I have recently started working with a local non-profit organization, Midtown Assistance Center. MAC offers various services to the working poor as well as the homeless. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending my first HAG (Homeless Action Group) meeting; an organization designed to bring various service providers together on a monthly basis to collaborate and discuss different services, programs and special events to serve the working poor. Interestingly enough, the mayoral candidates for the upcoming election were there to address the ineffectiveness of the system that is known for misappropriation of funds, degradation and demeaning of the homeless and a lack of resources.
As my colleague and I listened to each candidate share their vision as to how they will fix what's been broken; we couldn't help but notice that one candidate continuously praised a shelter that is known for its deplorable conditions, poor client relations and management. In his defense, I must say that I was impressed by the fact that he let it be known that he is not well versed on the specific issues and would be open to sitting at a round table to discuss how we can find the best solutions. The one thing he continuously praised is their mission and the philosophy behind their vision. What would resonate more with me and the city of Atlanta are his personal encounters with the homeless who are pleased with the services provided by the shelter. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
The questions that I kept asking myself were: Are we present? Are we making our assessments based on information we read on a website or a handbook? Are we speaking with the homeless? Are we relating to the homeless? Are we reaching out to the homeless?
I would like to start initiatives where we allow the working poor and homeless to give feedback on the services provided. Most people may feel that the poor and homeless should be thankful for anything they are given, but anyone of us could lose our homes or jobs and be in the same position. Would we not want to be treated with dignity and respect despite the nature of our circumstances? I believe that the most effective way to repair the system is from the inside out by getting a broad look into the operations from the experiences of the clients served. From here, we can set new standards and goals in public interest training, cultivationg partnerships and alliances and fighting for the representation of the working poor and displaced.
It's important that we have faces, names and stories to represent the homeless of America so that we can understand that they are not all addicted to drugs, suffering from mental illnesses and too lazy to find a job. In many cases, they are people who work minimum wage jobs, but can't afford the costs for housing or people who have been displaced due to losing their jobs and homes in these turbulent times, and people who made poor decisions in their past but are looking to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps to make a living.
I invite you to get the inside scoop on Atlanta's homeless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Nryl_Bbqw
May we all be present in the grassroots movement of serving others....
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Love is Everywhere, Love is Nowhere, Love is Me with You
Love is like an hourglass, with the heart being filled as the brain is emptied-Jules Renard
Jules Renard, an 18th century wordsmith, captures my discovery of love best with this quote. I am no expert on finding love, but my experiences may qualify me to share a thing or two on matters of the heart.
From the moment we are born, women are conditioned to believe that we will be swept away by our "knight in shining armor;" and, together we will live "happily ever after". After my first real date in college, I realized that my "knight in shining armor" was a bit nervous and socially awkward. He forgets to pull out the chair at dinner, doesn't have much conversation unless I'm asking the questions and seems to be daydreaming about whether or not he will get a goodnight kiss. At different points in our lives, we realize that "love" may mean different things to different people. For me, two hearts coming together in Love should be exciting, euphoric, romanitc and most importantly an opportunity to grow together in ectasy.
After a few disappointments in dating, I decided it was time to take a little self inventory. I discovered that my heart and mind were in conflict over what the act of "love" means. My mind says that a man should only court me with the intentions of getting married. But, our courtship allotted him just enough time to prove whether he's the "best" man for the job. If he doesn't prove worthy enough; I shall move on to the next potential suitor. How selfish the mind can be?
However, my heart knew better. It knows that love is best experienced when two people are fulfilled; not limited by responsibility, flowers, candle lit dinners and exotic trips to show their love. All of these things can be flattering; however, they mostly appeal to ego and pride rather than the heart. I feel the most loved when my lover tells me the truth I need to hear, makes me laugh on those days when I can hardly break a smile and celebrates my "flaws" because they have and continue to make our love stronger. In short, the love I deserve can not be expressed with temporal, feeting forms of affection because the love I give is worth much more than the treausures found in my jewelry box.
It's the "branding" of love that makes us feel lonely and unwanted as we sit on the couch watching "The Way We Were" drowning in our own tears.The more we fall out of love with "love" and fall in love with ourselves, we begin to see that love has been there all along: uplifitng, nurturing, strengthening, inspiring and preparing us for its reflection in another. Love is not necessarily found; It graciously becomes clearer over time.
