Dear Reader…

Dear Reader (In Lady Whistledown’s voice),

Although my writings have become far and few between within the year, I assure you taking time to be more of an active observer than a speaker is good for the soul. I encourage you to try talking less as well and become more of an observer of the world around you. It’s good for your throat. Sharing everything prematurely leaves no room for necessary processing, or as my friend, Belinda the Baker would say, more time to allow the yeast to rise creating a flavorful fully cooked piece of dough.

Be an observer. When preparing School Counselor Trainees (SCT) to begin their practicum field experience, I often inquire about their apprehensions and excitements of having the opportunity to apply theory in real time. I’m often met with a response of anxiousness and fear of “getting it right.” As a Counselor Educator, it is imperative I express the grave responsibility it is to have access to someone’s personal stories that creates a disconnection in their development. How one handles another’s truth is vital to the position. My instruction is to “enter as an observer.”

Before offering assistance, best practices from latest reads, and hypothesized solutions that will need time for trial and error, I encourage students to look for the gaps in students’ development and achievement that someone is failing at, missing/overlooking, or simply need help with attending to and plan your programming around those areas. But it takes stillness and a watchful eye to become aware of masked nuances. I also instruct my SCT to observe where the student population and the onsite School Counselor’s greatest support comes from as well as their greatest resistance. Know who your possible allies and foes could be, and connect with them. You are preparing for war. War in this case doesn’t mean deadly battles but alignment for the sake of the students; although, advocacy is associated with fighting – and our children need someone to go to war for their future. To bring the topic back to being an observer, you mustn’t be negligent to the notion that you too are being observed. This is war my friend.

So what have I observed since my last post? That I have attempted to keep my writings professional providing strategies, critical thinking, and support for dealing with life and making decisions as well as personal and heartfelt narratives concerning my own experiences with grief and decision-making. The therapist in me needs to highlight the intersectionality of humanity and how our Wholism (all parts of the human being mind, body, soul, and spirit – professional and personal) truly can not be separated. This concept confronts the notion that people wear many masks to hide, blend, or to be seen. But while the whole person wants to be validated, parts of the self at times, do need to hush. Hence, becoming an observer. But now, I feel led to speak about my observations of how people of two colors are responding to the world around them. I’ve always believed that people were more than just two colors but here lately we’ve fallen within a red or blue category. Cool or hot. Sad or angry. Chill or bursting with love. How do you describe the two colors?

Wholism. Pre-election, both blue and red folk were praying to their God to favor their chosen candidate for the sake of a future to either maintain their wealth or have the ability to survive inflation. My observation. While money seems to be the focal point of many discussions both personal and professional (masked behind moral righteousness or unrighteousness) throughout my recent travels both nationally and internationally, I’ve also observed a rising crisis that we all will have to endure regardless of what color we are, water breaching.

The Caribbean Sea

If you Dear Reader, have all the money you can ask for, what will you do or can you do about the water impeding the land? Can your money save you from the effects of global warming? How can you begin to save the Earth from flooding? We, Dear Reader, are on sinking land.

As I stated previously, some things are not meant to be shared without a little more time to bake but I feel free and led to interject a little more critical thinking in my writing today. What is your house built upon? What is your foundation grounded in? Hurricane Helene, yes, while I know is behind us in some respect, came through and wiped away cities, dislocated families, and destroyed infrastructures. While Helene blew over or didn’t come near some of us, others are still trying to bounce back from the aftermath. When crisis hits, all masks come off. Vulnerability bleeds out. Desperation yields to hope. And we cry out. We need somebody. I’ll be honest, although I truly know within, it has always been difficult for me to say, “I need you.” But I too, with my most decorative masks, need somebody.

So here’s where I might lose Readers and guess what, I am okay with that outcome. But follow me until the end. When the next rain comes, and the next wind blows, what will your house be built upon? As you prepare for the rising holiday season, it is my hope that you become an observer of the changing times and instead of living life as usual, be intentional on doing something different to prepare yourself for riding the waves, advocating for the oppressed and poor, “being your brother’s keeper all while preparing for war” (Life Changing Ministries Sunday’s message). There is much taking place around us that goes beyond unprecedented times – WE are here my friend in the crux of a shifting Earth and a changing world that is becoming more divided than united. Fine tune your foundation or sink.

~lbf