4 Great Father's Day Songs!!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!! You know, I get angry at least once on Father's Day. Not because of any frustrations in my relationship with my own father, but I feel a tingling all over my skin when people cheapen what Father's Day is really about.

Yes, we all understand that this day, like Mother's Day and other holidays, are commercial holidays to make money off our emotions (let's be real). But, it is nice to set aside a day to recognize the many wonderful and present fathers out here.

Instead of celebrating great dads, I often see many people flock to social media to lament about their no-good baby daddies, absent fathers, and mothers who had to be fathers too. I know this is a reality for many men and women in society today. I grew up in a single mom home and my dad was not always in the picture.

But, I choose not to bash my dad or any other man I know who may not have been a stellar father. Was my dad perfect? No. He did many things wrong. Instead of focusing on his shortcomings, I take time and remember the good times I have had with my dad. I remember the great advice that I have gotten from him as a teenager and adult. I focus on his good qualities instead of harping on the bad decisions he made in the past. And, I take time to call, text, and honor other fathers I personally know who are amazing.

To make a long story short, if you don't have anything nice to say today, then don't say anything at all!

Here is a list of 4 Great Father's Day songs I love!!

1) Chrisette Michele - "Your Joy"

2) Luther Vandross - "Dance with My Father"  *for those who have lost their dad*

3) Beyonce - "Daddy"

4) Will Smith - "Just the Two of Us"  *father to son song*

There are so many more, but these are my favorites. I hope you all have a great week!!

Love Dad,

- T. Amour

Alice Dunbar-Nelson and A Smooth Music Playlist

Hello dreamers, believers, and lovers of life! As I have said before, I have been very busy and I am "jumpin' in deep water with short legs" in just 6 days. For those who don't speak "country", I am getting married.

But, I didn't want an entire week to go by without dropping another selection by the amazing Alice Dunbar-Nelson as well as letting you in on a few songs I had lodged in my brain this week.

First, let's talk a bit of music. Lately, I have been a ticking time bomb, poised to explode with the slightest motivation. To shift my mindset from the stress of planning a wedding (I am a woman, in case you are wondering), I have been listening to mainly instrumental music and smooth R&B. Here is a couple of my favorite jams this week.

• The Crusaders - "Chain Reaction"
• Boney James - "After the Rain"
• Sade - "No Ordinary Love"   *A post for her will be coming soon...she is incredible*
• Amel Larrieux - "Gills and Tails"
• Duke Ellington and John Coltrane - "In A Sentimental Mood"
• Lauryn Hill - "Sweetest Thing"

I hope these songs relax you, bless you, and take your mind to a state of serenity :)

Now, for poetry. I have been reading a few of Alice Dunbar-Nelson's work this week. She was my featured poet last Monday ( Click Here for Previous Post ) and I wanted to share another piece of her literature with you. With Ms. Dunbar-Nelson, her poetry stands up and delivers its message clearly on its own. Enjoy!

Amid the Roses by Alice Dunbar-Nelson

There is tropical warmth and languorous life
Where the roses lie
In a tempting drift
Of pink and red and golden light
Untouched as yet by the pruning knife.
And the still, warm life of the roses fair
That whisper "Come,"
With promises
Of sweet caresses, close and pure
Has a thorny whiff in the perfumed air.
There are thorns and love in the roses' bed,
And Satan too
Must linger there;
So Satan's wiles and the conscience stings,
Must now abide—the roses are dead.

As you journey through this week, continue to focus on your goals and dreams. Don't let any person, any situation, or any obstacle stop you from making progressive movement! Have faith in yourself and your ability to take your talents and channel them through a positive outlet. And don't forget to reach out and help others in whatever way you can. When you help others, the universe returns the favor back to you. Positive karma is a plus!

Peace and Blessings,

-T. Amour

T. Amour's Poet of the Week - Alice Dunbar Nelson

In the midst of my hectic schedule lately, I have taken some time to dive into some great poetry. I often find myself drawn to poets from the Harlem Renaissance era, and my poet of choice this week played a prominent position in this pivotal movement.

Alice Dunbar-Nelson, the former wife of Paul Lawrence Dunbar (also an accomplished poet), was born free in the mid 1870s and was a fearless female in a time where fear was prevalent. She was a vocal siren for African-American rights, despite her mixed heritage which made her "not black enough" for her community but not fully accepted by the Caucasian community. 

When most Americans of all races didn't attend college, she received a degree. When most women didn't work outside the home, she did. She was determined to force her way into the male-dominated journalism field. And although she face her share of troubles, she never lost sight of what she wanted and who she was. A fearless female indeed!

My poem of choice by her this week is a collection of stanzas entitled "Impressions". These "mini-poems" briefly explore Dunbar-Nelsons sentiments about basic human emotions and concepts.I honestly don't have any earth-shaking revelations about this poem. It speaks for itself very clearly! Enjoy :)


"Impressions" by Alice Dunbar-Nelson

THOUGHT.
A swift, successive chain of things,
That flash, kaleidoscope-like, now in, now out,
Now straight, now eddying in wild rings,
No order, neither law, compels their moves,
But endless, constant, always swiftly roves.

HOPE.
Wild seas of tossing, writhing waves,
A wreck half-sinking in the tortuous gloom;
One man clings desperately, while Boreas raves,
And helps to blot the rays of moon and star,
Then comes a sudden flash of light, which gleams on shores afar.


LOVE.
A bed of roses, pleasing to the eye,
Flowers of heaven, passionate and pure,
Upon this bed the youthful often lie,
And pressing hard upon its sweet delight,
The cruel thorns pierce soul and heart, and cause a woeful blight.

