Life lessons | Tyra Garlington

Moments of Mindfulness: “Love in Action” with the late Congressman John Lewis and NPR’s Krista Tippett

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

First Corinthians 13: 4-8 says “Love is patient and kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. … Love never ends”. Wikipedia says, “Love is considered to be a positive and negative: with its virtue representing human kindness, compassion, and affection, as “the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another”; and its vice representing human moral flaw, akin to vanity, selfishness, and egotism, Author Glennon Doyle Melton expresses love as a message from God, and I quote: “When you were born, I put a piece of me in……
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Moments of Mindfulness: Daddy, where are you?

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Did you look under PROTECTION, adjacent to PROVIDER, close to KEEPER OF THE REMOTE CONTROL, disguised as SANTA CLAUS, within YOUR HEART? However, sometimes Daddy can only be found in a WARM, LOVING, and SPECIAL MEMORY. He moves around a lot. He has a lot to do when he is about his work. He hurts when you hurt, finds joy in your laughter, and wishes you all the blessings you deserve. He will answer to Daddy, Poppo, Pops, Dad, Papa, and even “Bald Mommy”. Whoever plays the role and earns the title of a father in your life is a……
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Moments of Mindfuless: For the exhausted and overwhelmed.

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Sometimes when I feel exhausted and overwhelmed about an inconvenient reality, I search for meaning or perspective or affinity in the thoughts of others. Last week I wandered into these words that worked for me. “Our belonging to each other can’t be lost, but it can be forgotten. The life-giving link between vulnerability and courage has been discovered in recent days of the uncomfortable, We must walk through this crisis of our life together because we can move beyond it: with strong backs, soft fronts, and wild hearts.” – Brené Brown “Not too long ago it was assumed that clean……
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Moments of Mindfulness: Everybody has one, many of us are.

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Although motherhood related celebrations have existed for thousands of years, it was President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 who officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the United States. Mother is our first intimate relationship, first friend, and teacher. She is created with special powers. She has eyes in the back of her head, can hear through walls, and can catch us before we fall. Her love is the launchpad for all kinds of promise. “Super-her-o” mother understands what her children do not say, makes a scraped knee better with a kiss, and gives hugs that last……
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Moments Of Mindfulness: Back to Normal?

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

So, today I am intrigued by the term “back to normal”. Apparently, a lot of folks are in a big hurry to get there. However, science tells us, humans experience time moving forward. Perhaps the answer lies beyond the words. Perhaps normal is code for what we knew, and back refers to when we were comfortable and in control? What do you think? Regardless, our nation’s normal contains a variety of inconvenient truths. We have veterans who fought to preserve our beautiful lifestyles living in homes made of cardboard. We have children who not only go to school to learn……
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Moments of Mindfulness: History is paying us a visit.

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

This week I received a not so gentle email reminder of the timeless nuance of history. It included newspaper clippings from the early 19th century. Women sat at typewriters working while wearing face masks and gloves. People gathered at a market to buy and sell necessities all wearing facial masks. Of course, I was drawn to the women’s picture- frame hats and how creatively they had fashioned a stylish face mask to wrap around the hat. If was also a reminder of our inconvenient truth of today. But alas, a light in the darkness! The poem “This is Timeless…” was……
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Moments of Mindfulness: In Times Like These

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Today, in my solitude, I wonder about us, you and me. It seems our biggest challenge is how to be here now. To survive, we may have to make room for the new. I’m not talking about cleaning out our closets, I am talking about the transformation of our minds. We can no longer be bound by yesterday. I found words from author Iyanla Vanzant, in her 2001 book, Faith in the Valley, echoing my perceived need for transformation. “As a result of this divinely ordered event, you are no longer held in hostage to what was. All dreams, goals,……
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Reflect, Restore, and Reposition with Brandon Cosby of OAR

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

JAIL is a result, event-driven, choice involved, power stripping, a visible shift. However, within the jail cell inside each inmate is the power of transformation. Transformation is process-driven, choice involved and resides internally. Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources, (OAR) is missioned to rebuild lives and create a safer community with opportunities, alternatives, and resources for justice-involved individuals and their families. OAR is a local non-profit restorative justice organization providing human services since 1971. Its history has its roots in the highest principles of human rights, and the most practical applications of a community’s enlightened self-interest and citizen action. Its origins can be……
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Were it not for those who care with Abigail Brougher

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

From an outsider’s perspective, it looked like “Santiago” was simply a rebellious kid. At Second Story for Teens in Crisis, however, counselors worked on getting to know him and learning why he was acting out. He opened up and the counselors were there for him, helping him rewrite the narrative for his future. When Timothy began attending Second Story’s Safe Youth Project he was struggling in school. The program coordinator worked to tutor him in the subjects he found especially challenging, and at the end of the school year he won an award for his hard work and progress! When……
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Sowing Seeds of Service above Self with Tonia Oldham

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

I love it when I get together, courageous enough to look and walk beyond words. Giving each other permission to expose gifts of imperfection without judgment. Frankly Speaking is our time and space to help, heal, educate, and encourage each other into the best version of ourselves no matter where we are in our journey. Our spiritual doggie bag this week includes a note from LOVE also known as God and as offered by author Glennon Doyle Melton and I quote: “Stop holding your breath. Breathe. There is enough. I have created an abundance of acceptance, attention, recognition, joy, peace, money,……
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