Inner Voice

Origins of my Innervoice- Gloria J Bailey (Gloria J Harden-Bailey)

2011-10-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

There are several postings on the web with Inner Voice and just for clarity purposes my blog consist of Innervoice postings starting in 2008 under the Blogger software with the web address of: http://innervoice-rise.blogspot.com/ from Winterville, North Carolina. It talks about my real life experiences that are unique and individual to me and the positive individuals that I have met over the years.

Blog purpose: I write because I enjoy and value creative artistic freedom of words and expression. The blog also serves as a communication tool and an idea think tank archive.

I have a busy family schedule, so most of my own creative writings and blog postings have been late at night and early mornings.

My writing process and style:
Sometimes when the inspiration moves me, the writing ideas come straight out of the top of my head in a flow of words from my own spiritual base and upbringing growing up in Michigan, my previous and current experiences, as well as my travels. I then refine the blog article before posting. My research style utilizes gathering of the most accurate factual data available while I critically think about the subject and use music, visual art and dance as a motivation and muse. My style may be a different and an unusual way of writing but it is just right for me.

My comprehensive online portfolio:
Innervoice Consulting focuses on the arts, writing, multimedia and history.
My website was inspired and generated from my Innervoice blog.
Note: I have consolidated the two words into one word Innervoice because it is reflective of my philosophy of fluidity and connection. The combining of the words embrace each other and represents warmth, love, compassion and strength.

Blog address: http://innervoice-rise.blogspot.com/

Website address that is connected to Innervoice is: http://www.innervoiceconsulting.com/.

Linked In profile is: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/gloria-j-bailey/9/601/a14

Twitter address is: http://twitter.com/#!/GloriaJBailey

facebook account members are family, friends, groups and classmates who share news and network.

Avatar online alter ego: Sapphire.jean (Blue sapphire birthstone-polka dot- middle name)

My work profile, blog, web address, twitter and facebook accounts are all connected through business, networking, consultation and collaboration.

Identity Statement:
In our current climate of folks assuming other people's ideas, writings and identity, I have to be specific about connecting all my work together with the blog, website, twitter, facebook and LinkedIn work profile. Fortunately, I am a U.S. citizen in America where we are protected by the U.S. constitution and our voices are heard and not suppressed. I feel blessed and thankful for that privilege.

Opinions and Disclaimers:
Issues and subjects that I have written about in the past and in the present are authentic, positive, creative and forward thinking. Any information or opinion generated directly by me will not contain in its content negative, divisive or hateful language. If any readers view my topics and opinions as disagreeable, I ask that you understand that it is an opinion to be discussed in an intelligent, problem solving and civil manner.

Thank you for sharing your time with me as you view my topics and I welcome you to a positive and motivating experience.

Gloria

Gloria J Bailey, BFA
Innervoice Consulting
North Carolina

Defining Moments

2011-08-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up as a child in Highland Park, Michigan, with my parents and siblings, little did I know that I would be set upon a different path of religion and spiritual journey. Highland Park, once called the beautiful “City of Trees” expressed the liveliness, values and promise of people thriving and surviving to make a prosperous life for their families. As cities change and populations decrease, peers become adults and move away, along with the tax base, some small cities and metropolitan neighborhoods suffered urban decay. Those cities are working toward renewal and reinvention that will take the collective effort of their communities to re-build. It is now the time for those cities to have their defining moment.

Over the years I thought about what was one of the defining moments that set me on a path of my spiritual beliefs. My parents instilled in me their prayers for sure, but my formal introduction into religion was introduced to me by my grandmother Hattie Craig Fletcher and step grandfather Ollie Fletcher. For whatever reasons and at this point it does not matter, I went to church every Sunday with my grandmother at Oak Grove African Methodist Episcopal in Detroit, Michigan. When my grandmother migrated from the south (Arkansas) to the north, she originally joined the Detroit Bethel AME church and then moved to Oak Grove. My grandparents would pick me up every Sunday and we would attend services. I had several adult mentors and teachers who attended the church and also worked for the same school district I attended during my youth and teen years. I would sit in the pew with my grandmother, listening to Reverend David E. Mitcham and his associate pastors give their sermon. Mrs. Mitcham was very kind to me. I also remember the kindness and inspirational words of the church’s woman associate pastor. Young girls could identify with her and thought how strong and brave she was standing at the podium articulating and interpreting the sermon. I remember being thankful that the ministers talked to you rather than at you and they welcomed an informed and educationally aware congregation.

During that time, my grandmother participated in the church activities and she and my mentors encouraged me to participate in youth bible studies and church events. I began to shape my spiritual beliefs, with the combination of the teachings of my parents, ministers, creative ability and most importantly my own journey of reckoning and listening to my inner voice in the way that it is received unto me. Those defining moments are different for everyone. Eventually, my grandmother attended church less frequently due to her developing stages of Alzheimer’s disease and her care was taken over by my sister until her death. We are not perfect people and my grandmother was not perfect but she did pass on a gift that gave me an opportunity to develop a spiritual sense of self, my own piece of balance and centeredness that stays grounded in me no matter what tribulations that surround me at any given point and time. Strife in life is temporary.

As a young adult, I moved across the country with my own family visiting churches, synagogues and temples and these experiences helped me shape spiritual understanding. I continue to pass these spiritual gifts to my children. I have family members who belong to different churches and practice different faith and religions, yet we manage, despite disagreements to come together on shared common values. It means doing the hard steps of giving credit and voice to each other’s stories, coming close to our truths as close as possible, validating the existence of one’s life journey and on the foundational familial relations, writing history as it is rather than what it might be because in those real defining moments there is life and creativity that makes the story bigger than the imagination. I am glad to see denominations increasingly expand their views and programs to include traditionalist to contemporary services as well as recognize the cultural and gender differences even if a church as a whole practices one spiritual belief. The differences and similarities only make humans rich in spirit. I am a Christian who is inclusive of other religious views. There are many religions in the world and I believe people have a right to practice and define their own belief system while respecting the rights of others.

