Giving Thanks

It is truly a wonderful time to be alive. While the cool winds blow and the snow drifts in some parts of the country, we know we are going through a transition. The challenge remains to live up to the credo that “all men are created equal” and that being the case, let's embrace the years to come with thanksgiving. I thank God for an opportunity to live to see a day in which we can rise above separation and ban together for the common good of all mankind. My mind thinks positive thoughts as my family and I strive toward a more sound stability. Everyone is working, is in good health, and in good spirits. This is a Thanksgiving Day I will not forget.

Blessings,
P

Just Published...
Looking for the Promise
Patrice Baylor Leigh

This story was very captivating, I didn’t want to put it down. Marva really pulls you into her story, she makes you feel like you are sitting right there watching her as she strolls down memory lane. I guess its true what they say about not judging a book by its cover. Buy it, read it! —Kim H.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! You feel as if you form an intimate relationship with the characters as you read the book. As the characters’ lives undergo tumultous twists and turns, Patrice's vivid and colorful language cause you to become totally enraptured as the events unfold. With the surprising, yet delightful ending, this is a book you will find yourself reading again and again. Enjoy! —Vicki Selese

Available at any online store or pre-order from major bookstores.

Buy It Now!

No More Drama

November 5,2008

At a 6:50 this morning I sat in front of my television watching the recap of the presidential race. All of a sudden a wave of relief flowed over my body and I began crying. Crying, for what? I had not thought so much emotion would exude as a result of the outcome of this race. Nor had I given much thought to my volunteer efforts during the last few months of Barack Obama's campaign. It was difficult to not help the campaign in some manner. The idle hours I had acquired due to not being fully employed, were put to great use.

Looking at the computer screen photo of my first grandson, I said quietly, “you have a future and it is brighter”. This was the line I used to get his dad to go and vote. I couldn't imagine why anyone would be so negligent as to not vote in this monumental, historical election. I was happy. The tides were beginning to turn. I knew that I would be secure in the arms of a loving God and the choice He had made for the highest leadership position of this great country.

Yes We Can

http://homepage.mac.com/rgpjr

Directions for opening the link: click link or copy and paste to browser. In the welcome box type in the password clarke, you will have to press enter and then type the password a second time. Download the file and it should open for you. As the file downloads it will sputter a bit, but it will play correctly after the download is complete. Happy listening.

What do you do when your dad hates your boyfriend?

Normally I don't watch the Jerry Springer show because I think some of his topics and guests are just plain dumb. Well, case in point, recently I watched a show entitled "dad I'm gay". Okay, so what was so hilariously dumb about this show was the fact that Jerry had the father and sister of the gay guy as guests. The dude wanted to tell his father and then introduce his boyfriend to him. Here is where the fun begins, gay guy comes on stage "flaming" yeah I said flaming, kisses boyfriend full on the lips and the father goes wild. Let the boxing begin. Dad couldn't stand it, oooh he was ready to kick his tail. Of course flame was ready to defend himself, LIKE A GIRL! Man that was the funniest thing I had seen in a while. Next comes the sister, all of two feet tall (not really, but really, really short, petite) she steps on the stage and charges the lover. It was incredible that she thought she was going to kick this man's behind. He must have been over 6 feet tall, and thick. But still, she's coming after him, bobbing and weaving like a champ. It was hilarious. The whole time this is going on the guy who they're fighting over is doing nothing, just letting the good times roll. Or should I say punches roll. Funny, funny stuff.

Tyler Perry Spectacular

As I open my window to catch a cool breeze, I notice a couple standing on their balcony looking in the direction of the expressway. The expressway is not too far from the Tyler Perry Studios, and probably held the curious audience of drivers for the firework spectacular held just moments ago. I myself only caught the tail end of the show. But now I'm wanting to go out on the balcony myself and look up at the real stars not the ones who have been imported from Hollywood to bring credibility to the TP Studio. I'm proud of Tyler, although not a big fan of all of his work. I know that somewhere deep within him is a movie dying to get out. He has had a successful run with the Madea character, and slowly he creeps toward what mainstream movie goers spend their dime to see. As a movie buff and writer I find it easy to pick out the plot of a movie within the first couple of scenes. With some movies its easier than others. Perhaps one day I will write for Tyler and perhaps I will find it is not as easy as it looks. But until then, my opinions are my own and I continue to look for drama and comedy in everyday life.

Schooling Mrs. Palin

What is so serious inside the United Nations that reporters can't get sound bites from the Palin discussions? Ha! Call it what it is. They're simply schooling her on foreign policy. Each one teaching one! Do you get it. I'm so full and sick of the trickery.

What about the McCain delay in debating Obama. They need a little more time to prepare themselves. I agree with all the other political watchdogs. McCain needs more time to study economics; Palin needs more time to study foreign policy. Are you kidding me?

