I saw a post on IG recently that read “Every great artist started as an amateur.” This spoke volumes because I am notorious for focusing on final products. I remember when I began writing spoken word, my brother told me that there were two keys to being a dope poet: “prayer and practice.” I secretly thought surely that could not be the foundation of his excellence; there had to be something else he was doing to produce the leaps and bounds in his art like he was. Time has backed his claim and I have come to see it true in my own life.

I’m a vivid dreamer: night dreams, daydreams, or visions. I dream big. This is where my conflict comes in with small beginnings.

JourneysMarisha MathisJanuary 11, 2017Growth, development, new beginnings, vision, projects, consistency

Seasons and Cyles, Cycles and Seasons

2016 has been an interesting year for me. It was far better than the other few years before. It was full of untapped potential. That is probably the most annoyingly noteworthy thought about 2016: the amount of greatness afforded to me that I did not use. Even though there have been moments of frustration and wasted chances-as well as wasted resources, (time, energy, mental space, and money), there have also been milestones and life-changing events to take place. I’m grateful for that.

This year I learned a lot about myself as well as a lot of lessons. I took writing in my journal to another level and the results were amazing.

JourneysMarisha MathisJanuary 2, 2017Seasons, Cycles, Lessons, Life lessons, growth, Healing, Freedom

My Two Cents: The Christian Citizen and Politics

My post wouldn’t follow the pattern if I did not lace it with transparency. I am greatly disturbed by the election as well as the results. It’s not so much that I am concerned with the violence and “racism” that may occur as some predict. If we allow truth to further prevail there has always been an uncanny way about our government and politics. I honestly don’t want to make this a “race thing” but let’s skip down our country’s timeline: there was slavery, American-based concentration camps, Jim Crow, the infiltration and destruction of Black leaders, terrorist groups trained by the US government, school-to-prison pipelines, the list continues. Television has a way of distorting reality; it makes us believe that what we see “live” is real-time when there are some conspiracies and actions that were in the makings behind the scenes before the media is ever involved. Our government has some mess with them. Do I want to “go back to Africa?” Heck no; but let’s face the facts.

Two Worlds Collide

May 31, 2016, will be a day that two worlds collide. I tried to keep them apart as long as I could but this moment was imminent. The fact that there will be no casualties is a bonus, but it doesn't make me any less anxious. On May 31, 2016, my first book entitled "Beauty for Ashes: The Introduction" will be released. I use the phrase "two worlds collide" because it means my world of semi-introversion will collide with the world of others: family, friends, colleagues, consumers-everyone. Quite a few people ask me what I like to do "after hours;" my response is always the same: "writing and sharing poetry." This project will allow people into my journey, one that was well guarded. Make no mistake, my book is not a "tell all" but, it shares my thoughts, my heart, life's lessons of tough love, my observations, and plenty more. I've gone through multiple cycles of giving myself the third degree: "Am I ready?" "Am I dope enough?" Of course, the "What if's" have a series of their own.

JourneysMarisha MathisMay 11, 2016Beauty for Ashes, First Book, Healing, Hope, Growth

A Letter to my Younger Self

Dear Marisha,

You’re such a sweetheart… I wish you would allow more people to see it. Imagine how different things would be if people knew how much you laugh and joke behind closed doors and circles! Sometimes life has a way of hitting hard. Don’t lose that smile. Don’t lose the life in your eyes. We both know that parents don’t know everything, but they know a great deal. Listen to them. It will keep you out of harm’s way. It’s imperative that you get to know and accept yourself as soon as you can.

JourneysMarisha MathisApril 14, 2016life, lessons, live, love, thirtyeven, thirty, wisdom, truth