As a young student in Uganda, one of the many poems we were required to recite was “My Shadow” by Robert Louis Stevenson. It is amazing how effortlessly I recall the singsong manner in which I learned: “I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, and what can be the use of him is more than I can see…..”

Two weeks ago, as I was walking on the beach, you will not believe whom I ran into — my shadow!  Of course, my nine-year-old voice immediately began: I have a little shadow that went in and out with me! But wait, my shadow was long and not little at all – I was a giant (thank you morning sun!)

I remember the Benjamin Disraeli quote that “life is too short to be little”. Now, isn’t that a powerful belief to wake up to every morning?

We cannot remind ourselves enough to think big, and be bold not only in how we express ourselves, but also through our daily actions. What really is the point of being and doing otherwise – to make Mary or Joe more comfortable, or, is it ourselves we need to convince?

Go on…be big!

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com (blog)

www.loveisamountain.com (website)

Being in the driver’s seat requires both a steady hand and one flexible enough to adjust one’s navigation plan to accommodate the inevitable bumps in the road.

The real captain of this vessel dubbed me “Captain Zig Zag” as I battled the waves in an attempt to maintain a ‘straight course’.

Even with aircraft, there may be several course corrections as a plane speeds toward its destination. The pilot tells us he will change the flight plan to go around a storm – though frequent turbulence feels like he chose instead to fly right through it. Or, did it appear without any warning…quite unexpectedly?

Have you ever been caught completely by surprise in one of life’s storms? Whether by sea, air or road, they tell us to fasten our seatbelt for the ride!

I read (in a ‘vacation novel’ of all places) that God sends us the weather…what we do with it or what it does to us depends on how skilled a navigator we are.

Hold on, but not too tightly,

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com (blog)

www.loveisamountain.com (website)

Most of us have run into the phrase that states we must have a “burning desire” for what we want to achieve in life. In another context, we have no problem understanding the word ‘burning”.
From the weather many of you have felt over this past week or so, that word holds a literal meaning.

Do you believe you have the capacity to feel as hot about something – a personal or professional goal maybe – to follow through with the right actions?

Our sun’s rays demonstrate what the power of intensity can create – for good or not so good. The gifts of symbolism help us apply the meaning of many experiences in our lives. So if you struggle trying to figure out how badly you need to want something to qualify it as a ‘burning desire’, just think about how consuming heat can be, even in the shade.

Do you have a burning desire to lose weight? For starters, when choosing what to drink, practice these two simple words: “Water, please”.

Thank you Sun,

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com(blog)

www.loveisamountain.com(website)

Are you ever looking from the outside, trying to figure out or reach for something on the inside… or vice versa? Why are we rarely satisfied with what is…how can we ‘be’ with where we are and achieve this “living in the moment” everyone talks about?

It may sound like a whimsical dream to some because it is so easy to find ourselves where we are not. Am I making sense?

Windows, mirrors, appearances or simply our refusal to see and acknowledge can support our illusions – what is real, what belongs where? But then, who decides where what belongs anyway…

Confused? So am I, and that is all part of the fun of being here right now! And, by the way, I was outside photographing indoors in case you were wondering…great picture, yes?

bare feet in the sand feels good…go find some,

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com(blog)

www.loveisamountain.com(website)

I love good, let your hair down, real fun. So, a couple of weekends ago, I was delighted to have an opportunity to speak before some “loverly” ladies of a local Red Hat Society – there was a queen and a duchess, two princesses and a baroness and fairy tales made up by yours truly, of course.

My, my, the purple, the red, the hats, the fun…and, don’t we all deserve it?! Life can be soooo challenging and serious that we forget to stop and smell the roses.

Many people choose to use their age to proclaim why they cannot do something. “I’m too old to ____,” fill in your own blank, if this applies to you. The rings embedded in its trunk determines a tree’s age. You cannot tell that until the end.

Why should we use our age as a reason we cannot do anything…your health, we can make some allowances for, but not your age. It is unfortunate to hear people create limitations based upon a chronological number…

…banish the thought — get out there and play!

Dancing, anyone?

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com(blog)

www.loveisamountain.com(website)

Is the core that much different from the outside? Is one a reflection or piece of the other?

