Aside from some joyless individuals mustering up the past, Erykah Badu is doing just fine. In an open essay with Essence, the “Bag Lady” reveals probably what most of us are thinking in a day-to-day life filled with nonstop work; we need to work on our own self. In an attempt to divulge the secret of conveying joy within one’s own life, we must, “BE STILL. OBSERVE. IDENTIFY. ACCEPT. ELIMINATE.,” she writes. Being “drained physically, spiritually and emotionally, we become ill and left with very little energy to cope” with what we have going on on the inside. It’s time to let it go.

Read more after the jump.

JaaiR (JR)
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THE PARADIGM OF JOY

There’s this natural instinct we have as human beings. Regardless of our position, religion, color or kind, we all have a primal desire for immediate, and almost unwavering, JOY. Eventually, through the experience of events and circumstance, we learn that this desire just may be unreasonable and unnatural. We watch our emotions sway as we are affected and influenced by the energy around us. Our own resistance to “unpleasantness” restricts our movement.

In a self-medicated state, we start to become addicted to our pain. In some cases it even starts to define us. We wear masks to protect ourselves and alas lose sight of who we are. Drained physically, spiritually and emotionally, we become ill and left with very little energy to cope. Our service to others becomes exhausting. Our breathing becomes shallow. JOY seems so far. Now we are stuck in our own minds, filled with random thoughts and collected fears.

This place has become our world. We know we are imbalanced. Something must change. How do we portion our busy lives to give the proper attention to our inner beings; the part of us that, at its core, regulates our mental, emotional and vital wellness? Perhaps we change our state of being by taking a look inside and simply changing our perspective and perception.

BE STILL. OBSERVE. IDENTIFY. ACCEPT. ELIMINATE.

…

THE SAGE.

THE MEDICINE WOMAN.

THE DOULA.

THE WITCH DOCTOR.

THE FORTUNE TELLER.

THE WISDOM KEEPER.

THE SANGOMA.

THE MGANGA.

THE MCHAUI.

THE HEALER.

We must remember that we are powerful beyond measure. Each obstacle we are faced with is another opportunity to use our power. It is a step toward our greatness. After all, we have asked to be great.

I know for myself, this essay comes right on time. Carrying the weight of the world is never an easy task.

Check out the joyful face of Badu in the gallery at the top.