Unconditional in acceptance and admiration.....
Love is Everywhere, Love is Nowhere, Love is You....
....with Me....
Jules Renard, an 18th century wordsmith, captures my discovery of love best with this quote. I am no expert on finding love, but my experiences may qualify me to share a thing or two on matters of the heart.
From the moment we are born, women are conditioned to believe that we will be swept away by our "knight in shining armor;" and, together we will live "happily ever after". After my first real date in college, I realized that my "knight in shining armor" was a bit nervous and socially awkward. He forgets to pull out the chair at dinner, doesn't have much conversation unless I'm asking the questions and seems to be daydreaming about whether or not he will get a goodnight kiss. At different points in our lives, we realize that "love" may mean different things to different people. For me, two hearts coming together in Love should be exciting, euphoric, romanitc and most importantly an opportunity to grow together in ectasy.
After a few disappointments in dating, I decided it was time to take a little self inventory. I discovered that my heart and mind were in conflict over what the act of "love" means. My mind says that a man should only court me with the intentions of getting married. But, our courtship allotted him just enough time to prove whether he's the "best" man for the job. If he doesn't prove worthy enough; I shall move on to the next potential suitor. How selfish the mind can be?
However, my heart knew better. It knows that love is best experienced when two people are fulfilled; not limited by responsibility, flowers, candle lit dinners and exotic trips to show their love. All of these things can be flattering; however, they mostly appeal to ego and pride rather than the heart. I feel the most loved when my lover tells me the truth I need to hear, makes me laugh on those days when I can hardly break a smile and celebrates my "flaws" because they have and continue to make our love stronger. In short, the love I deserve can not be expressed with temporal, feeting forms of affection because the love I give is worth much more than the treausures found in my jewelry box.
It's the "branding" of love that makes us feel lonely and unwanted as we sit on the couch watching "The Way We Were" drowning in our own tears.The more we fall out of love with "love" and fall in love with ourselves, we begin to see that love has been there all along: uplifitng, nurturing, strengthening, inspiring and preparing us for its reflection in another. Love is not necessarily found; It graciously becomes clearer over time.
Unconditional in acceptance and admiration.....
Love is Everywhere, Love is Nowhere, Love is You....
....with Me....
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Prayforkate.com
Natalie Grant (the Christian pop artist for those who aren't familiar) tweeted a prayer request that every mother must answer to. She drew my attention to a beautiful little girl, Kate, who has a brain tumor that has drastically shaken the lives of her and her family. Her story is not too unfamiliar as my husband and I know the uncertainty that the McRae's are feeling at this hour.
Born on October 29, 2007, our newborn babygirl was the light of our eyes. As far as we knew, she was as healthy as could be and we would be taking her home in just a day and a half. Unfortunately, October 30th hit us with a disheartning reality, the nurse detected that Saadia was seizuring during her 24 hr. check up. She was immediately sent to NICU and after running a few tests, drawing blood and adminstering antibiotics; we found out that our babygirl suffered a mild stroke during labor. As the doctor gave me vague details about my daughter's condition, tears ran down my face and my mind raced with questions that only time would answer.
After a week and a half, Saadia proved strong and healthy enough to be released. Finally, our daughter was able to be home with us!! She was prescribed medication for a month and a half (as a preventative measure for the seizures) and we scheduled a follow-up visit with her neurologist. We were pleased or shall I say relieved to find out that the blood clot was in a region of the brain that "could possibly" afffect her motor skills on the left side of her body. I am proud and thankful to report that Saadia has since outgrown the seizures and her motor skills are on target.
Needless to say, our prayers are with Kate and her family. As parents with a child who may have known a childhood filled with surgeries, therapy and neurological treatment; we know and can appreciate the pain the McRae's are going through, the prayers that they need and the encouragement we can give them. Only by faith, prayer and support were we able to get through this scary time. I ask that you give Kate and her family the strength to do the same.
Pleas visit prayforkate.com to learn more about the McRae's and their special little girl. Your support means more than you can imagine. Their hearts may be weary and their minds may be fearful, but the Spirit is resilient and ever healing.
