Music Therapy with Miss Moon

“With love and patience, nothing is impossible.”
~ Dr. Daisaku Ikeda

“With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.”
~ Chinese Proverb

"Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy."
~ Saadi

I saw a pin on Pinterest that said something to the effect of this. "Don't give up on your dreams because of the amount of time it will take to achieve them... the time will pass anyway.". And for such a simple statement, it really struck a chord for me.

Patience is not my strongest virtue I admit. I can be quite tenacious, but when I feel like I'm not budging after a certain period of time has elapsed, then I wonder if my energies should be better put to use on some other pursuit. I would tell myself that I'm not that young anymore, that I don't have the time to reap a long-term harvest. But in all honesty... that's fear talking.

For the very first time in my life, I have made the decision to stay put. I am going to work towards my goals for this year, despite the amount of time it takes to get it. And although the goal seems very very far away, I can see it on the horizon.

This week's song choice for Music Therapy with Miss Moon is a song I've featured before, but I honestly feel that its the best song that captures the spirit of where I am at this moment. I hope that "Closer" by Goapele will remind you that no matter how far away your goals may seem, it's very worth the wait, and worth the effort it takes to pursue them. Keep going!



Closer to my dreams
It's coming over me

I'm gettin' higher
Closer to my dreams
I'm getting higher and higher
Feel it in my sleep

Some times it feels like I'll never go pass here
Some times it feels like I'm stuck forever and ever

But, I'm going higher
Closer to my dreams
I'm goin' higher and higher
I can almost reach

Some times you just have to let it go (Let it go, let it go)
Leaving all my fears to burn down
Push them all away so I can move on
Closer to my dreams
Feel it all over my being
Close your eyes and see what you believe

I'm happy as long as we're apart
Then I'm moving on to my dreams

I'll be moving higher (Moving higher)
Closer to my dreams
And higher and higher, higher
Feel it in my being (I can feel it flow around me)
I know that I could not go alone (No, no)

I'm moving higher (Higher), oh...
I'm going higher and higher and higher (Higher and
Higher)
Closer to my dreams (Higher and higher, oh...oh...)
I'm moving upward and onward and beyond all I can see
(Stretching out my arms so I can reach)

Feels so close it's like i can just reach
I can feel my dreams (Closer to my dreams)
I'm moving closer to my dreams
I'm moving (Higher and higher) higher and higher
(Higher and higher)
Moving higher, oh...

Some times it feels like you never gon' change (Never gon' change)
But you never choose to walk away

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

" This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... let it be something good."
~ Author Unknown

" Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries."
~ Corita Kent

" Begin today. Declare outloud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy."
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach


Eight weeks into my Creative Visualization Challenge, I am so very happy to share that I got a job!!! And a damn good job at that!! Whoo Hoo!!

Due to Hurricane Sandy hitting the east coast, my first day isn't until Wednesday (Yay! Halloween) but I am filled with an overwhelming sense of  excitement and happiness for my future. It's an amazing (and legal!) high to accomplish something you set out to do. I have two more goals to accomplish for the year, and I will do my best to ensure they are manifested as well!!

I'm feeling so fabulous right now, is there any other song that can best articulate these feelings than "Feelin' Good" by Nina Simone? I don't think so... so sing along with me!!



Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feelin' good

Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feelin' good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean

And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feelin' good

Miss Moon Gets Healthy: And Learns to Love Her Skinny Sistren (And Herself!)

I've never considered myself a hater of slim women before. I never even partook in the "skinny women are evil" campaign... even in jest. This is something I'm especially proud of, because in being full figured for most of my adult life, I've had random strangers speak so disrespectfully of me... all because I dared walk into their field of vision being the size I am. I never felt good after those encounters, so I am not about to make anyone feel that way. Ever! But something happened to me last week that really opened my eyes. It's not my finest moment, I admit... but there's a revelation in the story, so I'm inclined to share it.

For my daytime walks, I like to walk up to Lafayette Avenue and circle Von King Park a few times before I make the trek back home. The park is beautiful, and has the only working water fountain in Bed-Stuy, it seems.. so its a good place to go and get hydrated while walking, since I never carry water with me (I know.. major no no!). The first time I tried to lap the park, I thought I was going to die. Now, I can do 5-7 laps, something I am very proud of myself about.

I'm a life long insomniac, and my sleep schedule gets wonky at times. Such has been the case recently, so my "daytime walks" have been happening around 4 or 5 pm. And lately, when I've been circling the park I've encountered this woman jogging. She's... amazing! She glides around the blocks effortlessly in her little running shorts, ponytail swinging to and fro, much like the woman pictured above.