A few weeks back, I enjoyed discussing these questions with my sons. Yemi argued using the onion example: peeling back the layers to discover it is still an onion. I stumbled into using the artichoke as my analogy. Who does not want to get to the heart? That is where the best part is. Sure each ‘leaf’ has a tiny taste at the tip…but you have to work your way in to get to the ‘real deal’ – don’t you?

There is nothing like a good question to open the doors to deeper or intense conversations…it is a great way to get young people engaged in meaningful discussions.

Many summers back, I organized a lively, dynamic multi-generational dialogue in my living room that involved several families – sometimes sparks were flying, but it was an eye-opening experience for all. We learn so much about each other when we simply ask questions…and then listen.

So, tell me, what’s at the center of your artichoke?

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com(blog)

www.loveisamountain.com(website)

The more you look at some things, the less they seem to make sense.

Our youngest son just graduated from high school at TASIS, England – an American International School very near London. I reflect on how much racism and prejudice remains in the educational institutions whose missions strive to treat all students with mutual respect and understanding.

Looking beneath the kimonos of American schools both at home and abroad signals we still have some ways to go. Yes, I hear the echoes of “look how far we have come” – but remember, opening our kimonos is about peering beneath our robes to expose all of what is there.

I watched him standing for his class picture, one of two black faces, the other a girl. I remembered my own high school graduation in Kenya, 39 years ago: I was one of two black faces, the other one a boy. I realized that the prejudices my son faced with some of his teachers and an administration that did not want to know were not much different from mine.

How much longer will it take?

Just wondering,

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com(blog)

www.loveisamountain.com(website)

I attended my first red carpet, film premiere night two weeks ago. Except, it was not Hollywood, it was “Nollywood” and I was in Lagos, Nigeria.

My friend Diane cites the phrase “open your kimono” which refers to getting to the core of people, places and things. Exposing what is beneath the surface is not easy, and not always a pretty picture – yet it brings to light the truth of what is.

Michelle Bello’s movie “Small Boy” opened a kimono showing one aspect of the sprawling, diverse, controversial and vibrant city life of one of Africa’s largest cities. Parts of Small Boy reminded me of Slum Dog Millionaire in that it uncovers the plight of street kids – those in Lagos.

On the plane home – after one or two other kimono opening experiences in England – I enjoyed another moving film “Invictus”, a unifying South African tale of hope over hatred. Truth based movies are masterful instruments of storytelling – often providing opportunities for us to open our kimonos and let them touch or transform our understanding.

Consider sharing the life inspiring tales beneath your own surface!

Welcoming more,

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

www.mozellaonthemountain.com(blog)

www.loveisamountain.com(website)

Last week I shared how we let titles and other ‘descriptive’ words define us — and how they do not reveal who we are as a human ‘being’.

Look at this title, one you have seen me place beneath my name every week. In fact, we are all motivational storytellers. We may not be authors, speakers, or use any specific string of accolades behind our names; yet, we share stories just about on a daily basis – our stories and those of others. We have heard them since we were young – they consoled, encouraged and scolded us too.

Our words and stories are powerful and can have untold impact on both the teller and the listener. Books have influenced our thinking for eons – and though we may not write them, our words and stories also have the potential to imbed positive or negative energy in the minds and hearts of others. One of the most memorable impressions you can leave with another is your own story.

Remember the power of the spoken word and choose well,
Mozella

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi

You know how you pass something repeatedly and then decide you just must find the underlying story behind it? That is how I felt about ‘Negro Mountain’ in Western Maryland…I knew there had to be a story.

It turns out there are two versions – both having to do with battle, heroism ,Native Americans and a very tall black man they called “Nemesis” — it is interesting that both Negro and Nemesis are on the same page of my dictionary – and I doubt either word had much to do with who the man really was.

‘Nemesis’ is a hero in both stories…and they named the mountain in his honor. He obviously lived up to his title based upon some retributive justice he performed.

What’s in a name or a title? Is the human “being” lost and confused with what he does rather than who he is? We often get caught up in describing ourselves based less upon who we are as a person and more upon our professions, race or gender, gifts or performed tasks, heroic or not.

It’s a challenging question…try answering it without language about what you do.

Who are you?
Mozella

Mozella Perry Ademiluyi