My experiences over the years have shaped me to form religious views that are a combination of primarily Methodist-Episcopal and denominations similar to those beliefs and church governance. After all, no one church or religion can say their right all the time and everybody else is wrong. If that was the case, poverty, hunger, crime, death and many other of life’s problems would be solved once and for all, but those things still exist. So instead of trying to win a game of who is more morally right, let’s address the suffering, pain and social ills of today and that may involve many truths we still do not know because sometimes the answer comes when you know the least. In that unknowing, there just might be a defining moment.

Keep the Faith and stay mentally, spiritually and physically healthy.

Let your innervoice rise -

Gloria J Bailey

Introducing Resilience

2011-08-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Let me re-introduce myself as the good hearted, kind and generous person I have always been since childhood. Love yourself-Love your family-Don't believe every single thing you see or hear.

Gifts, favors and rewards are not worth it if it comes with disingenuous intentions and know that you have respectfully and ethically worked hard for everything you have received. It's all someone else's perception and personal gain.

A plan or act is for the good of everyone and it sacrifices no one. As you get older you stop occupying your time with what others think about you. Love your spirit and create your future because your identity belongs to you and your soul. Let no one mistake your kindness for weakness because you're no fool. When it's time to set the record straight-Don't hesitate.

Strike down evil at every turn. Keep moving-Keep the faith and stay positive and resilient. Gloria

Note to Congress: Higher Ground

2011-07-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

Note to Congress: Higher Ground

The Republicans, Independents and Democratic members who are playing political games with America's budget and therefore the U.S. citizens tax dollars, I would encourage you to use your legislative skills in the current and future budget negotiations and understand that a number of families are in need of an economic boost and confidence in our U.S. and international monetary system. It is with a clear focus that I woke up this morning, spirit filled while hearing and feeling that the problems of our nation and societal issues we have yet to solve is of an urgent matter or we will repeat historical mistakes. Congress has the ability to negotiate a just, fair and equitable budget for all. Anything less is unacceptable to the voters of the United States of America. Our financial state of affairs falls in the camp of the previous and present administrations and I am sure that all parties involved are looking at what legacy they will build and leave to the American public and world for years to come. Let's leave the hidden agendas and control tactics that undermine each other’s thoughts, ideas and plans for the future off the table and put on the kitchen table ideas, agendas and plans that provide positive substance to sustain families in their everyday struggle to survive.

On this day as the NASA organization sends the last shuttle to space and recognizing the human strength, innovation, intelligence and spirit that put men and women on the moon and the International Space Station, surely budget settlements is a goal we can reach and put ourselves and the economy on higher ground.

Let Your Innervoice Rise-

Gloria J Harden-Bailey

Gloria J Bailey's Family, religious, social, cultural, economic and political views:

2011-06-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

1. I am and always have been a (straight) heterosexual female. Marriage to a Man/male.
2. I am a mother and family orientated woman.
3. I am a Christian who is inclusive of other religious views.
4. I am a Moderate Democrat who is inclusive of some independent and republican views.
5. I have always been and continue to be supportive and inclusive of disabilities. I am supportive and inclusive of people who are deaf, hearing impaired and blind. I am supportive and inclusive of intellectual disabilities.
6. I have always advocated and volunteered for children issues and education.
7. I believe in the empowerment of women and men.
8. I am supportive of individuals who suffer from the addiction of alcohol and substance abuse.
9. I am understanding and inclusive of diverse races, culture, backgrounds, perspectives and the GLBT community.
10. I am an advocate for Fine, Performing and Communication Arts.
11. I am an advocate of healthy food choices and nutrition.
12. I like most animals. Favorite pet choices are dog, fish and birds.
13. I am in support of environmental, green initiatives and auto industry transformation.
14. I am in support of our men and women in the military.
15. I have always had interest and conversations on, artistic, educational, historical, social,cultural, economic and political issues.
16. If I left out a subject or view, it is not intentional or a slight against anyone or an organization.
~Gloria J Bailey, BFA

Inner Voice- Inner Change- Inner Peace

2011-04-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

One of my examples of a significant life changing experience would center around my early college years as a counselor intern for the Wayne State University Rosa Parks/M.L. King/Cesar Chavez College Day program in Detroit, MI. I worked as an intern with students in the middle to high school inner city where there was the most at-risk need to promote the importance of education and administer training sessions on self esteem, life skills, career options and most importantly plant the seed of encouragement that students can achieve despite their circumstances and to visualize attainment of a college degree while giving them step by step practical tools. Our counselor supervisor enrolled all the counselors and interns in a program called Efficacy Detroit which is now named the “Efficacy Institute” at http://www.efficacy.org . Along with learning about the Efficacy materials as a group, we all attended the weeklong eight hour workshop at Mary Grove College. As an ethnically diverse group made up of teachers, counselors, business professionals , ministers, holistic health practitioners and volunteers along with a trained psychologist we purged many misconceptions we had about each other’s background, race and most importantly perceptions about urban underserved youth within the city. This approach was taken as a way to not transfer any of our negative perceptions onto children who were already combating tough situations in school and at home.

Sometimes significant change can happen over years and sometimes at the right moment and in a brief period of time where you can see yourself and others more clearly than you had before. This one week we hold in confidentiality that shed tears, pain, empathy, encouragement and joy of self actualization. I suppose these days it would be called intensive group therapy as the facilitator adapted the program to meet the topics and needs of the community. When the training was over, we all held workshops at public schools feeling more equipped mentally and spiritually to interact with students and make the best impact possible on their lives.
I faced life with better answers, greater confidence and more inner peace.

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-

Gloria J Bailey

NEW LOGO COMING SOON

2010-09-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

I am exercising my creative talents and artistic skills to design a new logo for Innervoice reflective of my journey of the past and vision of the future. As always I honor the past and my presence in it and now I look forward to the expanse of the future and the moments it will bring. My creative design and artwork will reflect those moments and I have no idea what the result will be. That's the fun part. Stay tuned......

Gloria J Bailey

Let Your Innervoice Rise-

Hybrid, Chameleon and all parts in between? We're Just People.

2010-07-28T03:02:00.000-07:00

As our nation completes the 2010 census and the United States and the world moves toward a more racially and ethnically diverse population, many still are challenged by their identity. Groups of people although increasingly becoming smaller still challenge and minimize their own cultural heritage and individual expression but also seek to oppress other diverse populations.

