“Believe” (In Yourself)

"iPhone Selfie" by Pheralyn Dove

Take a look in the

mirror. Are you pleased with the

image that you see?

“What’s Love Got To Do With It?”

"Spreading Leaves" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Money is simply

a rate of exchange, not your

essence or self-worth.

Although it’s our birthright to be prosperous, we often confuse money with wealth. We tend to place disproportionate value on our ability to purchase material possessions even as we forget to acknowledge an abundance of priceless entities that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. So many “things” that money can’t buy determine wealth:  things like health, freedom, happiness, family, friends, creative self-expression and independence.  So as you go about creating money, don’t forget to acquire wealth. Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.

“Talk is Cheap”

 

"Daffodils & Tulips @ Macy's Department Store Philadelphia"
Photo by Pheralyn Dove

“Deeds, not words” is a

wise mantra to abide by

in all your affairs.

Sometimes we get so convinced by what people are saying. Especially if they’re saying something we want to hear. Or, we get completely wrapped up in our own grandiose egotistical verbal proclamations. After a while, though, with so many disappointments in life, we realize how precious it is to have relationships with people who sincerely honor their commitments. Most importantly, however, we feel even more validated when we look in the mirror and see a reflection of a person who can honestly say “My word is my bond. I do what I say.” This is a state of being I am reaching for. I truly want to be more vigilant about keeping my word. What about you? Are you following this same path toward purer authenticity? Let me know. Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.

“Do the Work”

 

"Periwinkle Bloom" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Wishing does not make

it so. Stake your dreams upon

an action plan now!

I’m always thinking, talking and writing about dreams, visions, affirmations, creative visualization, feng shui,  tapping (also known as emotional freedom technique), and all sorts of “other-worldly” “woo-woo” metaphysical stuff. I truly believe in the “law of attraction,” kismet and other transformative manifestation concepts which, according to all of the self-help literature, apparently seem to work by magic. 

Close your eyes, change your thought patterns, raise your vibration, snap your fingers, and Poof! It’s done. Yes, I have bought into this belief system.  (I mean Oprah, Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, LouiseHay and all these other super successful "new age" gurus can’t all be wrong. Can they?) I am super confident that you can “be in the flow” and get paid for doing what you love. It’s so easy, right?  All you have to do is just “let go.” True, yes. Getting into the “flow” is fine. But I can assure you there’s no substitute for rolling up your sleeves and getting down to the task at hand.

Do you want to be the author of a successful book so bad you can taste it? Touch it? See it? Are your visualizations vivid and life-like? Well then start writing. Simple as that. Sitting there with your eyes closed dreaming about it won’t get the book done. Writing will.

Want to take a trip around the world? Run a marathon? Learn a new language? I suggest you make yourself an action plan with a timeline. Chunk it down. Break your goals down into objectives. Break your objectives into activities – “things to do.” Look at your timeline. Incorporate your “things to do” on your daily list. I’m not suggesting you stop “dreaming.” But don’t stop grinding either. Keep working at it until your “dreams” come true. And, oh yes. Don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Each day is a gift. That’s why it’s called “the present.”
Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.

“Mercy”

"Pale Yellow Roses" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Divine Grace. Mercy.

Praying for those who are in

Desperate need today.

At this writing I do not know the whereabouts or status of my next door neighbor, whose house caught fire during the wee hours of last Saturday night/Sunday morning. Firefighters rescued her. They carried her out of the burning building on a stretcher and rushed her to the hospital. New reports indicated she was in critical condition. But I have received no word since those initial reports.

Yesterday I observed the first day of spring by getting out of the house before day break to meet up with a group of friends to run four miles through Fairmount Park. We started at the High School of the Future, turned at the Sweet Briar cut off, continued down to the banks of the Schuylkill River along Martin Luther King Drive and then doubled back. The end of the run was fierce. Up, up, up that steep hill! I felt so invigorated to be able to stretch my limbs, take off, and run! What an awesome feeling to keep up the stamina until the end of the course we had planned for ourselves. 

But I was also keenly aware that this huge blessing is not something everyone enjoys. As I meditated and said my prayers in gratitude for surviving another winter and seeing a new spring dawn, my heart was heavy with concern for my neighbor. All attempts to garner more information about her this week have been met with replies that officials are “not authorized” to comment. (And because of HIPPA privacy laws, and other forms of liability, I certainly understand this.)