Peace and Love,
P

GAS PRICES GONE BESERK, STOP THIS MADNESS NOW!

Deep, dark, rich, round and fat; full of sweet water is the definition I give to wells. My niece who is a nurse instructor is doing a column in a wellness magazine and wanted a few inspirational words to get started. She turned to the right source, an inspirational person by nature I didn't hesitate to give her my few words or to start my next blog for Orientation.

As I continue to contemplate the nature of all that is going on in the world, it definitely is not rich or full of sweet water. Many are quite uncomfortable with the state of affairs in America. I have to dedicate this blog to that issue.

STOP THE MADNESS! We who sit in our comfortable homes declaring that this turmoil does not affect us need to grip up and understand that if it affects one, it affects all. How are we able to sit at our leisure thinking the price of oil, the mortgage and bank dilemmas will not hurt us. Even millionaires can only remain wealthy when they have people at work helping them to hold on to what they have. At the rate of gas prices, who will be able to get to work?!!!!

Is this a sign of the times; wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, failure of the financial systems. Should I go on? Wake up, its time to pray. Where are the prophets, the watchmen on the wall? Who is going to help us see these situations before they hit hard?

The words of my friends Clarke and Johnson come to mind.

Yes We Can
Its in the air in the atmosphere
A force of wind flowing through the breeze
Its time for a resolution
Time for a solution
Change – oh yes we can.
And we're all a part of this one plan
Each one willing to take a stand
We have to finish what we start
Stick together and take part
We've got to change this world
Change for a better tomorrow
We've got to change this world
This one thing I know
Change – oh yes we can...
Copyright 2008
Clarke, Johnson

Amen Senator Obama

I was just thinking about why everything seems to go crazy at the worst possible times. This is no revelation. It is consistent with the enemy's plan to make us take our eyes off the prize and fall prey to the things that will keep us from reaching our goals. We could all take a lesson from Senator Obama and ignore ignorance. Don't take the time to respond to crap, just keep moving and keep your goal in sight. I know I will.

P

Anticipating the Change with Obama

This is a crazy, exciting, anticipatory time in our lives. Everything is weighing in the balance, but our hope is in Christ. I've started my second book. While sitting in a parking lot waiting for the time to pass, I just started pouring out my heart on paper. I made the parking lot of the outdoor mall my altar. Soon I would have to leave to go tutor my northside kids. It was quiet for a while, then all the high schoolers started walking or driving through. Darn, just killed my meditation buzz!

I've really gotten involved in the Presidential campaign, more than I have ever involved myself in politics. Thursday night Barack will speak. There are listening and watching parties all over the city. I will be attending one at a local banquet hall in the neighborhood. I'm really trying to maintain my volunteerism so I'll go and mix and mingle and listen.

Be encouraged, I repeat, no matter what it looks like, this is going to be an exciting time in your life. Hold on now, its going to go fast!

Love you,
Patrice

Reaching for the Unfamiliar

We're all moved in to the new space and its quite charming. At the old location I was unable to swim or use the weight room, but here everything is open to me. I've been enjoying water aerobics at the pool and sitting on my balcony catching a breeze, reading and praying. The decision to leave the house and take smaller more affordable housing was a no-brainer, but nonetheless painful. Later on we'll probably look for a ranch style home.

I see many things taking off as a result of not having to deal with the expense of maintaining a home. My mind can turn to the things I love to do; read, write, plan my business, work part time. Its a wonderful, freeing feeling. My next step is to slow down and listen for the small voice that will give me further direction. I heard Him the other day say, "Hang on, it's going to go fast now."

This One Thing I Know

Lately the atmosphere is filled with such great anticipation. Renewal for my mind, body and soul are evident. As I think about what I will have an opportunity to do once we move into the new apartment, I am not worried or sad that we will be giving up our "fly digs". Working out at the gym, swimming (or pretending to swim as I do some water aerobics), sitting on the deck in the early morning reading and drinking coffee as I pray are just a few of the perks. "One thing I know for sure," to quote Oprah is that things will be much better in the long haul.

Okay, so I was in the basement sorting through some boxes that we had never opened when we moved into this home. Without using my favorite word, it was a very unexpected, happy, event to find so many treasures that I had forgotten. A set of black candle holders, long stemmed glassware, files from a former business that I will now need. And low and behold the seal from my 501c.

In a previous blog I talked about letting go and moving on during this time of housing crisis. We have decided to do just that and are pleased and relieved that we will have an opportunity to start all over.

Special K

When I found out you had run away from home my heart sank. You are such a special little lady that I couldn't perceive why you would just disappear from our lives. Sometimes you don't understand the impact you have on the lives of those who are near you. It would be a different feeling, one of pride if your leaving was to go to school, or join the peace corp or some other humanitarian effort. But, you just left. No explanation, no calls, no see you later I've got something to do, you just left. What really hurts is that you didn't consider that the adults in your life are here for you, to talk to you, to nurture you, to help you get past your own hurts. Was your life and conditions so bad that you had to ignore us and go off? And have you forgotten how to pray? Try that, He's waiting to hear from you...We're here Special K, anytime you want to talk.