The fact still remains whether you have a spiritual, humanist, historical or an ideological view, we can not change our biological DNA. Sure you can view yourself spiritually and embrace your identity as a child of God and that is your choice but when we are born unto this earth we are also the parts of our parents. Since the beginning of time cultures have intermingled through trade, workplace and marriage, so this notion that how did America or the world become so multicultural or a melting pot of sorts should be of no surprise. It is only a surprise to people who have made a selective choice to identify and socialize with only people of their own skin color or belief systems. Many in the past and current day use skin color in their mind to move up economically and escape the so called burdens of a particular race they believe are holding them back from prosperity. An example would be the "passing for white" or Caucasian during the slavery system. Ironically, it was a double edged sword as the benefits of skin color brought on by unjust laws and policies was based on a false hierarchy of entitlement that was morally wrong. Many know this deep down in their hearts but often times, and unfortunately, status, praise and greed trumps the moral high ground.

Lately, since the election of President Obama people have taken their rants out on people of color in the form of comments such as "Hybrids", meaning that if your heritage is of two or more races then your some sort of other strange anomaly floating somewhere in space whereby they can't wrap their heads around the fact that a person who was born of multiple races could not possibly negotiate their two worlds, let alone have educational, historical and social views that may be similar or different from their own. God forgive them, they don't know any better. Of course we all should be proud of our heritage, no matter what our skin color, experience or disability but that also means not isolating yourselves culturally within your own groups including your church groups, which by the way is one of the reasons for decline in church attendance because outdated social religious morays are not in tune with the younger generation way of life, so the result is religious governing bodies who continue to set agendas and programs that don't speak to their changing or diverse population. For sure, there are folks who just don't understand or care to know the historical and cultural history of a group and tend to take the community value approach, which is fine but the community is made up of different people and culturally orientated groups practice and view their spiritual beliefs and religions in their own way, even if they all share the same faith. As resources in our world environment are becoming more scarce, we should re-think how we live and converse with one another no matter how old you are. Some promote a multitude of identities and I call this the chameleon approach and that's fine too as long as you don't get confused with what is your core belief. The only problem with the chameleon approach is that people take on so many identities and absorb others identities as their own to the point that they lose their own identity along the way. I for one,who entered back into a more formal workplace rather than a home office, have just recently became aware of shadowing and its affects. The chameleon approach taken too far is the most harmful because if you factor out skin color, cultural group and spirituality, you are left with pure emotion and that can be uncontrollable.

So let's just leave the term hybrid to the electric cars and the human genome project; Chameleon to a changeable positive transformation while knowing your core self; and all the parts in between as a tribute to where you have been and where you are going.

As I have said in the past, I embrace all of who I am and at the center of that is my belief in God. So as the butterfly changes, transforms, rises and have fun doing it, the wings are never too far from the spiritual core.
Hybrid, Chameleon and all parts in between? We're Just People.

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-

Gloria J Bailey

"Mercy, Mercy Me" What's Going On"?

2010-05-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Environment and Conservation. Two words that cause different reactions depending on which side of the debate you fall on. Surely, by now with all the scientific evidence and ecological weather events that we all have experienced,there should be little doubt that there is a Global Climate Problem that needs to be addressed as we speak.
Many researchers are documenting and collating information and now it's time to implement the solutions. I've always pondered ideas about how we can reduce wasted consumption in mass quantity even though I still need to be more conscious of the climate. Once, I even drew out plans and researched machines to reduce aluminum that was user friendly to the public. Maybe I'll patent it one day.

The point is that we need fresh and new ideas of innovation to combine with scientific research in the same room and remove the red tape and enclosed categorized boxes that stifle creativity and the ideas of change. We are reminded of the oil spills that continue to happen and I recall the time I spent living in San Pedro, California where many Marine Mammals including Sea Lions suffered deaths due to the domoic poisoning off the Los Angeles County California Coast due to lack of facilities and expertise. Those heroic Marine Biologist and Sea life workers who cared for these animals were apart of the Whale Rescue Team. It was sad to see and my middle son had an eye opening experience as he learned first hand in his classroom lesson to protect the environment during California history week and on a field trip to San Juan Capistrano. Of course it helped that his 4th grade teacher was married to a Marine Biologist so the students learned all sorts of information and empathy for the suffering of animals and the environment. My son was nervous about going on the field trip because he thought a California Bear which is on the State Seal was going to eat him on the hiking part of the trip. I assured him even though I was nervous myself that he would come back in one piece and he did.
Unfortunately, Coast across the United States and around the world are not being protected as they could be from environmental hazards or human suffering lest we forget the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and many other man made and natural disasters that the world could do without.

I have been listening to singer Marvin Gaye's music and the songs that inspired the 80's is applicable to the year 2010. I like mostly all of his music and on an environmental note, I have been vibing to the songs "Mercy, Mercy Me" and "What's Going On." Very relevant and socially conscious music that was ahead of it's time.

Certainly addressing changes in the way we consume, live and take care of the earth is a complex issue but we must begin to put the plan in action in each phase to begin the process of making progress towards solutions and the educational awareness and spiritual reckoning of this God given planet that we share.

Inspirational Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ97jPY9ejs

Or you can view the video clip on You Tube under Mercy,Mercy Me and
What Going On? Marvin Gaye, 1980's Live Concert at Jazz Festival Montreux.

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-

Gloria J Harden-Bailey

A Well Rounded Heart and Mind

2010-04-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

Empathy, compassion, gratitude are some of the emotions that come to mind when I think of how people connect with one another. The ability to reach across our emotional divide and be able to feel for another individual who is from a completely different world than your own is still a difficult cross roads for most humans to embrace.

