The Sole's Delight

So now that my creative juices are fully flowing, I decided to design a sneaker for the fellas. A shoe that I would get turned on if my man were wearing it. The more I get into this process, the more excited I become. When I designed the One Mic sneaker, I heard the Nas song in my head, Nas being my number one favorite hip hop artists. I think his work is a pure art form. These sneakers are a great mix of an old school structure with a mature color pallet. These are what's up!

In the short period of time that we have in this physical realm, many of us are searching for the meaning and purpose as to why we are here. We hope to find people and activities that make us happy. To the become the soul's manifestation of joy in our small piece of the world. You may be reading this wondering, "what is she talking about?" I'll be honest and say that I don't completely know. I have a feeling. Actually, I have several feelings that compel me to do many things at once. I work. I teach. I write. I am a mother. I take care of a home. I am a spouse. I am an SGRho. I am all these things and yet I feel compelled to do and be more.  I am learning to live my life in the realm of endless possibility. If God has given me the opportunity and the energy then I should use them when I have them. With all the nouns and verbs that I just used to describe what I do, I am still striving to do more. Why? Because I can... because what else should/would I do? Our th...

I don't make new year's resolutions. I set goals every  year and revisit them throughout the year. When my goals begin to reappear from one year to the next, that's my signal that I am losing focus and falling off. This year I choose to revisit my creativity. I used to write every day. I had designs for new shoes. I danced. I fed my passion and that nurturing sustained me. Creativity unfortunately had become like prayer for me. I only engaged in it when I was hurting and needed healing and comfort. Now my every day thoughts are my prayers, meaning I don't make it a ritual instead it is a passion. So should be my creative expression. Don't get me wrong this year I took on new challenges. I taught two classes on two campuses, I had the adjustment of a new baby. I had to reestablish my presence at work. Now it is time to balance the professional and the passion.  As I taught my business classes this semester, I attempted to impress upon my students that regar...

Today is quiet. I am sitting in my childhood room, in my bed with my son, looking at the funeral of Officer Liu on television,  reading the posts about Stuart Scott's passing from cancer and having an weird feeling of quiet at the similarities of both men to my father. My day died from a fierce battle of cancer at the young age of 50. Stuart Scott was 49. My dad was a court officer, less than 5 years on the job. He loved his job and his fellow officers loved him. Watching the funeral on TV reminded me so much of the NY court officers lined up down the hall and out to the street of my dad's funeral. My heart goes out to the families of both men. My heart goes out to my own family as I remember my father. It gets better as time goes on but you don't miss your loved ones any less.

Even though I have been a mother for over ten years, something about this pregnancy scares me. I'm not worried about the baby being healthy or being able to take care of my new little girl. I know how to feed, dress and bathe her. I have an idea of what schools to send her to and where to take her for medical care. But what really scares me, is this time I KNOW... I don't have the excuse of saying "I didn't know because I'm a new mom." I know how certain movies and music may affect her. I know that her dad and I are a model for the relationships he will grow up to have. I know the affects of my decisions will give her certain questions and feeling later on. As I move into the pre-teen stage with my ten year old, I see how what I didn't know is translating into her thoughts and ideas. I'm of saying that she is emotionally crippled or mentally traumatized by the choices I made when she was baby. I am saying that now that I know better I can do better. ...

Over the past weeks, I have lamented over some things happening in my life. I came home tonight, ready to relax just as I always do, hoping to find a quiet place to relax and fall asleep. I turned on Joel Osteen and he said "If you can't be positive, at least be silent." Trying to work through the pain of betrayal and disappointment, I had been speaking about to my friends about what I'm going through. But Joel reminded me that the power of life ad death is in the tongue. In seeking comfort, I actually brought melancholy into my mind and spirit, overlooking the miracles and blessings that surround me every day. My darkest moments have been the birthing ground for my greatest victories. Imani and her little sister are my life changing blessings and accomplishments in the midst of trouble. I am thankful to God for the word that he is given me this night. I needed the renewal of my spirit and mind and the reminder that I HAVE to speak faith and love into my life. He ha...

    The prospect of having a new miniature version of myself, it exciting lol. My first baby girl likes looking good, but hates to shop. She prefers karate over dance and zombies instead of love stories. (Maybe she not totally a miniature version of me LOL) In any event, maybe this little one will share my love of shoes and own the stage (like her mother did once upon a time!) As I wrap my head around the fact that I will be bringing another beautiful African American woman into this world, I draw on the knowledge and experiences that I shared with my mother. I really wish she was here to be part of this process with me. I try to tell my daughter about her but it's just not the same. God has blessed me with sorors, family and friends who surround my girls and I with love and loyalty and I couldn't ask for better women in my life. So as I get closer and closer to the moment of her arrival, I prepare in the way that I only I know how. I buy shoes!! ...

