Sunday, May 18, 2014

Buzz on the Grapevine with Karis Kizine


1. Who are you and what do you do?
 
I am a 44 year old native of Kansas City, Missouri. I was reared in the city by a mother who was an amazing educator (an English teacher for many years and an elementary school administrator until she retired) and a father who had an entrepreneurial spirit that served as an amazing example to me to follow the dreams created by the passion that drives you. My father owned a beauty salon, several day care centers and one of the first African-American beauty schools in the city.

I graduated from Pembroke Hill and went on to attend college in Nashville, at TSU. I eventually came home and graduated from UMKC, later attending UMKC Law School. 

Through all of my educational endeavors, I never truly pursued my passion which was writing. My most powerful encounter with the pen came when I was an eighth grader at St. Peter’s Catholic School. My English teacher, Shirley Renaud, called me a “truly gifted writer”. She made the statement with no particular ceremony. No attempt at an ego boost and without any provocation. She said it as though it was simply fact. Something that she noticed, assessed and forwarded to the universe. I was affected…forever.
 



2. Do you feel this that you do is a part of your life calling and/or purpose?
 
I spent years fulfilling (sometimes failing to fulfill) the obligations that had been set for me by well-intentioned loved ones. Not fully understanding the spiritual, emotional death that comes from not living for yourself. Often we must have a catalyst for change if we find ourselves bound by the cuffs of judgment and sometimes even societal influences.

So, a wife and a mother I became. Drawn to education, but not being fulfilled. Pain placed the pen back in my hand. I picked it up again the day that my four year old son was diagnosed with cancer. I haven’t put it down since. The loss of a child has shaped me, and helped to solidify the realization of my life’s plan. That plan is to be of benefit wherever I can and to never put down the pen.


3. Do you think by doing this you are contributing to the betterment of society? How? Why?
 
Poetry, writing in general, is definitely a calling for me. It fuels me, calms me, and ignites in me that which causes me to feel that I am fulfilling my ultimate purpose. It’s what I run to and what sustains me. It brings me joy and offers a cathartic way of handling tough issues as well.

I write a lot about that which I know. I’ve had an interesting life wrought with pain, littered with confusion and ultimately enveloped by peace. My story can be seen clearly in my works. My goal is to allow others to benefit, where possible, from the mistakes that I’ve made and from the lessons that I’ve learned and possibly to share in a little frivolity at times as well.


4. What has been your biggest struggle? If you have overcome it, how did you accomplish that?
 
My greatest struggle in life has been my overwhelming desire to please. While it may sound like a fruitful burden to have…it often serves as a double edged sword. There are times when pleasing people (family, friends, and society) can be an emotionally draining hole from which escape is difficult. 

My journey (and it definitely is a process) to overcome this plight started many years ago when I realized that at the core of “people pleasing” is an often inherent dislike for one’s self. Not loving yourself enough to expect, yes, expect that others will love you. The precursor to that sentiment is that you must ensure that there is something to love. Doing the work that it took to make sure that I was the kind of woman that I wanted to be came first. Embracing her, loving her and taking care of her came second. The feeling of worth caused me to pull back from the notion that I have to “be all” to everyone. I now operate from a different place. I still love to please, but for more authentic reasons now.
 



5. What do you want your unforgettable footprint on society to be?
 
I’d like my “foot print” on society to include but one thing. That in every way needed, at whatever time is imperative…to the best of my ability, I was willing to be used. The knowledge that I have something to give strikes me daily. I want to pass no opportunity to help wherever I can. I have been the beneficiary of so many wise women and men who gave freely of their time, their knowledge, their love. They are my heroes. In their often unassuming way…from the neighbor who taught me how to seek natural remedies for illness to the Brotha that showed me how to fight for the peace that I wanted in my life.


6. If someone wants to follow your public progress or contributions how might they do that? Website? Blog? Books? Social Media?
 
I have a website karisharrington.wix.com/indigolight where I post poetry and events in which I participate.


7. It has been said, "Without a vision, the people perish." Do you have a vision you wish to share with us?
 
My vision is to fully pursue all the facets that writing can bring to my life while offering resources to women. To inspire through words. To help facilitate “healing circles” where women can come together to learn from each other without fear of judgment or condemnation.

8. Final thoughts?
 
I see so many possibilities for our city (Kansas City)…for our women. Our healing will cause the “trickle down effect” that we need to ultimately see the societal healing that we desire.


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