One Love Tuesdays

Giving Love on the Second Day of the Week... Each and every Tuesday we show love to various individuals who have crossed our paths, feel free to join in person. You know where we are. -C’est Moi.

[1lovetuesdays]

It’s the end of the summer solstice, I’m just sharing parts of myself, seasons change but memories remain the same, new colors fall as we continue to strive for it all. - Maine

[1lovetuesdays]

Maine drops a quick soliloquy on his summer solstice. #OneLoveTuesdays  

[1lovetuesdays]

The Summer Solstice by Maine

It's the end of the summer solstice, you know that June 21 to September 22nd date check that brings up that end of summer soul bliss, and if you didn't notice just watch as the mercury starts to skip.  She ain't even leave a note, just decided to fall back, didn't even tell you why, just said hold that.   It's all good we still got those memories, and although she left us in our feelings we are allergic to the sadness, since you know that on any clear sky and sunny day brings back our NYC summer madness.

It's that end of summer solstice, you know that makes your soul itch to remember the events you hit and the ones you missed... You saw festival events, as we moved the cultural that's bigger than any of us.  We password protected parties and charged the strays, took care of friends and some supported and paid.  You saw our middle fingers go up as we three-peated Harlem greatness, and for the haters that kept asking where is the love, we took them to Tuesday where the rum specials go up.  We snapped, cracked and opened up Brooklyn and didn't get popped by the narcs.  Still hear some saying Maine you too busy in these streets, I say C'est Moi aka Its Me, just securing my money, and I'm easily free, just open up your email and find out where you can find me.  Always at the good spots, however it's rare that I'm solo, constantly surrounded by a band of prime-time hittas, shoulder-to-shoulder with my guys, as we rotate the spotlight, so that no one gets too burned by the bright lights.  We in the desert jungle just flowing like the Nile, keeping our heads leveled above water and any enemies, because you know what happens when you hit that main stream.  

It's that end of summer solstice, you know the one you wished would never end, as you poured up with some of your closest friends... I wore play dirty but played nice, got a team full of groomed gents with degrees and families.  In another life they aren’t afraid to wear stripes, and put polka dots in your tops, and I'm not talking fashion ones from the shops.  So we keep it clean as we live to see each other live at the top. 

The baes are like Bonnies, they support and ride for me.  The front line is Habesha'd, along with my warrior Somalis, got my Sudanese generals, along with West Africa and all American communities, and I could never leave out my Caribbeans because that's the blood that flows through me.  Double zero seven (007) bonded with my Europeans, and crepes from my Frenchies, with Scandinavians in viking hats and a few crazy Aussies.    

It's that end of summer solstice, you know the one filled with baby showers, funerals and wedding festivities, as you get back to your roots and kick it with family... I lost a great aunt who was about to hit 90; still got a brother that's a bit estranged makes me sad since I gave him his name. Those were the dark notes, which are never covered by the bottles of James. However, I'm never swayed since I'm a son and that's my dad's name.  I flip to my sister pursuing her dreams, she has canary like vocals as she just hit 18.  My nephew is getting bigger and I'm just getting older, so the uncle name doesn't seem so strange.  Still... all are well, especially Hyacinth, the flower that birthed me, she is still blooming under the sunlight.  The one who gave me my light, to shine day or night.

It's that end of summer solstice, you know the one that makes you miss a kiss... Selfies in the dark but can you see me?  A crowded room of strangers, can you stand with me?  I'm trying to put my penthouse in the clouds, as I stand next to whoever she maybe.  Even if I fail, I got friends looking out for me.  Have a young one with a few buns out the oven, said she would be my surorgate if I needed it.  Got an internationally known, said if I'm 40 and alone, she'll be the mother and queen to my throne.  I smile graciously at these blessed offers, who knows if they will come to be.  Still makes me feel special that they are looking out for me. However, I won't lie, I'm holding out... waiting to dance with her in a room full of roses, and pose off in our dreams, put bonita in red bottoms and plant a few apples with our seeds.

