For when I have a little bit more to say
👆Play👆to listen along as you read God is a master artist, a genius creator. When He created eARTh, He built ART into every nook and cranny of it. And as beautiful and majestic and wonderful as the ART He created in eARTh was, at its completion God pronounced it as merely “good”. Genesis 1:10, 12 …
Continue reading Shabbat Shalom: You’re A Masterpiece—God’s Work of Art [with audio]
👆PLAY👆 Listen and read along Life is a fight. A good fight. We go through the extremes—the ascent of ups and the declivity of downs. Though we don’t choose what we go through in life, we can choose how we go through it and who we go through it with. One thing fighters have is …
👆PLAY👆 and listen along while you read God is passionate about you because God is passionate about God. OK … hold on. Before you think I’m saying God is egotistic, because that He is not, let me expound. God knows who He is. In response to Moses’ question: “Who should I say you are?”, God …
Continue reading Shabbat Shalom: God Knows Your Name [with audio]
👆PLAY👆You may listen and read along Shadow is mentioned quite frequently in the Bible, and usually in the context of God's protective presence. Like: being covered with the shadow of God’s hand (Isaiah 51:16); resting in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1); being hidden in the shadow of God’s wings (Psalms 17:8); or walking …
👆LISTEN👆as you read along As we’re winding down the season of long summer days and about to enter the season of transition, I’m thinking about trees and the transformation they’re preparing to undergo—the stripping, the letting go—and how simultaneously beautiful and haunting that is. And that got me thinking about the life lessons we can …
Continue reading Shabbat Shalom—Be Like A Tree© [with audio]
I love my birthday for two reasons: The more I have, the longer I live 😹The celebration of life which always includes a scrumptious cake The last two birthday celebrations have been low-keyed but I still marked them with scrumptious and delectable delights!!! 👆play video and sing along 👆 2021 copyrightcreatedbyDEEsign.comAll Rights Reserved Written to …
As NY is under another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m nostalgic for the good ol’ days. You know, those days: When you sneezed in public and folks around sweetly whispered “bless you”, not shoot you a disparaging gaze that shouts: “how dare you!” When you stood in close proximity without terrifyingly pondering: “is he …
Where were you on this day 20 years ago? I had just walked into the hotel room in London. I was on my way back to Barbados (where I was stationed at the time), coming from a meeting in Torino, (Turin) Italy. The TV was already on when I entered the room, but muted. A …
What’s your T-shirt saying? T-shirts are arguable the most functional piece of clothing in our closets. More recently I’ve come across Tees used as signposts for thoughts/feelings/stance on a range of issues making them artistic creative statement apparels. Statements like: Unapologetically dopeI never lose, I either win or I learnPeriodt. [oh yeah, when the “t” …
In a State where anyone has the freedom and the right to openly carry guns in public without a permit or training… In a State where everyone has the freedom and right not to wear masks, though there are well over three MILLION Covid cases and almost 58 THOUSAND deaths… In that same State, women …
One of the good-good gifts of The Most High God—is NATURE—which I’d like to share with you in this short video clip (below) and photo montage (above) with one intent: to bless you as I’m blessed. 👆This is a short video clip from my seat on a rock by the river Inspired by AuthorWorld writing …
Caught on the bridge when the earthquake struck, Desmona clings to lose cables, her body dangling precariously above the field of debris scattered across the sea below. Marshaling all her strength, she pulls herself up when suddenly the cable… Cliffhanger. Yes, I know I’ve left you dangling (pun intended😊). That’s ‘cause I’m writing for Sammi’s …
Hi. I’m Dee. Welcome, come on in. Why I created this blog? Short answer: because we all have something to communicate. And I will not let my voice die or be silenced. This is therefore a brave and intentional space for creative self-expression inspired by my relationship with God. I am motivated to write from …
If creativity is indeed intelligence having fun, as the wise Albert Einstein surmised, then what does the creative process looks like. Well, for one—it’s messy! But I recently read a HuffPost article which listed 18 things that highly creative people do differently. I post them here because I can relate and based on what I’ve …
To say that there’s a lot of sadness around us, is an understatement. And sometimes joy may be found in the simplest of things and in the most unexpected places like with these two fairy penguins looking over the Melbourne skyline. Widowed penguins appear to comfort each other in nightly embrace The lighter penguin is …
Before-word: As I’m spending more time building this blog, I’ve been thinking a lot about writing—the art of writing and the power of the written word. I love to write. And chances are if you’re on this site, you’re a blogger which means you also love to write. Or, you’re here because you love to …
Weejars hosts this week’s MLMM Photo Challenge. My contribution is the story of the day Earthlings lost Earth Sun. Trapping the Sun, @Pobble365 He was a terrorist, of sort. An invader from a world outside the Milkyway Galaxy. A world where life—as they knew it—was dying fast and invasion and thievery became their only raison …
My nephew is on the cusp of turning three years old. But from the grammatically correct sentence structures that seamlessly flow from his lips and the accompanying appropriate facial expressions and gesticulations you would be hard pressed not to think he’s 5 years or older. So mature are his utterances and mannerisms his father, my …
