Maxwell, Incense, and a Moment of Peace

Peace Family, 

This month, we’ve been reflecting on Becoming—what it means to grow into ourselves with clarity, courage, and care. But becoming doesn’t live in the distance—it lives in the now. In presence. This week, I want to take you deeper into that truth. What follows isn’t just a message, it’s a moment. A reflection. A reminder that presence isn’t a pause from becoming, it’s the very place where it begins. 

Before you read on, I invite you to take a moment to pause, if you can. 

Pour a cup of coffee or tea. 
Take a seat by the window, or anywhere that feels soft and inviting.  
Let your breath meet you where you are. 

And allow this to be what it is— 
a practice in stillness, 
a return to presence.

I'm Choosing Today

This morning, I woke up, opened my eyes, and took my first conscious breath of the day. 

As I managed to get myself together—or as my grandmother would say, “catch my bearings”—I slowly, and very reluctantly, pulled the covers from my body, avoiding the cold air that awaited. 

I sat myself up and immediately thanked God for the grace to see another day before taking my first step out of the bed. 

I walked to the restroom—of course—but not before catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. 

And for a moment, I paused. 

I met my own eyes—not with judgment, not to fix anything, 

but just long enough to say without saying:  “You’re here. You made it.” 

A quiet gesture of acknowledgment.  

A brief moment of witnessing.  

A simple moment that now makes me smile. 

But it wasn’t always like this. 
At one point in my life, that ceremonial act of appreciation felt more like a burden.  

The breath.  

The movement.  

The mirror. 
Just steps I took to start my day—not moments I paused to feel.  

Gratitude felt distant. 
Presence felt like a luxury I didn’t have time for. 

But something is different now. 

Not because life is easier. Not because the world has changed— 

but because I have. 

I’m learning to see my life differently. 
Slower. 
More deliberately and intentionally. 
Through a lens of my own imagination.  

I’m choosing— 
To be here. 
To be happy. 

To be honest.  
To smile at my own reflection and actually mean it. 
To play music and dance like I don’t have to get to work on time (lol).  
To light incense, crack a window, and let the brisk air of spring remind me I’m alive. 

To breathe in the sacredness of right now—the warmth of the morning sun, Maxwell playing in the background, a fresh cup of coffee in hand, breath steady in my chest, the quiet echo of my own name reminding me I’m still here. 
And to exhale the pressure to become someone other than who I already am.  

Because presence—real presence—is liberation. 
It’s breaking up with the pressure to perform, 
and falling back in love with what’s already yours. 

Because life isn’t about always getting it right. 
It’s about getting into rhythm—with yourself. 
Moving slower. Laughing louder. Feeling more. 
Letting joy find you in the middle of your becoming, 
not just at the end of it. 

So today, I’m not chasing the next version of me. 
I’m dancing with the one I’ve got. 
And it feels good. Real good. 

Take the breath. 
Turn up the music. 
Sip your coffee or tea (or something else lol) like it’s a love language. 
You’re here. 
You made it. 
You chose presence.  

And it looks good on you.

This week at Sankofa, we gather, we move, we heal, we grow. Join us for movement, healing, and connection. Come as you are. Bring a friend or family member. Let’s build together.

See you in practice. 
~Marcus