tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57831291966558310492024-03-13T16:55:27.325-04:00Rhapsody PhoenixAuthentic Expressions of my thoughts, philosophy, lived experiences, lessons learnt, and interests shared in the written, videos and photographsRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.comBlogger670125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-16599366808443269752024-01-29T08:02:00.001-05:002024-02-13T06:56:56.277-05:00$3:30 centsRiding public transit can be a trip in more ways than the obvious. On my first leg of my commute into the downtown core, came the first observation. Passengers filed in the bus their presto card at the ready to put in front the machine so it can deduct the fees. Students under 12 free, students 13 and up $2.75, adults $3.30. As a gentleman press his card, the machine made a wonky song, meaning noRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-14245532897029524572023-11-03T09:01:00.001-04:002023-12-14T22:31:36.345-05:008:15 am & 3 sheets to the windDressed in a red sweat shirt, light blue jeans, black hat with a solid white line around the folded rim with a packed black knapsack thrown over his right shoulder, he groaned and staggered in the streetcar. His left hand holding the rail to secure his balance and an open can of Twisted Tea (a malt beverage with real black tea and citrus flavors brewed like beer with 5% alcohol) clutched inRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-24092667529933372242023-08-27T13:58:00.001-04:002023-08-27T13:58:31.244-04:00YOU GIMME $2.00I sat waiting for my sister and my mom after having my screen protector replaced on my cellphone 📱at the Oriental Centre Shopping mall in Scarborough Ontario.. My lower back and right side was killing me and after standing for almost an hour while my sis have her data transferred I needed to take a load off. Exiting the store I found a seating area next to the HSBC bank and deposited myself Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-60002351034440195892023-08-25T09:42:00.001-04:002023-08-25T09:51:15.049-04:00HOMELESSSecond to last stop on my morning commute. I exited the train and took the escalator to the second floor. The bakery delights perfumed the air as people passed each other, some going in the subway, some going out, some to the bakery for their morning java fix, scones, Jamaican patties - chicken/vegetables/beef, muffins - corn, blue berry, banana, cranberry, chocolate chip and other succulent Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-19777110894739088352023-07-05T17:30:00.001-04:002023-07-05T17:30:51.666-04:00Gratitude in UnwellnessEven in Unwellness you can exercise gratitude. July 1st, 2023 did not begin on a high note for me. But! It began and I was here to see it, even it was butt down in my own waste. To be fair the illness was ushered in by June 30th. Nevertheless, I was able to see July 1st come and I was able to see it go. It was a rough weekend. I suffered a sinus infection, a throat infection and a serious bout ofRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-32279774233066085762023-06-12T08:58:00.001-04:002023-06-14T08:24:01.669-04:00FIRE 🔥 IN THE BALLS?Through the steady rain people briskly made their way into the subway after bailing from the bus. Heads bowed, hurried steps marching, trotting to the descending escalator and into the open doors of the standing train. A couple selected a 3-seater opposite me. He in a beige hoodie, taupe pants, red and black knapsack, blue masks, she in a Forest Green hoodie, black pants, lack knapsack, Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-84031216063884293602023-04-09T14:44:00.003-04:002023-04-09T15:17:31.363-04:00FREE GROCERIES - SHOPPING WITH BOLD LIBERTY She walked the bread/baking isle with her recycled shopping bag slightly open on her left arm. As she perused the Isle, she placed items in her bag. I thought, 'is she stealing? Nah...she is not stealing, she just didn't want to be bothered with a big cart 🛒. I say to myself, making shit up in my own mind to explain her actions. 'She will pay for her stuff', I reasoned. 'I hope?' I picked Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-15361597299827790582023-04-06T08:34:00.008-04:002023-04-06T17:57:48.312-04:00WHEN YOU MUST NOT SEE WHAT'VE SEENAcross the table, masks clothed faces moves in, out from breath; up, down and sideways from the motion of talk. The business conversation clear, although slightly shrouded, muffled capped by the cover. Lips unseen, moved in animated shadowed rhythms. The eyes stared at each other in comprehensive attention as one pair is jarringly distracted by a finger in the masked covered right nostril rubbingRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-66533410613690901952023-01-31T23:14:00.004-05:002023-02-01T14:06:35.656-05:00Sometimes a life's proverbial phrase can encourage more questions than inspire optimism It is said that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But, what if you don't know what lemonade is? How its made? What the key ingredients are? What it is suppose to taste like, when you don't have a comparison? How would you know when its just right and that you've successfully made lemonade? Hmmmm?D.S.B.S.RhapsodyphoenixRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-47281621682095684002022-10-17T03:58:00.004-04:002022-10-17T04:09:10.595-04:00When Life whispers "extend some grace".In life, there is always a lesson to be learnt from every experience. What you do with, how you implement it and use it, is all up to you. Today I had to pause as I experienced a verbal whiplash by someone I held in high regard. I didn't allow myself to get defensive. Instead I listened. I didn't defend myself. I chose to listen. Why? Because, coming from this source, the behavior, the Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-45947828712682816432022-06-19T01:41:00.004-04:002022-06-19T01:47:58.814-04:00In The Waiting Room'I am late!". I grumbled aloud in my mind. 2:45 pm I paused in front the Clinic's door and put on my mask. Walking up to the medical receptionist I whisper shout with a slight grimace in my tone, "good afternoon, I am sorry. I am late for my 2:30 appointment with the doctor." "Oh, that's ok, the doctor is running a little behind with his appointments today. There are two people beforeRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-78624573896970824122022-05-12T15:50:00.001-04:002022-05-17T16:15:09.419-04:00Move, Get out of your way!!The characteristics survival dictate you develop to endure and triumph over diversity maybe the same characteristics you may be required to shed to grow, expand and accelerate the development of self. There will come a time when your situation has changed where those qualities, habits, and responses as great as they are, must be put away as they are no longer serving you. What once was Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-83651284798113233022022-04-07T02:23:00.006-04:002022-04-07T02:27:18.823-04:00Breathe....be in gratitudeBreathe.Be still.Sit in gratitude.Step outside of the noise.Allow grace to carry you through.It will be alright.You are not alone.D.S.B.S.Rhapsodyphoenix.Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-89629952984330170272022-03-21T13:36:00.004-04:002022-03-21T13:46:53.122-04:00No comment is at times the best comment.I received my grocery order today and had to pause in silence. The delivery person (a woman) was friendly but her last comment soured the whole experience and left a really bad taste on my demeanor. As she handed off the last bag to me one of my item almost fell. She caught it quickly and gave it to me with a comment I could have well done without. The item she managed to catch was the package ofRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-61902174225911265502022-02-17T13:49:00.003-05:002022-02-17T13:58:16.712-05:00THE CHOICE TO BE SELF-GOVERNING OR NOT
When you choose to surrender your power to another in the false notion that to whom you are surrendering your power is more equipped. Be prepared to be Unhappy, Discontent, Dissatisfied, Depressed and Oppressed because every decision that person makes on your behalf will be essentially in their best interest purporting to be in your interest.
