Often times, it is difficult to put certain feelings into words. Strangely enough, with each instance, I attempt anyway. Last night, was a revisit to a familiar experience but foreign at the same time. It is amazing to me how we can have these oxymoronic episodes in life that actually make sense. There I was, to my left, my wife, supporter, business partner, student, and pride, beside me, carrying out a vision that we prayed for. Next in line, a guy, that was a perfect stranger to help pick up the mantle of Love Is A Parable and carry it as it was his own. Beside him, a flawless complement of irrationality and artsy.

And there we were, four people with different life plans, carrying out a conjoined purpose and an unsure path. After all, we did make a commitment to being open. I chuckled as I thought to myself, we truly have no control over the path of our lives but like to think that we do. We can only go with or against the flow. As I gazed across the room, I saw Kimberly D., LIAP’s first Brand Ambassador. She supported the mission from the very beginning. Somehow along the way, her family became mine. In fact, her sister loves me more. Though she has gone on to fulfill other duties and is no longer our Brand Ambassador, she still has the same heart for LIAP.

Four LIAP Leaders stood before six graduates. These graduates were unique in the sense that it was six spiritually sound and rooted individuals. Brian understood the power of divine communication. Therefore, he understands the organic nature of existence. Beside him was Celeste, the pure personification of ‘home.’ She has the ability to calm storms with her presence. Beside Celeste, sat Tashia, the archenemy to impious nature and the champion over pains; hence her mantra:” the Hope Dealer.” Then, there was Bea, the untapped potential of being an invigorative spirit. She’s so close to releasing her well of renewal upon the earth. In the last seat, sat Netanyah, the orator of…. There are endless measures to the things she’ll transcribe. She actually has the keys of Heaven within her mind and the path to the door within her pen.

Authors And Art transitioned from an art studio to a sanctuary of replenishment, love, and restoration. The complexities of visiting the same place but having a different experience. Everything made so much sense. Yet, I struggled to describe it. See, it was more than something that presence alone would have understood. This was something that you would have had to be in tune with. Love was personified and digested, even timely, as Kimberly W. walked-in at the appropriate time to pour into others. Her “tic-toc” was rhythmic and in synchronization of her cohort: The Advanced Graduates. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the perfect timing of Marketing Guru, Darius Carr to capture the moment. Openness creates a space for welcomed interruptions and expected unannounced visitors, that were long lost family members. I saw ‘4’ pour into ‘3’ and created completion. I ‘8’ every moment of it. Yep, it happened, the experience, the encounter, the elevator ascended to a new level as Love Advocates poured into Love Advocates, sealing it with the words, “you are not alone.”

The foundation has settled, we are prepared for the building.

3+4: Graduation Reflection