I don't know if I can call it writer's block. It's more like my voice has been temporarily silenced as I work through my journey. It's hard to share what you don't know how to express. This year will literally birth joy and pain. Either way I am blessed with the experience. But, how do you explain the pain behind your smile or the joy behind your tears when you only feel it and don't quite understand it? For the first time in a long time, I don't know what my plan is. I am taking it day by day. I can't see the vision of my end goal and although it doesn't scare me, I am not comforted by this state.   I am having a baby, without my mother. How do you do that? How do you become a mother without your mother? I truly can't describe this space and in many ways I can't fathom it. It can be a lonely process because no once can fill the space of my mom. So although I travel my journey faithfully I am not sure I walk with confidence. In my attem...

As the weather begins to turn and I look forward to another spring and summer, I have mixed emotions. I am always excited about being out in warm summer nights, the energy of the city, all the events going on and of course... my birthday celebration. However, this will be my first life celebration without either one of my parents. It will also mark the first anniversary of the passing of my mother and best friend. Every morning I wake up thankful and with much cause to be happy. When I think about that fact that one day my mom literally just did not wake up, I fight the urge to allow my chest muscles to tighten and just breathe. You here about those things in the news or CSI episodes, but never did I imagine something so unexplainable and unfathomable would happen to someone I love so dearly. This last 10 months have been an exercise in faith, trust, release, and acceptance. Proud at the fact that I am able to wake up and smile over what I have while still hurting over what I...

A poem came to me today and it goes a little something like this: Today the universe spoke to me It I heard promise and hope My spirit has been recognized Validation is mine Mr. Could be Right is knocking at my door Mr. Never Been Right is the same evermore Mrs. Know Your Place is still lost Ms. Second place is always lurking behind corners But I am here Better Stronger Wiser More Lovely than ever before What's my name?

The funny thing about having a dream is that you have to put in the work to make it a reality, even when you don't see anything happening. What makes it even harder is that the people around you are watching, eagerly awaiting your failure with as much enthusiasm as celebrating your potential success. Everyone has to pay dues and sacrifice certain comforts to get what they want. I am no exception. I am early in this process and I find myself getting frustrated more than I expected but it's all good. Successful do what others are not willing to do (or so they say). Today's post has been my personal self-motivation session. For all the friends, family and sisters I have, sometimes I still need an intimate cheering section. So intimate in fact that it's just me. So my internal voice is pushing me forward in my pursuits of the vision.

The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary defines Evolution as "a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state : growth (2) : a process of gradual and relatively peaceful social, political, and economic advance"   We are ever-evolving, ever-changing beings. Life is a process and a journey. I am sure we have heard this before but to really grasp the concept of managing (as much as is in your control) your journey through life and always maintaining the attitude of gratitude is a HUGE. Anywho, I have committed to writing an entry every day to document the process of designing my shoes and the concept of evolution came to mind. I started out just with a love, documenting the shoes that I had or wanted to purchase. The stories turned into this blog, which is my external self therapy. The blog turned into the Facebook page with a challenge of finding the most visually stimulating shoes that I could find. The Fac...

Today's thought is all about construction and building. Taking elements from my thoughts and experiences and creating something new and beautiful. I chose this bootie because the lines are clean, the structure is solid, the colors and form are simple yet elegant. I feel like this the stage in which I am. On my road to doing what has been done but in only a way in which I can do it, I am starting from scratch. Teaching mysely how to sketch, studying designers and all types of shoes, I am a student of the craft. I look forward to developing new skills and refining my eye. Work In Progress...

On this first day of the year, everyone is very optimistic about the promise of 2012. I am no exception. This will be my first year without my ace (Mom) and my rock (Dad). I don't feel alone, but I am stepping out to manifest the passions within. Life should be a celebration of freedom, purity and joy. Rather than make a resolution, I choose to follow my goal of turning my life into my own celebration. When my parents died, I cried but not for long. Through faith and love I know they have transcended this world are ever present with our higher power. I can't be sad about that. It brings me more than comfort to know they are at peace, it makes me happy. I am part of their purpose and I hope that I can touch lives as powerfully as they have.