Over the past several months, I have been thinking about what it means to have a well rounded heart. The thought that occurred to me is “ACTS.” What we as humans do with our emotions that affect our actions towards one another. For instance, if you harbor anger, jealously, hate, prejudices, self-righteousness and resentment towards another individual the decisions you make on a daily basis are acts carried out to hurt that person. Now, people will fool themselves in believing that those negative emotions could not possibly belong in their hearts. After all, folks say of themselves, “ that’s not me because I pray, meditate, go to church dutifully and was saved by” Jesus, Jehovah, I AM or Allah or experienced a spiritual awakening. Somehow, we disconnect our everyday acts and emotions with how we treat one another. As a child and up to present day I’ve belonged to and visited many places of worship across the country. Each place had its own rituals, scriptural beliefs and interpretations and ways of spiritual healing. What I have learned is a lesson that has come full circle back to some teachings of my high school world history teacher who was also a minister, who during the summers traveled back to his home country church. In this world history class we were assigned many varied religious readings and debated historical and religious beliefs. The teacher gave us space to express our thoughts while he moderated and interjected factual evidence. He had a good way of redirecting the students to find common ground or guiding us to recognize our individual or collective thoughts that led to our own conclusions rather than being pressured into someone’s own ideology or agenda. The teacher never seemed to judge or separate a student for their religious or cultural beliefs. This atmosphere made for an open environment where people felt safe from division, isolation and bias judgment. The summary of my conclusion was that there is some truth in most religions and at the end of the day, after the scripture has been read, interpreted, thought out, prayed on and discussed, you follow and ACT on your unique God given path to where the spirit moves you and talks to you. Stand strong in your beliefs and faith while opening your mind to views and change. While sometimes painful and uncomfortable, it can only create growth within your mind and heart.

During my past and present journey, I had always learned about early Christianity dating back to ancient times and ancient Egypt within the churches I attended or in my formal education.
My inner voice is unique to my journey as it is unique to my families spiritual journey. Most good hearted folks share a common spiritual goal. I find humor in the biblical “Tower of Babel Story”. I quietly giggle at how the humans built a great tower to themselves and one common language of their own human will to garner power in their kingdom and how Yahweh looked upon the silly humans and broke up their tower and scattered their one language into many languages across the earth. God knew what ancient diversification meant for smug, close minded, power hungry humans of ancient Babylon and the scenario still applies today. One of the ways to embrace empathy, compassion and gratitude as a part of our everyday lives is carrying out the ACTS of a Well rounded heart and mind.

Keep the Faith and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-

Gloria J Harden-Bailey

The W.O.W.!! Factor

2010-03-06T01:23:00.000-08:00

WOW!!

Recently, I have been reflecting on the character, qualities and accomplishments that partly define my being as a woman and the women of my family. While growing up you notice patterns that describe your mother, grandmother, aunts, sisters, nieces, female cousins, close family friends and childhood girl friends. Some of those qualities are strength, understanding, humor, intellect, vibrancy, attitude, style, grace, love, nurturing, religion, forgiveness, ambition, determination and focus.
I realized those qualities is what produced fine character in the woman I know.
It's the same qualities and characteristics that made us strive,achieve and reach for the best of our soul. When I struck out on my own to find the woman I would become, I sought out people who had an understanding of a woman's work and what that meant to the world. No doubt, it meant bringing all those positive self affirmations as a contribution to our families and community.

When I entered College as a young woman who was vulnerable and uncertain of her image and journey, I waited for an epiphany to strike me at the tender and fragile age of 21. I thought some shower of wisdom would pour down on me and in all my overly confident natural beauty and artistic intellect, that the world would see the light and reward me for my enlightenment. Well, what Can I say, I was truly feeling it. The good thing was I enjoyed my own company and still do. It does not take long before you realize that your not the center of the earth as life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you of your place in this universe.

I got off track and had not practiced drawing from my inner strength because that voice would have told me you have all those qualities and characteristics inside of you that was passed down and taught to you by the women that came before you. As I became more confident as a student and matured closer to womanhood, I constantly reminded myself to apply those family traits to my daily life.

While on campus interning with the Wayne State University (Detroit) College Day program, I heard about how the "Women of Wayne" which nickname is (W.O.W.) and how they assisted some of my female colleagues with scholarships, resources and support to uplift females in academics, research, service and networking. The alumni group shared similar qualities the women in my family had passed on to me and I admired the W.O.W. contribution to the university and community as my co-workers and many female students have benefited from (W.O.W's)resources and services.

I have some amazing women in my family and have met some amazing fellow women alumni.
Who we are and what we have become is nothing surprising or new to us because it is a long and distinguished history. I am proud of the women in my family and female colleagues. So, if we seem a little too strong for those who have not met us or known our life history then understand that it's called the W.O.W. Factor!!

Let Your Inner Voice RISE-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

Check it out: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com

Carson McCullers: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

2010-03-04T20:23:00.000-08:00

Author Carson McCullers

The other day I was going through my library of books and as I traced my fingers across the cover jackets looking for a good read that would peak my interest, I stopped on a title I had not read since my college english literature class. I must have re-read it again since I found a bookmark in the middle of the book that was dated 10 years ago and the pages and cover have started to yellow. The book was author Carson McCullers, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter".

I remember most parts of the book but what I remember most is how it moved me emotionally to feel compassion for the characters. I tend to dread reading books as emotionally twisting as this because it takes me a little while to recover from the connection I feel with the stories.
So, I have decided to delve into the book again for spring reading.

Here is the Book Jacket Description:
When she was only twenty-three, this was Carson McCuller's first novel, that created a literary sensation.
She is very special, one of America's superlative writers who conjures up a vision of existence as terrible as it is real, who takes us on shattering voyages into the depths of the spiritual isolation that underlies the human condition. This novel is the work of a supreme artist, Carson McCuller's enduring masterpiece. The heroine is the strange young girl, Mick Kelly. The setting is a small Southern town, the cosmos universal and eternal.

The characters are the damned, the voiceless, the rejected. Some fight their loneliness with violence and depravity, some with sex or drink, and some--like Mick--with a quiet, intensely personal search for beauty.

Another Short spring read from my worned book collection is:
Thornton Wilder's, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey"
Book Jacket Description: The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Thornton Wilder's second novel, won him the first of his three Pulitzer Prizes. The novel opens in the aftermath of an inexplicable tragedy-- a tiny footbridge in Peru breaks, and five people hurtle to their deaths. For Brother Juniper, a humble monk who witnesses the catastrophe, the question is inescapable: Why those five? Suddenly. Brother Juniper is committed to discover what manner of lives they led-- and whether it was divine intervention that took their lives, or a capricious fate.

I plan to recover from these thought provoking and emotional roller coaster books by reading a few comedies.

Check out my other blog: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com

Happy Reading
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

A Tribute to Ted Hunt

2010-03-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

The original and motivational Ted Hunt-

I recall the first years of College when I met Mr. Ted Hunt. He was fatherly, charismatic, wise and an original.