Delilah exhaled in exacerbation. Exhausted, and left with no more words of defense, she stomped out angrily into the court yard. Pacing aimlessly back and forth, muttering to herself: “How can they say these things about me?” “I did this for my people!” Caught up in ruminating, Delilah didn’t see the crowd growing about her …
Cuba, trade embargoed, locked in a time capsuleHistory inextricably linked Revolution with antique, vintage, classic Iconic as cigars and Che Guevara Cruising along the Malecón broad esplanade Gliding majestically through narrow winding streets of Havana Shimmering like bright vintage jewels, kaleidoscopic colors floating by Parked strategically, juxtaposed to gorgeous ornate buildings Combined 100s of years—a …
Continue reading Cuba: The Country, The Revolution, The Cars
Noise, light, smokeExploding overheadColored flames and sparks Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, silver, gold Shooting up, spiraling around, drifting down Displays varying in size and design Fireworks light up the New York sky New York, once the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic reopens in grandeur Paint in Ode to NEW YORK CITY! NEW YORK IS …
I made it to 200 posts y’all!!!! Yippeee 🎉🥳🎊 Glad I reached this milestone on this beautiful post on the joy of gardening. I really wish to use the moment of this accomplishment to thank YOU! Yes, YOU! The YOU who take the time to stop in on this space The YOU who choose to …
Live your life embracing YOU in your entirety—your scars, what you think of as your flaws, and your brokenness. These are what make you YOU. Distinct. Different. And, flawsomely YOUnique. (I got this YOUnique word from my life-long friend, MC.) You’ll find that it’s in the midst of your weakest and unsure moments that God …
It’s almost 6 months to the day today, I was feeling the sickest I’ve ever felt and an ER doctor confirmed what I dreaded—I had contracted the novel corona virus. I shared that experience in “I Survived Covid-19: Gratefully Surrendered” I recall the days when I found it difficult to breathe, and the days I …
For those with personality traits which can be classified as “introverted”, give them quiet chilled events, few people and less stimulating environments and they’re in their element. I’m drawn to nature. I can spend hours by myself in a park, by a river, in a garden because the quiet and stillness that I find underneath …
Remember the Star Trek intro: “Space: the final frontier.... To boldly go where no man has gone before!”? With the explosion of the fourth industrial revolution and advances in technology, space is no longer the final frontier, it has been explored and so has the depth of the oceans and the core of the earth. …
It’s the wee hours of the morning and sleep has evaded me. My thoughts are somewhat lucid and I want to write. In search of motivation to direct my thoughts, I went to Fandango’s One Word Challenge and the word today is “lucid”. We’ve all heard and may practice the old adage “fake it till …
One thing that’s kept me sane and connected throughout the pandemic is being in green open spaces. Mother’s Day was spent hiking in the wonderful Palisades Interstate Park. Running up leaf-covered hillsides, balancing across water-logged walk paths, conquering rocky terrains, swinging from trees in carefree abandon—my inner child came out to play. The changes in …
This short story is for Fandango’s One Word Challenge. Today’s word is motion. She disembarked the express train at Grand Central Station coming from one appointment with exactly 10 minutes to get to the other appointment which was about a 10-minute walk away. In other words, she’ll be right on time or late. She puts …
Before-word: this year to celebrate my birthMONTH I declared an affirmation for each day. At the end of the month I conclude with the affirmation to self love, because you must first love yourself in order to love anyone else. This emanates from the ultimate love—the love of and for God. This was the April …
Continue reading BIRTHmonth: Day 30 Concluding Affirmation—I Affirm Today to Self-Love
In my native dialect (patois) we say: “wha a fe yuh, cahn be un-fe yuh” (literally—what is for you, can’t be not for you). What the Most High intends to bless you with, you will receive because not only does He shut doors, He opens doors too! When a door closes, don’t pry it open, …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 29: I Affirm Today to Appreciate Closed Doors
I was helping my nephew with his assignment, when I saw a pensive expression that was far too intense to be just about his school work. I asked, “what’s up with that look?” With deep sincerity he asked: “why are you helping me ?” And he was not satisfied with “because you’re my nephew” or …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 28: I Affirm Today to Live in Gratitude
Today I just wanna thank the Most High for each gift He’s blessed me with. May I sow seeds from each gift received. Gift expansion! ©2021 createdbyDEEsign all rights reserved Thank you for reading! First time to the site? Start here👈 and follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
It’s in the melting of snow, the thawing of the earth ... ... and rain-logged-swollen rivers cascading It’s in colorful rainbows formed after rain suspends its falling ... ... and in days growing longer, warming up in sunny splendor It’s in the colorful array and fragrant smell of flowers blooming ... ... and the new, …
Physical, social, mental and spiritual self-care—caring for your mind, body and spirit—is not a luxury nor is it selfish. Self-care is a necessity. When you exercise self-care, you’re committing to protecting your physical, mental and emotional health. And, you are absolutely worth it! ©2021 createdbyDEEsign all rights reserved Thank you for reading! Follow the blog …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 26: I Affirm Today to Prioritize Self-Care
