Last Saturday, I finally performed my one-woman-play, TRAGIC SISTAHS.  It was a lot
of work that paid off in audience appreciation, gratitude, laughter, tears and a sense
for me of having touched a small portion of the universe.  

But oh, it was not a pretty ride at first.  It seems you see, that putting yummy food in
one’s mouth is a delight it’s true, but the food does turn into this yucky jiggly stuff
that attaches itself to the eater’s body and stays, making one’s favorite clothes look
ridiculous and causing a “what to wear” dilemma that puts one in a very unpleasant
state of mind.  Say hallelujah if ya know what I mean.

This was my story about two days before the show.  How in the world was I going to be
able to get on stage in this one particularly skimpy costume and look sexy?  Not
Monique or Christie Ally sexy.  No thanks, but America’s Next Top Model sexy.  Huh?  
Huh? Huh?

Well, I had a good long talk with myself.  I happened to see the cover of Jill Scott’s
new CD cover during this talk.  Thank goodness.

Jill Scott is beautiful.  Have you seen the inside cover of her new CD?  GORGEOUS!!!  
But still, I was thinking about the nature of people.  I was thinking how we never
know what’s inside the minds of folk.

What if right before Jill goes on stage to knock the socks off of the audience with her
raw talent and amazing presence, what if she suffered debilitating bouts of insecurity
because maybe she didn't lose the pounds she said she would?  What if she threw
possible outfits all over her dressing room, crying and threatening to forego the
performance because she felt so hideous?  And here I am thinking she’s a goddess,
not a cow.  Here I am wanting to possess the confidence she exudes all over the
television and stage, not aware of what could have happened right before she appears.

So, I decided to get over it.  In that moment, nothing in the whole wide world was
going to change my body.  Do I cancel my destiny because the outfit isn’t perfect on
me or do I go ahead and express who my soul is and hope to be understood and
related to?

Needless to say, I did it.  I talked, I acted, I expressed, I danced even if my belly was
doing a dance of her own.  I didn’t pay much attention to that ,,,,most of the time.  Me
and my body had a story to tell and we told it.

I love me today as I am, and being a huge fan of America’s Next Top Model doesn’t
affect my love for myself.

And, YIPPEE!!! Naima won!!!!