Nothing Rhymes with Orange?

Aug 21

Written By Ashanti

There have been an uprising of articles discussing the loss of color in this world. I’ve observed this in my own city: the luxury high rises, built without character or consideration for the neighborhood they’re built in, are all shades of the same uninspiring grey.

Similar to names, colors are my special interest. Colors evoke emotion and can so quickly change a mood, from the pink lilies on my kitchen island making me feel so lovey-dovey and sweet to the green couch in my living room reminding me of the peace I seek out in nature, so calming.

The past year I have been heavily drawn to the color orange. I wore my fuzzy orange jacket like it was going out of style last year because I felt so bright and pretty in it. Like a ray of sunshine! Not only was it aesthetically pleasing but it symbolizes enthusiasm, creativity and joy. I've been saying I'm welcoming all those emotions into my life and for me they are found within the creation of my art. I'm at such an optimal time in my life to be creating the way that I love to. For a while, when I first moved, I was focused on what I needed to accomplish next. Some would say a driver's license, I would say: please mind your business! But seriously, I'm learning the importance of being grateful and living in the blessing that I had prayed for and worked towards instead of hoping for the next one. This time to myself has gotten me trying new hobbies and relishing in what I already enjoyed. I'm writing more and promising I'll write once a day even if it's a short poem that I don't post online — just for the love of my craft and what I do. I'm currently working on a paint-by-numbers canvas that reminds me of paradise, a visual motivator to make my way back one day. I'm also loving creating my beaded curtain. I talk about this with anyone, even if they don't listen. Showing photos too, this is a project of love. It's so fun to think about color and bead combinations that look good together, not only on the same string but also hung right next to each other.

Chocolatey-brown has also has caught my eye lately, not only is it because we are transitioning into Fall but because it represents grounding, stability and security. I can get so caught up in day-dreams and my spirituality that I can lose sight of the fact that I’m also having a human experience. I know I’m being called to get more grounded in reality, not only through getting out into nature and meditating more but slowing down and being more present. For me, over the weekend, being more present meant enjoying my time being out with a friend while wearing a square-neck dark brown shirt. We went out to an arcade and played Crazy Taxi, a game I played on the Dreamcast as a kid. A real throwback! After I was cussed out by every rider because I was either too-slow or too-reckless, we sat at the bar and had a conversation that is sticking with me. We’re both in phases in our life where we feel it’s important to be pouring into ourselves and focusing more on our gifts and talents, knowing that we are on God’s time, not our own. The last time we met we went to karaoke and we’re both unsure if the other wanted to do it again but happily, a private room in a karaoke bar was exactly where we ended up. I felt I was in a concert just for me as my friend got up and sang because he does it so beautifully! Goose bumps chile. What I lack in skill, I make up in passion. I love, love, love singing and rapping. I love music and I’m happy to have someone to have that in common with. As far as stability and security, I always felt I lacked both while growing up but these days I have my feet planted more firmly. Feels good to witness, even better to experience.

Since my family moved we tend to catch up over FaceTime. I knew they would be in town but my mother called me saying her and my sister were hungry. While rolling my eyes, I went straight home and marinated pork lions, red, orange and yellow sweet peppers and onions. When I’m in the mood to cook, I love to! My favorite part is cooking and plating up and waiting for everyone else to dig in and seeing their reactions before I can even take a bite. Don’t let them have to take a nap after, that’s when know I was really whipping it! I’ve even been eating more colorfully and always considering how can I incorporate more vegetables in my diet. My family arrived to my place after leaving the nail salon and I noticed my mother’s nails were this light, baby pink. Pink has taken over my life and my apartment in the best ways possible, representing inner peace and healing, love, compassion and femininity. It was one of those colors I swore I hated while hardened by my lived experience but as I’ve grown and healed, I’ve learned to see it as the beautiful, soft, pretty, sweet color that it is. I would use those words to describe myself too, especially when I’m wearing it. We ate, laughed and caught up and it was such a heartwarming time. I’m looking forward to doing it again. Days later my mother and I were talking and she was saying how the color made her feel more feminine and she was tired of always feeling she had to be doing it all, for everyone. Being brought up by someone in survival mode, you do what you know and what you have to. She’s in a difference place now, physically and mentally and it made me reflect on myself as she vocalized a lot of what I had been feeling a few years ago. What I expressed in my birthday blog post. We’re doing generational healing in real time and it’s not until you’re out of that previous mindset do you realize it was doing more harm than good.

Red is my power color! Last week I wore a red, ruched shirt to work and received so many compliments! With such an eye catching color, you have no choice but to wear it confidently and to feel beautiful doing so. Red evokes passion, excitement and energy. Danger and aggression too — life is all about balance. I had been feeling a bit distressed. I tend to keep my thoughts in my head and let them wind me up, especially at work where I find myself unsure about the most tactful way to get my point across. It sounds good in my head but my articulation can fall short once it's time to vocalize. I had been wanting to discuss with my boss next steps in my career. My job can feel overwhelming and yet, I find myself wanting more responsibility, to own a project and explore more of the business that we do. Not only that but it's employee survey time. I've only been back six months but hey, let's talk money! I know I work hard, though, what I was worried most about was how to bring up to my boss what I actually expected of him. Slippery slope if you ask me. Luckily, we have a good relationship but I was nervous. I walked in there with my red and walked out feeling less anxiety ridden. A sense of serenity because I finally found the courage to say what was on my mind.

After a long day, I'll burn a blue candle for peace and calm within my home or a pink candle for a little extra self love. Being intentional when it comes to the colors that you wear, surround yourself by, or even burn in a candle, can better help you understand yourself and others. This morning, I burned an orange candle that I bought from the spiritual shop with a label on it that read: "Confidence — May I be content with my ability to succeed. Always allow the universe to provide me with the strength to achieve greatness." You repeat this saying while holding the candle firming in your hands. I’m welcoming more self-confidence into my life as I navigate the new phase of adulthood that I’ve been living in. This is maturity? The change has been uncomfortable but I’m doing what feels right for me to be able to walk into these new spaces and take on new responsibilities

Here is a daily color association list: