kerishe

[kerishe]

The lily

I lived in this season

Not so long ago

Being always open

To share beauty and light.

Exposed to realities unknown

Elements able to destroy and dim

Though the mind knew its risk

The spirit always hopeful

And the body - sacrificed.

The beauty of what lies within

Can never be hidden

Even if closed in darkness

Its purpose patiently waiting.

In time - It will spring forth

In time - Sweet melodies sing

In time - Your beauty revealed

In time - It will end.

[kerishe]

7 Lessons from Uncle Earl

1. Be careful of the company that you keep. - The story of what may have been the genesis of his illness will always be a reminder that the people we give access to our lives can also hurt us deeply… choose wisely.

2. Love your family, but love yourself too. - As much as we know his heart truly loved us, he really loved himself more. At many times he prioritized his own seemingly unimportant desires over the needs of others… which I have since grown to recognize is often necessary for self-care. You can’t pour from an empty cup!

3. Be persistent in asking for what you need. - If anyone knew Uncle Earl… they know what I mean… two words… phone cards!

4. Find your inner peace and do whatever you can to maintain it. - There was such a joy he felt in being free to do whatever he wanted and when he wanted to. I struggled in understanding what this looked like for someone who is suffering mentally… but I believe he lived, loved and laughed!

5. Give from a generous heart - At the core of his heart was the desire to share what he had… whether it be food, money or time… he made the effort to help others whenever they were down being fully mindful that others have and would continue to help him whenever he was down.

6. Be open to love no matter what! - From overcoming a divorce in his 20s to up to a few years ago planning to marry a 30 year old woman in his 60s… Admittedly I was shocked as to why and the sincerity of the situation, but he really seemed to care about her! Thankfully that did not work out as he planned! You see - Uncle Earl believed in companionship and always did what he thought was necessary to get it. Throughout my entire lifetime.. I’ve heard him talk about lots of women but there will always be that one lady from Slipe Road that was the true love of his life.

7. Mental illness is real - We live in a world where the stigma behind mental illness is truly disheartening… often uncle earl preferred to roam the streets in freedom rather than being locked up in a nursing home like a prison. I’ve always had a desire to create a better holistic space for Uncle Earl… but now that he’s gone… is the desire still the same?

No matter how much he cursed or offended me… I loved Uncle Earl from the very core of my heart. I remember him picking me up from prep school many times… and equally him showing up at school unannounced to get a message to my dad. It’s painful to know that our last interaction really did not end amicably… but I know Uncle Earl loved me and I am confident that I did my best to help him - esp during Covid! May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon him forever!

P.S.: Uncle Earl, I guess when u said you weren’t coming back in my car… God knew the real reason. Sleep with the angels my daddy’s baby brother - You will always be my favourite and I will always love you! Hail up my parents for me! I choose to remember the good times we shared and the initial joy on your face every time you saw me… even if it ended with you not always getting what you wanted! 💕

[kerishe]

To fully accept where you are going, you often need to remember where you are coming from. #TheDriveToThrive According to Facebook, it’s been 13 years since I really surrendered to God on this journey of faith. There were so many highs and so many lows, but all that has led me to where I am today! It poked me, hugged me, comforted me, awakened me, educated me, inspired me, transformed me, broke me, healed me and finally restored me. This 13 year journey formed me into the woman I am today and I can genuinely say that I LOVE HER! Extremely grateful and hopeful that this new chapter I’m stepping into will be a new level unlocked! #Purposedriven #Spiritled #JesusITrustInYou 🙏🏾❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CplndJoOeERv0_xHeBkhouKgT5sVVwRKBEp2zc0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kerishe]

What was sleep? It’s as if my spirit knew, Time was running out. Early morning plans to go to the doctor, Your weakened state so obvious, Just a foments later, You were no longer. To my dearest mommy: You fought an excellent fight! Your life and work have left us with some amazing insights into life, love and relationships. Your words have helped us all in being stronger, especially on the days when everything makes no sense. I will forever be grateful to God for actually knowing my mother who loved all, shared all and was all she could be! I know you’re in heaven shaking your head at many of the choices I’ve made… but hopefully… one day… like you… I’ll live my purpose with as much grace as I choose to receive from our God! #ControlChoiceChange An excerpt from a tribute I wrote for her funeral. “You do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow or at dawn or else He may find you asleep when He comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep Awake” (Mark 13: 35-37). CHOICE: Marcia, the Believer Control, Choice and Change - her theory on living, a holistic approach to life, inspired by her heart, developed by her mind while transforming her spirit. Marcia believed in making the emotional connection between all aspects of life, mental, physical and spiritual. An excerpt from an article she wrote “Touched by an Angel” sums up Marcia, the Believer: “Trust me, I was feeling some serious pain that caused me to be crippled with fear but not for long. I learnt that with God in my life I had experiential evidence that when you have fear you become numb and dead, and when you have trust you have a living faith in Jesus and become alive.” I want to also take this opportunity to apologize for not including Aunty Shellie who we all joked was her only true friend for years growing up. She saw mommy through so many different lens… from their trade union work, to church, to event planning and catering, to always supporting each other! You were a key part of her life, she loved you greatly and I am truly grateful for her having a friend like you who saw her through many dark times! Love u mom🌹 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkQgG4vOa46OWniKMUk8VRiyDHrQdCAZy0a8GI0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kerishe]