Brian Tracy said, "Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines." Keeping with this mantra, I will chronicle my journey to my dreams. One of the jewels that I have gotten out of my personal development reading is the idea that you must take action to achieve your goals. Even the smallest steps taken consistently every day will bring forth an outcome. (As will taking no step at all) To begin this chronicle, I have started with a focus on the vision. The Bible says "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18) What is my vision? In order to clearly see what I want, I need to remove the fear and doubt. The best way that I could figure how to do this was to find out who had already done what I am trying to do and understand what they did to get there. Step 1 - RESEARCH So I researched African American Shoe designers and found a great article which inspired me and left clues to what I need to do next. http://madamenoire.com/107925/9-african-ameri...

It's funny how we are called upon to decide our future at an early age, when we know little about who we are and what we want (at least that seems to be the case for most people). With each year that passes, I gain more clarity as to what it is I really want to do with my life and I am a ripe age of 31! LOL I must admit that it is a lot easier to take the traditional, cookie-cutter route and follow paths that have already been paved. The road is much smoother and somewhat easier to navigate. At the encouragement of my godfather, who is an erie mix of my mother and father, I am obsessed with pursuing my dream of having my own shoe line. Why would I do such a crazy thing now? I have a decent job, a house, a child, I'm back in school... everything in my life seems to be moving along rather smoothly. So why stir it up with a brand new project? I honestly don't know. It just feels like the right thing to do. I can't deny that I am a little freaked out at the idea of movi...

This has been an extremely challenging year for me. However the beauty of the challenge is in the triumph. I am still here. I am so greatful for all the wonderful people in my life and not to sound boastful but I am greatful for who I am. Many people would truly crumble under the weight of greiving not one but both parents in a span of 5 months. Although I do miss them imensely my spirit it joyful for them both. I know JonEvelyn Gainey and Lester C. Liburd are in heaven at peace in the presence of our heavenly Father. What more could I want? I do long to hear there voices and see their faces again but I am so comforted by the relationships we had and so proud of the people they are. I am Lauren Courtney Liburd because of them. :-) So although I get lonely and may even start to ask why things happened the way they did, I can't help but smile every day because I am here. My family is strong my loved ones are present in my life. My friends are abundant and my prayers are hea...

I am a boisterous river I am a mountains story I am a quiet feeling I am a fragrant flower I am a moonlit evening I am a peaceful night I am a writers thinking I am a wealth unfathomed And if you don’t recognize my presence, I am here And if you don’t recognize me, I am here I am a source of power I am excited journey I am the rock of patience I am a whisper singing I am unbridled freedom I am the thought from thinking I am a love unshattered I am the great orgasm And if you don’t recognize my presence, I am here And if you don’t recognize my presence, I am here And even if you don’t recognize me, I‘m still here And even if you don’t recognize me And even if you don’t recognize me, I‘m still here And even if you don’t recognize me, I am, oh, I’m still here Even if you don’t recognize me, I’m here, I’m here, I’m here - Jill Scott                    ...

I haven't really felt like writing much lately. My heart just hasn't been in it. Even though I obviously look at shoes, I have not had the heart to totally indulge in my passion in a while. I guess sometimes when you lose something special to you, it makes everything seem lessened. I do miss my mother so very much. I would love to hear her voice again. But I can speak to her, I will allow her love to speak through me until I find my own voice again. I chose these Louboutin boots because I think reflect this place in my life. The look like remenants of spring with bloom and blossom, but black and cold, wrapped in an elegant package. This season can still be worn with style. These boots reflect my current state of being. I am enjoying my life and having fun the way I should but I am also mourning the loss of beauty and friendship, long conversations and  laughter.  I feel like me but a little more hollow, not quite comepletely full. It's hard to press forward sometimes, i...

This weekend I went skydiving and it was amazing. I felt as though I was literally floating among the clouds. Time stood still a for a moment I experienced pure joy. I the was my first experience of pure positive white light since my mother passed away two weeks ago. I could feel her and I felt like I was getting a view of the world from her perspective. I spoke of her with my instructor during my entire decent back down to earth. I can't begin to describe the range of feelings and emotions I have had over the last two weeks. I hear her voice and I see her face. Last night I started texting her and was heart broken when I realized she wasn't going to answer back (at least not in that way). I miss her in a way I have never known possible, and yet I feel like I am never alone. She is always with me. I didn't expect to know life without her until I was old an gray.  She was my best friend.  I chose this Brian Atwood shoe for this post because it is simple, yet sassy, sexy ...