Thriving Mindfully as the Real You!
Listen to me share Lucille Clifton’s poem “Generations” on April 11. I also shared my poem “wake up call #9” from That Which Awakens Me.
My Sunday six-word memoir was: poetry.jazz. earth. weaving creativity’s oneness.
Did you have one?
Enjoy!
Click on the Cinchcast button below to hear me share Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Berrying.” I also share my poem “All Souls” from my book That Which Awakens Me.
Read my six-word memoir for Saturday: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Reflect. Rejoice. Reconnect.
If you have one, share it in the comment section. Enjoy!
Greetings,
Today I returned to writing my DC Social Media Examiner Column. Click on the link to read my article about National Poetry Month and social media: http://tinyurl.com/y796bun. Let me know what you think.
Enjoy your weekend!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for poetry and social media,
Ananda
Greetings,
It’s day 9 0f my 30 Days! So today I started my morning with yoga, meditation, and poetry by Sufi poet Rumi. Click on the Cinchcast audio blog to hear me read one of Rumi’s poetry about love and art. I also read my poem “Loving You” from my new book That Which Awakens Me.
Do you have a six-word memoir for today? Here’s mine: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Listen. Dance. Heal.
Enjoy your weekend!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for Rumi’s love of poetry,
Ananda
Greetings,
A few weeks ago, Felisha Fowlkes, the founder of Pearls Book Club, contacted me via email to request an interview about yoga for her club’s web site and blog. When I visited the sites, I was amazed to learn about their mission and commitment to “motivate, inspire, and encourage one another” as they travel through their lives together. These women are dynamic divas. I also had the pleasure of chatting with Felisha via phone too. She is a woman with a true vision and commitment to service.
Yesterday, Felisha posted my yoga-inspired poem and interview on the Pearls Book Club blog. What an honor! Click on the links below to read the poem and interview.
Many thanks to Felisha and the members of the Pearls Book Club!
Enjoy your day!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for book clubs, poetry, and yoga,
Ananda
Photo Credit: http://njculibrary.wordpress.com/2008/04/page/2/
Greetings,
It’s day 8 0f my online campaign “30 Days of Poetry, Jazz, and Earth Day Awareness.” It’s turning into quite a journey. I am falling back in love with many of my favorite poets, jazz singers and musicians, and green living tips. I am also using this 30 day process to deepen my yoga and physical fitness practice.
What are you doing this month?
Anything fun planned?
Any new projects?
What about travel plans?
This morning I got up early to prepare for my author talk about “Poetry as a natural medicine for the soul” on Ananda Leeke Live via UStream.tv at 9:00 p.m. (EST) tonight. John Fox’s amazing book Poetic Medicine kept me company. Fox is the founder of the Institute of Poetic Medicine. I discovered his book and work during the 15th Annual Society for the Arts in Healthcare Conference held in 2006 at Northwestern University’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Both have mentored me as an artist-in-residence at Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts over the past four years. Last year, Fox visited Smith Farm and facilitated a poetry healing workshop for the artists-in-residence. It was so powerful. That experience convinced me to include a section on the power of poetry in my new book That Which Awakens Me.
After I ate breakfast this morning, I recorded an audio blog featuring an excerpt from Poetic Medicine. I also read a Navaho blessing poem and my poem “Poetry Thursday” from That Which Awakens Me. Click on the Cinchcast button below to listen to my blog.
Do you think poetry is a natural medicine for the soul?
Here’s my six-word memoir for today: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Phrases dance naturally. Please share yours in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your day!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for the healing power of poetry,
Ananda
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama laugh during a taping for the television show “American Idol” in Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House , April 7, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Greetings All,
I thought it would be great to share a photo that expresses the fabulous Spring energy in Washington, DC. What do you think?
What are some of your favorite Spring images?
Enjoy your day!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for Springtime and the Obamas,
Ananda, an Obama fan
Hi all,
Join me for an author talk about poetry as a natural medicine for the soul on April 8 from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST on Ananda Leeke Live! UStream.tv. During the talk, I will share how I use poetry in my work as an artist-in-residence for Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts and excerpts from my new book That Which Awakens Me. Click on the link to watch the author talk: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ananda-leeke-live. If you miss it, you can always watch the video.
Enjoy your day and week!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for the power of poetry,
Ananda
Greetings,
Today, I listened to some of jazz singer Billie Holiday’s greatest hits while I practiced yoga. What a sweet jazzy treat! Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” led me to a book of poety by Dr. Maya Angelou. I read Angelou”s poem “Africa” during breakfast. Click on the Cinchcast audio blog below to hear me read Dr. Angelou’s poem. I also share my poem “Luxor, Egypt” which is included in my new book That Which Awakens Me.
What does Billie Holiday’s music remind you of?
Have you ever traveled to Africa or visited a museum with African art?
Do you have a six-word memoir for today? Mine is: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Meditation. Melodies. Mysteries.
Read a poem, listen to some jazz, and find one way to honor Mother Earth. Enjoy your day!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for the wise woman Dr. Maya Angelou,
Ananda
Greetings,
Yesterday, I recorded an audio blog celebrating the sacred jazz music of Alice Coltrane and a new poetry anthology called Black Nature which features the poetry of Alice Dunbar Nelson. I read Dunbar’s poem “April Is On The Way” and my poem “The Word Green” from my new book That Which Awakens Me. Click on the Cinchcast blog below to hear my reflections. Enjoy!
What does the month of April remind you of?
Here’s my six-word memoir from yesterday: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Metaphors. Improvisation. Nature.
Do you have a six-word memoir to share?
Read a poem, listen to some jazz, and choose one way to honor Mother Earth! Enjoy your week!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for nature poetry and sacred jazz,
Ananda
Ananda Leeke 