The Recharge

Hey family, the holidays are right around the corner! Before we get around the kitchen table with our families, I would like to speak on how I recharge my human battery. When life gets super heavy. What do you do? Let's get into the blog!  

A recharge statement from one of my creative brothers ignited the fire to write this blog. I have words of wisdom that downloads to my mind daily. Inklings telling me to write about certain subject matters. Depending on what creative work space I am within, I might not write out the knowledge. Then there are times, a few more confirmations come along and remind me to write out the words of wisdom and share my knowledge. And this was one of those times.

I was speaking to my creative brother on set 🎞️ about our independent creative visual projects, he stated he needed to recharge. It took me by surprise, because many men aren't vulnerable. Most men are straight shooters on getting to a solution, without really expressing their emotions. It's very much let's get to this money, without any emotions being involved. Throughout the years, I have worked with some amazing brothers in the film industry. My brothers have giving me some amazing opportunities that’s taken my career to new levels. Whether the creative projects were independent or industry based. I appreciate how 'they see me' and 'I see them'. As I am writing, this song comes to mind  ~ Angie Stone ~ Brotha🎵.

I knew early on it was great brothers in this world, because they showed me kindness early on in my career. Speaking with them about building a legacy within the film industry. How our stories should be told correctly. How giving is within us, and knowing helping one another is necessary within our industry. And this week, I learned my creative brothers need to recharge too. My creative vision is massive. It includes lifting women up through my creative visual projects (in-front and behind the camera). I am giving opportunities to anyone who helped me alone my journey. It wasn’t only people of color who helped me, but different shades of women, and misfits. I appreciate all the opportunities that were provided to me. And I will give back through my many creative visual projects. The creative projects I will produce within film and tv, will be with my peers that showed me kindness early on in my career and throughout it. That's why I say, my calling is bigger than me. My creative gifts will lead me towards greener pastures.

So, how do I recharge my human battery? For me, when massive voltage of energy have been sucked from my body. I have to do a super charge 🔋. How? By doubling up on my self care activities. At the top of my list of self care activities is going to the movie theater. It recharges my energy the quickest. You gotta have an amazing playlist to listen too 🎶. Writing to GOD about it ALL. Sitting within my creative space for hours in silence. The Art must be felt by the world and being in your creative space in silence helps the artist feel it. Sometimes, I must hold my body tight; listen to it and comfort it. Movement of the body in some type of way is a necessity. Long walks in nature 🌳 is my favorite way to get the body moving. And then there are times, my body needs help understanding and perceiving the world around me a bit more. Read the poem below to get insight on how I help my body understand the world a bit more.

P.S. Y’all know the saying, "F**k them kids". For the holidays, we gonna say, F**k them ‘holier than thou’ family members. Pun intended 😝. More than likely, they ain’t got ish right in their own house, but worrying about your life 😫. Let them folks know to please take several seats and hushed their mouths 🤐.

- Filmmaker LaToya 🎞

If you feel the need to share this post with someone, please do! #filmmakerlatoyagang 

Lastly, here's the poem from my Book of Poetry 📗

FEEL IT

BY LaToya D. Lee

Literally

I have to feel it

As a creative artist

I have to touch the earth surface

Touch the trees

Feel the ocean water

I have to touch things to feel alive

Dig my hands in the soil

Dig my hands in the sand

Lay in the grass

Without a yoga mat

Without a blanket

Lay right in the sun

Let it burn my skin

Get dirty

Sand on my body

Paint on my hands

Paint on my body

Paint on my clothes

Sometimes

I have to get muddy

It makes me feel alive

Literally

I have to feel it

The pain

I have to sit in it

Sometimes

Sink in it

It reminds me

Everything I’m doing isn’t in vain

This won’t make sense to everyone

But

It helps me with my creative process

It helps enhance my creative gifts

It helps me to create amazing art work

My gifts are amplified in these spaces

I am a better artist

Because of all these things

All

Allows me to follow my purpose

All

Allows me to continue my life mission

Sometimes

We must feel life

It helps us loosen up the tight grips

We have on ourselves

Literally

Feeling it

Helps amplifies our gifts

Life can be unfair

Why not?

Feel it sometimes

Literally

Feel it

Thank you again for your support! Peace ✌🏾  #filmmakerlatoyagang  

Connect with me on social media @filmmakerlatoya (all platforms).