Born on October 29, 2007, our newborn babygirl was the light of our eyes. As far as we knew, she was as healthy as could be and we would be taking her home in just a day and a half. Unfortunately, October 30th hit us with a disheartning reality, the nurse detected that Saadia was seizuring during her 24 hr. check up. She was immediately sent to NICU and after running a few tests, drawing blood and adminstering antibiotics; we found out that our babygirl suffered a mild stroke during labor. As the doctor gave me vague details about my daughter's condition, tears ran down my face and my mind raced with questions that only time would answer.
After a week and a half, Saadia proved strong and healthy enough to be released. Finally, our daughter was able to be home with us!! She was prescribed medication for a month and a half (as a preventative measure for the seizures) and we scheduled a follow-up visit with her neurologist. We were pleased or shall I say relieved to find out that the blood clot was in a region of the brain that "could possibly" afffect her motor skills on the left side of her body. I am proud and thankful to report that Saadia has since outgrown the seizures and her motor skills are on target.
Needless to say, our prayers are with Kate and her family. As parents with a child who may have known a childhood filled with surgeries, therapy and neurological treatment; we know and can appreciate the pain the McRae's are going through, the prayers that they need and the encouragement we can give them. Only by faith, prayer and support were we able to get through this scary time. I ask that you give Kate and her family the strength to do the same.
Pleas visit prayforkate.com to learn more about the McRae's and their special little girl. Your support means more than you can imagine. Their hearts may be weary and their minds may be fearful, but the Spirit is resilient and ever healing.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
What is your "Approval Rating?"
I haven't felt compelled to blog about Healthcare Reform or Obama's plummeting "Approval Rating" until today. You see, I believe that when we elect officials, Representatives, Speakers, Senators and even our President we assume responsibility for our choice. Once the choice is made, we can not only sit back and let the plot unfold; we must join in the movement to have our dreams realized. Suffice to say, we don't live in a perfect world and we don't elect perfect politicians, but we must make our best choice with hopes that our best will become better still.
The fact of the matter is that we live in a society, a capitalistic society, that operates on a barter system. There can be no progress without coming to a consensus where both sides, big business and government, feel like they are gaining a little more than what they came to the table with. Although this may not be the reality we want to face, it is indicative of a quote we can all relate to: "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours..."
In this democratic process, there has to be a space where we respect, appreciate and sympathize with the needs of at the very least our children, if not our overall society. Although, we may not have the perfect solution to a quite stinging problem; we have to start somewhere and sometime. Fortunately, that place is America and the time is now.
How can we call ourselves the leader in societal, political and economic standards when we continue to fail in making domestic advancements that have been ignored for far too long? I find it interesting that most people are bound by lies, fabrications and manipulations concerning the details of Healthcare Reform and that some liberals, who were hoping for immediate gratification, are plastering conspiracy theories all over the internet.
In this country, we all have the right to our opinions and the Freedom of Speech; but, when do we start to tally our own "Approval Ratings?" Have we thought about how we can help accomplish the needs of our communities, our society, our country? Have we taken the time to inform ourselves on the details and intricacies of our Healthcare proposal? Are we open to the possibilities of a movement that will set us out in a brighter direction? Have we assumed responsibility for our personal healthcare? Our children's healthcare?
Too often, we find ourselves waiting, wishing and hoping for Change; as we eagerly submit our votes on how well or not so well our elected officials....our bosses....our teachers.....our community organizers....our pastors.....are doing. Over the last few years, I've come to appreciate that it is the individual parts that make up the whole; and, each part should be a reflection of the whole. Now that we have agreed that reform is needed, the work must begin to make this vision our surmountable destination. Is it not the results that judges one's action? It's unfortunate that the results of Obama's "Approval Rating" have already been tallied.
Are we playing our part?
Are we seeing the results? Or....
Are we sitting in judgement as we watch someone else be a-part of the solution?
The fact of the matter is that we live in a society, a capitalistic society, that operates on a barter system. There can be no progress without coming to a consensus where both sides, big business and government, feel like they are gaining a little more than what they came to the table with. Although this may not be the reality we want to face, it is indicative of a quote we can all relate to: "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours..."
In this democratic process, there has to be a space where we respect, appreciate and sympathize with the needs of at the very least our children, if not our overall society. Although, we may not have the perfect solution to a quite stinging problem; we have to start somewhere and sometime. Fortunately, that place is America and the time is now.
