THE ELEGANCE OF KINDNESS
I’ve been doing a lot of press lately. Most of it in support of the rerelease of “The Muppet Move’ soundtrack album. Kenny Ascher and I wrote the songs for the movie and I produced the album. My executive producer was Jim Henson. It’s pretty simple. Blocks of phone interviews with radio stations, newspapers and bloggers to hustle up some ink and airtime for the Blu Ray version of the film. I was asked to write the liner notes to… Read More
TRUSTING FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN
Fifteen minutes. At the height of our son’s active addiction, that’s what my husband and I were down to. One day at a time? I wish. It was too painful to contemplate an entire day, or a half day, or even an hour. We were plugging through fifteen minutes at a time, grateful if we made it through to the next fifteen. More grateful still if we made it through to night time without yet another major crisis, so… Read More
WHEN NOTHING IS ENOUGH
It’s the final week of summer and I think this is a great time to sit back and literally do nothing. One week and the fall rush begins. Most of us are aware of the fact that often times our greatest thoughts, inspirations and insights comes when we are literally doing nothing. We could be taking a shower, washing the dishes, waiting in line to fill the car with gas, sometimes if we are not frustrated when we are stuck… Read More
NIGHT BLOOMING WORRY
“Whenever I feel ah—fraid –I hold my head erect and whistle a happy tune…so, no one will suspect…I’m ah—fraid!” This little song has actually brought me through some tense times. The magic of music can certainly lift a mood. Try to stay grumpy while listening to reggae. But sometimes late at night a creepy thought might pounce on your tranquility; now, you’re twisting the Rubicks cube of worry, imagining every possible horrific outcome. How to wrangle the runaway thoughts… Read More
THE OTHER SIDE OF AS IF
A few days ago Tracey wrote a blog that was compelling, instructive and insightful. “As if” dealt with the insanity of treating people as if they were not the addicts, gossips, meddlers, or whatever stripe they actually were. Treating them as if they were not what you know them to be. A great observation about unreasonable expectations and inevitable disappointment. I read the blog and thought, “Now what do I do!’ Because, for years I’d witnessed the other side of… Read More
BANANA SEAT BIKES, BRUISED KNEES AND THE ROAD OF RECOVERY
I’m flipping through photo albums (yes I am that old) and see a picture of my 4 year old self. In the background is my beloved tricycle. Looking at that picture I recall that frustrating, exhilarating process that is learning to ride a big kid’s bike. I needed a lot of help and a lot of patience from others to get me from my three wheeler to my cherished ‘floral-banana-seat -with-fantastic-streamers-and-ape-hanger-handlebars’ bike with training wheels to the coveted ‘no… Read More
“AS IF”
I’m not in recovery but I have been in therapy for many decades: And I can’t see leaving anytime soon. Just when I think I am free to go my therapist says something that is so revelatory I realize I could be a lifer. Last week I was talking about various people in my life and sharing some events, nothing earth shattering, it all veered more into the realm of annoying and he said “You are treating all these… Read More
LIKE A BUTTERFLY
The About Me section is my favorite. I have flirted with the idea of penning my password list—a seemingly poignant depiction of oneself—to realize my middle school obsession with American Idol star Ruben Studdard could be slightly misleading. On more personal forms, I would fill the About Me space with the words “like a butterfly”. It became second nature. So much so that I forgot how I had even come up with it in the first place. Yesterday, at around… Read More
ASLEEP AT THE KEYBOARD
I care deeply for a number of people in this world. My family of course. My friends and associates. Their happiness and comfort are of major importance to me. And yet, there are times when you’d never know that. I can be remarkably thoughtless. And the realization is like a slap in the face. Or perhaps more like the slap on a newborns bottom that causes that first gulp of air and the new life that follows. Yes, there… Read More
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. —Dr. Seuss I stand forty-eight inches tall, am black (African-American), Christian, and gay. These are not labels, but incontrovertible truths. I know both the joy of favor; and the pain of prejudice. Life has taught a bit about the freedom that blooms from seeds of gratitude watered with faith; and the fruit of abundance that accompanies trust. but more often than I care to admit, I find myself in life’s remedial… Read More