I came across these spectacular shoes last month while meeting my friend K on the chance occasion that we were both visiting Sacramento at the same time (her from DC, me from Dakar). Her marvelous shoes reminded of “The Wiz” and one of my favorite songs, “Ease on Down the Road.”

I love how the Universe works. That was just the bright spot I needed on a day filled with a lot of physical pain and fear. I had a severe infection in the back of my leg and at that point it was almost impossible to walk without support, a walker or wheelchair.

The shoes reminded me of the lyrics,

“Cause there may be times
When you think you lost your mind
And the steps you're takin'
Leave you three, four steps behind
But the road you're walking
Might be long sometimes
You just keep on steppin'
And you'll just be fine, yeah

Ease on down, ease on down the road
Come on, ease on down, ease on down the road
Don't you carry nothing
That might be a load
Come on, ease on down, ease on down the road.”

I couldn’t fully embrace the jubilance of those lyrics in that moment, but it was bright horizon I was intentionally holding onto. I learned a lot of painful, but helpful lessons later than night in the E.R. and in the days that followed. More to come on that.

But right now, I do want to express how #appreciative I am for friends, #healingvibes, K’s glorious shoes, “The Wiz,” and the opportunity to continually learn and grow.

A Note: As an anti-oppression professional and a survivor of abuse and assault, I am regularly and thoughtfully evaluating whose art I share, whose I will never share again, and those who fall into a gray area. I have strictly boycotted R. Kelly for two decades. I am still in process about works like this film, which includes an all-star cast, including Michael Jackson. The Wiz falls into a gray area for me I’m still actively considering. I’ve deemed it’s okay to share, but I do so with caution and consideration.

#itsokaytonotbeokay #gritandgrace #trustyourpath #makethebestofit #healingvibrations #healingenergy #keepyourheadup #yourestrongerthanyouthink #dontlosehope #betterdaysarecoming#neverlosehope #noquit #biracial #jewishwoman #blackwomenrock #jewishgirl #goodfeeling #theuniversehasyourback #lifeisamazing #energyiseverything #raiseyourvibe #innerguide #innerwisdom #innerknowing #highestself #happysoul #soultribe #spiritjunkies