There are moments that some may call “happenstances” and others “coincidences”. I call them God moments - moments that mark the times when the ordinary of our lives is interrupted and interjected with the extraordinary. They are moments that cannot be explained, or are so perfectly orchestrated they are truly too good to be of …
When the Most High God created us, He gave us a most powerful and beautiful gift—choice! The power and beauty of choice is that it’s predicated on there being more than one option or possibility; and, the path taken will over time make you you. If based on your hopes and not your fears, your …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 25: I Affirm Today to Exercise the Power of Choice
Life sometimes hits hard. Nowhere is this most true that in our relationships. No matter the source of the break or wounding, forgiveness is the best medicine for healing and restoration. Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
God has a purpose for your life. Before you were even formed He knew you—the color of your eyes, the number of hairs on your head, the color of your skin, even your talents and abilities. He has equipped you with all you need to fulfill your purpose. Knowing and being sure that you possess …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 22: I Affirm Today to Self-Assurance
When you’ve done everything that’s within your power to do, let IT go and let God. IT — relationships; life; love; job; parenting; finances; future etc. — let IT go and let God. Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
I’m not a patient person. No judgment. Just saying. Knowing, however, that patience is indeed a virtue I’ve been praying specifically for patience. And this prayer has truly been an object lesson in “careful what you pray for, you just may get it”. I don’t know if I thought God would have waved a “magic …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 19: I Affirm Today to Find Peace In the Waiting
Today I affirm and reaffirm to let God be my Most High. Period! That’s it! Photo provided by Pexels Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Betraying yourself is being unfaithful to the authentic you. The you with all your weaknesses, quirks and flaws. The you with all your strengths, uniqueness and flawsomeness. When was the last time you said something unkind to yourself? Maybe even using words you’d never use to someone else. Or, have you been unkind or unloving …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 17: I Affirm Today NOT to Betray Myself
Have you ever met “they”? You know that all-encompassing “they” that direct and control your life course, your choices, your happiness? The “they” in “what will they say?” or “what will they think?” But, they don’t live your life, do they? Then why should their opinion matter as much as they do, or at all? …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 16: I Affirm Today, Me NOT “They”
Why do I celebrate my birthday or do something meaningful to mark the day? It’s for one reason only: my birthday is a reminder of the moment in time that God designated as “mine”. I was born with a purpose-tag on me, and every day I’m afforded life it’s a reminder that my purpose-tag is …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 15: I Affirm Today to Live in Purpose (Haiku)
Life is a journey, and we each have our unique way to move through it. But, no matter how different our journeys will be, we all will end life in the same way. Different journeys, similar destination. The state you’ll be in when you arrive at the destination is based on the choices you make …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 13: I Affirm Today to Trust My Journey
Basing your happiness on anyone besides yourself is giving people way too much power over your life. Period! Happiness is subjective, stimulated from within. It won’t be achieved based on acquiring things but the extent to which you’re satisfied with and grateful for what you have and use it to the benefit of others. This …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 12: I Affirm Today NOT to Base My Happiness on Externals
We all have scars. Whether visible—from physical wounds, or invisible—from soul wounds. Scars are the evidence and reminder of a wounding or a traumatic experience. But, no experience is wasted. “Everything in life is happening to grow you up, to fill you up, to help you become more of who you were created to be” …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 11: I Affirm Today to Wear My Scars Like Beauty Marks
Word of the Day: RELEASE—to be relieved from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses To have the YOU that isn’t defined by the hurts or losses of your past, means letting go mentally and emotionally. Letting go doesn’t mean “getting rid of”, but “letting it be”. Release. Truth is, you can’t receive the now when …
Word of the day: STORY—telling an account of imaginary or real people and events What is the story you’re telling yourself? Whose story is it anyway? As the day unfolds, inevitably we’ll tell ourselves stories about what’s happening around us—in our own lives, about people we’re interacting with, and about ourselves. The story or narrative …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 5: I Affirm Today to Tell My Story Like It Really Is
Word of the day: COMPROMISE—accepting standards that are lower than what is desirable Going along to get along, or to be liked, is the worse kind of compromise. Why? Because it means you’ve given up something that you value to please someone else. The reason maybe you want to be liked or you want to …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 4: I Affirm Today Not to Compromise at My Heart’s Expense