When I first laid eyes on her, to paraphrase comedian Louis C.K. (I know I quote him a lot, but really.. sometimes he puts things  EXACTLY the way I would!!), I had to stop walking, because I needed my whole body to hate her with! LOL

Why did I hate her? Because she made me feel like a major chump for daring to walk my big ass around this park, panting and sweating like a hooker in church while she jogs past me... thin and beautiful and glistening. She actually effin' glistens... she doesn't sweat!!! I felt horrible about myself, and experienced a "Oh, what's the use?!?" moment, so I stopped circling the park around two laps and walked back home, contemplating walking someplace else from now on, until my sleep schedule gets right, and I could get to the park earlier. 

What's funny is that this whole situation was that this was also the day that I took the photo of myself that I shared in my last Get Healthy entry. I went home and told my Mum about this woman, and she said to me, "Don't worry.. this time next year, you'll be jogging along side of her!". She went on to tell me that she can very clearly see that I have lost weight and that my attitude and posture has improved since I've started walking. Which was great to hear, because as I've said.. I don't see it yet. I feel it, definitely, but I still look like the big girl I always was. And she's fine.. she's great in fact. But I wanted to see some evidence that I'm on the right path.

And I had an epiphany. I didn't hate this women because she's perfect and I'm not... I didn't hate her at all, but I envied her because she represented something I thought I couldn't achieve. She was like a carrot dangling over my head that I had no chance in hell of catching... And seeing her pass me by when she jogs felt..... cruel to me. When I reflected on this some more, my attitude changed. Because that carrot?!? It's TOTALLY something I have the capacity to catch. And I will catch it. It might not be next year, as Mizz Lennid predicts, but it will happen. And I took the picture in part as a reminder to myself that I have already made great strides and will continue to do so. Which is a perfect opportunity to say....Thank you, Everyone, for the words of encouragement here, on Twitter, and on The Miss Moon's Musings FaceBook page!! Your excitement about my progress is a big part of what keeps me going!

So when I saw the woman again, instead of hating her (Really, hating myself.. let's be honest!) I sent her a silent "Thank you!", and repeated my thanks each time she lapped me around the park. Because she represents the possible results of the path I have started: A women who is fit, healthy, and effortlessly pacing Von King Park like a mickey ficky BOSS... her ponytail whipping to and fro. Perhaps one day, when I am feeling especially brave I will thank her personally. For now, this post is a start. :)

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

“You see things, and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were, and I say, 'Why not?'”
~ George Bernard Shaw

"If enough people think of a thing and work hard enough at it, I guess it's pretty nearly bound to happen, wind and weather permitting."
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go."
~ Dr. Seuss

I am on a journey, y'all!! I mean, we all are, that's what life is, and I know this. But for the first time in my life... I recognize myself moving along the path, dodging obstacles and keeping pace. And... this is SUCH a new feeling for me!! I've spent so much of my life crippled with fear and disgusted with myself at the stagnation that comes from staying still. So much of my past was wasted by not moving for fear of making a misstep. Now? Stillness is a much-welcomed pause in my life. Walking, meditating, job searching, blogging, day dreaming, laughing, learning, sharing, creating... I'm very blessed. We all are!!!

I've spent a lifetime reacting out of fear that things might end up sucky. I know now that there is NOTHING suckier than being deliberately stuck, hating it, but being scared to do anything about it. So I'm choosing to channel my inner Xena: Warrior Princess and fight for what I want.

Let me be clear: I'm not fighting anybody but my damn self. There is no enemy out there harder on me than that "Negative Nancy" voice in my head. I can't stand that heifer, y'all!! So nowadays, I hit her with a Xena yell and she shuts right the hell up! Wouldn't you?!? LOL

Obviously, my song choice for Music Therapy with Miss Moon is not the Xena yell. I wanted to find a song that would serve as my own kind of battle cry. As always, Janelle Monáe is my go to girl. I swear, she's becoming my musical fairy godmother or something... She has a song for all my Music Therapy needs! I hope that "Without a Fight" will inspire you as much as it does me, and that it reminds you to fight like hell to achieve your dreams!