How can we call ourselves the leader in societal, political and economic standards when we continue to fail in making domestic advancements that have been ignored for far too long? I find it interesting that most people are bound by lies, fabrications and manipulations concerning the details of Healthcare Reform and that some liberals, who were hoping for immediate gratification, are plastering conspiracy theories all over the internet.
In this country, we all have the right to our opinions and the Freedom of Speech; but, when do we start to tally our own "Approval Ratings?" Have we thought about how we can help accomplish the needs of our communities, our society, our country? Have we taken the time to inform ourselves on the details and intricacies of our Healthcare proposal? Are we open to the possibilities of a movement that will set us out in a brighter direction? Have we assumed responsibility for our personal healthcare? Our children's healthcare?
Too often, we find ourselves waiting, wishing and hoping for Change; as we eagerly submit our votes on how well or not so well our elected officials....our bosses....our teachers.....our community organizers....our pastors.....are doing. Over the last few years, I've come to appreciate that it is the individual parts that make up the whole; and, each part should be a reflection of the whole. Now that we have agreed that reform is needed, the work must begin to make this vision our surmountable destination. Is it not the results that judges one's action? It's unfortunate that the results of Obama's "Approval Rating" have already been tallied.
Are we playing our part?
Are we seeing the results? Or....
Are we sitting in judgement as we watch someone else be a-part of the solution?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mystery: From Lightness to Darkness
I'm thinking of one of my favorite lines from one of my dearest poems: "You're the unknown variable X and I'm searching for the reason Y the meeting of our eyes leaves me longing for my next high." There's an excitement, yet fear you feel when you're not sure of the holdings of Tomorrow. We would be comfortable if we had just enough light to see a glimpse of what lies ahead, but we dare not cheat ourselves of life's pleasant surprises.
In that dark space, we sometimes lose ourselves in addition to losing our way. We travel so deep into the wilderness that we are willing to do anything to accomplish or attain our now frantic desires. This is a familiar space for us all and these times are what gives our lives character. How do we know how far we've come if there was no place to ascend from?
When I think of Ted Kennedy's legacy and the dark days of his life, I know that he is a man, a Husband, a Father, a Brother, a Son, a Senator, an Activist, a Legend. Even when the light no longer shines, he will always be Ted Kennedy. Even when his adversaries criticize him for the scandals, the rumors, the family "curse", the cloud of death that surrounded him, he will remain in the fabric of America and its history.
It is my only hope that we see the irony in how our darkest days birth our brightest hours. There are certain truths that we can not escape and these are what I have come to cherish about the resolve of the human Spirit. We shall not tolerate darkness for too long, nor will we tolerate a violation of Civil Rights for too long, nor will we tolerate gender inferiority for too long, nor will we tolerate our voices not being heard for too long, nor will we tolerate the lack of quality healthcare for every American for too long. And when we have had enough, may we remember the unwavering, unmovable Spirit of the late Ted Kennedy.
As we travel through the mysteries of Lightness and Darkness.....
May you rest well and know that your legacy lives today, tomorrow, always.....
Will ours?
In that dark space, we sometimes lose ourselves in addition to losing our way. We travel so deep into the wilderness that we are willing to do anything to accomplish or attain our now frantic desires. This is a familiar space for us all and these times are what gives our lives character. How do we know how far we've come if there was no place to ascend from?
When I think of Ted Kennedy's legacy and the dark days of his life, I know that he is a man, a Husband, a Father, a Brother, a Son, a Senator, an Activist, a Legend. Even when the light no longer shines, he will always be Ted Kennedy. Even when his adversaries criticize him for the scandals, the rumors, the family "curse", the cloud of death that surrounded him, he will remain in the fabric of America and its history.
It is my only hope that we see the irony in how our darkest days birth our brightest hours. There are certain truths that we can not escape and these are what I have come to cherish about the resolve of the human Spirit. We shall not tolerate darkness for too long, nor will we tolerate a violation of Civil Rights for too long, nor will we tolerate gender inferiority for too long, nor will we tolerate our voices not being heard for too long, nor will we tolerate the lack of quality healthcare for every American for too long. And when we have had enough, may we remember the unwavering, unmovable Spirit of the late Ted Kennedy.
