“I Shoulda Listened To My First Mind!”
Older African American people were often extremely intuitive. One of the gifts they used to navigate such a coded and invisible, unjust systemic reality, was to listen to the inner voices of their souls. They tried to teach us what they had learned as a survival tactic, so they often said, “When you’re makin’ a big decision and don’t know what to do, or which way to go, listen to your first mind and go in that direction.”
The intent of our leaders was to help us avoid second guessing and unnecessary mistakes.
Today, too many folks in our community err by taking routes that seem easier, or popular. Our mere existence is proof that we are an original design, so why do we waste such precious time trying to follow the paths of others that weren’t necessarily meant or cleared for us?
Old folks used to admonish us to slow down, be still, quiet ourselves, and listen to that inner voice… that first mind, and do what it says. We’re likely make more informed and mature decisions if we do.
Are you facing a major decision? Do you need direction? Try some of the wisdom of our elders today. Slow down so that you can hear, and respond to, your first mind.
#GeeismsForBlackHistoryMonth #ThingsOldFolksUseToSay