In this week’s Coffey Break Chat, I’m discussing a concept I live, eat and breathe by: Protecting Your Peace.
We’re constantly confronted with situations and circumstances that have the potential threaten our inner peace, and I’ve come to a place where I feel like all I can do at the end of the day is set the tone, and be as best prepared as possible to confront those situations.
Join me as I share tips on how to protect your peace. Enjoy!
So, I’m starting to realize that yes, I may have a blind bias when it comes to my friends, but the honest to God truth is that I’m fully convinced that I’d think they were the coolest even if I didn’t know them personally. Insert Joonbug.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the artist and entrepreneur at a Mia’s Closet event. Looking back, it comes as no surprise that I met him at the arts station where he was face-painting for the kids. We got to talking, and I was immediately sold on his awesome illustrations (Bugs87) and apparel line which happens to be named Fresh Kaufee. We both got a kick out of the coffee connection, and thanks to social media, I’ve been able to follow his journey ever since. He recently released a mini doc by KQED Arts titled: From Jamaica to the Bay, Joonbug’s Illustrated Journey, and I couldn’t be more flattered for the opportunity to be a part of sharing his story.
Below you’ll find a candid interview from the man himself making waves from here to San Fran and beyond. Wishing you all the best, Joonbug! Peace, Love & Sunshine ~ Chels
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What it was like for you growing up as a kid?
From my Journey, I wish you were a fly on the wall because I suck at explaining feelings and it was something that had to be felt. My time in rural Jamaica was gold and without it, I don’t think I would have developed my understanding for life now; the small details to the big picture. I was a definite product of my environment, more necessity and less materialistic, I didn’t have much but used what I had to get where I want. However I’m grateful for came to the US when I did because I was able to be a sponge in both worlds.
Was art always a natural thing or did you develop it intentionally? Was your family supportive of this dream?
Haha, the world ain’t setup to support art like it should. My folks thought it was cool but ultimately didn’t put stock in until I was able to prove myself; I get it but damn. I had dreams of doing the agency route; because I once thought money was equivalent to success. Over time, my perception changed to a more developed concept of success and that’s creating a sustainable situation out of your passion. I love creating art and meeting people so here I am in a situation that’s a reflection of that.
The struggles (if any haha) of pursuing your dreams?
I call them the beautiful struggles, it hurts so good. Lol. The five, in my case, were:Little support from loved ones was hard but looking back, it made me go harder. Juggling life and art was new but I got used to it. Formal training—sometimes it got to me that I had little knowledge about design rules but then I was like f*** it; that stuff can be taught anyway. I am my own worst critique; needing endless improvement, sometimes I can’t settle and it eats away at me lol.
5 tips you’d give to someone inspired by your work and clueless on where to start.
5 bits of advice I won’t explain:
Roll with the punches
Does it really matter?
Your work ethic gets you farther than you think.
You are what you eat.
Surround yourself with good energy.
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My ideal joys:
Music is something I love and there’s no one box I can fit in so I love it all.
Same with artists, abstract stuff is cool but I’m really into weird figurative works. Color use – some say I have a coffee pallet and that’s fine, muted colors and earth tones.
FOOD—Caribbean food is at the top, everything else underneath. I watch what I eat, so I prefer to cook mine.
Color use – some say I have a coffee pallet and that’s fine, muted colors and earth tones.
Traveling—new experiences over complacent dwellings
I like working in solitude, a desk lamp and an open window late into the early morning.
Hope everyone’s doing well. Every now and then, Pastor Jeremy Foster introduces a series that I just couldn’t be more excited about. Most recently, Under Pressure and Love, Sex, and Marriage had me taking notes and sharing like crazy. As much as I learned from those two, the newest series, Dream Again, is one that I am especially excited about. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up writing a novel, but in short, the title alone froze me in my tracks.
I haven’t vlogged in a really, really long time. Part of that has to do with drastic changes in my lifestyle, the ease of periscope, but more so, I’d say it has to do with the space I’m in. It’s safe to say, that anytime I’m writing over video, it’s because I’m working through some things, and writing always seems to be a solution. I’m a sponge right now, which can be a good thing, but It can also be a bad thing, and my main goal has been to find my center, get organized and move forward with clarity of purpose.
