A Must See Film: Two Distant Strangers by Travon Free

 

Two Distant Strangers is a 2020 Academy Award winning short film written by Travon Free.  As of June 2023, the film is streaming on Netflix.  Even though the running time is only 32 minutes long, the short film tells a fully developed story and leaves a lasting impact for days after viewing. Two Distant Strangers explores relatable themes about power, free will, control, déjà vu, police brutality and racism. Why are these types of stories important and need to be seen?  In his article, How Stories Change the Brain, Paul Zak states “…stories are an effective way to transmit important information and values from one individual community to the next.”  Let’s discuss….

March is Women's History Month

In the United States, March is a month designated to celebrate the contributions of women in society. Traditionally, women were not given the same privileges and benefits as men. For an example, it was not until the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 that women had the right to vote.  The Equal Opportunity Act of 1972 prohibits employment discrimination against women, and other minorities.  However, according to the Pew Research organization in 2022, women earned on an average 82% of what men earned. Women continue to make inroads into traditionally male dominated careers such as accounting, engineering and actuarial science, even though most leadership positions in these careers are still held by men. We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. Let's discuss...

Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays: Born to Rebel and Be a Hero

Morehouse College’s A Candle in the Dark Gala is an annual fundraiser for Morehouse College, a private historical black men’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, whose mission is to “develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.” At the Gala, the Bennie Awards, named in honor of Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, were presented to distinguished alumni. Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays (August 1, 1894-March 28, 1984) served as the sixth president of Morehouse College from 1940-1967.  Dr. Mays was also a Baptist Minister, a civil rights leader, and a trusted advisor to presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Jimmy Carter. How did the son of former slaves rise above challenges to become a revered leader and scholar? Dr. Mays' successful life was primarily due to prayer, dedication and elements of the Hero’s Journey.  Let’s discuss…

Phases and Stages: A Look At Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development - Part One

                                                                      

Courtesy of Chegg Stages of Psychosocial Development

Happy Spring! Nature has a recurring cycle of four seasons - winter, spring, summer and fall.  As such, in my community, now is the time to plant seeds for a fall harvest, watch flowers bloom, and enjoy summer weather in a few months.  Gardening is a step-by-step process. First you till the soil, then you plant the seeds, water the seeds and hope for the best. Some seeds grow only in specific climates.  Gardening is sowing and reaping; Everything happens in stages. Likewise, human personality development progresses in stages, as well according to some theories.  Recently, I researched Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development which broadened my outlook.  Let's discuss…..

A Poem Analysis: Songs for the People by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

 

                                       Frances Ellen Watkins Harper - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Poems express the trials and triumphs of the human condition with picturesque imagery, relatable metaphors, intense emotions, melodic rhythms and sounds. My love for poetry began in elementary school. I fondly remember reciting and performing the narrative poem, "In the Morning"by Paul Laurence Dunbar for an elementary assembly program about the Harlem Renaissance. Memorizing all 108 lines of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe was challenging for a 7th grader, but I still remember some of the lines today. As an adult, I enjoy the poetry of Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Lucille Clifton, among other poets. You will regularly find me reading original poems at open mics and virtual poetry readings. Recently, I discovered the poet Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911) when I did a random #poetry search on Facebook. In 1859, Ms. Harper's The Two Offers was published in the Anglo-African Magazine, which is believed to be the first short-story ever published by an African-American writer.  Known as the "Mother of African-American Journalism," Ms. Harper was a prolific writer, abolitionist and speaker. Her poetic topics include slavery, religion, civil rights and peace.  Let's discuss Ms. Harper's beautiful poem, "Songs for the People"...

What is Trauma? An Overview of Waking The Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine with Ann Frederick

Knowledge is power. When I started Synchronicity Revealed-Inspired Writings, my purpose was to share and inspire.  Thanks for going on this journey with me. After three years, my mission continues, even though my topics have expanded beyond analyzing the Hero's Journey and the philosophies of Carl Jung to include book reviews. Recently, I pondered on the impact of trauma on the human experience. At the library, I discovered Waking The Tiger: Healing Trauma by Dr. Peter A. Levine with Ann Frederick, which describes trauma from a mental and physical perspective. Let's discuss…

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene: An Overview

In a previous post, "Lessons Learned from Little Red Riding Hood and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs", we discussed Little Red Riding Hood, a fairy tale about a cunning wolf and a naïve young girl.  Unfortunately, this story is not just a children's cautionary tale.  It is not uncommon for adults to be conned, manipulated or lied to for various reasons. After experiencing a perplexing social interaction, a relative suggested I read The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. The book can make you laugh, cry and seriously be concerned about the state of humanity. However, it is worth a read.  In the Acknowledgements section of the book, Robert Greene says,

"Finally, to those people in my life who have so skillfully used the game of power to manipulate, torture, and cause me pain over the years, I bear you no grudges and I thank you for supplying me with inspiration for The 48 Laws of Power."

Let's discuss….