Life throws curves every day. How well we dodge them, depends on how strong our “mental legs” are. Let me say . . . this is not a video. It is a chord that gets you to jump out of you seat! Now that we have cleared that up . . . let’s get on with the article.
“Walking uphill in life strengthens your legs to jump over hoops” is a slogan for the ups and downs of the human experience. Life is a series of events, some pleasurable, others unpleasant. But . . . each occurrence can serve as an opportunity for growth, if used appropriately. Each of us must decide whether to drown in life’s challenges or be inspired and swim to the shore of opportunity.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
During the 1970s and 80s, Shirley Washington Then was “blazing her trail” on the Hollywood Scene as an actress. Young, energetic and feisty, she was making sure no one left her behind! Shirley appeared in several movies and TV shows. Among them: Mission Impossible as a stewardess; Maggie in Wonder Woman; Travel agent in The Puppet; Theda in Darktown Strutters and Mrs. Jefferson in Bamboo Gods. She also starred in a film called Disco. Did Shirley Washington Then have other talents?
Shirley the Dancer
This writer knew Shirley Washington Then…but had no idea what hidden talents she had. Here’s an example of one:
Wow! Now that Shirley has revealed her talent as a dancer, let’s explore her history and discover other talents. In the following video, her talk show ability is questioned and challenged.
Darktown Strutters
According to Wikipedia, Darktown Stutters was a musical comedy about four (4) female gang bikers named Syreeno, Carmen, Miranda and Theba (Shirley). A synopsis of the storyline reveals numerous episodes that challenge one’s ability to determine the movie’s plot. The sequence of events as described by Wikipedia, did not allow this writer to follow the story. The focus of the movie simply eluded me. I have no idea what the writer was trying to achieve, nor the message he was seeking to deliver. Therefore, you are directed to Wikipedia for your own personal “read.”
However, from Shirley’s perspective, let’s recognize that launching an artistic career is not easy, and can lead to accepting roles that successful actresses may not choose. Ms. Washington was not born with a “silver spoon in her mouth,” and receives high marks for her courage, determination, tenacity and ingenuity for getting the roles she received. Hooray Shirley!
Shirley Washington Now. . .
What is Ms. Washington doing these days? She spends much of her time traveling between her apartment in Los Angeles and home in Las Vegas to musical events. Hearsay says . . . she is still very much involved in the music industry–setting up and negotiating contracts for clients’ musicals, plays, book deals and musical events. That is . . . when she is not “flying and cruising” from one country/continent to another with longtime friend and Motown Songwriter Eddie Holland. Hometown Detroit also welcomes her for special Motown events.
Recently, Shirley attended an event in L.A. that honored friend Smokey Robinson and Motown Mogul Berry Gordy. Some of the attendees are shown in the photo below:
Whether you are looking at “Shirley Washington Then” or “Shirley Washington Now,” the picture will be crystal clear, progressive, busy and spectacular! And . . . you will not need a magnifying glass!
I have a habit of reading daily at a deep level. Actually, I “study-read.” What does that mean? It means I read a passage, think about it, apply it to a present or past situation. Often in so doing, I get to correct my thinking about something or someone. The above quote resulted from doing just that. Life is always dealing us blows. We can stand and take them on or duck. Lately, I take them on. But… I must admit I have done a lot of ducking!
The death of my daughter was one I took on. And because of that, I grew both mentally and spiritually. It was a time of deep soul-searching–a time of guilt and grief.
LOSS OF GRIEF
Regrettably, life throws curves like guilt and grief. Grief says, “Woe is me,” and guilt says, “What did I do to deserve this?” Neither can strengthen your legs to combat the curve balls. Grief is founded on the idea that you lost something. So, you say, “What did I lose?” Answer: “Your daughter, stupid!”
Over the years, I turned that remark into “loss is gain.” With each layer, I began to understand that life is like a rose, it unfolds day-by-day. Also, I gained the understanding that life is the divine activity of thought, not a physical structure. Divine thinking brings “light.” Human thinking brings darkness. The great thing is, we can choose which pathway to follow. It isn’t easy . . . but it can be done. With that knowledge, the only thing I lost was the darkness of thought. Got you thinking, didn’t I?
LIFE THROWS CURVES OF FREEDOM
Freedom from the curves that life hurdles at us, is the goal we strive for. It can be achieved through self-determination, self-government and self-direction. The key to this is recognizing who the “self” really is. There is only one “Self “and that is God. Keeping that at the forefront of your thought . . .and you will always be able to not only “take on” life’s challenges . . . you will be able to master them.
Oh . . . the beautiful little girl in the picture is Dakota Rose . . . Meta Rose’s granddaughter.