Today I Will

Breathe

ask for what is needed

Practice  COURAGE

be gentle on myself

trust that it will be OK

-------------------------------

It is going to be a kayaking kind of day!



Cris

Dear Me

I will live by the principles of black belt.

Modesty

Courtesy

Integrity

Perseverance

Courage

Indomitable Spirit

A black belt is just a white belt that never gave up.  As I prepare for foot surgery in Aug. I am reminding myself that I am a black belt in the making.  I am staying motivated to keep a positive outlook on my circumstance so that when I return to the mat a few months out, I will step right in where I left off.  

"To me, the extraordinary aspect of martial arts lies in its simplicity. The easy way is also the right way, and martial arts is nothing at all special; the closer to the true way of martial arts, the less wastage of expression there is."

Bruce Lee

Thank you for letting me share.

Cris 

I AM

I AM AN ARTIST

I CARE ABOUT THE CANVAS I CREATE ON

I LOVE COLOR

I LIVE IN COLOR

I DREAM IN COLOR

I CREATE IN COLOR

I WRITE, SPEAK, PAINT IN COLOR

I AM AN ARTIST

Today I choose to not let the circumstances of my life harden my heart.  Today I choose to let the circumstances in my life soften me and make me kinder and more open to creating on the canvas of my choice.

Cris Nole

Phenomenal Woman

BY MAYA ANGELOU

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size  

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,  

The stride of my step,  

The curl of my lips.  

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,  

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,  

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.  

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.  

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,  

And the flash of my teeth,  

The swing in my waist,  

And the joy in my feet.  

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered  

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,  

They say they still can’t see.  

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,  

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.  

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.  

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,  

The bend of my hair,  

the palm of my hand,  

The need for my care.  

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Maya Angelou, 

“Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. 

Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.