Walk Into the Future

Category: poetry

  • Why I continue to blog

    Blog

    (Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay) 

    “Blogging is like work, but without coworkers thwarting you at every turn”.

    (Scott Adams)

    I never imagined three years ago I would still be blogging about my life, thoughts, and adventures. 

    The need for me to document things via the Walk into the Future blog continues to grow as my views and voice get stronger daily.  COVID-19 slowed down the adventures, but I still write to share my ideas with my followers and the occasional new reader around the world.  I also write as a form of therapy for me to release energy into the world—sounds poetic, huh?

    It still amazes me when I see a reader from France, India or Spain checking out one of my articles.  Never thought my idea for this blog would travel so well but travel it does. 

    I make a point to write about things that speak directly to me and adventures I have decided to tackle.  Some of my best content comes from friends and family who send me topics they would like to read about.  This process is exciting to me because I get to conduct research to bring the topic to my followers.  It is a bit more complicated than just hearing a topic and then I sit down and write.  There are times when the words just flow for me but other times, I must come back to a potential topics multiple times just to get it production ready.  I do not think I have ever experienced writer’s block but there are days where writing just does not flow for me.  I find I just need to clear my mind and let my fingers do the walking—that is an old telephone book reference! 😊

    I have had a few articles I wrote but never published on the Walk into the Future blog.  Never thought I would have canned articles but not share them on the blog.  This does not happen too often but the articles I hold back do not fit what I want the blog to represent.  Yes, this is my blog, but it is also open access and I owe it to myself and my readers to put my best work forward daily. 

    2020 saw so much turmoil in America and the way black people are treated caused a lot of frustration for me.  My ability to channel these frustrations provided some of my best work (my opinion) but needed to ensure my words match the intended purpose.  I revisit the articles I put on ice to see if I can salvage them, but they remain on ice—I am sure I will share directly with my tree branches but some of these will never be blog worthy (Seinfeld reference).

    I find joy in putting words down to see if I can develop into something others would want to read.  The challenge to keep generating articles is with me daily.  I find inspiration to write in multiple settings but me sitting down on my laptop and just hammering out content is the norm for me now.  COVID-19 took away my coffee shop vibes, so I sit at my dining room table with my laptop, beer, and Bob Marley music as I lay down these tracks.

    Plan to keep writing as long as it is fun to me and people continue to read what I am laying down. 

    My hope is to get back to a certain level of travel again so I can write about my exploits in exotic locales.  Negril, Jamaica is my first stop once it is safe to head back down.

    So, I have listed some reasons why I continue to blog.  Why do YOU continue to read?  I welcome your thoughts! 

    Irie!

    “The currency of blogging is authenticity and trust”.

    (Jason Calacanis)

  • Why wait until tomorrow?

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    Tomorrow is not promised

    But the promise of tomorrow leads the way

    To ensure every effort today

    Is made without delay

    Waiting for tomorrow

    Shortchanges things you can get done in the present moment

    Wasting opportunity and precious time

    To find the pot of gold you deserve

    Start using your time today

    To find your path to a better tomorrow

  • Poetic Friday–The Joint

    Poetry

    (Image by Valerio Errani from Pixabay)

    The poet knows

    The time and place to let the words flow

    To get the point across

    To those who read the words composed

    Waxing a poetic and majestic flow

    Is the goal the wordsmith is looking for

    How we get there is not the important point

    Putting the words together

    That makes you think, smile and act

    Now, that’s the joint!

    “Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history”.

    (Plato)

  • Success in Black and White podcast

    Success

    (Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

    “A podcast is a great way to develop relationships with hard-to-reach people”.

    (Tim Paige)

    The Walk into the Future blog has provided me with multiple opportunities to share my words, thoughts, and experiences with others. 

    I started this journey in 2018 with an idea of the direction I wanted to go but had no idea the process would be so much fun for me.  The ability to be creative and explore adventures are two key elements that allow me to continue to produce content for the blog.  I love the comments, texts, and emails I receive when something I write speaks to others—I guess you can say I am finding my voice as I develop content.