It's the end of the summer solstice, you know that wardrobe flip.  Tanks turn to scarves like a Travis Scott beat switch... I took a break from tapping hearts, and gave out no likes.  Tightened my social network so if we ever had a personal conversation you would know what's going on in my life.  Continue to play chess with my words, and use a pawn as an article from the start of The Bronx. Raised champagne glasses to the masses, hands on keys and not coke dreams.  Thoughts kind of quirky but I make them clear on that q-w-e-r-t-y.  Mango trees to pool house depending on your dreams, 50 shades of denim in the Porsche 911 while wearing 511s, as I sip on black excellence and tell life, hold the lemons. That wasn't a recent reality, just projecting a few seeds.  I try to leave no-one behind and create a Picasso network. Winners only, as we laugh as a team, connecting the Citi like it's network of bikes,  I'm just the son of a flower pedaling my dreams by pollinating my city with my authenticity.  It's the end of the summer solstice, I'm just sharing parts of myself, seasons change but memories remain the same, new colors fall as we continue to strive for it all. #CestMoi

[1lovetuesdays]

Head over to the C’est Moi newsletter for events to check out, to help you get over the ending of your summer solstice. #OneLoveTuesdays

[1lovetuesdays]

Moreover the only thing that stops us from living out this belief is us. This belief inspired a young kid to go out and start his own photography business at 19 and that he could invent and design a fork, spoon, knife, cup and plate the way no one had before. -Kyle Donovan

[1lovetuesdays]

Today’s guest curator, Kyle Donovan, 

explains how he went from slinging to patenting, 

just by believing anything is possible!  #OneLoveTuesdays

[1lovetuesdays]

Anything is Possible by Kyle Donovan

When good brother Maine first asked me to do “One Love Tuesdays” some time ago I was not ready. Then for the added pressure I was told I could write about whatever I wanted, even I didn’t know which way my mind would sway.

The truth is, this is “One Love Tuesdays” but I must confess to more than one love.  See, I love life, I love to create, I love to learn, I love to laugh, I love silly ideas and I love to make a difference. I also believe strongly in the ever-loving force that “Anything is Possible.”

By statistical accounts I should be selling drugs, no longer here on this beautiful earth with you or writing my “One Love Tuesdays” from an 8 x 8 room with steel bars as my door and window.  

Though they played no role in my life, each night I pray for my mother and my father because they did give me life, breath and praying grandmothers who sourced my love of life.

I remember my first money making venture with my cousin at 15 years old, yeah I won’t lie, it was slinging.

See we would go through the trash or find bottles and cans on the street and “sling” them down because sometimes they would have leftover soda in them and we wanted to get all the liquid out. We would do this over and over so we wouldn’t have a messy liquid mixture at the bottom of our bags that we had to stick our hands in again later while sorting the bottles from the cans to earn our five cents per recyclable container.  

I learned early the value of hard work and that by applying it I could work my way out of any circumstance no matter what the statistics were. I learned that I could start a photography business at the age of 19, a business magazine without ever being in or worked in the industry and that a poor kid from the projects in Brooklyn could end up in China manufacturing his own invention all because of this ever-loving force that “Anything is Possible.”

What college or business school taught me this? None. It was this sheer belief that lives somewhere in all of us that Anything we want to do is Possible. Moreover the only thing that stops us from living out this belief is us. This belief inspired a young kid to go out and start his own photography business at 19 and that he could invent and design a fork, spoon, knife, cup and plate the way no one had before. That same belief many would and did call silly -- that without any experience I could and would do something that I had never done before all because I believed in myself. Even sillier is that the government agreed with my belief and issued a patent on something that once only lived in my silly little head.

I accepted this “One Love Tuesdays” at this time for two reasons.  