DEATH.
A traveller who has always heard
That on this journey he some day must go, 
Yet shudders now, when at the fatal word
He starts upon the lonesome, dreary way.
The past, a page of joy and woe,—the future, none can say.

FAITH.
Blind clinging to a stern, stone cross,
Eyes shut, ears closed to earth's drear dross,
Immovable, serene, the world away
From thoughts—the mind uncaring for another day.
Or it may be of frailer make;
Eyes shut, ears closed to earth's drear dross,
Immovable, serene, the world away
From thoughts—the mind uncaring for another day.


I hope you all have a wonderful week! I look forward to posting more poetry about Alice Dunbar-Nelson this week and feature other poets from the past and present as well.


Keep up with me on social media! 


Twitter: @poetrymusiclife
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LovePoetryLoveMusicLoveLife

Love Poetry!!

-T. Amour

6 Songs to Put You in a Good Mood

I am grateful for everyday I am above ground. I hope you feel the same way! But, no matter how much we train our minds to be optimistic, we all have bad days. Life is not perfect and there are circumstances we have NO control over. As much as we hate to admit it...we are human beings and subject to error. So, on top of uncontrollable forces in our lives, we also stick our hand in the pot and often stir up more trouble for ourselves! *Sigh*

With all of the daily stressors in our life, we find ourselves viewing our existence in a dismal setting. However, you don't have to stay there! When I am feeling down, I do 3 things. I pray/meditate, I write down positive truths, and I listen to killer music!

For me, taking a few moments to do each of these things helps ease my mind about stressful situations. I cannot instruct you how to pray and meditate. You have to figure it out for yourself. And, only you know the positive truths about your life. But, I can give you a sample of the songs I listen to when I need a pick-me-up. 

*Warning: There are a couple of guilty pleasure songs on this list. Do not, I REPEAT, do not judge me!*

• Luther Vandross - "Bad Boy (Having a Party)" 
• First, Luther's voice makes me smile. He was a brilliant vocalist. Second, this song makes me want to dance and have a party. I mean an old school, back yard throw down in the country somewhere.
• Michael Jackson - "Beat It"
• Although any Michael song can go on this list, I do the dance moves when I am alone. I also play a mean air guitar. I'm not keen on Mike's strategy in the video to end gang violence....but I do want a sick red jacket.
• Mary J Blige - "Just Fine"
• This is another anthem in my life. No time for negativity! Love yourself and love your life!
• Natasha Bedingfield - "Unwritten"
• I told you not to judge me. Don't do it!
• Shania Twain - "Man (I feel like a Woman)"
• I know you know this song LOL! Shania has always been one of my favorite country stars. I love a woman who pushes the envelope and does things her way :)
• Will Smith - "Gettin' Jiggy With It"
• I have no excuse. I should feel ashamed for knowing all the words and doing the ridiculous dance that accompanies the song. But I don't. Na na na na na na naaaaaaa.

There is a huge compilation of  songs I could have on my list, but this post would be pages and pages long!! Perhaps a part two and three may come one day....

Love happiness,

-T. Amour

It's Your Time - Inspired by Mary Mary

For many of us, Memorial Day is the first holiday weekend of the summer season. We shed our winter clothes in exchange for brighter and lighter gear. We pull our grills out of the garage and fellowship with family and friends for good food, great laughs, and excellent memories.

But, on this weekend, we should take time to reflect on the millions who have fought and died for the liberties we enjoy today. These soldiers boldly sacrificed their lives FOR US. Whether you are for or against the agenda of the United States, know that they were engaged in a physical petition for your freedom.

As a person who believes in God and Jesus Christ, I also think about the ultimate sacrifice they made for us. If you think about it, Jesus Christ was the original soldier. He fought and WON the battle against evil forces to ensure that we can live our lives and live them more abundantly.

I realize some of you don't share the same faith. And that is okay. Whether you recognize Jesus Christ as a soldier for your spiritual freedom or if you understand the sacrifice military men and women have made for your natural rights, you know the true message. SOMEONE has DIED so you can be free! So, why are we holding ourselves in bondage??

My inspirational and motivational song is "Go Get It" by Mary Mary. You guys, when I say this is MY SONG, I mean this is MY SONG. Mary Mary is the most popular duo in contemporary gospel music today and I have been a huge fan since they came on the scene in 2000. "Go Get It" is their latest single and it packs a powerful message that can be summed up in three words: IT'S YOUR TIME!!!

*I do not own this video. All rights reserved to the respective owner(s).*

On this Memorial Day weekend, take inventory of your present situation and then begin a plan to get where you want to go. Don't worry about external forces, they are beyond your control! IT'S YOUR TIME! Don't wait another moment to begin to walk on the path that leads to your destiny. Remember, SOMEONE DIED so you can be free! Don't allow emotional and mental bondage to convince you otherwise. Your dreams and aspirations are possible, but you have to GO GET YOUR BLESSING!!

As we learned in elementary school, the word "go" is a verb. A verb is an ACTION word. So sitting around, complaining, and feeling sorry for yourself is not going to get you anywhere in life! The time you spend absorbing negative energy from your naysayers and seeking reasons to AVOID change are not beneficial. Use your time wisely because you can't get it back. :)

Don't wait and say "well, I will (insert goal here) when (insert lame excuse here)". For example, "Well, I will start my own business when the kids graduate high school." I am not trying so sound depressing, but we are on a continuous march toward death. If I were you, I would do it today. We were born to be awesome so go ahead and claim your birthright!

Let's make a pact together. From this day forward, we are taking control of our destiny and actively pursuing our purpose. We will visualize our victory and validate our visions by making a plan and putting it into implementation. We will make the most of our lives because someone died for our freedom. We won't give up...EVER!

It's Your Time,

-T. Amour