Kaysha Sahai Reid

Happy Sunday

God is good. Enjoy!

p.s. If this song doesn't at-least produce a shoulder move, then I guess we just don't vibe :-) Remember, never stop dancing, loving and seeking the truth. ♥

Nurturing Creativity

"Responsibility is what awaits outside the Eden of Creativity."

- Nadine Gordimer

I always had this knowing that I could draw. For some reason, I knew, like I knew, like I knew, way before that day I actually sat down for the first time to put that pencil to the paper. I can honestly say that it was also no shock to me when I was able to actually look at my work for the very first time, several years later.

Basically, to make a long story short, I had to learn to let go of my own agenda, in order to tap into my true Christ-rooted self. Not just as an artist or a writer, but, more importantly, to embark on the transformational process that leads to a realization of the new self. In fact, now I truly understand that the Lord wanted me to be still enough to not only know what has been conceptualized as truth, but to also walk in it.

So, needless to say, God is the author of creativity. We are the mere vessels that bring forth His will and purpose. And I know I am most certainly not alone in this gracious experience, filled with growing pains...this journey of creativity.

Now, if somehow you have never taken much time to acknowledge the vision you have been given; and find yourself existing with an untapped knowing about yourself...whatever it is, I dare you to surrender, be still and in the words of Nike, “just do it!” Because I can tell you, it is not going anywhere. It is still there, right where it has always been, just sitting inside of you...waiting...waiting for you to give Him the glory He so greatly deserves.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

Be well and God Bless,

Kaysha Sahai Reid

Did Mammy Know Her Worth?

“It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Mammy is a woman to which we are all familiar. Did she have a deep and pure awareness of her self-worth? Self-worth is defined as "the opinion you have about yourself and the value you place on yourself."

And she is not just a character. To some, she is quite familiar - whether in passing, in our own families/households or even by a similarity we often sense within ourselves.

Literature and film have depicted this woman for years - "an idealized figure of a caregiver: amiable, loyal, maternal, non-threatening, obedient, and submissive." Sometimes she was even characterized as sassy. But the strength of this character, despite her native origin, I believe, transcends race...because the message defies any physical interpretation.

In fact, throughout the years, there has been so much controversy surrounding "Mammy." Many resent her appearance, seemingly subservient behavior and just who she was - a maid. Some have even questioned where her loyalty really lied. But, if we are willing to look beyond her obvious features, behavior or even her occupation; it is there that we will encounter her significance.

First of all, this woman was most times religious. She kept the name of "Jesus" in our consciousness, when we either hadn't yet received His salvation or were just too lazy to seek Him for ourselves. And whenever we arrived at her doorstep, clearly bruised by the realities of the world, she fed our hearts, souls and bodies with the purest love she knew.

Most of all, Mammy was our physical witness of a woman, who regardless of what was going on around her or how she was being perceived, she managed to have a smile on her face. A woman whose knowing and identity came from a place that no human being could touch...a secret place where only she and her God reside.

About Who?

Welcome! My name is Kaysha Reid. I encourage individuals through the basics of meditation and stillness to seek greater work-life balance and well-being.

I usually don't like sharing about myself. And yet, there are people who would probably beg to differ :-)

Okay, so I am a Canadian-born, West Indian bred, child of God. My parents are Jamaican, and needless to say, I have spent a lot of my life on that beautiful Caribbean island. Though, as it stands today, I have lived more years of my life here in the United States than anywhere else. And so for many colorful and growing pain experiences, this is genuinely where I call home.

I currently live in Central Florida, where it is sunny and somehow really peaceful. I am pretty much a homebody, who does like the occasional concerts and travel, and despite specific goals, I generally wouldn't change anything about it. Much the serious and conscientious worker, I also enjoy cooking for the people I love, a good laugh (King of Queens' Author Spooner's rants are just comedic genius.), a good movie, and reading. Still, crosswords and writing are my happy place.

Yet, it wasn't always that way... I have been that young woman who was consistently searching outside of herself. Only to one day discover that what I needed was already within reach. I understand this so much now, that I can even be a little stubborn at times (I'll admit it). And of course, there is just something that happens after you turn 40! Somehow those little things you gave a lot of energy to, just don't matter any more... I can truly say that joy and peace are no longer distant strangers.

So, what is this blog about, you say? Well, Stillness and Me-Time is a scrapbook. But, mostly it is a space of possibilities—complete with proper relaxation and tools that can be integrated into one’s me-time and quiet study. Yet this is with the goal of maintaining greater work-life balance and well-being.