Day 1: Intentional

I drew closer to Jesus by attending Mass.

#Lent2022

[kerishe]

“Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭NRSV-CI‬‬ I have many gifts that I know are not being properly managed… primarily because of a lack of healthy boundaries in various areas of my life! It literally took me 33 years to recognize the importance of setting boundaries, and more importantly maintaining them. Be it family, friends, mentees, coworkers, random strangers… somehow I always cared more about making the other person happy and not fully evaluating how my choices would impact me. Very often I felt like the very people I wanted to help were actually using me and that I was unloved. The truth is 2021 broke me! I encountered the darkest, loneliest, and most confused season of my life… but it resulted in me rekindling old friendships, changing the dynamics of others, and sad to say, ending a few. I still have a lot to learn about creating and maintaining healthy boundaries and I want to challenge you to think about how u can create healthier boundaries in all your relationships for 2022 and beyond! My goal for 2022 is to #BeIntentional 🦋 Know the reason for your actions and stand behind them confidently! Cheers to a happy, healthy and intentional 2022 🥂 https://www.instagram.com/p/CYKyCjXu81KTPtLVxGRc3bCyMt8a_srmBBEzIU0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kerishe]

True freedom comes from being LOVE not LOVED!

There is one thing I love almost as much as much as love itself… Can you guess?

It’s butterflies 🦋😍🦋😍🦋😍

There’s just something about how they grow from squiggling on the ground to flying free in this world that not only excites me, but gives me hope. Hope that no matter how difficult things are when you’re down, no matter how dark things get in the cocoon, with time you will grow wings and fly wherever you desire!

I find the artistic expression in this image so powerful. The beauty of a branch in the shape of a heart with pieces emerging everywhere, the butterflies surrounding it as if though they’re coming from the heart itself. It leads me to reflect on this: “What’s coming from your heart?”

2021 has truly been a year of healing and growth. It’s been a year of creating healthy boundaries and breaking free from the toxic cycles and habits that have made me captive for way too long! It’s my time to break free of wanting to be loved by my family, friends, church brothers and sisters, mentees, coworkers, clients, partners, relationships and yes sometimes even strangers… all to embrace @beinglove.sh

#Advent2021 #HOPE #butterflies🦋

#Advent2021 #HOPE #butterflies🦋

[kerishe]

Stop and think to yourself: “Are my actions slowing killing my spirit? Am I so caught up in doing things my way that I can no longer see the best way, and not only for me, but all humanity? Am I truly alive?”. Every day we wake up with a new opportunity to let go of yesterday’s failures and align ourselves with something, Someone greater! Will you choose to be alive in Christ? #day2 #40daysofdiscipline #IgnitingChange https://www.instagram.com/p/CThXMZKAUwcDl4VXoousnE5y3oWLdowlqq0MjY0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kerishe]

Don’t allow yourselves to be distracted by youthful desires… learn to trust in the Divine Providence of an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient Father! Rise every morning committed to be the best version of you! #ControlChoiceChange #ThinkPrayDo #PerfectlyImperfect #BeingLOVE https://www.instagram.com/p/CTdCzConFUcKtVjheBUpzDwQkr16YbefcE-zpE0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kerishe]

Dear 21 year old Kerishé You won’t always have a family around you like you’re used to, you won’t get married to whom or when you thought, no kids before 30, and unfortunately no house on the hills by 33… but I really wanna encourage you to be grateful everyday for what you do have… no matter what!!! Life will have many twists and turns, you’ll lose loved ones, give your heart to some who won’t take care of it, but there’ll def be a few who will love you unconditionally! A few who love you despite the hot & cold, the confusion, the fear, the impulsive behavior, the seemingly never ending pain! These people are the ones you hold on to tight and will support you for a lifetime! These are the friendships worth fighting for! Goals: 1) Find healthy ways to express love and maintain healthy boundaries! 2) Don’t feel obligated to be too honest with everyone, save some for just you and Jesus! 3) Trust the healing process! You are a beautiful soul filled with so much more than you realize! You will set the world on FIRE! With all my love, 33 and grateful Kerishé ❤️🙏🏾 https://www.instagram.com/p/CTZtOq_MBk4VuvI15Y3AhYoc_SigJy8Ea5YHIk0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kerishe]

