M.E. Exposed

Since returning to Jamaica, I have decided that my mind needs to be clear, and also that I need to lose weight for Carnival and go full force on tweaking music for the recording of my album.  All this means is that I’ve been practicing the art of ROUTINE.  For any of you who know me, I have undiagnosed ‘Flight of Ideas’ and the attention span of a fly.  So I just wanted to share some of the things I’ve been doing:

1. Journaling - Apparently not only does it record your thoughts in a moment so that you can review them, it also allows you to express them and clear them.  I started yesterday, and I’m on day 2, and as much as I fear someone finding it, it really has helped me to feel better.  Buy a pretty journal and start writing your thoughts in it.  What’s bugging you, what you are excited about, and all your big dreams.

2. Daily Exercise - Broke and without a gym, I’ve resorted back to my Insanity workout.  Let’s just say it’s insane, and I feel better #CarnivalBody mi seh!!

3. Cleaning my space and setting it up to inspire - I basically spent 5 days unpacking, because I was unfocused, but now that the suitcases are cleared and my music equipment is set up, I am ready to go with the songwriting and tweaking, and waking up to see everything set up and ready to go excites me.  So i really recommend setting your space up.

4. Reading - I rediscovered reading on the subways of NY, because if you ain’t people-watching, then you listen to music, or READ.  I recommend you read a chapter of something everyday, whether it be your Bible, or a good or bad book.  Just read.  The imagination creates food for the soul…feed it!

5. One thing at a time - So this year I discovered that multi-tasking may very well be a farce.  Your mind really can only deal with one task at a time.  You can start multiple tasks around the same time, but you never really are doing 2 things simultaneously…well rarely I should say. Ha.  So write a list, and focus on one thing at a time.  If a task is too hefty to do in one sitting then do some for a focused time frame, then move on to the next.  Don’t get bogged down by it.  Simply prioritize then divide and conquer.

Do this in whatever sequence you would like, but I say do one thing at a time first, journaling in the morning is really good, then read a chapter, then exercise, and I would say just generally try to keep your space clean at all times.

Blessed love,

M.E.

Thursday, January 26, 2012 I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of high school students at a Career Expo put on by the HEART Trust/NTA.  It was one of my first experiences being a motivational speaker, and it was great to share my experiences about chasing my passion, with a group of young, enthusiastic students.

Between sharing my journey and cracking my usual quirky jokes, we had some talented brave candidates come up and sing songs, and it was really cool to see the talent in Jamaica.  Granted some unrefined, they were undoubtedly talented, and reminded me of why I need to be here to inspire the Jamaican youth to reach for the stars, and impart whatever knowledge I have to them.  All in all it was a great 45 minutes, and I got Ebony Pride products as a gift to prove it.  The spicy Cucumber Pickles are dope!

Here are some pics from the day:

I’ve been back to my home, Jamaica, for a week now, and every time I have returned I’ve been over the moon excited to be back, but for the 1st time ever the transition has been more difficult that I had ever imagined.  My smart friends have diagnosed me with ‘Reverse Culture Shock’ - The shock suffered by some people when they return home after a number of years overseas. This can result in unexpected difficulty in readjusting to the culture and values of the home country, now that the previously familiar has become unfamiliar.  As much as I don’t want to believe this is true, it is probably exactly what is going on.

Don’t get me wrong, I am really happy to be back and to see my family and friends, and share time with them, but I have to readjust to what should be familiar to me, but in this moment seems so unfamiliar.  In my reading on RCS, I saw a statement that I liked.  It was “Understand that the familiar will seem different. This might cause new emotional and psychological reactions to being home.”  This pretty much summed up one of my many emotions.

They also said allow yourself time to ease into the transition.  I have had so many people give me the, “Struuuups, how yu mean yu a adjust. Adjust to what?”  This insensitivity also is a little offensive, but again they don’t fully understand exactly what I’m going through and why, so I will remain patient, and embrace being back on my beautiful rock, in my time, because there is no doubt that I love this place.  I’m looking forward to getting back into the groove, because there is a lot in store for me in 2012, and for you from M.E.  Blessed love to all a unnu, and always optimistically grindin’.  Leggo!