I hope you will find something here that is useful. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Be well and God Bless,

Kaysha Sahai Reid

"How Great Thou Art"

This is one of my favorite hymns. As a child, I often woke up to my grandmother singing this in the early morning; this along with the smell of fried dumplings or whatever she was cooking up for us :-). To be honest, she was my first exposure to Christ and the Holy Spirit. Her peace was infectious.

Here is (in my opinion) one of the most powerful renditions below:

Mindfully Seeking

She sets out to find,

and falls on an unrelated cause within.

Observing gems in her own unchartered spaces,

now she gazes not on the faces, just our heavenly chases.

She finds order.

Taking the path she is renewed and strengthened.

Never tired,

she can run and be quiet,

while patiently learning its stay.

Studying to mature in its grace, mercy and forgiving,

hopeful, not elevated, is this seat of now living.

From the Upcoming Book, "Mindfully Seeking."

Available soon.

Check-out some of my other publications:

https://www.kaysahaidesigns.com/publications/

"She's Got Her Ticket" by Tracy Chapman

I used to study dance and perform with a dance group for several years back in the day. It's funny, but we have done numerous performances (and plays), and if you ask me what were all the songs or routines I wouldn't really be able to tell you; yet, that's with the exception of one. All were phenomenally choreographed by our instructor, but our most memorable performance for me was to the song "She's Got Her Ticket" by Tracy Chapman. I still get goose bumps whenever I hear this song, and I heard it just now.

Anyway, what I have to say is this: Choose to embrace your God given freedom to just BE. This is something I have learned to embrace over the past few years, and I can't tell you how necessary this to one's well-being. This just carries more reward than trying to live by other's expectations.

The Call is Worthwhile

There's a plumber that has been to my home about three times within the past three years. The last time was a little before the pandemic hit and the first time he came I was at the time in a deep season of prayer. That day, he came to fix the sprinklers, but I never could have anticipated the shift.

He is a very serious man of very little words. I am assuming he is in his sixties. At first his demeanor though me off a bit, until I realized this enormous sense of peace coming from him. As he walked around and worked on the sprinkler, I was thinking to myself, this man knows Jesus. Each time, he came to explain something to me, he got a little friendlier and friendlier, but still very serious... and can I mention his dry humor? That man makes me laugh... What was also clear to me was that this is something he most likely does on every job. Yet yesterday in my weekly online sermon, that it all came together for me. the topic was peace and the Pastor mentioned that Jesus told his disciples to So its clear that not only was he a skilled plumber and business man, but his jobs were also his ministry. He knew his worth.

A lot of times when we speak of knowing ones' worth, we think of the monetary value or notoriety associated with our skills and gifts, However, there is another value that we must honor, and that is our day-to-day walk. God has definitely shown me this over the years. For instance, when I wrote my first book, I sent it to a few people and friends and they gave their feedback. Overall, the response was good. I remember also after it was posted on Amazon, most of my responses would come by email, especially after I did one of those free book offer days. Women from all over would write and tell me how much they relate to my story. At first, I would thank them and engage in a little exchange and then kindly ask if they would leave a review for the book on the page. I did it about three times and then one day I felt something within me saying, "Stop that! That book was not given to you for your own recognition, it was given to you to help other people." And man, did I learn, because I am not going to lie to you, my head started to swell a bit and I did loose sight of why the book was written. God showed me a level of humility to which I am so grateful for today. Now this is not say that people who have written books and have recognition, especially Christian authors, are not humble. For I am sure many have paid their dues and earned God's trust to carry out His mission. However, not everybody has a call to be highly recognizable. It doesn't mean that one person is better than the other, but your call is your call and we have to be grateful for it regardless.

Yet, I know there are definitely times when people don't operate quite at the level where God wants them to be due to fear, etc... but we are living in a time when we think that people are not doing anything worthwhile unless they are appearing a certain way. And I know a lot of times these people don't necessarily mean any harm. I've learned that sometimes we tend to put a pressure on others that we would put on ourselves, which I get. I definitely have had my fair share of judging others based on my own vantage point.

However, the only appearance we need to concern ourselves with is God's unique path for us. What you need to be assessing every now and then is whether there is truly progress every time you place one foot in front of the other, because the goal is to keep pressing forward. Also, never forget that our actual journey of developing a personal relationship with God is very priceless— for that is where you will discover your true value. In fact, there are so many ways to help people if that is where your heart is... people do it everyday. I have learned that just your very presence and every time you speak to someone is an opportunity to accept the call.