iSmile when I think @yesjamaicanice iPout when I remember it’s back to reality next week! Over the past 2 weeks I’ve come to accept that I still have so much to work on… but I’m now committed to try harder! Life’s not easy, especially when your only 2 sources of motivation are no longer around… but I’m learning not to take my blessings for granted and to always remember that I have a higher calling! #PurposeDriven #Inspire33 https://www.instagram.com/p/CSkwe7cAAKtUaK6tH4VqbmR3eHEw4MEU1KKwY40/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kerishe]

He wasn’t perfect, but he loved our family so much! I am truly forever thankful for having called you dad! Thank you for loving my mom, for my amazing siblings (and extended family) who despite our differences still choose to love so deeply. Thank you for being the best dad! I love you forever DH! Almost 15 years without you! Miss experienceing that “make everything better” smile! #RIP 💔 https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWE7uIBk39A0DH7DHcxE9bNS5NHVBTlpNXvz00/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kerishe]

There are often times when we need to go deeper in our self-knowledge , pray more fervently and tune out the many voices interfering with the most important One! In preparation for my celebrating 33 years of life this August, I’m going on a 3-months break from IG, FB, Tumblr and LinkedIn. I’ll still be contactable via WhatsApp during the hours of 8am - 8pm. Call me whenever if it’s urgent! Send your prayer intentions! 🙏🏾❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/COSTx9ZhLUSuiRVZtmhexHlUxnVL9MCl07yDPo0/?igshid=10p4nc285d7x8

[kerishe]

Fight It’s a struggle to do what’s right Not because He withholds wisdom Rather fear cripples our responses Separating us from doing His will Within our minds we fight day and night Toiling away at finding a rationale Our self knowledge can be our enemy If not directed by His love The heart always speaks truth Yet seldom do we live by its promptings A peace flowing over our entire being Surrendering to our belief in Him. Disobedience leads to a path of destruction Separation from the One who loves us most Disharmony with all of creation We must fight for a revolution! #ControlChoiceChange https://www.instagram.com/p/CN7Zs7mhM6YPTPqZcOQeg1O7p0YZ1GEDYgUoZs0/?igshid=95450msjnzpj

[kerishe]

Home is waiting

We live in a world

where love is not loved

Inner peace not peaceful

And hatred not hated.

This is not our home.

A world full of deception

No longer teaches us truth

A world full of anger

No desire to avoid war.

This is not our home.

The sadness of our eyes

Trembling in our speech

Duplicity of our actions

Leads us away from Your peace.

This is not our home.

Minds unaware of true reality

Clueless about consequences of one's actions

Confused by passion vs. reasoning

Trapped by intense inner turmoil.

This is not our home.

To free our minds

To embrace His truth

To walk in His will

To become LOVE for the other.

Home is waiting.

[kerishe]

There is a part of every person,

Who sees the wrongs they’ve done,

The part that fears they won’t belong,

The part that fears no one can love.

But You oh Jesus see all our wrongs,

And still choose to pour out Your blood,

You give us a Peace that is so Great,

Peace that fills us with Your grace!

Never ever have I known,

Any love so pure and true.

All my days I will trust in You,

For You alone are my hope!

#Shalom

[kerishe]

*11 truths about me* Inspired by a conversation last night, I’ve decided to share with you the real me... not just the part of me confident in my identity as a beloved daughter of God! 1) I really love God, but not enough to always be faithful 2) I am a mentor because I value the mentoring I’ve received 3) I miss my family everyday, both the ones in heaven and the ones all over the world! 4) I have a roommate because I hate being alone 5) I desire my own family but God hasn’t sent my Boaz. 6) I hate dating... so please don’t waste my time or energy! Be intentional and court me! 7) I struggle with the concept of men and women being just friends, but I am equally committed to proving my dad wrong! 8) My need for intimacy makes me struggle with chastity more than I acknowledge 9) I love my career and I consider it a blessing from God (God help me this busy season) 10) I love being around people but I always need enough alone time to recover! 11) I doubt my ability to be a good friend and am constantly reassessing the role of most people in my life because I also doubt theirs! #11Truths #Shareyoutruths https://www.instagram.com/p/CKqwngZhN_WZdrga-K307eX-HFOZOHFJbtQmas0/?igshid=4j4mll3cumeg