 So even as I celebrate a profound sense of gratitude that God granted me grace and spared me, I continue to pray for the welfare of my neighbor. As I continue to keep the prayer wheel turning, I ask for mercy to be bestowed on my neighbor, whatever that form of mercy may look like. And, indeed, being so grateful for this blessed life I am able to experience on a daily basis, I humble myself and extend yet even more prayers of mercy for all of you out there who may be in need today.

Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.

Vernal Equinox + Optimism = Renewal

"Profusion of Tulips" photo by Pheralyn Dove

An awakening

enlightens with the joyful

arrival of Spring.

I feel so thankful to have survived the winter. So happy Spring is here. So grateful to be blessed with the optimism this season of renewal brings. I am acutely aware of the passage of time, as I reflect on my sojourn during the first quarter of 2014. What about you? Are you on track to have your best year ever? I certainly hope so.

Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always. 

“Grace”

"Fire Scene" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Grace spares us, redeems

us, sees us through hard times and

protects us from harm.

It was one o’clock Sunday morning. The smell of smoke, the sound of sirens, and the intrusion of wildly blinking lights startled me out of my sleep. I quickly realized my next door neighbor’s house was on fire. What a shock to see the billowing smoke and orange flames shooting out of her windows. What a scene to witness. The valiant firefighters rescued my neighbor from the burning dwelling. It took several hours to bring the fire under control. It was after three o’clock in the morning when I was allowed to return to my home. Only a miracle I survived unscathed. Only a miracle my cat was unharmed. Only a miracle the fire did not spread to my house, (which is attached to the house that burned.) I am still in a state of profound gratitude over how grace prevailed. This is no coincidence I survived. There is still work for me to do on this planet. I cannot begin to explain how thankful I feel to be alive. I cannot begin to comprehend the wise words I have heard my entire life: “God’s grace is sufficient.”

Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.

“You Are Worthy”

"Lady Dove waiting on the subway in her Ella Isaac Hat"
Photo by Mark Barksdale circa 2012

Trust your emotions.

Feel your heart beat. Connect with

The Divine. Believe.

"Name it and Claim It"

"San Francisco Victorian" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Move with intention

toward your dreams. Know that

destiny beckons.

Make Someone Happy

"Happy Azaleas" photo by Pheralyn Dove

What will you do to

make this world a better place

for someone today?

I fully realize it’s not always about me. (Although I must admit sometimes I do get caught up.) But today I am in a good place, in a zone where I am conscious of wanting to make a difference. So I thought of three random acts of kindness I will commit to performing today that are outside my normal daily routine of activities: (1) write a beautiful note to someone for no particular reason and drop it in the mail. (2) call an old friend just to say hello. (3) make a donation to one of my favorite nonprofit organizations. There. I’ve written it down. So I must be accountable. I feel so grateful I am inspired to outflow an extra measure of kindness today. What about you?

Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.

“Happy Birthday Shenneth!”

Birthday Blessings to

my daughter who is always

an inspiration.

“Hang in There Baby, Friday’s (always) Coming”

"Faith" photo by Shenneth Dove-Morse

When you find yourself

in the throes of the abyss,

breathe and say a prayer.

“Go Ahead and Free Yourself”

"It's a new day in Overbrook" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Cut your own shackles.
Be your own rescue. Know that
you can free yourself.

"Do You"

 

"Ducks Floating Down the Stream" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Take time for yourself.

Find your personal freedom.

Unleash your power.

Ever feel out of sorts, unfocused? Ever get that feeling like you’re wandering around aimlessly, lost in the wilderness? I do. Sometimes I am absolutely overwhelmed from all the activities and responsibilities in my life. I rush to get my day started and keep pushing until finally, exhausted, I collapse at the end of the day, only to realize I barely took enough time to get my prayers in, let alone meditate, exercise, eat right or engage in my creative passions. Busy does not always mean productive.

When this happens, when I catch myself being all caught up, I know it’s time for a walk in nature, a jog around the track, some fresh leafy greens and more than a few meaningful moments in prayer, gratitude and meditation. Once I take care of myself in this personal way, I am ready to face the world. I can tackle the tasks at hand and discipline myself properly so there is time enough to “get it all in.” Once I am restored, I can be loving, giving and responsible, not only to myself, but to others as well. These precious moments of purposeful, intentional solitude put me at the seat of my most powerful self. What about you? Have you taken time for yourself lately?

Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.