What Do You Desire?

Listen...

Narration by Alan watts

just give me back my broken parts....

Woe is Me....Just Whatever You Do Don't Give Up

I've been sitting in my room for days just wasting my time knowing I can't get a refund on the time spent. Doing absolutely nothing and I am here constantly thinking how I want to start this or do that or making excuses saying I don't have this so I can't do that without it.  Today I am making a promise to myself, a vow.  I will stop saying I can't do anything and give what I can and have for right now. Right now is all we have ladies and gentlemen, right now is what is most important out of every moment we live right now is what creates the past and assembles the future. Right now is what counts forever.

 What I have realized sitting here sulking in my non productivity is that I have the power to be greater than I dream of.  What’s stopping me is my lack of effort.  For instance the CEO of a ground up company doesn't all of a sudden get swept up by a magic carpet and become a success.  You want to know how I know that?  One, magic carpets haven't crossed over from make-believe into reality yet and two, real true lasting success doesn't come easy.  It requires persistence, dedication, faith, trial and error, and more persistence, which all are a summation of the Struggle.  

(I’m going to say this until never giving up is the only option I can think of)

Say this out loud:

I will give everything I desire to happen a fair, honest and persistent try

I will keep in mind trial and error is inevitable

Failure is inevitable

It is all a part of success

I will stay persistent

What matters is what I do about it right now

I am the painter of my future

LOVE YOUR STRUGGLE AND THE STRUGGLE WILL SURPRISE YOU IN A GOOD WAY. Who knows maybe one of you will invent a magic carpet that will work in reality.  Think big!

  Life is at its fullest when you’re in your dreams awake.

Xoxo

~Rain

My Afro Is....

defsound // Don't Try This @ Home// Birds i View

Get Into It

Beautiful Anomaly - Purple Ferdinand

la Noire De....

La Noire De... is a  sub-Saharan African film about a young Senegalese woman , Diouana,  who follows work over seas to France as a nanny but soon finds that she was tricked into being a common maid.  She travels overseas from Dakar, Senegal to Antibes, France  for the allure of seeing the beautiful shops , people , and sites but is faced with lies from the very mouth of her employers, a rich white French couple.  As Diouana becomes aware of the unjust treatment and unfriendly environment she is now faced with in Antibes, she begins to question her existence in France.  This film addresses the effects of colonialism, racism and post-colonial identity in Africa and Europe. These themes are highlighted through the recurring appearance of the African mask Diouana gives to her employers and also through the other pieces of African art decorating the French couples home.  La Noire De... is an absolutely interesting film and when I first saw Diouana all I could think of was how beautiful black skin shines on black and white film.   It reminded me of black velvet. The actress who plays Diouana is beautiful and she did a very well job conveying the feeling being that she did not speak one word the entire film.

 La Noire De... is a 1966 film by the Senegalese writer and director Ousmane Sembene , starring Mbissine Thérèse Diop

You can find this film on Netflix under the title "Black Girl" or find it in clips on YouTube under its original title.  Its original French title is La Noire de..., which means "The black girl of...", as in "someone's black girl".

A MUST WATCH FILM 2 THUMPS ALL THE WAY UP!

Xoxo

~Rain

Sources: Wikipedia.com

In the Depth of the Winter...

Many times I cannot see the light, I cannot feel the hope, nor can I hear encouragement when it is right in front of me. All three at once. What we must realize is that underneath every individual there is a blazing intensity of passion, talent, positivity, and potential. Take a moment to realize your depth and potential. Remember that within you is the intensity of your true purpose. Keep digging!

Xoxo

-Rain

Eye See

So it's Fashion week here in NYC and I attempted to go to Lincoln Center to attend some shows but I got lost thrifting on the way.  Just like me hahaha!  Vintage Hauling is what I do!  I snagged a DOPE camera bag, yup, a bag that looks just like a camera!! I also spotted some of the flyest people I've seen in a while.  These two gentlemen who may be Japanese just killed the game with pattern mixing, they wore tights and made them oh so manly.  I didn't get a picture because I was so awe struck I didn't think to ask.  So todays outfit was inspired by the Chinese New Year, the faux fur rage this season, and with metallic grunge in mind. I copped the pants when Topshop had a crazy sale a couple of months ago and they are a metallic floral pantsgasm.  The Jacket I got on a crazy sale at UrbanOutfitters. I went to the register thinking it was $40 and it rung up as $20!!! The sweater is a warm grunge must have and the shoes are just so damn fly! I love my metallic silver low top Dr. Martens! Today was a good day indeed. 

Distressed Grunge Sweater from BuffaloExchange

Faux Fur Jacket from UrbanOutfitters.com

Floral Metallic Pant from Topshop.com

Metallic Silver Lowtop Dr.Martens from Drmartens.com

Photography by Shaun Peacemillion

Xoxo

~Rain

Oukast Speaker Boxxx The Love Below: Spread

Say no more....

Xoxo
-Rain

Many Thanks to Don Cornelius: Sooooooul Train

    Don Cornelius (September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012)

The producer and television host, Don Cornelius, who created the show “Soul Train,” was found shot dead in what appears to be a suicide.  Many will focus on his cause of death and will make that his legacy. Soul Train was one of the longest running syndicated shows in television history and played a critical role in spreading the music of Black America and many other cultures to the ears of the  world, offering wide exposure to musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson in the 1970s and 1980s. Let us remember people the way you would want to be remembered.  Before there wast B.E.T. there was Soul Train, before the was MTV there was Soul Train, before there was Yo! MTV Raps there was Soul Train.I many thanks and honor for the Life and career of Don Cornelius and as he would say "and you can bet your last money, it's all gonna be a stone gas, honey! ....and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and SOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLL!" #BlackHistory

Xoxo

-Rain

Little Dragon - Constant Surprises

I'd Like to Call it Faith.....Press Play

I'm just swoon by Little Dragon and their experimental/soulful, electronical and then some style of music.  Check out heir new album "Ritual Union".  Little Dragon is definitely one of my favorite groups  of my favorites groups out!

