I have flown through many skies and deeply enjoyed 'the 35,000 feet perspective'. Flying has allowed me some rich experiences. My poem "Flight" shares profound thoughts that flowed through me during one of many journeys between Europe and Africa.

This past September, on my way back from the mystical land of Peru, I took the above picture – hard to see, I know, the best my little camera could do. I was both awed and delighted by what I saw. I often stare out the plane's window, seeing loads of beautiful and unusual landscapes – often imagining and daydreaming about what lies below.

Never had I seen the airplane within which I was traveling, reflected in the clouds, with a colored ring around it. Oh my gosh, look! Click, click. I did not care what the scientific explanation was — I just felt a tingling sense of protection and privilege to witness this sight: like a mystical message…or something!

My eyes 'could have been' closed, or I could have been distracted by the entertainment offered during long flights. Our gifts are often on the other side of a window, or door, waiting for us to notice, waiting for our laughter and joy, waiting to be captured…

Keep your eyes open,

Click, click!
mozella

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi ,
Motivational Storyteller™

Melissa, now in her 30s, wrote this note to her Mom (Nancy) when she was five or six years old. The now framed, pencil written original hangs in my friend Nancy's kitchen. We couldn't get a clear enough picture of it, so just imagine these words in a child's handwriting.

Could Melissa have been any clearer? In essence, she said: Mom, what you want is not what I'm interested in…here's what's important to me and I want to know if I can have it…now! Her loudly spoken "I Want to Know" took up most of the page.

When I first saw this message, from a clearly precocious child, I laughed at her verve. Then I smiled as I absorbed her open and insistent honesty.

What do you really want to know – and when did you last express it? Imagine, for a minute that you write a letter to your boss or a significant person in your life and tell them exactly where you stand and what you want (okay, so perhaps you should not mail it!) However, wouldn't it feel just wonderful to open up and let all your feelings and thoughts just flow?

Click here to hear the jazz poetry version of my poem "I Want to Know." It was my response to David Whyte's poem, Self-Portrait. Take either poem, a beautiful blank piece of paper, and, you guessed it –write! Now, it's your turn!

Thank you Melissa!
Mozella

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi,
Motivational Storyteller™

On New Year's Day, I left early in the morning with my husband and his best friend to attend an evening marriage celebration in New Jersey –a very different start to my new year.

The Mehndi Ceremony…a Pakistani wedding tradition… took seven hours (no exaggeration). I watched and enjoyed many beautiful dances and performances. There was much exuberance and joy; some were barefooted, laughing and cheering with reckless abandon! Several family members asked me to join them on the dance floor. I turned each of them down with one excuse after another.

Having attended weddings and baby ceremonies in Karachi many years ago, I have the cultural sensitivity to understand that I was not truly in the celebration until I was actively involved in their dancing. I finally said "yes" close to 12:30 a.m. Though tired and ready to turn in, I entered their space…and…participated. What took me so long? Was I that weary that I couldn't show them I was truly there to join in their special day?

Merely showing up is sometimes the easiest part. Life calls and invites us to participate fully in what we are doing, wherever we may find ourselves. Sometimes what comes before us is ordinary, sometimes exotic and extraordinary.

If we are going to be in it, then we really need to BE in it!

Immersing in the moment,
mozella

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi,
Motivational Storyteller™