I wanted to honor the indigenous cultures that took me in and transformed me. So, I named my blog Pickled Roots – a space where I can preserve and pay homage to the roots of our modern world.
Whether creating books and workbooks or contributing articles to journals, Pickled Roots inspires, guides and nurtures leaders like you.
In my blog, you will find sage wisdom, practical inspiration and gifts that will assist you in your leadership journey.
In addition to my blog, my articles: Leadership as Service created in 2002; and Sacred Crossroads, Race and Yoga, published by UC Berkley in 2017; witness the personal stories that grew into my current thought leadership and operating philosophy. And coming soon are two new books – Wisdom Traditions and the Essence of Leadership and The Work Journey. Visit us often to immerse yourself in wisdom and inspiration.
Fall Transitions
It’s Fall. Cooler weather is slowing creeping in. Nights are growing longer than the days. Our routines have changed again as children have transitioned back to school. Most importantly, nature reminds of us of the significance of transition. Outside, the trees have begun to shed their leaves, but not after [...]
Funky Bliss…Music and Inspiration
One of the goals of this blog is to show others how to incorporate indigenous culture into our lives. For many of us, our lives are filled with busy schedules, technology, media overwhelm, and way too many worries. For me, music has been a way to unplug from the hectic [...]
The Deer – To All My Relations
Since my move to the East Coast two years ago, I have become familiar with deer. While it has become quite normal to see deer every day, I am still amazed by their beauty and grace. My children and I see deer while riding in the car and we always [...]
Plant Trimming – Spirit Cleansing
A few weeks ago. One early morning. I awoke and was drawn to go outside. The warm sun had just risen. The morning was quiet. It felt new and fresh. Doesn’t the saying go a new day, a new beginning? Well, I could feel it. I sat on my porch [...]
Nature & The Sacred – Lessons of Indigenous Cultures
“Nature is a place that is always susceptible to the sacred” –Ile Aiye I recently watched Ile Aiye, a documentary about the world of Candomble in Bahia, Brazil. Ile Aiye means House of the Earth. In Candomble, temples of worship are called houses. Literally, Ile Aiye means the Earth temple [...]
Om Namah Shivaya – Indigenous Greetings!
Wow. A lot has happened over the last couple weeks. It seems most appropriate to greet you with “Om Namah Shivaya”. Not because I spent the weekend with beautiful Spirits uplifting ourselves and honoring God. Not because it’s a cool thing to say. Or even because it reminds me of [...]
The Journey – Lessons From Indigenous Cultures
Be present. What is happening now? How do you feel? Be present. Breathe. What’s going on? Are you in this moment? Are you contemplating the next? Breathe. Are you drifting off? Are you here? Welcome to this moment. This existence. You wanted me. Well, here I am. These thoughts were [...]
Mother Earth
The mountains called me, or so I thought. I could feel their presence inviting me to come. Or was it something else? Regardless, I answered the call and made my way to the place where the Shenandoah National Park meets with the Blue Ridge Mountains. There aren’t a lot of [...]
Connecting With My Africa
Here I sit in a warm and inviting Nigerian restaurant, Karamo. The restaurant, bordered with bright yellow walls, is adorned with African masks, statues, and dark wood booths. The bar and stage are covered in mariwo - dried African palm fronds. Yoruba language flows like the River Niger. And although I [...]