One was in the hope that I inspire at least one of you to go after your silly little dreams, your aspirations, to go after that idea with all that you have and whether you succeed or fail enjoy your journey. The second, is to ask for your support as I continue on my silly little journey of bringing my iCup & iPlate inventions fully to life. Even more than your pledge for my Kickstarter campaign, I really want you to be able to be the first to hold these inventions in your hand … and to smile and laugh at this silly little boy and his silly little ideas of a fork, cup and a plate that with no experience, internship, backing from parents or college education made you feel that “Anything is Possible.”

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/797097782/icup-and-iplate

My sincere thanks in advance for your pledge and support.

Blessings and vision,

 Kyle Donovan

[1lovetuesdays]

Visit Kyle's Kickstarter page (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/797097782/icup-and-iplate) 

to contribute to his NOT so silly idea, as he helps to innovate the cup and plate industry. #OneLoveTuesdays

[1lovetuesdays]

Growing up was tough since I never felt wanted, and was a little disconnected at a young age.  I believe that if I was never adopted I may have never joined the military, graduated college, obtain good jobs, be married or have purchased a home.  Now as father I have pledged to never leave my daughter’s side until it is time for her to venture out on her own. Each day I make sure to hug, kiss, play and explore new things with her to make sure she knows that she has my love and support in her life. -Darnell

[1lovetuesdays]

Today’s guest curator, Darnell unleashes on how Foster care impacted his life, 

and releases on the greater good in his life.  #OneLoveTuesdays

[1lovetuesdays]

My Life Bio…Unleashed And I Finally Released by Darnell

The other day a good friend asked me to write an adult testimonial about my childhood experience and I realized how raw it would be putting it in written word. With two brothers in jail (one still mentally), an uncle that did 30 years in jail that recently died on the train of a heart attack shortly after being released, going to war in Iraq and so much more I realized once again how blessed I am. My Bio: Born in Bronx, NY as an orphan that moved through multiple group homes and foster care agencies throughout New York City; life felt very uncertain for me and I was not sure where I would end up next.  I finally was taken in at the age of 7 by my uncle and aunt whom eventually adopted me before I turned 13 years old; right after my parents passed from AIDS and Cirrhosis. I was lucky enough to have moved through the foster system with my two cousins, yet at times I still felt very alone and distant since I was the only boy of the three.  When I finally left the last foster family, I left with a small garbage bag of clothing and highly affected by my experiences in foster care.  I collected the clothes from the various families whom I stayed with, but never had I possessed anything that I could call a comfort item.  As a child I had bad dreams and never had someone or something to comfort me to sleep. I will never forget the days as an orphan and it still pains me today to see children in the same situation that I was once in.  Foster homes can be a very tough environment for a child to be in. You have to grow up fast or face becoming a product of your given environment to not be picked on or forgotten about in the foster care system. Growing up was tough since I never felt wanted, and was a little disconnected at a young age.  I believe that if I was never adopted I may have never joined the military, graduated college, obtain good jobs, be married or have purchased a home.  Now as father I have pledged to never leave my daughter’s side until it is time for her to venture out on her own. Each day I make sure to hug, kiss, play and explore new things with her to make sure she knows that she has my love and support in her life. So many children and mothers are in need of assistance and it starts with the support they receive to ease the unforgiving situations they are currently in. Precious Dreams Foundation is an organization that can help mothers and children sleep easier at night, dream of the better days to come and know that the items and support will make sure each one of them feels remembered, comforted and confident at the end of the day. Life is easier to deal with when you have something you can connect to. People always ask me how is that I seem so easy going, but I just think of the amazing experiences I have had in life just enjoying life with a list of amazing friends, learning from this life’s experiences and knowing that it will one day come to an end, keeps me balanced and grounded. That’s it. Do your duty while here. Enjoy your time and never ever look back. With grey hairs and a cane I will dance even when there is no music.