Xoxo
-Rain

The benefits of Aloe Vera for Your Body & Hair

Growing up I always thought of aloe vera as the slimy green bitters my mother would bribe me to eat with the promise of a piece of chocolate right behind it.  I also knew aloe vera as  "Single Bible", that's what people from that Caribbean call it.  So when my mother would say my name and "Single Bible" in the same sentence I would cringe.  The good ole days.  Here are a few reasons why you should use aloe vera to enhance your health.

What Aloe Vera can do to Help Hair:

• Promotes hair growth
• Cleansing Shampoo Treatment
• Hydrates hair/Conditioning
• Helps decrease breakage
• Protects against heat

The gel-like substance of the aloe barbadensis leaf gives it a similar chemical composition of keratin, the naturally occurring protein in hair cells. This structural similarity allows for easier penetration along the entire length of the hair shaft

   The Effects of Aloe Vera on the Body:

•  Aloe Vera  strengthens the immune system with is contents of  23 peptides contained by the plant
•  Accelerates and regulates the metabolism
•  Purifies the human body from toxins 
•  Stimulate the cell-renewing process
• Aloe vera nourishes and supports the digesting of aliments

Aloe Vera can also be digested internally with its amazing nourishing capabilities. When mixed with other fruits, aloe vera can be ingested as an excellent natural beverage rich in vitamins and minerals. Also, it is recommended that it is ingested during travels to prevent dehydration.

I hope this helped! 

Until next time 

Xoxo

-Rain

Peace.

Raising your frequency Day 35: A little Goes A long Way

Patience is key!

The spring semester just started for many of us amongst many other things like, work, family, and all our busy entails.  Here is a little advice on how to cope.  

Even the Smallest increases in rate at which your energy vibrates can have a positive effect on you. Do not rush the process.  I know many of us feel the need to be on our A game at all points which is ultimately ideal BUT you have to remember there really isn't a a top level. The top level is the one you create for yourself. Take time with everything you do and it will result in happiness, joy in life; its the freedom you feel when you properly nurture yourself. 

It's the little things that widen your eyes and make your heart fill. 



Xoxo
-Rain

Warsan Shire - For Women Who Are Difficult to Love

For Women Who Are Difficult to Love - written and performed by Warsan Shire

You are a horse running alone
and he tries to tame you
compares you to an impossible highway
to a burning house
says you are blinding him
that he could never leave you
forget you
want anything but you
you dizzy him, you are unbearable
every woman before or after you
is doused in your name
you fill his mouth
his teeth ache with memory of taste
his body just a long shadow seeking yours
but you are always too intense
frightening in the way you want him
unashamed and sacrificial
he tells you that no man can live up to the one who
lives in your head
and you tried to change didn’t you?

closed your mouth more
tried to be softer
prettier
less volatile, less awake
but even when sleeping you could feel
him travelling away from you in his dreams
so what did you want to do love
split his head open?
you can’t make homes out of human beings
someone should have already told you that
and if he wants to leave
then let him leave
you are terrifying
and strange and beautiful
something not everyone knows how to love.
****

Director, Producer : Andrea Cortes-Juarbe & Christine Mehr
Editor: Christine Mehr
Co-Editor: Andrea Cortes-Juarbe
Special thanks - Lauren Stanton, Sara'o Bery, Ada Pinkston, Isa Nakazawa

Audio mashed by Christine Mehr
Instrumental track - Zoe Keating's "Sun Will Set."

Disco in Space

Took a stroll in Brooklyn today and yeah it was lovely as usual.  I so badly wanted to get some Nutella ice cream  but it was too brisk out there! On my stroll I met some lovely folks who were on vacation from Germany and we talked about dragons for some reason or another, haha, and they kept wanting to touch the fro. Now we all that's a no no. The random things I love. I woke up feeling like  going to a disco in outer space so I dressed accordingly.  I danced with the quasars and comets in Brooklyn.

My hair is a result of a braid out I'm in love with the volume.
Fringe coat & Leather Silver disco top  AbstractRain.bigcartel.com
Galaxy Pant Topshop.com
Platform Heels Urbanoutfitters.com

Black History Month: Black Poet Gwendolyn Brooks (1945)

The Preacher: Ruminates Behind the Sermon

Gwendolyn Brooks (1945)

NOEL

I think it must be lonely to be God.
Nobody loves a master. No. Despite
The bright hosannas, bright dear-Lords, and bright
Determined reverence of Sunday eyes.

Picture Jehovah striding through the hall
Of His importance, creatures running out
From servant-corners to acclaim, to shout
Appreciation of His merit.s glare.

But who walks with Him?..dares to take His arm,
To slap Him on the shoulder, tweak His ear,
Buy Him and Coca-Cola or a beer,
Pooh-pooh His politics, call Him a fool?

Perhaps..who knows?..He tires of looking down.
Those eyes are never lifted. Never straight.
Perhaps sometimes He tires of being great
In solitude. Without a hand to hold.