Today is my birthday (7/29)

Today is my birthday. (7/29) As a child looking forward to that day each year when things were set aside to celebrate ME, I grew to associate those numbers with everything good, and because it wasn’t a national holiday and unlike being a twin, I didn’t have to share the date, either. Since then a countdown begins the week before, with a subtle excitement that builds toward the day, that still hasn’t left me. I rarely have parties any longer but the celebrations continue with wonderful well wishes and greetings from friends and family. The desire to make it special with little kindnesses is deeply ingrained, though the impulse to take the day off, travel to far off destinations or buy absurdly expensive gifts for myself are indulgences I've outgrown.

That one day of the year that we hold special and is ours for no other reason than we were born on it, is an amalgamation of numbers that we unwittingly possess throughout the year, and, consciously or not, we are reminded of on calendars, clocks, room numbers, license plates, promotions, receipts, phone numbers and addresses. Those two to four numeric combinations trigger a response that attaches the time, place or thing to us in a deeply memorable way, as if that thing is part of us too. How often have we committed to memory a cell number or address because it’s composed of our birth dates? A locker combination, password or email address is often infused with that combination that spells out who we are, just as much as our names.

In the study of numerology, the vibrations of numeric compositions cast a fate and quality of life that perpetually repeats itself throughout. Life paths numbers (the adding up of your birth date and reduced to a single digit) and significant figures often correspond with uncanny recurrences in our lives. My own life path is a 6 and it symbolizes things and relationships that increase in value. These symbols are affixed to us in a guiding and protective way that assists us in making choices. Their vibration, like our voice, is unique and stands as a distinguishing element of our individual existence. However, we can all relate to others who share our special dates, like some type of cosmic twin, always with the hope that they exemplify the qualities we like to see in ourselves.

Everyone’s birthday is a cause for celebration, whether they want to admit it or not, and we honor them and ourselves when we do so.

Rose Dawn 36" x 36" oil on canvas

Thoughts of a Life so Far...

Sixty years ago to this day, on a bright full moon in Aquarius, like the one over the past few nights, I slipped into this present incarnation, which has been a surprise to me every step of the way. Not particularly pleased with the circumstances I found myself in, I made plans to change them as soon as possible. Most of those plans fell apart, like becoming a doctor, although I couldn't stand the sight of blood, or a brilliant singer, although I couldn't hold a note, or a family man, although my interest were otherwise. Even though I sketched for pleasure it didn't become a career goal until I was a teenage student at Cass Tech. Growing "up south" in Detroit, the limits of my life were implied during segregation, but those suddenly fell open as the wings of revolutionary effort for equality created opportunity for many of us. Being in the right place at the right time has been the key to many successes in my life and probably in yours, too. Though I thought I was doing it on my own, the world conspired in the achievement of my plans, like a silent partner. From acceptance to Parsons to acceptance within a previously barred fashion industry the pull of change took hold of my life. Therefore, at this point, having tried to keep up with the Jones, and for brief moments having been the Jones, I can appreciate the joy of just living.

In some ways, a sideline participant, I have witnessed dramatic social, economic, political and technological changes that only existed in dreams and in science fiction. Social equity as a goal has been a norm since proponents of my generation like Fannie Lou Hammer, Martin Luther King and James Baldwin, and the many that didn't share my pigmentation, fought for inclusion, spoke in our voices and wrote searing commentaries about the unjust burdens of our lives. Economic opportunity has lifted many of us into lifestyles that our parents and grandparents could only dream of, and time has allowed us to know that the ups and downs of life is just that, and not a static commitment to any placement therein. Political advancement has seen the move beyond the first celebrated black local official to the first black president, and has elevated an entire nation in its capacity to appreciate a person for the content of their being and capacity of their skills. And technological advancements has rivaled anything I ever watched in episodes of Buck Rogers or Star Trek. Who knew they where the signal of things to come and not just fantasies to stir our imagination.

These accomplishments would be enough for some but the true joy of witnessing life is the learning that comes with it. Learning that what your parents told you was true, that your friends determine who you become. Thank you to my many friends that has shaped me (you know who you are). Learning that hard times really does create strength and that good times inevitably follows. Learning that less is more and that more has always been there. Learning that what goes around comes around and that you have a choice in the matter. Learning to not blame anyone for anything but yourself, because taking responsibility is the key to success. Learning whether you look to a specific God or the God within you are not alone on this journey, and that the journey itself is the destination. Learning that as the experience of life unfolds, fears recede, and appreciation for life grows. And as the Beatles sang "And in the end, the love you get is equal to the love you give".

In this bucolic stage of my life, I no longer swat flies and wish the deer that ate my flowers were dead, but realize I have a part in their experience of the miracle of life too, and I couldn't be happier.

Glenn Tunstull, A Personal View of Light and Color Book

Sharing success

He has started his very first job since graduating from college and a smile radiates deeply from my core. Someone is interested in producing her film script and the step in my walk is much lighter. She is healing from her accident and I sleep through the night more completely. He's received great responses from his new clients and a sense of peace and security flows over me.

Whether you've had love ones buy a new home, salvage a relationship, finish school, rebound from illness, scale to career heights or turned out a great party, you have shared in their success. There have been times when success meant for me what I was able to put onto my resume of experience and achievements. The places I've worked and the things I did, where I've sold my work and those who bought it. But when looked at in such a limited way, one misses the success of holding a hand, forming a dream, building a foundation and being a penny investor in the lives that surround you. Every time they realize their dream, you are a winner. Your spiritual resume flourishes with deeds that only show up in your soul.

As I celebrate my birthday today (July 29), I am filled with all the wonderful achievements of those of you who allowed me to participate in your dreams. Please keep sharing those dreams with me and those you love, because it makes us all a success.