Sunday, August 9, 2009

Shinin'

I thought this challenge, courtesy of Execumama's Akilah was an awesome way to start the week. I hope my list inspires you to unveil and bask in your innate brilliance, as well.


My Shine

Original Collage by T.Allen-Mercado 2008 Copyright by Karma

I love my name/s.

Tameka: teacher artist mother entreprenuer kitchen magician ad infinitum

Growing up, I wanted a more "conventional" name; one people pronounced correctly, one like the other kids at school, a name found on a gift shop mug. Now, I can think of no other me I'd like to be: Tameka!

-I unabashedly-albeit graciously, challenge the status quo.

Grown, ornery, hard-headed becomes free-thinking, assertive, fearless

-I choose love

I can't even begin to touch upon the doors that opened for me when I opened myself to the understanding that love begets love. Love is my religion.



(Starts to feel the sting of "I" statements, but continues...)



-I get it

As an Empath, HSP and someone who lives with the often debilitating effects of depression, I see the world through a different lens. I appreciate the view from here. It allows me a special place in the hearts of the misunderstood; privy to the things they long to tell but dare to speak. I listen with my heart, we communicate through my writing. It's a gift I feel privileged to possess and obliged to share.



-I am beautiful

"Oh no she didn't". Laughs. I have to put this out there because it's the truth. (Perhaps I should have chosen brutal honesty?) Meh, too late now.

I am my mother's nose. High, round behind, thick thighs and broad hips.
My father's almond eyes, crooked teeth and full lips.
My Nana's moles. My Grandma's high cheekbones.
I am the rich brown of the sweetest tea.
Goddess. Lover. Wife. Mother
Beautiful. Black. Woman.
Me.





Show your shine, speak your "peace" [here] or in the comments section.







Inner peace and self-love

17 comments:

PussDaddy said...

Hmmmm. I don't know. Be glad your name isn't Pam, because when the teacher called "Pam", about 6 of us said "huh?" LOL. I love your collage.

PussDaddy

mairedodd said...

this is beautiful... just like you! so glad you decided to show us how you shine!

Unknown said...

:-D

i will be looking more into this challenge.

beautiful adn inspiring.

(i always adore your collages!0

PussDaddy said...

Oh, I forgot to tell you how beautiful you are. Because you are, you know. I think you are probably one of the most level headed, fairest minded, calm, able to put up with some of the stupidest crap said by human beings with a single bound people on Etsy.

PussDaddy

Victoria said...

Beautiful, moving and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this. xo

Barbara said...

Shine on girl. Shine on! You know I can relate, so thank you for putting your beauty out there.

Libby Buttons said...

Fabulous post T ! I often double as a depressive desperado myself and although I do the weekly to biweekly cognitive therapy and s pretty bluee and green pill daily...your blog gives me a special lift that they can't. You remind me of the wonderous "Me" things that they can't. I am Dutiful Artsy Ridiculous Loving Instigating Envious....all bathed in freckles and with a full round rump and thick thighs that have all genealogist in Ireland scratching their heads!
you are so gifted in your writings
smiles
DarLie

Caroline D. said...

"As an Empath, and someone who lives with the often debilitating effects of depression"

This made me burst into tears (no hyperbole) because I am both of those things (must investigate HSP...)

Probably because at this moment I'm in the grips of a new episode of depression trying to find a way to work through it with awareness and without drugs, and not succeeding very well.

And love is my religion? Hell yeah.
This is a quote of my grandfathers, written after decades of investigation into the whys of existence:
"If there is any point to the universe, it is not to 'behave' or to 'worship'- it must be to deepen and expand love, and compassion is the foundation to love."

The purpose of the universe is to deepen and expand love. And it isn't a passive experience, as you obviously know.

ok, I will stop now. Why do you get me showing a part of me that I show only so few??!? I love it!!!!

PS you are so beautiful and awesome and it seriously helps me to come to your blog and read your writing.

cabin + cub said...

great thoughts and words. and i love your name! i remember always wanting to have a different name when i was little too... since i could never find it on cups/pens/keychains.. which is weird, since valerie, i thought was pretty common... i guess not?!

Jewelry Rockstar said...

"Love is my religion" I love that statement!. Anything can be solved when we add a little love.

Beth Hikes said...

I'm entranced by this post! Wonderful words and I am particularly drawn to this phrase: "I can't even begin to touch upon the doors that opened for me when I opened myself to the understanding that love begets love. Love is my religion"

Cathe Holden said...

I just loved reading this about you today. I think you are so special, Tameka. Wonderful that you agree.

Diva Ma @ Mommy Fabulous said...

This is very inspiring, as many of your posts are!

Vivi said...

What a wonderful and beautiful post! And I love your collage!

Jennifer said...

I LOVE this!! I feel it on so many levels. I love that you said you are beautiful. I feel beautiful too...I was teased a lot back in the day and I was always confused about what the kids didn't see, lol! I started to believe them, but then I remembered again...they just didn't see me because I'm beautiful :)

Thanks for posting this amazingness, I needed it!

Beauty in Rare Form said...

Where do I begin?! Very nicely written. "Thank you for sharing". I can relate to the issues of depression and I congratulate you on the admission of this thing that plagues so many of us. Finding the positive, from this sometimes negative, I see that those of us in this "boat" have a way of expressing ourselves that surpasses what people might expect, if they knew up front. Your writing is very interesting and the fact that you are an empath is very interesting to me. Ironically, I am reading a book "The Grays" that uses the term for a woman who can communicate and understand where others cannot.

Again, "thank you" for sharing. I will be back to soak up more of your words.

Peace,
Traci

Jill said...

I haven't visited for awhile--how fun you are to read--this is a beautiful post. Like you.

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