Rhythmic Recovery

If you have ever been to rehab, you probably weaved a basket, created a therapeutic poster board  or painted a ceramic puppy or two. Even though poetry relies on the use of language, it too is an art form and can be as direct or as abstract as you are lead. Similar to realism vs. abstract painting, poetry is subjective to the creator and interpreted by the audience. I have heard it said there is an artist in each of us. The artist in you may be dormant, hiding in fear or offended by the lack of outside appreciation, but none the less present.  A simple pen and paper can awaken the sleeping giant. Poetry may lead to music, fine art or a collection of haiku, regardless of the end, the means will be revealing, comforting, and restorative. Just ask George W.

Trauma and mental health issues can render a person voiceless, literally and figuratively. Addicts sometimes abuse chemical substances in order to find a voice even if it is not their own. Communication connects us, humanizes us; so loud and belligerent often feels less painful than thoughtful and deliberate; sexually explicit seems more forgiving than openly sentimental. Anything is better than being mute. Writing can assist you in finding your own voice and be very edifying. You do not have to share your work in order to begin appreciating your unique view on life. Writing poetry will help you to build strength and confidence in your natural sober state. 



Writing is liberation. Poetry can be written, spoken, even incorporated into fine art. It can be organic, revised, metered, rhythmic or rhyming. It is storytelling and song; smiling, laughing, anguish, death and resurrection. I do not know why I am an addict, but I do know at times the world lays heavy on my being; it is confining and dictatorial. I used drugs and alcohol to gain a sense of freedom, take flight, get high, no higher. Art frees me with no adverse side effects. The creation and appreciation of art gets me high, no higher.

Poetry can help your addiction recovery because a big part of the process is helping others, being your brother's keeper. Looking out for others can take our minds off of our own issues and put them into better perspective. I have written a number of poems specifically for my peers in one area or another. The Spoken Word videos that appear in this article were written with the intent of going out "To All My Addicts" who begrudgingly or wholeheartedly embrace recovery. "Cell Mate" is for anyone that has been inducted into the incarceration club and "To All My Writers" is written in poetic prose for us self proclaimed scribes who go through the inevitable writer's block, which is sometimes self-inflicted because we too at times want to give up.

Then there are lines that I write just for me, specifically to work through some area of my life where pain persists or the catalyst for celebration is worthy of recognition. I share it in the hopes that someone else can relate, and know they are not alone. And some poems I only share with God, and if I could, I would hide them from Him.  Writing can tap the subconscious and the unwitting recipient of our efforts is often the artist inside, the hushed voice,  the being longing for freedom, the anonymous reader. Recovery is a process that takes steps, breakthroughs, setbacks and creative expression. When you have written that first poem, or the 10th or the 100th and the endorphin start to rush, clear your voice and affirm your sobriety. Write it down and make it plain. Habakkuk 2:2

Children's book explains what a blessing it is to be a kid, even if you do have to follow rules!

This children’s book explains the blessing of being a child of the Most High God and all the capabilities and opportunities He affords to human beings. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Amazon and at Barnes and Noble. E-book - $3.99 Paper - $12.99 Amazon Link for Purchases If I Were Part of the Animal Kingdom is the 1st release of the I SPAT for Children book series My Favorite Color is Blue will be released in December, 2014 Fight the Air Guy and Can’t We All Get Along Coming 2015

Summary: If I Were Part of the Animal Kingdom is a book about Khalil who loves animals but hates being told what to do. We escape with him on a journey into the animal kingdom where there are no rules. He realizes that animals have limitations too, and decides it isn't so bad being a boy because he is a part of God's Kingdom, created in His image, with many capabilities and freedom sweet freedom to be whatever chooses. Author: Stephanie R. Bridges is a writer of all genres; children’s books, blogs, spoken word poetry, novels, songs, you name it! Stephanie has wanted to be a published author since she was a child. It was not until she focused her writing on God that her dream came true. She gave her life to Christ in 1999 at First Church of God under the teaching and leadership of Bishop Timothy J. Clarke, where she is still a member. Stephanie is a Buckeye through and through! She was born in Columbus, OH, graduated from Columbus City Schools, and she received a B. S. in secondary English Education from The Ohio State University. Stephanie has four children and currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, with the two youngest. A special thanks goes to Greater Columbus Arts Council for sowing into her vision. Illustrator: Taylor Hicks is an eclectic artist who dabbles in a little bit of everything. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio, graduated from Whetstone and attended the Columbus College Of Art & Design (CCAD) where he received his BFA in Illustration. Taylor is a member of Xenos Christian Fellowship. His main objective as an artist is to create work for people by making their dreams into something tangible and awesome. A special thanks goes to Taylor’s niece, Katelyn Szczygiel-Hicks, for her superb penmanship on Khalil’s report. Main Character: Stephanie’s son, Khalil Bridges, truly loves animals and his independence. In the book there is a nod to Columbus Africentric Early College (CAEC) where Khalil attended school from Kindergarten to his senior year. However, his first formal education took place through Child Development Council of Franklin County (CDCFC) Head Start during his formative years. It takes a village to raise a child and CAEC and CDCFC were a vital part of his successful journey into adulthood. A special thanks goes to Baba Embry and Baba “Doc” West, his elementary and H. S. principals, respectively and Mattie B. James, President and CEO of CDCFC Head Start. There is also a nod to Good Soldier Ministry, where Khalil attended church for many years with his aunt and uncle, Evangelist Tracey and Pastor David Johnson.  Khalil took classes at Columbus State Community College while in H.S. and is continuing his undergraduate studies there. He has two dogs, Cayenne and Katana.