That expression, Dream Again, taps into every area I either hadn’t realized I’d given up on, or didn’t quite know how to articulate:
-Doubts about how I could actually create and support the lifestyle I’ve been believing for. One where I can comfortably work and live from whichever city I please at any point in time.
-Questioning whether or not the man I’ve been believing for could actually exist, and that perhaps if I just maybe lower my standards just a bit. I might find the more “realistic” version of that guy.
-Doubts about my consulting rate. That maybe it would be best to just play it “safe”, build up my clientele, and grow from there.
-Doubts about actually finding a way to be compensated for the work I do with Mia’s Closet, so that I can devote more time to creating unforgettable experiences for our kids.
The list goes on… but all of these doubts amount to settling for less than God’s best.
Today, I hit the reset button. There was verse in particular that stopped me in my tracks:
10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. – John 10:10
Pastor Jeremy then went on to say, “If God can do more than you can imagine, why aren’t you imagining bigger?”
I’ve heard a constant theme over the last few years, and it makes perfect sense. If a goal/dream/vision is perfectly tangible, why would we need God to convene? More importantly, how would it be a test of our faith?
I am the queen of tangibles. I like to have control. I like to know the plan. I like to be able to choose whether or not to act on the plan haha Which means I’m somewhere along the lines of a militant butterfly, but the key is that I like to know, and for the first time, in a really long time, if ever, I asked God to show me if the dreams I’ve been believing for aren’t the dreams He has for me.
Clarity of purpose is all I’m asking for at this point because, “When your dream is dead, God’s dream can live, and when you’re living for him, it doesn’t matter what’s happening in your life.” -Jeremy Foster.
That’s not to say that my dreams are invalid, but it puts me in position to release the reigns and embrace His calling –wherever that might lead *Easier said than done. Baby steps, right? 🙂
Somehow, I was so caught up, that I started this post fully confident that I had taken the BEST notes. The truth is, I didn’t, and you’d probably just be better off watching the sermon yourself haha
I hope it speaks to you guys just as strongly, if not stronger, than it did to me. Praying for you! We’re on this journey together, and it’s a beautiful thing. Thanks for being along for the ride.
Be quick to listen. Slow to speak. And slow to become angry. The power of life and death is in the tongue. Proverbs 18:25 || I spent the greater part of my younger years getting chastised for this mouth of mine, and today’s devotional is a perfect example of why my parents worked to hard to hone that part of me.
Words are seeds, and at any point in time, we’re afforded the opportunity to either sow love and light or negativity. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend Oprah’s Life You Want Weekend Tour, and there’s one quote in particular that I recite every morning as I pray: “Lord synchronize all that is mine.” I generally relate this to my business ideas, but this morning I saw it differently. I love the idea that instead of fighting my natural defaults (good and bad), I can instead petition for Him to guide and sharpen me to use them in such a way that all those idiosyncrasies sync up and work together so that I can be a reflection of His perfect will for my life. It’s the beginning of a new work week. Hopefully this will be useful for someone 🙂 Have a great week you guys!
Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the best night’s out I’ve had in Houston, ever, all thanks to The Hive Society. #AxiomHTX was their very first fundraiser, and to say the least, they blew me and just about everyone else away. It was at least 5k degrees in there, and it didn’t even seem to phase anyone. We danced, sang along to our favorite hits old and new, and celebrated the artists and designers they featured that night. I’ve always said that Hive Society founder, Adrian Edmonds, knows how to throw a freaken good party, and this one was no exception. Salute to him, Julie Julez and the whole Hive Society team on the super success of #AxiomHTX!! Already looking forward to the next one.
Peace, Love & Sunshine ~ Chels
Curious to know what you missed? See below for an excerpt from their recap, and enjoy the photos:
AXIOM began at 8:00pm with our first set of guests enjoying the gallery while the A/C was still somewhat effective. I’ll be honest, I knew that our event would be successful but I had no idea that so many people would come out. The gallery filled with beautiful people, all dressed in their best for the occasion. The vibe of AXIOM’s first hour reflected the quaint and charming character of a customary art exhibit to a more contemporary soundtrack. After about 9:30pm… more here.
![From Jamaica to the Bay, Joonbug’s Illustrated Journey [Interview + Mini Doc]](https://blog.thecoffeybreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/image1-1170x1170.jpeg)