I started thinking about what does it mean to be an original when so many things are canned, staged or contrived to fit a so called image. I am optimistic, but find that originality is slowly diminishing in our society.

There are signs of it's demise in the lack of new generative ideas. Where are the individuals who create an idea completely on their own? We also gain knowledge from our experiences and history which provide those original thoughts. We should never compromise on aspiring to do the arduous work of seeking originality. What does that mean?

The Webster's dictionary list it as being an authentic work of art or the first form of anything and furthermore the definition expounds that originality is something fresh and novel. All these terms are a good basic description but as we face the future and learn from the past, we should embrace originality as not only a core center of ourselves but as an extension to all that we are. Every part of me spiritually, mentally and culturally, I accept wholeheartedly. Irregardless of the burdens I have learned to love all parts of myself which can not be duplicated.

While I listened to Ted Hunt speak in the 1980's during college, I heard the originality of his message in his voice. I still review his training materials. Mr. Hunt developed a Motivational Series for Youth called "Yes I Can".

The series was published in Detroit by Brumich and was entitled: Turning on to Yourself. I consider Ted an original because he took what worked and what he already knew and developed an original plan to address low self esteem. He had given workshops to Detroit Public School students on counteracting the poor attitude and excuses on why the teens could not suceed in school. Ted knew that it was not just academics alone that would build the mind and character of youth, but he knew that it was their original core of self that needed to be addressed as apart of the education of a child. His message in the 1980's was called Today's Youth: How to strive to be the best person you can be." This title still applies to students today.

Mr. Hunt's "Seven Keys to Personality" were 1) Desire 2) Faith 3) Hope 4) Smile 5) Kindness 6) Romance 7) Charity. Ted took old themes and taught youth in a real world applicable way and his original output was the interpretation and individuality of what each student developed as their goals.

I was apart of a Wayne State University (Detroit) counselor intern M. L. King/ Rosa Parks/ Cesar Chavez College Day program where we administered this training to at risk public school youth.

Mr Hunt has been deceased for a while and I still recall his speeches. He had many wonderful motivational sayings. I remember one in particular. Ted said, "I know that when love and skill work together, you can expect a masterpiece! May Ted Hunt's memory live on. He was an original.

Let Your Inner Voice RISE-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

Check it out: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com

InnerVoice New Logo Launch

2010-03-03T05:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Great News!
What is the good news? The launch of my new innervoice logo.
The logo is a culmination of my personal and professional journey
that encompasses the the story of my childhood,experiences,artistry, creativity, thoughts, voice and sound. Under the new logo will be the development of Consulting, creative writing, publishing, media, design and crossing the barrier of communication through translation and interpretation of voice, sound and language. The voice, sound and language is an influence of my childhood growing up in a household of a deaf mother and a hearing father and the deafness or hearing impairment of some of my sisters, nieces, nephews and friends. It is truly a triumphant story of how my parents adapted a family to a disability or a blessing depending on how you look at it and educated ten children up through college and taught the hearing and non-hearing children to RISE above challenges,stigmas and to keep our spiritual and family values close to our heart as we faced life on a daily basis. In the future,I will speak on spoken words that translate in the silence and the inspiration, interpretation and revelation of thoughts that influence our lives.
My family was always a mixture of primarily African Americans,Cherokee Indian, European, Irish, Hispanic and Asian. Through my younger nieces and nephews I have seen the cultures of my family broaden even further.
Innervoice is also an influence of the people I have met on my life journey and our shared experiences. Many people have stories but the experiences and stories I share with you are accounts of my family, loved ones and friends life journey. Keep on telling your true authentic story as I do and never accept to be silenced by negativity. You own your own journey. Keep telling it.

The South Carolinian novel that I am working on is in character development! The novel will be apart of the revised Inner voice Brand and logo.

Description of Innervoice: Innvervoice logo is a combination of Scriptural writing with a feminine touch. It has an edge and whimsical quality with the letter "R" and the "O" in the word voice and has a natural organic, leafy and fluid letter "I" and "V" in the middle. The color indicates a darker red, burgundy or maroon mauve. I worked with the graphic designer and received feedback on giving him a description of my vision and words that have described my life, loved ones and friends journey over the years and he began to visually design and forge the initial identity that you currently see as a logo. Check back as I begin to expand and revise the logo.

The Graphic Logo Designer: Mr. Shawn Enojado
Innervoice circle artwork design is all rights reserved. (Gloria J Bailey)

Let Your Inner Voice RISE-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

One Race Global Film Foundation

2009-12-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

Check it out! (Noveau)

The One Race Global Film Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by actor, director and writer Vin Diesel, with the mission of fostering the growth of diverse national and international voices in under-served communities within the global entertainment industry.
Through education and training in film, video, and new media production, One Race students gain hands-on experience as writers producers, directors, actors, cinematographers, physical production technicians and editors of short film and video projects during an intensive summer training program and year-round weekend workshops conducted in host countries.

Good to see and congrats to the foundation and Vin Diesel.

Website Link: http://www.oneraceglobalfilmfoundation.org

More Information? http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

ForbesWoman Views

2009-12-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome Everyone,

I recently was quoted in a Forbes.com Magazine article written by Caroline Howard, the Deputy Online Editor at ForbesWoman.com

My commentary represents my personal statement based on education, work, travel, social, cultural and political history and not necessarily the perspetive of my employer.

Caroline sought the opinion of the ForbesWoman online community group in regards to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor image in the Latina community and her symbolic statement to wear red finger nail polish for her photo shoot for the cover of Latina Magazine.
(See: http://www.latina.com)

I have posted the article: Check it Out!

ForbesWoman Views
Tweets (And More) Of The Week: Why Are We Looking At Sotomayor's Red Nails?
ForbesWoman Community 12.24.09, 12:00 PM ET

Heads turn and mouses click at the sight of "first" photos. Consider the hoopla and steep price tag surrounding the People and Hello! get of the first exclusive photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins last year.

While convincing the Hollywood power couple to smile for the camera came in at a reported tune of some $14 million, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor decided to grant her first photo shoot as new justice to Latina magazine. For obvious reasons.