As we travel through the mysteries of Lightness and Darkness.....
May you rest well and know that your legacy lives today, tomorrow, always.....
Will ours?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
An Ode to the Globe
The tweet on my Twitter page reads "Know of any person, organization, or website that is impacting the globe?" Actually, I do. After many failed attempts to Tweet back, I will embrace the opportunity to blog about them. (Hopefully, Ode Magazine will work out the technicality on their Exchange page.) Until then, let's get the word out......
“Wism”, the study of Love, Sex, Wisdom, Magic and Wonder. Where on Earth can you study this? At Wondaland Arts Society, a metropolis filled with gifted musicians, visual artists, writers, film producers and reality creators. Or in a city near you that happens to be on their tour list?!
This movement is trailblazing across the globe at intimate venues from Chicago to Czech Republic, can be heard in the hottest dance halls from Miami to Morocco, and imaged through tubes at various points on our globe. The melody of Wondaland, Janelle Monae, a young, captivating vocalist and performer says her goal is “to bring as many people as I possibly can together through my music.” It’s more than the music, it’s a collective effort to be mindful of what she says, how she acts, giving her audience a sense of awareness of infinite possibilities. She’s harmony.
She says it best in her own words, “music and artists have a huge influence on the way we think.” As a collaborative frequency of the Arts, Wondaland is sure to make a positive mark.
Visit Wondaland Arts Society @ janellemonae.com or wondaland.blogspot.com. Follow them on Twitter@wondaland.
Some Movements face reality head on. For ASBI (American Shea Butter Institute), this reality is socioeconomic disparity in Sub Sahara Africa. As the most Internationally recognized leader in the innovation and advancement of Shea Butter and its derivatives, they are a one stop shop for stimulating the global value chain, awareness of Shea Butter as a commodity and an advocate for sound trading opportunities for Sub Sahara Africa.
In the debate of Healthcare Reform, this biotech institute is one to keep your eye on for the improvement of health and overall well being, which is where we must all begin to be responsible for securing our healthcare system and global health into the future. Hosting their annual convention in October in Atlanta, GA; The Executive Director, Dr. Samuel Hunter and a panel of experts of natural commodity, dedicate two days to educate and train attendees on the various benefits of Shea Butter in Health, Global Economics and Retail.
Visit ASBI @ sheainstitute.com and shealounge.blogspot.com.
What's your Ode to the Globe?
Spread the Word and enhance global awareness....while making a difference.....
“Wism”, the study of Love, Sex, Wisdom, Magic and Wonder. Where on Earth can you study this? At Wondaland Arts Society, a metropolis filled with gifted musicians, visual artists, writers, film producers and reality creators. Or in a city near you that happens to be on their tour list?!
This movement is trailblazing across the globe at intimate venues from Chicago to Czech Republic, can be heard in the hottest dance halls from Miami to Morocco, and imaged through tubes at various points on our globe. The melody of Wondaland, Janelle Monae, a young, captivating vocalist and performer says her goal is “to bring as many people as I possibly can together through my music.” It’s more than the music, it’s a collective effort to be mindful of what she says, how she acts, giving her audience a sense of awareness of infinite possibilities. She’s harmony.
She says it best in her own words, “music and artists have a huge influence on the way we think.” As a collaborative frequency of the Arts, Wondaland is sure to make a positive mark.
Visit Wondaland Arts Society @ janellemonae.com or wondaland.blogspot.com. Follow them on Twitter@wondaland.
Some Movements face reality head on. For ASBI (American Shea Butter Institute), this reality is socioeconomic disparity in Sub Sahara Africa. As the most Internationally recognized leader in the innovation and advancement of Shea Butter and its derivatives, they are a one stop shop for stimulating the global value chain, awareness of Shea Butter as a commodity and an advocate for sound trading opportunities for Sub Sahara Africa.
In the debate of Healthcare Reform, this biotech institute is one to keep your eye on for the improvement of health and overall well being, which is where we must all begin to be responsible for securing our healthcare system and global health into the future. Hosting their annual convention in October in Atlanta, GA; The Executive Director, Dr. Samuel Hunter and a panel of experts of natural commodity, dedicate two days to educate and train attendees on the various benefits of Shea Butter in Health, Global Economics and Retail.
