Here we are amidst the Corona Virus Crisis of 2020. Last week as my state began to get a grip on what was happening in our own backyard my school was actually on spring break. So I was not effected as much as many others.

I planned to be home rolling over in my bed between looking at social media and writing in my journals, making wellness concoctions, drinking teas, eating salads, making beautiful dinners, and any amount of personal work that my soul could handle. I did all of that and a little more. As I pressed into this week as though it was normal I realized it wasn't...and came to grips with; well neither am I.

Yesterday I listened to a dynamic presentation for up and coming artists. The purpose of me tuning in was to provide feedback to the facilitator. But my mother taught me early in my life; that there is something to be learned in every situation. So of course I was gleaming gems from the threshing floor.

One of the concepts was to set a workspace in your home. I used to have one, and I can say that I felt quite convicted for not having one currently as I listened to his discussion on the matter. When the presentation was finished I got to realigning some things to set my workspace. As I did...I got to wondering, 'Why did I stop this?" As I took pause I acknowledged that it was because I did not want people to think that I was odd. I let the acknowledgement fly, and continued working.

This morning as I prepped to do some distance teaching I thought through what some of my colleagues have been up to this week. While my mind wondered over their  practices and creating new normals I yet again realized that I had been curbing my behaviors and tendencies so that others would not think that I was weird or peculiar. All the while, I was surely still coming across as such.

It's right then that I decided: if I'm going to be weird, odd or peculiar I was going to do it my way. There are things about me that are uniquely beautiful; even if only to me. I like my tea and coffee in a very particular way; my attire and personal things are just the same. I like gospel and hip hop music in the morning, and smooth R&B at night. I love to belt them both and rock while riding in my Jeep, and through my house with a faux microphone. I throw myself dance parties, and invite no one. I wear bows in my hair, and smell my food before I eat it.

I love to doodle and stargaze, wonder through the woods, and write huge life plans on post-it notes for my wall. I have a daily schedule (with alarms) that is tighter than my childhood leotards. I eat the core of pineapples and don't drink store bought juice. I prefer a certain kind of pen, and they must face the same way in the container. I put lemon pepper seasoning and hot sauce on my fries, and can't stand mayonnaise. I'm a woman and a mother...a teacher, a yogi, a dancer, a boss, a christian, a writer, an artist, and a lover. When stirred together this is all of the uniquely beautiful being God created me to be. Without all of this I would not be innovative being that I am.

From this day forward I am committed to being every bit of weird/odd/peculiar without reservation, for me and the work that I do.

March 2020