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
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Introducing Resilience
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
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
Friday, July 8, 2011
Note to Congress: Higher Ground
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
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
Friday, June 3, 2011
Gloria J Bailey's Family, religious, social, cultural, economic and political views:
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
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
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Inner Voice- Inner Change- Inner Peace
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
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
Thursday, September 30, 2010
NEW LOGO COMING SOON
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-
Gloria J Bailey
Let Your Innervoice Rise-
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Hybrid, Chameleon and all parts in between? We're Just People.
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
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
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