So many options, you can also get the plastic facial coverings as well, use a bandanna, scarf ..etc. the bottom line is be respectful to others by covering up and to yourself on your essential trips out public, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently 20 seconds with hot water and soap, physical distance when out of your bubble.
Clear out the noise and mental clutter, begin each day with clarity and purpose no matter what’s going on.
Wattage!
A few of my favorite quotes about sunbeams to inspire you for today and the week ahead.
“A single sunbeam is enough to drive many shadows away.” – St. Francis of Assisi
“When you trust yourself, you will come out like a beautiful sunbeam through the dark clouds.” – Mehmet Murat ildan
“Gratitude possesses the energy of a sunbeam. That is how it makes life blossom.”
“Laughter is the sunbeam of the soul.” – Thomas Mann
“If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – Roahl Dahl
Wattage!
Thanks to all who have purchased Jody Watley Signature Hoop Earrings Face Coverings – the first round are now sold out – not only are you staying safe (and showing respect for others health) but you also contributed to Feeding America. SHOP NOW
A few social media fan photos.
SHOP :: Jody Watley Merchandise.
Be medicine to someone – give a smile, a kind word, listening to a friend who just needs an understanding ear, donating to someone in need..telling someone you love – how much they mean to you, wear a mask, do something for your own mind, body and spirit. More love.
Wattage!
Though it’s been decades – not a single days goes by when I don’t think of or miss my Dad -Rev.John Watley Jr.
I’m glad I was able to know him, many kids don’t have relationships with their Dads unfortunately. My father the first one to claim my destiny as a music star. He was always bragging about me his “Princess” his “Superstar.” He didn’t live to see all of it but his prophecy for me came true. My Dad instilled in me many pearls of wisdom and character that continue to inspire and keep me strong ..my Dad was also charismatic in and out of the pulpit, a showman, first stylish male figure I saw, never wore jeans, always read the newspaper paper, made sure I read the encyclopedia, and so many strict rules that I grew to appreciate once I grew up. He had a great smile (I have his smile and forehead, and cheekbones) was a visionary in the COGIC a fact that also got him excommunicated because he openly accepted gay people and spoke on it. This is a subject I learned about later growing up through my Mom. He had love for all; embraced and created the concept “Christmas In August” (don’t wait to be charitable or giving, and don’t wait to use your nice things or to celebrate life). Seeing how the church people did him made me not religious or one of organized religion – but more of a spiritual person. I cover this in my in progress memoir.
I’m an Aquarian like him – his birthday is the day before mine. He was outside the box – I got that from him. My Dad loved fresh salads and spicy foods-I do too!
His sudden passing in 1982 changed how I live my life – cherish each day and those you love-never take either for granted. I can always hear him saying “It’s not what other people think of you -it’s what you think of yourself “ “.. only the strong survive” “always have your own money..” endless gems.
Continue to Rest In Peace Dad.
Happy Father’s Day.
Note: I have no pictures of my father and I together- at one one our family lost everything in storage when we went through a tough time. I have only a couple of him. He would have loved seeing Tiger Woods success I’m sure.
I love this one of him as a young man-making history in golf, he endured racism coming up of course and wanting to be a pro golfer at the time.
My Dad would give up his passion for the sport to follow his own fathers path into the ministry.
Tune in on June 17, 2020 12 PM PST Youtube BMI At Home Jam Sessions
I continue to shelter in place, as the many are ignoring the fact we are still in a pandemic-always thankful for music no matter what’s going on. As a songwriter, I’ve been with BMI since 1987. (BMI) is one of four United States performing rights organizations, along with the ASCAP, SESAC, Pro Music Rights, and Global Music Rights. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.
Sometimes words can’t convey all emotions from anger, sadness, frustration, anxiety amongst thoughts and feelings in an often hateful world. Music provides a myriad of ways to try and I’m always thankful for that.
Needless to say, the couple of weeks have and this week in particular very trying leaving me drained. My heart is heavy once again, just pondering the fact that hundreds of years of injustice and racism in this country seems to have no end in sight with not enough done to some police officers who do not protect nor serve but use the power of the badge to kill along while we also have racist vigilantes hunting down a young man jogging. Several years ago I started a blog on the murder of Sandra Bland (disguised to look like a suicide) Bland was stopped for not signaling on a lane change, not the type of offense that should end in death of a vibrant women who had herself spoken on injustice. Her death recalled an incidents I’ve personally experienced that I’ve never publicly spoke on, one involving a situation for an alleged offense that didn’t happen. It was too hard for me to put all of my thoughts into words and so I never finished it, I think of her from time to time and it’s just sad.
There are so many of these tragic stories. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery are the latest victims to an ever growing list. I mean even Trayvon Martin’s killer, another vigilante (I refuse to say his name) was acquitted when the kid was just out to get an ice tea and Skittles. I have a daughter and son though even if I didn’t, as a human being these realities can’t help but bring anxiety to anyone with a heart. I’ve lived in Los Angeles most of my life and remember the Watts riots that occurred prior to our moving there, the riots in the aftermath of the Rodney King beating acquittals in 1992 going on the Stevie Wonder owned station KJLH along with Denzel Washington and many others to try to calm things down as the area where I went to high school was being set ablaze. As a little girl living in Washington D.C. at the time, vividly still remember the riots in the city after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I’ve signed petitions as always, called, texted the appropriate public officials to add in public pressure and I encourage you all to do so too – but as we know justice is not always served and there’s often little accountability but we have to keep pushing. We must continue to do our part and in the midst of fighting for what’s right – and not forget the good that does exist at the same time, the good within us as individuals beyond those who are filled with hate.
If needed for our wellness limit intake of the vitriol and outrage recognizing some get off on on social media – seeing our collective pain, a thousand posts from us is just a cycle – likes, clicks, hashtags – we need others in other races and walks of life and especially those in power to channel all of these acts of racism and inequality in the system into action for change.
Horrific photos of the brutal murder of Emmett Till, just a black boy falsely accused by a whole woman in the 40’s hasn’t evoked change in the hearts and minds of racists, apologists, elected officials and portions of the population – what will?
The Healing. Yes – it’s beyond time.
Stay safe everyone.
So much ugliness going on in the world amidst this pandemic..we can all do our part to create more love and peace.. Now. Lyrical inspiration from my latest release ‘The Healing.’
“As Jody is known to do, she does more than just share a salient message in her music. She manages to make it a bop, too!” – Soulbounce
“The Healing” Available at All Digital Platforms.