On the Pulse of Morning,
A U.
S.
Presidential inaugural poem by Dr.
Maya Angelou inspires this melanated meditation for Black History Month.
The morning has a heartbeat,
Passed on to us by those who have traveled this way before.
We say it's a brand new day,
But in some ways it's not.
Today would not be today without yesterday.
The steps that came before,
That make today possible,
Well-worn steps,
With intention that the next be greater than the former.
I think about my body,
And its genes and chromosomes,
Its very special characteristics,
And the ones that send me to my doctors for care.
While I come from the Creator,
I also come from the ones who have traveled the roads I'm on,
And the ones ahead of me.
They had their journeys,
And yet they made ways for mine.
Just like the genes and chromosomes come together to form my body,
So do their well-traveled steps set the foundations for my paths.
And that gives me pause.
The intention with which they prepared for my coming.
Thousands ago,
When they did not know my name,
They knew me,
Made a way for me to be who I am,
And all of who I'll become,
And all of what I'll accomplish.
This morning has a heartbeat,
Filled with the blood and breath of every African,
And every Native,
Every Asian,
And every European,
And every enslaved ancestor,
Who came together and walked this earth to make me,
To make you,
To shape the world we call home.
Close your eyes now,
And breathe.
Deep,
Full breaths into your belly,
Expand and hold at the top,
Then release,
Taking your time,
Longer exhales than inhales.
Do this five times,
And absorb these sentiments.
The breath you're processing has a history,
Has meaning,
Came into being from another's labor,
Invested in you.
On your next walk,
Down the street,
Along the aisles of a store,
Be more mindful that yours are not the first to tread here,
And ask yourself,
Always ask yourself,
What difference are you making?
What are you doing with what has been passed to you?
How intentional are you with your information,
Interactions,
In decisions?
Expand now into the earth,
And connect to the universe above.
Become aware of your higher self,
Your Ori,
And your spirit guides.
All those who travel with you,
Ask to be cleansed,
Anointed and protected,
Reflect again.
What difference are you making?
What are you doing with what has been passed to you?
How intentional are you with your information,
Interactions,
In decisions?
Imagine now an ancestor,
Known or not before this moment.
Be close to them,
And recognize the shared breath between you.
Appreciate this moment.
Be in awe of it even.
Before you was a well-traveled soul who prepared a way for you.
Recognize the shared breath.
Set your intention for the days ahead.
Commit to more than you think is possible.
Stay in this moment as long as you'd like.
When you're ready,
Exit with gratitude as you return to your body and full consciousness.
This morning,
As a heartbeat,
Ashe.