I kept thinkin' I could never see this day
It seemed so far away, hey
Da, dada, dadadada

It's so funny how quick things can change
Don't wanna make the same mistakes, hey
Over and over again

This time I'll be a little smarter
I'll push myself a little harder
'Cause my dreams ain't that much farther, hey

I won't give up without a fight
I'ma reach for the sky, try 'till I get it right
So I can see the day
When I can have things my way

I'ma start all over
Things are getting closer
I can see it, baby

Although I've had my highs and lows
I'ma push down that road, yeah
Da, dada, dadadada

My Lord keeps sending me the signs
I know this one is gonna be mine, yeah
It won't happen if I don't try, no

This time I'll be a little smarter
I'll push myself a little harder
'Cause my dreams ain't that much farther, hey

I won't give up without a fight
I'ma reach for the sky, try 'till I get it right
So I can see the day
When I can have things my way

I'ma start all over
Things are getting closer
I can see it, baby

I won't give up without a fight
I'ma reach for the sky, try 'till I get it right
So I can see the day
When I can have things my way

I'ma start all over
Things are getting closer, alright

I'ma be that one shining brighter than the sun
Da, dada, dadadoda
It's time to have some fun
Feels like I've already won
Don't give up without a fight

I won't give up without a fight
I'ma reach for the sky, try 'till I get it right
So I can see the day
When I can have things my way

I'ma start all over
Things are getting closer
I can see it, baby

I won't give up without a fight
I'ma reach for the sky, try 'till I get it right
So I can see the day
When I can have things my way

I'ma start all over
Things are getting closer
I can see it, baby

See it, see it

Be Blessed: (Semi) Silent Sunday - Part Two

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow them.”

~ Louisa May Alcott

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Have my mentioned my unwavering love and admiration for Cree Summer in this blog before? Yes? No? Yes? Well, this may come as a surprise then, that I've been a HUGE Cree Summer fan for almost 20 years... shocking, I know! (Okay, I am putting the sarcasm away!) LOL



Picture it: Brooklyn, the 90s. Cree Summer is the opening act for Lenny Kravitz who's on tour. I read in the Village Voice that there will be a free performance at Coney Island!!! I am over the moon because I will have the opportunity to share physical space with a woman I've idolized for most of my life!

I never go. The man I was dating at the time gave me so much grief about daring to go someplace without him (and he didn't want to go), that he bullied me into staying home. I sold myself out and it's been one of the biggest regrets I've made in my life. At the time I convinced myself that there will be other concerts, other opportunities to see Cree perform live. Sadly, that was not the case.

I recognize that I created a reality where I allowed myself to miss an opportunity of a lifetime and I have forgiven myself for it. If the woman I am today could switch places with the young woman I was then, I would've scratched, clawed, and bitten my way to Coney Island that day!!!!



Fast-forward to this weekend. I'm 32, and have never seen Cree perform live. A part of me has given up on the dream. Imagine my joy when I stumbled across this video of a live Cree Summer concert on YouTube!!! Watching this video has rekindled my dream and I am wholeheartedly creating an opportunity to see Cree Summer perform LIVE and IN PERSON!!!

So this week's Music Therapy option is "Soul Sister" from the concert!!! I hope you all enjoy!!

Miss Moon's Musing About: New Year's Resolutions... What's Yours?

I used to be a HUGE journal writer... I would write about everything that was going on in my mind, make lists (I am a list-making fool!), and write down affirmations and/or tarot card readings that resonate for me. It was (as Chris always says) part of my spirituality. I always got excited come New Year's, as it was a time to reflect on what I was successful in achieving in the past year, and make a list of my plans and goals for the upcoming year.

For some reason, I have ceased the ritual. Rituals tend to wax and wane for me, depending on how much it's needed in my life, so I never worry if I go months without journaling or doing a tarot reading, because I know that once that connect with my inner self is lacking, the cards and the journal entries will make themselves available to be again.

I've been thinking these past few days about New Year's Resolutions. Goals I'd like to accomplish for 2010, from the spiritual to the superficial. Because one of my goals involves my blog, I thought that I would take advantage and get an early start by posting my....

2010 New Year's Resolutions

In the New Year, I will...


Get the hell up out of my Mama's house and find a fantastic Apartment in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn for Chris & I.

Spend more time with my homegirls.

Get a make over and learn how to best accentuate my features.

Reconnect with my spirit through writing, creating, meditating and divination

Drop at least two sizes by year's end

Be a better Blogger - give this blog a bit more of me: who I am, and more importantly: the rantings, ramblings and revelations I promise! LOL

So that is what I have for now. I usually keep adding to the list throughout the first week of the New Year. I would welcome suggestions and hear what goals you plan to achieve in 2010!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!