Posts tagged poetry

I am so excited to announce a new campaign inspired by Lori Grover’s 7th graders at Wayne K-12, in South Georgia!  I will be conducting interactive Q&A’s with classrooms all over the world vis SKYPE, meeting students who have studied my work as a part of their curriculum, introduced to them by awesome teachers like Lori Grover! I am very excited about this! Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite part of writing and interacting is connecting with people, and this gives me the opportunity to step off the stage and into classrooms everywhere!  This definitely includes college campuses and adult schools.  If you know a class or a teacher that woule be interested in scheduling a Sol-Skype Session please contact me at Bookthea@gmail.com to discuss the details of making this happen.  

I thank you in advance for the support and I predict that this will be an amazing campaign that is going to grow beyond what I and Lori Grover could have imagined=)

Sincerely, 

Thea Monyee

I wrote the following in December 2011…No doubt a note to self for me in this moment.  Please enjoy=)

In 2011, I survived many life changing events. In the midst of transformation I relied on faith and gratitude to keep me centered. Teetering to the right or the left merely highlighted my weak areas, and yoga, meditation, and love propelled me forward. This year was a success largely due to the ineffable support system I am blessed to have. With their love and guidance I thrived during a difficult time, when others may have disappeared beneath the weight of it all.

2012 presents a new challenge. As I look back at the lessons I accumulated in 2011, I cannot shake the feeling that 2012 will be a test of all that I have learned. This will be the year that intentions become ways of life, and former ways of coping will attempt to usurp the newer and healthier coping skills I am trying to develop. 2012 will be the year of commitment and resolve, the demarkation of past and future self.

As heavy as this may sound, I find it to be exciting! I look forward to the battle ahead because I know the victory is not in the outcome. The victory is being alive. The victory is in the growth. The progress is in the moment.

No more fleeing.

No more doubting.

No more allowing someone else to fight on my behalf.

No more questioning my truth.

No more doubting love. 

It is time for dreams to leave the pages of journals everywhere, and walk amongst us. It will take blood, bruised skin, and tears, but no one said creating life would be easy.

I will not abandon one book, poem, or story in 2012.

I will not forget one friend or loved one in 2012.

I will not run from truth or love in 2012. 

There will always be a reason to believe that happiness inevitably leads to tragedy or heartbreak. Something to point to and say, “See that! I knew it was to good to be true.” Maybe it will be a promotion that you did not get, or a crush who doesn’t feel the same way, or a call from a doctor requesting additional tests, just to be safe. These moments do not come to disprove our happiness, they come to reinforce it. Instead of resigning to the belief that the floor is falling out from beneath us, be still and defy gravity. Happiness is sustainable, come what may.

Last night I sat with friends and family (pets included) and watched my debut on TV One’s Verses and Flow.  When I filmed for HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, in 2002 I did not know what to expect. I did not grasp the concept that I was going to viewed in potentially millions of homes nationwide.  I did not know such a thing as YOUTUBE would memorialize the performance for years to come. I have learned so many valuable lessons since then. Then, I thought my gift was just a hobby. Now I know it is my calling. Then I was afraid to showcase my physical beauty, now I love to show off the legs Monica Parker gave me. Then, I struggled to embrace the love and support of fans I only knew by email. Now, I thank them profusely for their loving reminder that I am doing God’s work. 

In 2002, there was a gap between Thea Griffith and Thea Monyee.  I am pleased to announce that last night that gap officially closed. We are now one in the same. Reconciled unto our-self. And there is no end to the joy and promise in sight.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you. Whether you are a close friend or an admirer who is too shy to write, your energy replenishes my own, and our collective light shined through last night.

Love Always,

Thea Monyee