5 Reasons I Love Me So Much!

1. I Am the Closest Person to Me

No matter where I go, how far I travel, how much distance I put between myself and loved ones, I cannot escape me. Imagine if you are forced to be with another human being for the rest of your life, wouldn't you try to find some way to like them, fall in love with them? For forty plus years of my life, I didn't give much thought to the relationship that I have with myself. I took it for granted. I disregarded the cornerstones that allow relationships to thrive – trust, communication, acceptance and encouragement. I continually work on all of those facets with myself now. I trust that I have purpose, and I am on the right path. I am persistent in my effort to actualize all of who I am because I trust my development and direction. I spend time communicating with me through prayer, meditation, writing, speaking positive affirmations and researching aspects of who I am. I accept all of me, and I celebrate every part, even if I have to party all by myself! And like Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers told us, sometimes you have to encourage yourself! We all have goals, dreams and aspirations. I am a believer in mine, and sometimes that is all it takes, because me, myself, and I are the coach, the star player and the cheer squad. Gooooooo ME! Start cheering people.

2. I Am a Masterpiece 

Imagine you went to a museum and saw a painting. Let’s say you weren't particularly moved by it but you thought it was okay. Upon closer inspection, you realized it was an original Van Gogh. Now you cannot believe your eyes, it takes you a moment to catch your breath. You are standing in a room with a masterpiece, a priceless work of art, you are moved to alert everyone in your party what you have discovered and you spend the next few minutes staring in awe at what is clearly a masterpiece; not because the painting has changed, but because you recognize the creator as a master. I cannot believe my eyes, it takes me a moment to catch my breath when I think about the depth and breadth of my greatness – not because I have changed but because I finally recognize my Creator is the Master. I am moved to alert all to what I have discovered, and I invite you to stare in awe at the Master’s work. It's in your mirror.

3. I Am Free

I stopped packing, labeling and delivering myself in a neat little conformist box based on what he, she and society say about me. I am free, liberated, created in the Image of God. I am a spirit; that is my true identity, everything else is made up. As long as you identify with your spirit, it doesn't matter how anyone else judges your flesh. When God introduced me to my true self, I was taken aback by my beauty and brilliance.

I refuse to ever be subjugated to a race, gender, religion, nationality, you name it, again. Remember in elementary school, when it was time to play a game, the teacher would group you by numbers. Everyone would go around the room and count – 1,2,3 and then repeat 1,2,3. All the ones would be on a team and all the twos would be on a team and so on. Once the game was over, you would be go back to being you. Okay, the game is over! Oly oly in come free! You are no longer a number, statistic, or demographic. Stop playing a role and start loving the authentic you.

4. I am the one and only me

When I would hear, there is no one else quite like you, I took that to mean there is something special about my person, and there is. But I have come to realize that, there is no one else quite like you, means there is no one else that can do the things that I can do. It is less about me being unique for the sake of self-celebration and more about me being unique for the sake of service. I have a purpose, and if I don’t fulfill my purpose I am letting down the universe. There are men, women and children waiting on me to do my thing, and I have been so caught up in my feelings that I almost stopped making it do what it do. What if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, or Mother Teresa gave up? Where would our world be?  Now take a moment and think of all of the people who actually have given up, even if it were only 10 greats in history. How much further could we be towards world peace, global conservation, space travel, medicinal cures, teleportation, making sure men and women receive the same wage for the same work... I have a job to do; I cannot do it feeling like I am not enough or I was born the wrong race, gender or class. I am uniquely created for such a time as this, and so were you. I am waiting to hear your music, use your app, vote you into office, and celebrate your historical 1^st.