    One area that puts a huge smile on my face is when one of my tree branches reaches out and want to produce content with me.  My smile gets even bigger when the request comes from TWO tree branches! 😊

    My tree branches, Darryl and April Lovett have a successful platform:  Success in Black and White. 

    Proud of these two as they tackle issues others may shy away from, but they have fun as they do it.  Love the fact they move forward as a POWER couple; their energy is contagious and makes you want to get up and make a difference in the world.

    They asked me to join them for a podcast episode and I immediately said yes.  Saw this as a perfect way to catch up with them and share a little bit of Walk into the Future with their growing audience.  Please note, recording the episode was more fun than I ever imagined—well done Darryl and April!

    We were able to catch up during the podcast and cover a lot of content in the one-hour timeframe.  They asked great questions and were not afraid to follow-up for clarity.  The question that really got me energized was:  What is your calling and why are you passionate about it?

    I have been asked this question in multiple ways but really enjoy the opportunity to continue to share my WHY.  My why is to leave everyone better than when I met them.  It took me a few years to put this down into a simple statement, but it has been with me for some time now.

    I was able to dive a bit deeper while speaking with Darryl and April during the podcast.  My desire to help others started for me in high school.  I had a Guidance Counselor who did not even try to help me plan my life after high school.  I had several friends who got excellent advice from this same counselor, but she only told me to join the military.  We never discussed how to apply to colleges, how to apply for financial aid or anything about further education and the doors it would open.  Fast forward and I hold three degrees without ever having a student loan—so maybe it was a good thing my high school guidance counselor did not help me with the process. 😊

    My why is driven by the lack of support I received from my guidance counselor.  I provide mentorship to everyone that crosses my path because I do not want them to have to struggle because I would not take the time to help them.  I wanted to make sure Darryl, April and their audience understood how important this is for me.  The passion I display when working with my tree branches and potential branches is because I want to help them grow.  Sounds cliché but it is something I live every day.

    A funny but true aspect of how I developed my why is I do not remember the name of my high school guidance counselor.  Imagine, this lady fueled my passion with her lack of attention to my future and I do not remember her name, but she has allowed me to touch so many lives in a positive way.  Good things come out of bad situations.  Please note, I would not change a thing—I seem to be doing okay with this Walk into the Future journey. 

    Discovered during the podcast episode April also considers herself a running tourist!  We got a chance to discuss why I run and the positive impacts it has on my daily journey.  Hoping we can all get back to running, exploring, and traveling soon—there are still races out there to run.

    So, I repeat the question Darryl and April asked me:

    What is your calling and why are you passionate about it?

    Thank you, Darryl and April for allowing me to come on your podcast!  It was fun! 😊 Irie!

    “Podcasting is great.  Total freedom”.

    (Bill Burr)

  • Poetic Friday

    Poetic Friday

    Dream Weaver

    Be careful what you dream

    Because sometimes dreams do come true

    So, what’s the problem you may ask?

    The dream you dream may in fact not be for you

    Life provides opportunities for you to reach your goals

    The key to this process is to know the correct path to follow

    Look beyond tomorrow

    Search for the things you need

    Use this knowledge and your dreams to succeed

  • Walking into 2021!

    Walking into 2021!

    (Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

    “Celebrate endings—for they proceed new beginnings”.

    (Jonathan Lockwood Huie)

    Happy New Year from the Walk into the Future blog!

    Grateful to continue to write blog articles to express my thoughts and document life adventures.  This blog started as a way for me to share with my friends and has evolved into a space for me to highlight a bit of creativity.  This blog also provides a place to advocate for social change in the world—did not have this in mind when I launched the blog but there is no turning back now.  My walk continues to expand so I am excited to see what new angles I can tackle in 2021.

    2021 promises to bring new opportunities for us all.  2020 was a monster on multiple levels but there were opportunities for growth as well.