[1lovetuesdays]

Check out the foundation Darnell mentioned, the Precious Dreams Foundation which was founded in 2012 and supports the well being of foster children by using a special technique focused on using bedtime necessities and positive reinforcement to empower children to recognize and focus on their dreams. (http://www.preciousdreamsfoundation.org/) #OneLoveTuesdays

[1lovetuesdays]

My juices have helped so many everyday people bring back their wellness and provide balance that we all sometimes lose in amidst of our busy schedules.  That, makes me proud and humble. My hope, is to reach the masses and bring awareness that you can heal your body by taking care of it.  My mission is to help and heal people. - Maya

[1lovetuesdays]

Today’s guest curator, Maya drops in to tell her story from diagnosis, 

healthy living to new business venture. #OneLoveTuesdays

[1lovetuesdays]

Maya Goddess Juices by Maya

My healthy journey started in 2000, when I was diagnosed with Fibroids. As a teenager, although I had a healthy plant based upbringing, I ate a lot of unhealthy processed foods/meats, artificial fruit juices and soda. I guess it was at the time of my rebellious state. After my diagnosis, I went home to do extensive research and found that if you change your eating habits to a more plant based diet, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and juicing everyday, you may shrink the fibroids.  I quickly started eating vegan and raw foods, and started to feel amazing.  Things started to happen, I was lean, slim, had a boost of energy, my skin brightened up and there was an overall glow about me.  I felt lighter, more at ease and my sleeping habits got better. The list goes on as I felt my best.  In the process of changing my eating habits I learned how to love myself. You hear people talk about it, but once you eat to heal and nurture your body, there’s a deep love and appreciation that comes along with that. Its priceless! That’s why I believe strongly in the phrase “Your Health Is Your Wealth”. Over time I adapted to my new diet and juiced regularly.  I was able to shrink my fibroids, limit taking pharmaceutical drugs and having to go through surgery at the time. As every case is different, I recommend regular check-ups by your doctor/holistic doctor.  During the process I found how much I love juicing, the benefits, the vitamins, minerals and the colors. I felt like a scientist in a lab, making juices for everything! If you want to clean out your colon, “there’s a juice”, if you want clear radiant skin, “there’s a juice”, if you want to clean your blood, “there’s a juice”, if you want to loose weight ‘there’s a juice”. I started to become passionate about juicing in 2005. My Abuela, also a huge inspiration, juiced every day until the age of 90, she was also a healer, raising me in a holistic, vegan household.  For a burn? Aloe vera from the plant, dry skin? Organic cold-pressed olive oil, stomach ache? Ginger tea did the trick. She was a radiant vibrant women that embodied healthy living and being. So it was destiny that brought me on this path. After 2005, I would juice every day for myself, family, friends. Then a few years ago, I started posting my images of my juices and smoothies on Facebook.  My brother whose an artist recommended that I write a book about juicing. Which was a great idea, as it made me think about it as a career more than just something that I love doing for my overall health. Sometimes its takes a few words of encouragement to do something inspiring.  In Feb 2014 “Maya Goddess” was started, with the help of the talented marketing duo (Edward Gonzalez and Angel Ramos). Maya Goddess now sells juices and smoothies specially formulated for each individuals needs by me, in addition I am also working on a array of natural products for skin and hair.  My juices have helped so many everyday people bring back their wellness and provide balance that we all sometimes lose in amidst of our busy schedules.  That, makes me proud and humble. My hope, is to reach the masses and bring awareness that you can heal your body by taking care of it.  My mission is to help and heal people. Maya Goddess Juices will be sold at certain locations and farmers markets.  The website is currently being updated, for more information, please go to my Instagram page via @mayagoddessjuices to view some of my juices. I also take orders via email at: [email protected]

Peace!Love!Juice!

[1lovetuesdays]

Maya Goddess Juices are coming soon to certain locations and farmers markets, be on the look out for the website, which is currently being updated. In the meantime, you can go to Instagram via @mayagoddessjuices to view some of my juices, or email [email protected] for your own personal order and info. #OneLoveTuesdays

[1lovetuesdays]

I REFUSE to be viewed as an exception to the rule. I refuse to allow anyone to disassociate me from black communities of struggle. But I also refuse to apologize for having access to communities of privilege, because I understand that with privilege comes responsibility. -Kwame (DJ K Kess)