5. I Am Responsible for Me

The comedienne, Katt Williams, so eloquently explained, "Self-esteem is the esteem of your MFN self."  Many people look for outward validation to gauge how they should feel about themselves. This is a lose lose. When we don't receive positive affirmation from our parents, significant other, children, friends, boss, co-workers etc., our esteem dips because we feel like we are not enough, we don't measure up. When we do jump through all the necessary fiery hoops to be liked, appreciated and applauded our esteem dips because we lose sight of who we are and begin to feel more like a show puppet rather than a human being. You will find your value in being, just being. It isn't in your accomplishments, talents, abilities or promotions. It isn't in your prominent spouse, successful children, lavish car, house in the hills. Just stop and take some time to be, acknowledge the wonder of your existence. We praise God for all that He has done and all that He will do in our lives, but acknowledge that if He didn't do another thing, He has already done more than enough. Take a moment and evaluate how you would feel about yourself, if you didn't do one more thing while on this earth or receive one more trapping of this world. Can you acknowledge the miraculous miracle that you are? My birth is more than enough. I am excited about my existence. I am in awe of this instant. I relish right now. I am in love with her and she with me. 

Dreamers vs. Doers

I am a dreamer, or I like the term, thinker, so I spend a lot of time living in my head. The world would have us believe that acting or doing is the way to be. I wish I had more of a balance, but honestly there is nothing at all wrong with being a thinker. We are often more content in being - just being and not as easily swayed by the trappings of the world. Doers are movers and shakers, grinders; they make stuff happen. Thinkers are big picture people, they are more sensitive to the universe; they know what is going to happen. Both types of people may deal with negative internal influences. Actors/doers don't usually like to be alone, because thinking about past occurrences can be painful. Thinkers want to be alone, so they can protect themselves from the pain of outside entities. Most highly "successful" people are balanced.

President Barack Obama has a proclivity toward being a thinker. It took us awhile to get use to his deliberative speech pattern and many are annoyed by his unwillingness to act in the case of foreign affairs. As a country, we decided that we did not want more war, so we elected a thinker to be our president, but not everyone is comfortable with that. People want him to do something. He is a big picture person and doesn't feel forced into immediate action, especially when that action could possibly run contrary to his future desired outcome. He enjoys personal time reading and with his immediate family.He has been chastised for not being social enough, not schmoozing with his cohorts,  but he is unwilling to reduce his office to a popularity contest. He believes people should do what is right because it is right. That is how thinkers behave. But doers know that other doers have huge egos that need daily strokes, and it is the doers, grinders, hustlers that make things happen; sleazy or not people perceive them as getting the job done. Now, surely President Obama has worked hard and done a lot to become the lead actor on the world's stage. However his actions are based on his internal compass, pure and not for the sake of busy work or pointing to "look what I did." Most dreamers are also awesome "performers"; hence, the awe inspiring speeches. But that isn't who we are; it is a talent that we turn on, and then sigh when it's over and resume where we left off in our real lives. In a nutshell, thinkers will do everything within their power to save the earth for future generations; doers will lie in bed with the oil, coal and fracking industry, if when they get up, everyone is a little more green.

Oprah Winfrey is a doer. She is social, loves to throw big parties and host guests, but doers are not naturally the best "performers". They are more comfortable in their skin and do not adapt well to turning on and then turning off. That is why everyone is so comfortable sitting and talking with Oprah; she is being herself and not "performing." Oprah makes things happen; builds a school in Africa, starts her own network, introduces America to the next POTUS. Oprah is a self made billionaire because she is brilliant and business savvy. But Oprah recognized early on in order to keep herself out of the muck and mire of people who will utilize any means to get to their desired end, she had to surround herself with dreamers; Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, Inyanla Vanzant, President Barack Obama. Again, the most successful people have a balance. Oprah embraces her role as a doer, and strives to create balance internally and externally.

Musical genius comes from dreamers/thinkers. For example, Prince and Michael Jackson. They are ahead of their time when it comes to creating and they give the best performances. However, they are extremely hesitant, even shy and often misunderstood when it comes to giving personal interviews or just sitting and talking with small groups of people that are unfamiliar. Dr. Dre and Diddy are doers. They smell opportunity and seize it. Doers often criticize and even take advantage of thinkers. They see them as lazy, inept, unable to take the necessary steps to get from A to desired B. So, they usher dreamers into the arena of "success" as managers, producers, agents, and publishers. Thinkers pass judgement on doers and find them morally bankrupt, self-serving, and manipulative. Thinkers know that without their art, there would be nothing to "sell", and because they see their art as a part of their being, they sometimes feel exploited and often are. But in the end both parties are needed!

