One step for mankind, A giant leap for Shoniqua Shandai

     Today I talked to someone I normally wouldn't have. A young lady stopped me on the street and asked me what profession I was in. She said she "models" and "acts". She wants to get into the industry and is unsure of how to and she wanted a friend. Lmao! Don't we all? Several times I attempted to blow her off and she would not leave me alone.

     Then I thought of Joyce Meyers. My mother was watching a sermon of hers several days ago. At the time it was early in the morning, I was hurriedly getting ready for an audition, as I usually am, and I was in a bad mood. I didn't think I was listening, but apparently my spirit was. Joyce was preaching on humility. Humbling ourselves is so detrimental, but few do it. Who are you to think you're better than anyone? Who decides that what you say is so much more interesting than what anyone could possibly come up with? Others' words are just as important, if not more, than our own.

     This bothersome woman, whom I was failingly trying to escape from, what made her unworthy of my conversation? If this was Beyonce or anyone else I felt could help my career, I'd have gladly stopped mid-step. Forget missing my bus, this person can do something for me!

     I don't want to be an unbalanced being. Talking more than listening. Receiving before giving. Today was a step towards becoming a better Shoniqua. 

     I gave that young black woman my phone number and actually listened. I didn't tune her out, which is my go to. lol I heard her… and in our very brief interaction I gave her the best advice I could think of on the spot, "Go on Lacasting.com, It has everything." lol And even if nothing comes of this. She never calls. She never acts a day in her life. I gave today, what have you done?

"No, Father. The Moon's Reaching For Me."

     When I was a little girl riding in the back seat of my mother's beat up Chevrolet, during the day time I'd read, but at night... on those rides through the winding roads of Richmond, VA, I'd look at the sky and there he'd be. Every night. No matter where I was. Or how torturous the previous day had been. He'd be there. My friend, the moon.
     We'd giggle, and gossip, and play games. He was always best at hide-and-seek. I'd ball up and close my eyes for a full verse of whatever song was playing on the radio, and when my eyes opened he was always there. My friend, the moon. He followed me. He loved me. I forgot.

     I'm a sharer. Not of my things, I'm stingy with those. And ask any man whose attempted to date me and he'll tell you the #1 thing I'm stingy with, but there's one thing I've given freely since before my car rides with the moon. My thoughts. Be it through fashion, the stage, writings, or conversation. I love to share.

     Unfortunately when I lost my friend, I stifled some of my gifts. For the first time I became the listener. Not to build up in selflessness or because I was particularly interested in what others had to say, but I was afraid. I went from a world in neon colors where everything was cotton candy. I was the ruler, and there was no such thing as "You can't" or "Impossible." I went to sleep one night and when I awoke the world was ugly. People were cruel. Colors were drab, and it stank. So, I became quiet. I forgot.

     I listened and I learned. I've been quiet for almost 10 years now. As I've grown, in spurts I remember what the world was before. A world where everyone was beautiful, regardless of color; shape; or anything exterior. Ugly people were simply the mean people. Every day I remember more. Every day I become more and more of what I used to be.

     I'm not like you. I'm not of this world. I'm an empress from a world that's far more advanced than here. But during my bleak existence amongst this very drab universe, I've learned alot.

1. Not everyone love you.

2. Not everyone is nice.

3. It's okay to listen. When you're quiet you observe, and observations surpass anything anyone can tell you.

     Hopefully before I go, there are lessons this world can learn from me. If not, than what am I here for? I'm a very important being, take notes. The moon follows me.

Colored Girls

I'm in 2 plays! :)
Here's a picture from the photoshoot for one of them.

Gary Levingston presents Colored Girls coming to a theater near you.
June 19 - Aug. 7 at The Whitefire Theater
Directed by Alexia Robinson

I'm really excited about it. :)