Be very careful who you set in theRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-79089392809045307932022-01-01T00:09:00.005-05:002022-02-17T13:43:07.036-05:00STOP, THINK AND SILENCE YOUR INNER CRITICSTOP 🛑✋🏾Stop and think before you let that inner critic fly. Think about how much others don't know about you. How so few know your story and your struggles. They couldn't tell by looking at you. The same is true for those you see, observe and encounter. So, before you give permission to that inner critic, the one that always has something negative to say, that consistently tears down and laughRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-45036195093646397392021-12-06T00:27:00.008-05:002021-12-06T01:21:40.733-05:00POLITE OUT OF COURTESYThe chosen act of PolitenessI am being polite when I say, 'excuse me' more than once when you insist on standing in the way.I am being polite when I say, 'I am not abled' as you continuously badger me to get your way.I am being polite when I say, 'my schedule does not allow for the opportunity to hosts guests in my home' as you attempt to pry entry with self invites to my home.I am being polite Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-89119594018489680102021-11-11T16:14:00.004-05:002021-11-11T16:19:23.105-05:00MAKING THE BEST OF ITLife, making the best of it no matter what rolls your way is a choice you get to make.You get to choose how you cope.D.S.B.S.RhapsodyPhoenixRhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-81838209819425026562021-11-03T13:59:00.002-04:002021-11-05T07:11:22.912-04:00LETTING GO Letting go of things, people, places and relationships can be challenging yet at times it is quite necessary for forward momentum to continue, growth to occur & opportunities to be experienced.Nothing lasts forever, enjoy the now.Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-55249602952711260392021-10-17T00:54:00.000-04:002021-10-17T00:54:05.422-04:00THE TRUTH ISN'T ALWAYS WELCOMED & THE IMPACT OF SPEAKING IT, ISN'T ALWAYS ALLURINGTruth is often asked for, demanded and almost always never truly welcomed. Growing up as a child in the midst of elders I have had the pleasure and privilege to traverse many cultures, religions, traditions, ethos and practices. I know from the living experience that we are not as different as we perceive ourselves to be. In fact, we are indeed more alike than we are different. What manifests as Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-66289032021145057112021-10-06T20:16:00.002-04:002021-10-06T20:22:00.274-04:00SILENCE MUST BE USED STRATEGICALLY AND MINDFULLY Have you ever considered the value of silence?Silence is powerful and can be weaponized depending on the context. It can be used to wound, to isolate, to perpetuate negativity, convey complicity, to build confidence, to inspire, convey respect or display quiet support. How you use "Silence" depends heavily on the character you cultivate and choice you choose when wheeling it.Have you ever Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-46426622836777650262021-09-06T14:04:00.005-04:002021-09-06T14:19:53.040-04:00ACCEPTANCE 🌼 AcceptanceAcceptance does not mean agreeing or agreement.It does not mean forcing yourself to like, want or desire any given situation, thing or circumstance. Acceptance simply means, you accept the things that you cannot change; and respect the boundaries in which those things are housed and bound.It means, you surrender to that which you have no control and shift yourself Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-37981079618406097042021-08-26T21:11:00.006-04:002021-08-26T22:20:55.734-04:00LEARNING IS A CHOICEWe learn in many ways, involuntary being one of those ways, often categorized as, learning by osmosis. I dare say that everyday there is something new to learn. However, I think the most impactful learning is by choice, where one refuses to be held in petulant resistance due to disillusionment but rather choose to push through all its constraints and disappointments into Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-87528198632286169892021-08-14T15:56:00.007-04:002021-08-25T18:29:33.115-04:00IN THE GROCERY CHECKOUT LINE - MOISTURIZER?Some days, you see things that open your eyes to the diversity of how people utilize things.The line was long curving around several isles to the very last aisle to the inside back of the building. Grocery carts, baskets on the floor filled to brim, people with groceries loading down their arms, heads bobbing, hips swaying, shoulders moving rhythmically to the music coming from the ceiling,Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783129196655831049.post-64370613297041654302021-07-24T23:06:00.005-04:002021-07-24T23:39:57.845-04:00KNOW YOUR POSITION IN PEOPLE'S LIVESIt is wise to understand the priority position you occupy in the lives of the people around you and with whom you regularly communicate and interact. The knowledge will help you in managing your expectations and accepting the quality of the relationship. The realty is sometimes we position people high on our priority list who may have us lowly positioned on theres or we may not even make Rhapsody Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520384490148575528noreply@blogger.com5