    Happy to report I was able to meet all my 2020 goals except the number of half marathons I ran.  Of course, COVID-19 was the reason the race season did not happen, so I am not upset I did not meet this goal.

    I am in the process of generating my 2021 goals and look forward to working towards them daily. 

    My reading program increased in 2020 and I enjoyed exploring new topics and authors.  I see this as an area I can expand in 2021.  I fancy myself as a lifelong learner and reading keeps me engaged in learning new things and hopefully sharing these things with my tree branches.  Please note, I am always open to your suggestions for books so send me a few—thanks!

    The Rock N Roll marathon series has 6 races projected for in-person competition in 2021.  My favorite race, the Nashville Rock N Roll half marathon is scheduled for April 25, 2021.  My 2020 registration automatically rolled over so I can run in the race this year if I would like.  I am not committed to running this or any race at this point especially if it means I must get on a plane to get to the race city.  Will wait and see how the vaccination process impacts the spread of COVID-19 before deciding on this race.  Would hate to miss Nashville two years in a row but this is the world we live in. The Savannah race is scheduled for November 7, 2021 and this may be a better option—we will see.

    I will look at some smaller, local races to get my competitive fix.  I am sure Track Shack in Orlando will have some races I want to run—the OUC half may be on my race calendar again this year based on location and safety measures.

    I began the process of creating an Authentic Leadership eBook in 2020.  Will look to put the finishing touches on this project in 2021.  Wanted to share a few leadership principles in a different format to see if others would be interested in this project.  It has been fun working on a new outlet for my thoughts and plan to expand the authentic leadership platform in 2021.

    My leadership consulting is another area I want to expand in 2021.  My work in 2019 had me positioned for a huge consulting year in 2020 but we all know the impact of COVID-19 on all industries.  Will look to create an outreach program to reengage with organizations I have worked with in the past and generate new leads.  Virtual programming and meetings became common in 2020 and see this continuing in 2021.  This can lead to new ways to reach organizations and provide a consulting rebirth for me and others.  Fingers crossed!

    I am sure there will be other goals to add to my list, but these are a few I will work towards in 2021.

    What goals do you have for the new year?  How successful were you meeting your 2020 goals?  Thanks!

    “Every moment is a fresh beginning”.

    (T.S. Elliot)

  • Poetic Friday

    Poetic Friday

    (Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay)

    The storm

    Round and round it goes

    Sometimes fast, sometimes slow

    There are days it feels like a merry-go-round

    Others, things are more controlled

    The depth changes at times like the wind

    A howling force that seeks attention

    Then the calm, as the eye of the storm hovers overhead

    No attention seeking, just the process of moving forward

    What has this level of depth and speed?

    It is simple, the life you lead

  • Poetic Fridays

    Poetic Fridays

    Step by Step

    Steps in this journey

    Mark the places I have been

    Each one leads to the next goal

    And brings into focus the dreams that I dream

    Without these steps that I take

    The reality of life will have to wait

    Why put off what needs to be done

    Take the next step in the journey

    The life you want has only just begun

  • Poetic Friday

    Poetic Friday

    (Image by GieziUzziel from Pixabay)

    Open your eyes 

    Open your eyes

    Tell me what you see

    Do the dreams you dream about still look good to you?

    Can you reach the heights of greatness predetermined for you?

    Nothing is promised in this world

    You have got to make your own way

    To ensure the promises of life

    Get started today

    Open your eyes to the life opportunities around

    Set your goals and move forward

    Stop hiding behind closed eyelids

    Wake up and open your eyes

    To the revolving world around

  • Poetic Friday

    Poetic Friday

    (Image by Ri Butov from Pixabay)

    Knowledge (11/13/20)

    The series of daily challenges presented

    Provides a template to view

    How to conquer the challenges?

    It is all up to you

    Life provides many opportunities to grow

    The direction you chose, only you will know

    Continue to strive through the growing process

    Knowing that you hold the key to it all

    The knowledge you gain

    Helps to move your journey forward

    And makes the challenges easier to maintain