Word of the day: RESOLUTE—to be admirably purposeful, determined, unwavering It takes courage to be your unique authentic self, to be resolute in who you are at the core, to “do you” when everything else and everyone else around you screams at you to fit in a mold/in the status quo/in what is expected. When …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 2: I Affirm Today to Stand in My Truth
Life lesson: You don’t choose what you go through in life, but you choose how you go through it and who you go through it with. When the ER doctor said what’s been ailing me was COVID-19, the first flash of recall was the number of people who died from this virus. I’d love to …
I was listening to Michelle Obama’s podcast and she mentioned doing puzzles as part of her family’s pass time. Having never done a puzzle before I was inspired to start. Well... wouldn’t you know, rather than starting with a 250- or 500-piece puzzle I went for the big-dawg of puzzles—ONE THOUSAND pieces!! When the little …
Like Martin Luther King: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear”. His words are oh so relevant in these times: “I’m concerned about a better World. I’m concerned about justice; I’m concerned about brotherhood and sisterhood; I’m concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about that, …
Before-word: A few weeks ago I gave a talk to young women and men in Johannesburg who requested me to speak to their youth group on dating. Then a few days ago I was asked similar questions about dating by another young person. So it prompted me to share some ideas here. Remember in university …
Let’s be real—2020 was a downside-up year and just about everyone couldn’t wait to get it behind us. 2020 was going to be my best year. Whereas in past years I celebrated the whole month of my birth, this year was going to be year-long celebrations. Needless to say, none of this happened nor did …
I love orchids!!! It took me awhile to get the hang of growing them. In fact, I literally killed 9 ... no that doesn’t sound good at all, let me rephrase ... 9 orchids died while under my care (lol 😂). So this bloom is a HUGE deal—it’s from one of the orchids that is …
[Author unknown] It’s finally happened, the lockdown making people go crazy! I was just talking about this with the microwave and the toaster while drinking my coffee, and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn’t mention any of this to the washing machine, because she puts a different spin on EVERYTHING!! Certainly …
Before-word: I wrote this piece a few years ago. I was working/living in Northern Nigeria at the time and there was immense unrest and upheaval. Amidst all of that the joys of nature were all the more appreciated. What a blessing to open your eyes from a night’s rest, to know you’re alive and be …
Before-word: This is more than a poem. It's an intimate and personal piece and demonstrative of the power of the written word to enable the sharing of insights from parts of life’s journey. A few weeks during Halloween I got to thinking about haunting, not in the context of a haunted house but rather a …
Based on the “I survived Covid-19” article, I’ve received a lot of questions, particularly from those living alone, on preparedness. In response, I’m sharing the ICE (In Case of Emergency) plan I have in place, that’s modified for Covid19 and based on the questions received. It’s a simple plan, hope you find it helpful. Decide which hospital you’ll …
Nothing in my experiences prepared me for what the last three weeks threw at me. Prior to going to the hospital I was unwell for about 9 days. I was self-medicating for the flu because all the symptoms felt like the flu except for the constant headache. Thankfully I’m working from home. During a zoom …
Continue reading I Survived Covid-19: Gratefully Surrendered
Transformation, a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. One of the most difficult things to transform is the way we think and especially what we think of ourselves. Coming to this realization is the moment I understood self transformation to be selfish in that it’s hard work that requires you to reset your …
Continue reading The Moment I realized…Transformation is Selfish
Before-word: This is more than a poem. It's a coming-to-terms piece about what it means to evolve into the realization and acceptance that imperfection is perfectly perfect when one operates from a place of healthy striving for excellence. I’m sure you’ve often heard people say, “I’m not perfect” (or you may have said/thought this of …
Continue reading The Moment I Realized … Perfection Is Unattainable
Stay single till you meet the person who makes you smile from within and it escapes with such intensity it up-curls your lips from ear to ear, makes your cheeks go numb and your eyes light up Stay single till you meet the one who proves himself worthy of you, who prioritizes you, amidst the …
Before-word: This piece was written in response to the following questions I've been asking myself in the wake of protests to social injustice across the globe: How many times can a people be stretched before their elasticity is extended beyond its capacity to bounce back and they snap instead? What do you do when as …
Before-word: This short essay is thanks to my reaction to a nature show on NatGeo. There I was immersed in the wonders of life in the deepest part of the ocean and I thought: “wow...all of this was spoken into existence”! [clearly, I’m a creationist]. Then I got to thinking about the power of the …
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Exhortations from Psalms and other books of the Bible! Paraphrases, information, etc!
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Tales + Tails: Novel Writing + Culture + Compassion
