Zooming from June to July 2017...Happy 4th of July, to US of A-Miracle!

June was a big month for me this year... how 'bout you? There were festive graduations (go HS Murrowites in Brooklyn NY!) and those from Colgate Univ in May lighting up my computer screen to see the livestream.

 Now July is here in full force, with heat that can't be beat, but good beats can be found at the African Festival in Brooklyn NY even on Tuesday July 4th, 2017. Plus with the livestream, you can be part of it from wherever you are...so join in this amazing effort that grew out of a need for better representation in the schools in Brooklyn by the African American Teachers a few decades back The Festival was held at Boys and Girls High School, mainly on a track someone told me.

Then it moved to the Commodore Barry Park near the BQU (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, or Rt 287 I believe) not far from Fort Greene Park. Barry Park will be getting a Five Million Dollar Renovation and FG Park will get a 2 or 3 million dollar upgrade. Stay tuned. 

The fireworks on the East River are going to be spectacular I read..and maybe I will brave seeing it..but I do have reservations about all the hoopla in terms of our lifestyles that seem to overlook everyday needs and limited resources for 'going for the big bang'. Not good for the environment, our hearing or likely even our health if exposed to so much loud noise. Our spirits are fragile and our bodies not immune to being thrown out of balance. I realize I could talk 50-something year old self out of going altogether.

Summer storms are usually much more dramatic and likely they'll be coming on strong before long. But maybe we can ease into this reality in the next few years..only do fireworks every other year in some places and in others the off years.. aim to decrease the number overall. More buddy systems to help one another out (or in small groups..but again safety, clarity and skill are key.)

Having some people take care of many others seems to be the current 'game plan' but many more people will be needing care and not that many younger people are geared up to understand the necessity of pitching in even if not working or getting paid for every hour given. 

Okay, more before long, but hopefully Businesses and Non-Profits, Groups and Events can chime in with their ads in the comments page.. all things related to the African festival "Is Africa in the House?! and on the Livfully.org blog?!" I Hope so, it's a win-win.)

Welcome to Myrtle Avenue, Sacred (yoga studio with great deals like Free Sat Noon class and 20/2 week unlimited class special offer.) Move with Grace on Myrtle and Clinton offers 2 weeks unlimited for $45, so why not go from one to the next...Sacred is offering Teaching Training info workshops and a program in Vinyasa teacher training in the fall of 2017..this could be Calling you and something to use for your personal benefit..I am thinking on it... we'll see.

Then there's the EOLD free online classes to help everyone Make a Plan in case they leave unexpectedly. Again many hands on deck for anyone with a terminal illness or other big challenge makes sense and merits planning. Finding the time and support to do so can be done with an End of Life Doula. See more on Doulagivers.org

Now back to the good times in the here and now...join in, be beYoutofull and live a balanced life with good people in your circles. Sound like a plan? Some hot tips for great plays in NYC include Pipeline and Oslo. Lori Cumbo gave a talk a month before delivering her first child, a son, from the Main Stage. She cheered everyone on to stand up for themselves and insist on getting their fair share (which included getting taxpayer dollars to help fund the festival she noted.) She spoke from the heart with many key points so follow up on next steps she and others are seeking support on to improve the community and take some strides in doing that in your own circles too.Now, back to the music of our heartbeats, voices and values that can help "Love, Build and Create' as one cool booth was promoting (I hope they post their info..and welcome to all I met, Lauren who learned to dance in Cuba and is doing yoga in Michigan, Paz from Venezuela whose hear through Thursday spreading peace with her name and a lovely woman whose Greek but lived and worked with folks from Trinidad so 'belonged' there at the festival.

As people not of color, we ladies were braving some dicey territory..the  great majority of people were friendly if not amused...yet one woman (surprisingly to me) rather hissed and said "Oh no..no, no when she saw me..as to say, don't invade our special event. ' Likely that needs some 'due consideration' and  clearer message.. even someone from the stage said "everyone's doing right by this fesitval...and the those that don't belong well we'll just not worry that.' So I hope we can find ways that each kind of celebration can include some appreciation for the both-and, for the I-thou no matter the color or creed (based on respect...) These last few lines 'keep it real' and because things are live-streamed maybe other gatherings could be held along those lines, joining in on various levels but if need be not creating tensions...just a thought, of course if was a treat for me to go. I connected with a few dozen folks with hellos and short conversations as I'm apt to do, so I think that worked out pretty well...