On this month's cover, Sotomayor appears to be pledging allegiance. The colors and her expression convey the muted tones of quiet authority. All except for her bright red nails.

Florian Bachleda, the creative director of the magazine, recently wrote a post about the photo shoot with Sotomayor on the Society of Publication Designers Web site, "A Wise Latina and the Color Red: Latina's Justice Sotomayor Cover." "On the day of the shoot, Justice Sotomayor entered the room with a big smile on her face, and the first thing she did was extend her hand and introduce herself to everyone in the room. Everyone ... it was incredibly refreshing to see."

But what's up with her nails? Bachleda writes that during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, the justice was fully prepped on everything from potentially explosive questions down to her dress and nail color. She was, apparently, advised to keep the lacquer neutral. But, he continues, "on the day of the White House reception celebrating her appointment, Sotomayor asked the president to look at her freshly manicured nails, holding up her hands to show off her favorite color: a fire-engine red. The president chuckled, saying that she had been warned against that color."

Why red and, really, should we even be looking at her nails? To answer the first question, Latina Editor Mimi Valdés says, "In many Latino families, red is a very important and symbolic color. ... For many, the color is very much a point of pride." We put the second question to the ForbesWoman community.

Gloria J. Bailey, director for Diversity and Outreach at East Carolina University-Fine Arts, weighs in: "Good for judge Sotomayor for being proud of her heritage and the symbols of her Latina Culture. She represents all of the people and also has a right to acknowledge her own history as a part of the American experience. It is time that America accepts the full story of all our people."

Courtney Smith says, "Not sure why this is such an issue ... but after reading the article, very appropriate considering what red is supposed to represent."

Blogger Paola Bonomo, who writes the blog Live From Planet Paola, directs us to two of her posts on similar subjects after informing the community, "I am in favor of women wearing whatever they see fit, including nail colors." One post was on Carme Chacón, the Spanish defense minister who was roundly criticized ("mostly by men, obviously") for presiding over a military parade wearing an elegant pantsuit rather than a dress. The second post was a celebration of the daring décolletage of Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany and No. 1 on this year's ForbesWoman 100 Most Powerful Woman list.

Ratzo Rizzo strikes a similar chord, demanding powerful women have the right to dress feminine: "I wonder why we always want to de-feminize any woman in a position of power or authority. We should feel powerful as women doing all of the things women can do--including wearing fabulous nail polish."

The personal is political, writes Kathleen Meghan Serafin, who sees the red polish as symbol of Sotomayor's bravada: "While I think it is great that a Latina is now a Supreme Court Justice, Sotomayor was the wrong Latina. Based on her previous public statements, it seems she will not make impartial judgments. The red nail polish says 'look at me.' Very distracting. She is supposed to be doing a job, and it is not as the next Oprah."

Marianne Mullen disagrees, noting, "There is nothing wrong or improper about wearing red nail polish. What's next, that women can't color their hair if they are on the bench? Good for her. She's staying true to herself in a man's world."

But a great majority of our community fired barbs at even bringing up the topic. Amy Pietrasanta sighs, "Oh please, who cares? I have a dream--that someday women will be judged by the content of their character and not their nails, hairdos and outfits." Gen Lee adds, "Ditto. She deserves merits on her own, not on how she looks. Let's move on." Jean Kristensen sums up with: "I think that focusing on the color of a woman's nails it ridiculous and completely unfair. I also point out that I love red nail polish and wear it whenever I chose."

Readers, where do you stand in the debate?

Tweets (And More) of the Week is a series of reader-created conversations. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Yahoo! Shine, and we look forward to featuring you on our site.
See Also: Judging Sonia

Enjoy this story? Keep reading at ForbesWoman.

About ForbesWoman Group on Linkedin.com
"Building a global community of smart, accomplished women who
are curious about one another and about business. Connecting
the Forbes newsroom and the Forbes audience. Serving the
interests of executives, entrepreneurs and professionals."

Happy Reading from Rise.
Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
(aka: Gloria J Harden-Bailey)
http://innervoice-rise.blogspot
http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com

NBCD Journal 20 Holidays

2009-12-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

NBCD Journal 20
Happy Holidays Everyone and Welcome Back!
Holiday Menu
It has been a pretty busy year and the holiday break will give us all a chance to rest and restore positive energy. The menu for this Christmas will be a combination of homemade and special order.
This year, I decided to keep things light and make Leek Soup for Christmas Eve. It reminds me of a bowl of Leek soup I had at a California Kitchen Restaurant in Manhattan Beach, California several years ago. I like to add sage, turkey ham and a few more golden potatoes to my soup. One of the ingredients in Leek Soup is white wine so I chose Sandy Cross Vineyards Muscadine wine that is bottled in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The Duplin Carolina Bald Head Red Sweet Table wine works well with punch drinks. I am going to try my best to venture to Raleigh/Durham to try the California Kitchen’s new Moroccan Salad or Baja Fish Tacos with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. I will let you know how it turns out. As a base, I chose Knorr Leek Recipe Mix and just follow the directions on the package. Speaking of special orders, I will be picking up a Whole Cajun Turkey and a mini ham from the Honey Baked Ham store. My menu side items will be scalloped potatoes with reduced fat cheddar cheese. My main vegetable will be the underrepresented Cauliflower. Once I lightly steam my cauliflower, I plan on adding sautéed corn, orange bell pepper, and onions to it. This should give me a colorful dish. I am adding a side of corn bread stuffing for the kids. Homemade stuffing is great but if you are in a hurry, Stove Top stuffing will do fine.
One of the favorite deserts in our house is Pecan Pie and Peach Cobbler so I will have that on hand for everyone to consume. There are also good pecan pies at the Honey Baked Ham store, Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter and Sams Club. I decided to purchase pie crust for the canned peach pie filling and picked up a jar of Delmonte fresh peaches to lighten the taste of the canned filling. You will notice I am bias to the texture, taste, sight and smell of the food I eat which makes cooking more enjoyable for me. For New Years I plan on a seafood menu of crab salad, shrimp, black eye peas and rice for good luck and the addition of Chinese food. As a child, my family would go to our favorite Chinese food restaurant for New Years Eve and come home and ring in the New Year.