If you are not rich nor famous, many thinkers are looked at as odd, unwilling to work hard, and do what it takes to get ahead. They are sometimes loners, misunderstood, and they question their own inability to be like "everyone" else. The world tells us that we should have places to go, people to see, posts and pics on social media. But being a dreamer is okay. Actually, it is awesome the more in tune you become with self. The key is for dreamers to realize who 

they are and what they should be doing will happen naturally. Doers who have not hit it big are in an equally precarious position. They are the people always doing something. The people we see coming and just want to yell, STOP! But they cannot. They always have a business, a hustle, and 2.5 jobs. All of their endeavors don't seem completely on the up and up, but you will see their pics and posts on social media here, there and everywhere. The key for doers is the same as dreamers; realize who you are and the what you should be doing will become clear. Knowing who we are is as important for what we lack as it is for what we have in abundance. Acknowledge the need for balance through self discovery, acceptance, and positive outside influences. Allow God to introduce you to you and fall head over heels in love! Then dream big and for goodness sake, do something!

Damn, You Sho' is Ugly

Lil Wayne's lyrics repeatedly reject the 
beauty of his own daughter.

This is a line from the Color Purple that sums up every little dark skin girl's existence. Having dark skin is the epitome of ugly. So much so that if you are dark and deemed attractive, compliments come with a qualifier, "You are pretty for a dark skin girl." Not only are dark skin women ugly, we are frequently reminded of our struggle in the area of comeliness. In the 3rd and 4th grade at Berwick Elementary School, I was told every day by the boys in my classroom how ugly I was. I was too dark; my lips were too big; and my hair was too nappy. It seemed they took great joy in assuring me daily that I was worthless. If beauty was the qualifier for being female, I didn't quite measure up. That was a long time ago, but case I forget, there are always boys masquerading as men excited to remind me; researchers who take great pains to study, quantify, and deliberate on the indisputable science of black women being the most unattractive females of the human race; rappers who have no qualms with telling their mother and their daughter that they bet those bitches would look better red (slang for light skin); and the overall lack of representation in the media - one at a time please.



I live in a world where my very existence is regarded as an imposition. Pharrell explains; there is a black woman on the cover; it is your fault that you cannot discern which one is passing for not passing. Can't we all just be new black?

Pharrell's representation of what it looks like to be a girl.

So what, displays Eddie Murphy, every movie I make the light skin woman is the good person, desirable one, star; and the dark skin woman is the hoe, bitch, lesser character from Coming to America to Boomerang to Norbit. It's not intentional no dark skin women were in the video with 20+ models; none tried out per Babyface. No, hell no, you cannot walk in my show or be on the cover of my magazine or star in my movie. We eat it, drink it, breathe it until we become believers.

Leader of the Free World could not be brainwashed.

Men of color are brainwashed to believe that their mothers, sisters, and daughters are unattractive. Basically where they come from, who they grow side by side with, and what they create is ugly, bad, worthless. This is crucial to maintaining a slave/master mentality ad infinitum. If black people understood and celebrated the strength, value and utter beauty of black women, black men would be the leaders of the free world. But due to thought control, men of African descent, easily reject women who look too African, without thought or reflection, and lift up other - Asian, European, Hispanic, at least be mixed, light skin, have "good hair", something. So, dark hued women around the world from India to South America to Africa bleach their skin in order to be accepted, liked, pretty. We relax, glue and sew in hair to have tresses opposite of what God bestowed upon us.

Lupita Nyongo

We too are brainwashed; but for black women it aint that easy. Light skin women think they are better than dark skin women and then we wake up and remember, we are sisters; dark skin women dislike light skin women and then we wake up and remember, we are sisters; black women decide once and for all to give up on black men and then we wake up and remember, we are sisters; black women believe that other - Asian, European, Hispanic, mixed, light skin, "good hair" is better, and then we wake up and remember, we are sisters. Our mothers are beauty, our sisters are beauty, our daughters are beauty. We sway our hips to the beat of the sun that warms up the depths in our tone; we lick our lips to partake in the succulents of nectar's ripe; and we rock naps and afros and kinky coils cause there aint another chic on the face of the earth who can. God reminds us that we are the original sisters chosen to birth all. Thank you, mother Africa, it don't get no prettier.

