me,

that I don't remember doing but, what was waiting for me in the next 9 steps

had all of my attention

so I hung my tension and my stress on the Pewter hooks to the right

and I laid my burdens down at the bar of this transition in life

and sat in my favorite Crimson Persian chair, that sat in this Amen Corner

I inhaled the aroma of Tunisian Patchouli and Lavender and

Exhaled for the longest time and watched all of my cares, leave my nostrils

and waltz under the bare wooded skylights that embraced the transition of the setting sun

I was good, it was perfect, the unprecedented peace and tranquility of this moment was amazing,

I closed my eyes and rested my head on my rice filled pillow and began to hum

my rendition of Shug Avery's song Sistah from the "Color Purple"

with every note that I sang, I heard my named being called, as my disappearance

had just become apparent...I smiled, and felt the presence of my sister

as if she was walking up the stairs into this place

even though she had no physical legs to walk with

only wings that she used, when she descended to watch over me

My spirit began to harmonize with her, "Just a Closer Walk Thee"...

When I opened my eyes, She wasn't there but I was holding a Bright white feather in the palm of my left hand

and tears began rolling down the sides of my face, and backwards into my locks and

I opened my mouth and at first I was happily choked up

and couldn't speak a word

and all that my soul could say was THANK YA, THANK YA, THANK YA...

Yahminah McIntosh Copyright 2009