This face is making me smile today =)

Complex Simplicity and Rainbows

I was taught and read that the rainbow was a sign given to Noah after the flood had passed as a reminder that, that type of storm would never occur that same way again.

My interpretation is that the rainbow is a sign that the storm has passed and hope, new life and ultimately a new season is on the horizon. I also don't think that rainbows have to appear physically in order to experience them.

Recently, while sleeping I had a series of dreams and at the end of each dream was a rainbow. When I awoke my prayer was similar to the man in this video: www. youtube.com/watch?v=B6TfGD6CQs0. "God, what is the meaning? What does this symbolize."

I was left with a tremendous amount of joy at my answer. My dreams are becoming my reality. The are no longer intangible and only existing in my mind. They are within arm's reach and I have the ability to reach out and touch them.

The video of the man from Yosemite "ooooing and awwwing" over the sight of two rainbows has been a youtube sensation and worldwide joke largely due to the man's reaction. I question, doesn't the splendor and wonder of God's creation and glory deserve our praise and inquiry for the deeper meaning. I was humbled by the man's genuine awe of the rainbow. I remember while growing up in Chicago and looking at the stars at night was a big deal to me and watching the moon light up the sky was surreal and watching the sun rise in the morning and set at night was breath taking.

As I near the end of the road as a single woman, and become one with another, these simple yet complex wonders have caught my attention...again.

In New York, taking the time to smell the roses, or breathe in the fresh air (acutally you may not want to inhale the air...lol) is a moot pastime for most people in the region. The constant running, hustle and bustle of the daily grind seem to distract us from life's most precious and simple moments.

Today was the perfect example. I rushed to get to work on time; frantically checked and answered emails; both professional and personal; made plans to meet a girlfriend during lunch; rushed back to work; took a conference call; made some online purchases; got harrassed by colleagues; rushed out of work for a hair appointment before my stylist goes on vacation; and then took a long walk home and into the arms of outlet of release.

Tomorrow, no matter the weather, I will wake up and inhale God's creative beauty.

But first, tonight, I will power down, rather power off, and simply tell myself...Good Night.

(Connecticut, here I come - with rainbows following =)

XOXOXO
Kris

God's Healing Mechanisms

Today, I have filled my ears with sounds from the ocean thanks to you tube. My spirit and my mind were in conflict and not much else was working. No sermons, or inspirational music, or empowerment seminars. Suddenly the calming sound of the ocean popped into my head. To my surprise there were lots videos of just sounds of the ocean. It definitely brought me peace and serenity. I thought of how genius a creator God is and how I can find him in all sorts of places and ways.

Recently, I experienced pain and thought about and the many ways it affects us. Which pain is worst: physical, emotional or mental? Some say it’s the scars you can’t see; emotional pain. Interestingly enough if you listen to a person long enough you begin to see those unseen scars meant to stay out of view.

Any way, I thought about the growing pains that are a part of life. Have you ever watched a plant grow? In elementary school, I was given an assignment to care for a plant and watch it grow. Over weeks and a few months, that’s what I did. Every day with eager excitement, I watched as the seed opened up and pressed its way through the soil contained by a small pot. Then little by little, one leaf at a time sprouted.

Even with the prudent growth of the plant, I noticed the struggle of the stem to press through the soil and reach tall above the planted pot. As I reflected on this process, I wondered in that process of growth and struggle, is this painful for the plant? In the process of development and maturity, is there discomfort?

It sure seems like it. Today, I find rest, peace, joy and understanding in God’s complex simplicities: plants and the ocean.

I also wondered if greatness is created when we experience the most pain. With pain, I have heard writers say that they wrote their best song, painters say they painted their greatest portrait, and people who seemed like they shouldn't have made it rise above all odds to higher heights.

In 2008, I created The King's Daughters, Inc at one of my lowest points. It is one of the things I am most proud of and it didn't just help to heal me. The organization touches the lives of others.

Surely, greatness can be achieved in happiness, but maybe it's pain that requires us to move beyond ourselves to seek the greater. In pain you have to fight for your happiness, your sanity...your life.

I'm worth fighting for. We all are.

Love,

The Growing Billionairess

Quote that encouraged me today

Obstacles can't steal your dream without your permission. Obstacles are inevitable; quitting is optional! When you walk in faith and refuse to quit, God guarantees your obstacles won't prevent your vision from being fulfilled.

NO EXCUSES from me today.

I, the Billionairess am making NO EXCUSES for my JOY, my SUCCESS, my "FAILURE," THIS LOVE...and must confess that the sum total equals - I AM COMPLETELY BLESSED!

Love is in Need of Love

Check out the article I wrote for the website http://www.bevirtue.com/, founded by the fabulous Chantal Parmley!!

http://www.bevirtue.com/

Ever-Evolving Newness

Have you ever wanted to freeze frame a moment in time or press pause to stand still? I guess that question was answered by the invention of cameras, video cameras and the like. Unfortunately, my camera was dead on Friday night.

This week was blessed. Not everything I wanted to happen, happened. However, there were things that I needed to happen and did not anticipate happening that happened.

I have to highlight one moment in particular.

Most weekends I spend my time in Connecticut. From my first few trips to this region of the country, coming from New York it has felt like a peaceful get-a-way, a small vacation. This past Friday, I left work and went to my 4th Bikram yoga class. This bit of torture in Harlem prepared my mind for a beautiful relaxing weekend in CT. As I made my way from Harlem to CT after class, I was bombarded (and I said bombarded because the comments and the yelling were intrusive) by the evening element and envoirnment. It was the first time I felt unsafe in Harlem as a woman, at night. It may have been because I have not walked the span of 125th Street in a long time in the dark alone. I'll give Harlem the benefit of the doubt, especially after 5 years. I refuse to leave feeling unsafe and scared of the place I have called home and grown to love.

Back to the moment...

I took the metro north from Harlem 125 to Stamford, CT. I arrived to open arms, a hug and kiss and a bouquet of yellow roses with red trim from RP3. While the open arms, hug and kiss are a part of his normal reception, the coming surprises were not. RP3 drove us back to his place for me to find a clean apartment (you would have to know my Tazmanian fiance to understand the implications of this), candles lit and a well thought, well prepared dinner for two. RP3's surprise menu consisted of shrimp jambalaya, sweet chilli shrimp, french green string beans w/cashew nuts and roasted potatoes. It was a total shock and awe moment; the perfect evening. Dinner by candle light in peace and serenity with my future.

Maybe pausing the moment would be short sided. As the picture of the future continues to unfold, it reminds me that there is more to see, more to experience. Through trial and error, counseling, guidance and wisdom we are learning to create an ever-evolving (shout out to FCBC) atmosphere of romance that does not grow stale. Here's to 90 years of newness...

Ciao.

The Future Mrs. RP3.