Stress Release
The holidays can be stressful on the cook so I de-stress by playing holiday music of old school, new school, jazz and classics. Some of the holiday classic songs I listen to while I cook were my father’s favorite singers such as Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis. Natalie Cole is unforgettable also.
The Luciana Souza/Romero Lubambo Duos II acoustic jazz CD is wonderful. Luciana’s voice is crisp and melodic. Lately, I have been burning up the Al Jarreau song “Brite N’ Sunny Babe”. Yep ladies, I consider myself a Brite N’ Sunny Babe for the New Year. I hope you do too.
Thanks Natalie Cole for making us fabulous 40 and up women of today look good. A Class Act.
Meanwhile, my kids and I are listening to everything from the Black Eye Peas, Lupe Fiasco, Barcelona, Beyonce’, Shakira, The Fray, Mary J Blige, John Legend ,Alicia Keys, The Avett Brothers and many others.
Don’t forget to dance to the music while cooking. It’s a fun way to burn off those holiday calories.

Check it out:
You can find other health and cultural commentary by visiting the blogs:
http://innervoice-rise.blogspot.com
http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Web Tip: http://www.nataliecole.com
I wish you a positive, energetic and bright New Year.
Keep the faith and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy!
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

Hate vs. Love

2009-12-03T11:30:00.000-08:00

Hate is powerful and comes in many forms. Some hate manifest itself on the surface while other forms of hate remain hidden until impulsively forced to the surface. The latter is more dangerous at times than the surface hate because it is slow growing and perpetually builds. The events that are happening in the world today is the same hate from the past. The difference is that it is suttle and dressed up, wrapped in false sincerity with a bow on top. The irony of hidden hate is that it deteriorates the person who expresses such anger by slowly dispiriting their soul and eating away at the love that wishes to enter their lives. When that dispiriting takes place they become half of the person they seek to be. Hate crosses boundaries into family, friends, associates, organizations and religious life. We give hate false power.
Humans mindlessly hate over petty jealousy, status, culture, religions, historical views, lack of love and the list goes on.
Love on the other hand turns jealousy into admiration; status into praise; culture into appreciation; religions into profound spirituality and disagareeable historical views into understanding. The power of love transcends time, perspectives and emotions without giving thought to who it embraces. It is the perfect pinnacle of acceptance in the face of superiority, inferiority and prejudice.
Love cares for the disheartened; the elderly; the children and the human spirit. It is the care giver and care taker of all. It transforms your life and those around you. Love cries our tears and weeps for the soul. Love forces us to seek a deeper meaning. Love is eternal and fulfilling and ever so faithful in it's elation and joy.
Love must and always will eliminate hate.

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

What's all this Hair Business About?

2009-12-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

NBCD Journal 17

What is all this hair business about?

Over the past few years I have changed hair styles, some by choice and other styles by no choice but it’s a journey that all women take and particularly as it relates to African American hair. There are so many directions the hair industry has lead, pushed and shoved African American women to invent and re-invent the next trendy hairstyle without analyzing the consequence that plays out every day on our subconscious mind and the damage of the hair follicles. While I am certainly grateful that we have come a long way in advancing the health of a hair product or the versatility of how we can wear our hair, it has taken a long time for the industry to combine a diversity of beauty and hair fashion from the old school straight- fried- and laid to the side to free flowing locks, curly wavy coifs and natural styles. We as Black women have endured a lot of pressure to conform to a standard main stream beauty which does not accept us in the state we enter this world from birth. What if tomorrow all the hair products disappeared from the face of the earth, would we still feel beautiful? Think about that for a minute.
I like to stay active and choose hairstyles that will allow me to exercise without worrying about my hair.
Unfortunately, there are Black women who will not work out or swim as much just to keep their hair perfect. I choose my health over the image of a hairstyle any day. Don’t get me wrong, I like to look pretty but hair should not compromise my health and weight goals. God willing, I want to stick around in this life to look and feel good for many more years.

Stay, mentally, physically and spiritually healthy—

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

Family and Career Choices

2009-11-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

I was recently having an online discussion with the ForbesWoman Group and responded to a very interesting topic posted by the Deputy Online Editor.
The topic was: Do You Have to Justify Your Career?
Several women responded with their views and experiences and I agreed with some of their views.

My Response was:
"In my case, there were times when people made me feel you had to justify a career until I had to change the mindset of those around me who only saw me in the traditional women roles as only an academic wife, mother, professional volunteer, etc. All those roles are fine because I am all those roles simultaneously and I enjoyed raising my 3 children when I worked from home and I have no regrets about it. My children ages are 18yrs, 14yrs and 8 years old."

"When I entered back into a structured formal workforce, some of the beliefs that women fit only into specific roles, particularly in certain circles and geographic locations are still rooted.
So, I changed the views of those around me and educated them about the wide spectrum of opportunities, careers and entrepreneur ventures for women that have always been there historically." A Forbes Woman Group Colleague mentioned her philosophy of using the term "Our Career" whereby she implemented having her spouse and children embrace that her profession did not belong just to her and it was apart of all their lives. I thought that was a good approach and another discussion colleague mentioned our socities "Gender Construction" and how there still exist presumptions that we need to keep chipping away at in order for women to continue to pursue opportunities.

"One of the great things that I have embraced with each phase so far in my life is that you don't need approval to make yourself happy and to educate your family, friends and co-workers that following my dreams is a benefit we can all share."

Ironically, many women still perpetuate their own entrapment by upholding traditional customs that are outdated; holding fast to some religious doctrines that continue to restrict, oppress and stereotype them. Women still degrade and disrespect each other views, race and culture to the detriment and suppression of their own gender. We need not be our own worse enemies and we can not blame all of our behavior on men if we are not willing to change ourselves.
In fact the wonderous and positive growth that takes place inside of me whether it is spiritual, an individual, mother, wife, career and whatever else I am yet to be is not something to be threatened by but can only enhance the lives of our male counterparts and human connections.

Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey

2009-11-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

NBCD Journal 19
Fall is in full Swing!
Welcome back everyone. I hope you are all staying healthy despite the viral flu seasons and multiple vaccinations. Take the time to take care of yourself and get your regular physical exams and stick to your wellness plan. In my prior journals I have discussed dietary habits, recipes and the mental aspect of health. All those things are important to long term wellness. Currently, I am transitioning through a period of slowing down and listening to the clues of what my body is telling me.
I have started cleansing my body of toxins through colonic herbal recipes that are safe and time released. Check with your doctor before you begin any colonic or fasting program. I am utilizing my cleansing kit in moderation, meaning I still fit it into my daily routine by eating very moderately and primarily at dinner time with the rest of the family and of course the food choice is healthy as possible because I want to set the best healthy living example as possible for my children.
Cleansing my system will also help with various food allergies and rid yourself of toxins and hydrate the body and skin. I have fasted several times before and it has always rejuvenated me inside and out as well as spiritually. I always have practiced a balanced approach to my health. Events and issues just force you to come to terms with who you are and that is a good thing.

Healthy Deserts
In the previous journal, I talked about low sugar deserts. My sons tested and baked a Betty Crocker pre-packaged reduced sugar cake with low sugar icing. It turned out fine. You could tell some of the sugar was missing but overall it was flavorful. I did not have him make the cake mix from scratch, although he can but the reality is that when he is on his own and a fully equipped kitchen and food ingredients are not available to make homemade recipes then he still will need to take that trip to the grocery to make informed and wise food selections. Unless it is a passion of your child to cook the following scenario will play out whereby your son or daughter will be influenced by their peers food choices and not to mention young men and women in college dorm eating unhealthy without their parents looking over their shoulders. So it goes back to healthy behavior, practicality and balance. Don’t take the fun out of enjoying your holiday deserts. The best approach is moderation. In other words don’t overeat yourself into a nap or have to go find loose clothing to accommodate your full stomachs.
This year, I am continuing thanksgiving on a budget and going out to enjoy holiday meals, with family, loved ones, friends, neighbors and associates.

Mental Inspiration
I have a few words to share about inspiration. For as long as I can remember, ideas, images and words have come to me in a flow of light. It’s hard to explain because it is so intense and personal and unique to who I am. It can happen in the middle of the night in my dreams, while I am driving, in the middle of a conversation and other places that thoughts decide to drop in or come back to me for a reason you cannot decipher just yet because the purpose is not meant to be revealed at that point.
During these holidays and everyday of the year we all ponder the highs and lows of life. Some years you experience the positive upturn of events and other times loss and grief. I have been through both and recently my siblings and I, as hundreds of other families, have a family member that is battling the last stages of Alzheimer Disease. Concurrently, my daughter is happily and stressfully preparing herself for college. I have found that it is important and mentally healthy to release stress through prayer, meditation and exercise. Choose what works for you. For instance, I was on the treadmill one morning with my IPOD earphones plugged in listening to Jazz vocalist Al Jarreau and the song “Waltz for Debby” melodically flowed into my ears and the harmonic story unfolds about a little girl who treasures her dolls, favorite toys, dances to silent music, revels in her playful inspired antics and how she transitions to a woman. At that moment the inspiration hit like a lightning bolt and that encompassed my grief for the loss of my loved one to Alzheimer, the loss of my daughter to becoming a women as she goes off to college, the loss of my age related youth but happy to find new youthful inspiration. It goes to show you that the old tale that death and dying does not just come in (3’s) three’s but so does life. As Al Jarreau continues to sing in my head, I think of myself dancing to the silent music and songs that are spun of gold and the songs that me and my mother danced to and the dances that my daughter and I leaped across the floor to and I laugh with joy because I get the message that love, joy, sadness, grief and peace is as it should be as other life comes to an end and new youth springs eternal and all is as it should be.
So, the lesson is once again as we all grow that there is continued BALANCE.
Hats off to artist Al Jarreau for inspiring me to hit my mental inspirational stride as he sings the lyrics “In the Sun she Dances to silent music, songs that are spun of gold somewhere in her own little head.” “The dolls, bears and toys will miss her but so will I.” Here my inspirational tribute to my Mom and daughter; The things you have embraced and touched will miss you and so will I, so dance in the sun and I hope the same wish for you too!

Check it out:

You can find my other diet, health and cultural commentary artist journals by visiting the blogs:
http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
http://innervoice-rise.blogspot.com

Keep the faith and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy!

Gloria J Harden-Bailey

IMAGES

2008-03-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

Images
By: Gloria J Bailey

Images are very strong. They internalize in your psyche. That internalization forms an opinion that enters our society in either positive or negative views. Something disturbing has been unfolding over the past decades where by our thoughts and actions are tied more to images rather than us making a judgement to influence the image. We see a digital picture and immediately go straight to a resolution without any reflection or discussion. That action limits our free thinking and creativity. When an artist paints, sculpts or draws a picture there is an ongoing conversation in the mind that catapults our view visually to the created material. The more we as a society are clogged with what we are told to see and think the less we create and that is not beneficial to our society. So take time to reflect, discuss and then act on positive images. I have been looking for images that reflect my brown skin and ethnicity and there is a void, a gap as if Black and Brown positive images do not exist. When images of skin color do exist it is in the context of a box or category that only defines a portion of who I am. Therefore, as we document human stories we must continue to project the overall reality of our population. Someone once said, "there is BEAUTY in DIFFERENCE", and I certainly agree.

Let your inner voice rise,
Gloria

Re-defining Change

2008-01-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Change is in the air. Everyone is talking about what it means for America and the world to change but what is the essence of change? Historically change summoned in events that moved political and family systems that created new ways of communicating and living.
Most of the time change is good but painful. It draws out the best and worst in our inner voice.
We are a compilation of our life events and experiences and you can only hope that whatever you have become has benefited your self and others. Textually change means to make different or alter and the process or condition of changing. I like the latter. No matter what decade and we happen to be living in a high tech world, so change will always be a process or condition that we shape, create, embrace and move to action. The forming of ideas to create a transformation of beliefs that us humans can then connect to and communicate effectively with each other. I think that change in the past has always centered on losing something, a loss or some type of eruption that brings chaos. I believe defining change in our current decade is to mature our definition to mean drawing upon our experiences and uncertainties and processing those experiences with the future visions that make note of the voices of those very political systems, families, climate, communities and the rising ideas of a global environment that push us forward into action. It is a more open and inclusive approach where we reach out not only from our own perspective but from a rising of inner voices.

(1st Innervoice post called "Re-Defining Change" published January 7th, 2008 by Gloria J Bailey)