What You Won't Do

Okay, so this post is more-so about what I won't do. I am so private. Even to the point of being kind of disconnected, slightly robotic. I don't like to feel because feeling lacks control. I like to be in control of my faculties and actions at all times. But that is a different story for a different day. This is about the stuff that I won't say/post/share/like on social media. I know why young people have abandoned Facebook, because everyone is on there. Your momma, supervisor, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, HR, the mayor, bff, bff that you aren't currently speaking to but still hit like on their posts, first lady and pastor, everybody and I mean everybody but your kids. So us guarded folk leisurely browse, gawk until we see something high minded, Godly, pro-Democratic, about children (Trick luh da kids) or a post that plays on our passion strings so stirringly that before we can hit the backspace button it's doing the electric slide down Mother Jones' timeline.

That's what happened to me yesterday. People, people, people even if we cannot be open books ourselves can we please just celebrate the people who are, especially if they are reaching out for help? Every time someone requests prayer online, a slight green streak of envy (haterization) penetrates my being. Wow, I wish I could do that. And then before I pray for the person, I tell God - The All Knowing, All Seeing, All Powerful Creator, now you know Lord, your child reached out on Facebook requesting prayer, so You kinda gotta hafta Bless 'em, ijs. When people reach out in this manner usually the response is all good, collective sigh of relief. But check out this post from a man that was proceeded by other posts expressing hurt and pain:

Man #1: I HAVE NOTHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Woman #1: Your Alive, that's more than Enough

Woman #2: Your breathing right? You can walk, talk, your not in jail or a hospital..your
even able to post that on fb....your not thankful for what?? A bad day? It cld be worse boo, ijs

Woman #5 (I skipped some, believe me it was redundant): Just to know that you
are here on earth another day baby is enough!


Man #1 tries again:  its not enough for me i need more then just living 

Woman #2 goes back in: Your living and able! More than enough to be thankful for....all 
you gotta do is get motivated, your not down and out you just need a jumpstart

Okay so I read his post and have my normal response Green Lightinin' Strike because Wow, I
wish I could do that when I'm feeling low. And I am expecting to read the basics - praying for
you, Bro; bout to call you; I love you; you know I already know what it is, hit me; But instead I get
people telling him to count his toes and his ability to whistle. WTF (Fuchsia) I feel like
hittin' keys, but I don't really know dude and I am thinking they must...Then comes:


Woman #9: If it's not enough.....then YOU make it enough!! Nothing stopping you from
living, but you!!! Keep your head up and push. Find yourself....know what YOU want, need,
desire.....and have fun pursing them:) Did she just yell at him and then smile at the end?

Then I read verbatim, word for word, including punctuation-

Woman #11: U still living unlike My 23 years old Son!!! Was that a rebuke, an accusation,
a cry from her for HELP??? Please pray her.

Dude #1 (He's dude now cause I'm goin in for my peeps) raises the white flag: u right

Woman #ME, okay first a disclaimer, it is bland cause even though I'm down for dude, he don't know me like that (at all) and I am inserting myself all in his mixology, so I said more then I back spaced, didn't I tell yall I'm a lil' stiff: A lot of people have felt they have nothing to be thankful for and a lot of people are feeling that way right now. I am so glad that you were strong enough to express what is on your mind and in your heart. There is everything right with that. Never feel ashamed or afraid to express yourself. I guarantee you have helped someone else feeling the same way. Talk to someone objective, a professional and pray. God Bless.

People people people, I know we don't always have the words but someone in that discourse has had a lil' talk with Jesus. Praying, praying for you, please pray about it - can never go wrong. And I know at least half of those ladies are on a first name basis with a mental health expert, and have the neighborhood psyche ward on speed dial. I gotta number you can call, I see somebody good, I take the purple ones, talk to someone besides us because clearly we do not realize that telling a person they have four limbs does not an epiphany make. 

Most of us (that's just a nicer way to say, you and I) have said what these well-meaning women were telling this man, basically, to man up, but when we know better we can do better. Can we please stop being robots, steel on the outside and afraid to feel on the inside. People we are supposed to cry, hurt, feel and if it gets to be overwhelming and you have the courage to post DO IT! You will be helping someone else afraid to reach out and me or Mother Jones will be pointing out to God, now you know Lord, your child reached out on Facebook requesting prayer, so You kinda gotta hafta Bless 'em, ijs.Yes, even if you are an African American male whose knees bend, survived their 20's, and has WiFi, you have a right to not be alright.  Pray, persist, and talk to a professional.