Love you,
Patrice

Mouth Closed, Ears Opened

Sometimes people miss their blessings by always talking and complaining, when the most expedient thing to do is listen and respond accordingly. Have you ever tried talking to a grown up-baby. When we want things to go our way we over talk one another, don't take time to listen to the facts and yes opinions of others. Its psychological, "I must be heard and I will turn a deaf ear to what you have to say." That way I am ensured that I am right and you are wrong. Really? You know the adage, there are three sides to every story; your side, my side and the TRUTH! There is another story about a man who was accused of a wrong doing. On every hand he was being stripped of his clothing by his accusers. He kept on walking and kept on believing that the TRUTH of the matter would be discovered. He kept on walking, while his accusers laid behind him taunting and gossiping about him and stripping him still. Soon he arrived in the little town where he conducted his business. He walked into town as naked as a plain baked potatoe. All of the accusations had been stripped from him and he showed up in this town as THE NAKED TRUTH. Remember when you are in a disagreement there are three sides to the story, and you can be sure the NAKED TRUTH will show up eventually.

Whatever

Driving down the expressway listening to the smooth jazz station, I glance over at the rear window of an SUV traveling to my right. Tweetie Bird, pasted to the window, is playfully gazing back at me. Inscribed next to the parakeet is the word "whatever". Okay, cute, maybe. I start to think about how the word is such a "cop out" word. It can also denote negativism from the person saying it. Surely we've all had our "whatever" moments. I've found that it is much more calming to discuss whatever brought on the need to use the cliche`. Getting to a place where discussion is more productive than settling for a colloquial phrase can be refreshing. In any disagreement or discussion I also feel that the parties should realize that they each have opinions and their right to express them should not be overlooked. Getting into dialogue with an irate person is the pits. It is draining, confusing and void of any sense. I guess that's why people simply say, "whatever".

Can A Woman Be Too Busy?

The last couple of weeks have been very grueling. It's not going to let up. I have to pack up my house, call the services, Salvation Army, a storage company, tutor a couple of students, write a few songs, write a play and collaborate with a few musicians and writers. I can't wait to be able to get a solid night's sleep. So, tonight I drank a cup of my favorite tea and decided to turn off the television so I could get to sleep. Tomorrow I'll be up at 4:00am because my dual purpose is to get my kid to work, and tutor another. The forty mile drive to the student's house is interesting. Traffic shouldn't be too heavy at that time of morning, but in case it is, I have a wonderful CD I picked up on Thursday night to listen to during my drive time. Its Inspirational and thought provoking. Until I can get my hands back on my jazz collection, (one of my son's decided he was into Jill Scott) I'll be inspired. My student, believe it or not, will be waiting for me at 7:45AM. Yeah right! He'll be fooling around, looking for something to eat, complaining about his schedule and trying to throw me off my game by talking about basketball. Yeah, he's funny. But he's a good kid and I don't mind helping him as much as I can. Its going to be a great day!

What a Mess!

This housing crisis has turned ordinarily calm people into nervously, twitching, about to breakdown crazy people. It was bound to happen, and much more is to come if we don't get it together and learn how to make adjustments. During this time of high priced gas, and food what can we do? I'll tell you. Learn how to make adjustments. If we can live well for less, we might be the better for it. Our nation is under attack but it is one that we can deal with through prayer. What's prayer got to do with it? Everything! I for one can't sit around complaining about the unfortunate incidents that have happened in my life. I have to forge ahead and make the best of a bad situation. If that means giving up my beautiful home, three cars, a career that I absolutely adored and discretionary income; so be it. We can make it if we try, we can make it we'll get by, yes we can!

Love to you,
Patrice

Orientation

Recently I was talking to a friend about a few things that was troubling him. He felt that he was under a heavy attack. Things weren't going well for him and his mortgage company was refusing to take his mortgage payment. (That happens for various reasons.) I listened to him and wondered why he would share this with me. Other than the fact that we have developed a pretty good friendship, he knows he can talk to me about things going on in his life. The mortgage situation is going on all over the country and people who were once secure are loosing their homes and possessions. I have resolved to not worry about the stuff I can't handle. The best advice I could give him was to move on to Plan B. "Don't you have a Plan B", I inquired? What is Plan B? Simply pack up your stuff and move. In most cases people are young enough to withstand this kind of setback. They can bounce back with good council and determination. Even though the country is going through turmoil in housing; gas and grocery prices; hold on. Don't panic because your lifestyle is changing - its only stuff anyway. Thank God for your health and your loved ones. It will be alright.