Visit ASBI @ sheainstitute.com and shealounge.blogspot.com.
What's your Ode to the Globe?
Spread the Word and enhance global awareness....while making a difference.....
Monday, August 3, 2009
What's the BIG secret?
It feels good to be back at Blogging this week. I took a week off as a refresher; taking time to reflect on the transition taking place in my life. It is my understanding that to be rooted in your convictions requires discovery of what you're searching for.........reaching for.......fighting for.
As a career consultant, I'm always drafting quotes and inspiring reminders to assist my clients in their journeys of finding fulfillment in their work. The quote for today is: Carry yourself in the realms of success; when the doors begin to open you'll be confident enough to walk through-SychronProfession.
How many doors have opened for you? Did you walk through? Did you close them out of fear of the unknown? Are you willing to take the chance to believe in what has yet to be revealed?
There's a balance that must be acheived in maintaining financial security and identifying what comes natural to us professionally. It is unreasonable to think that we can walk through a door with our eyes wide shut and neglect our responsibilities in the name of following our dreams. The wider the door opens the clearer our approach becomes to what lies ahead. Flexibility and adaptability in an uncertain world are a real tribute to our survival skills. We make a way out of no way for the sake of our families, friends and companies. Yet, through it all, we neglect ourselves and discover that we are less fulfilled than we imagined we would be.
I can recall times that I talked myself out of opportunities providing a myriad of excuses as to why this isn't for me....not the right time for me....not conducive to my personality etc. Needing to be sure about the cost/benefit of opening the door is self defeating. We will never know what's on the other side if we don't believe that we are already successful. To me, success starts within and can only be seen in our lives with dedication, commitment and an undying passion of serving others. When we acheive this we will not only notice abundance in our quality of life; our bank accounts will see an increase too!
The next time you feel that there is a secret to sucess; just look within......
As a career consultant, I'm always drafting quotes and inspiring reminders to assist my clients in their journeys of finding fulfillment in their work. The quote for today is: Carry yourself in the realms of success; when the doors begin to open you'll be confident enough to walk through-SychronProfession.
How many doors have opened for you? Did you walk through? Did you close them out of fear of the unknown? Are you willing to take the chance to believe in what has yet to be revealed?
There's a balance that must be acheived in maintaining financial security and identifying what comes natural to us professionally. It is unreasonable to think that we can walk through a door with our eyes wide shut and neglect our responsibilities in the name of following our dreams. The wider the door opens the clearer our approach becomes to what lies ahead. Flexibility and adaptability in an uncertain world are a real tribute to our survival skills. We make a way out of no way for the sake of our families, friends and companies. Yet, through it all, we neglect ourselves and discover that we are less fulfilled than we imagined we would be.
I can recall times that I talked myself out of opportunities providing a myriad of excuses as to why this isn't for me....not the right time for me....not conducive to my personality etc. Needing to be sure about the cost/benefit of opening the door is self defeating. We will never know what's on the other side if we don't believe that we are already successful. To me, success starts within and can only be seen in our lives with dedication, commitment and an undying passion of serving others. When we acheive this we will not only notice abundance in our quality of life; our bank accounts will see an increase too!
The next time you feel that there is a secret to sucess; just look within......
Friday, July 24, 2009
Freedom Friday: Are we Laughing?
Lighten up, it's Friday! I know we all get caught up in our daily lives and may get consumed with stresses of the Material. How often we get distracted or lose sight of what we're here to accomplish in the first place? Our purpose transcends every possibility to succumb to the opposition that surrounds us. Are you feeling opposed? Are we carrying the load? Are we doing what we've been told?
"Happy are those that inherit the Kingdom of God" and another quote that comes to mind is "You want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans." When the plans of others interfere with your greatest Intentions, Laugh! When we smile in the face of adversity we take the power of which that seeks to conquer us. Have you ever wondered why Laughing is contagious? It's your Spirit's reminder that nothing is too heavy to move. No worries to heavy to bear. No dissappointment too heavy to forgive. No challenge too heavy to overcome.
Yesterday, I read an enlightening blog entry about humor, I have to say it was an eloquent tribute to Japanese culture. The blog, "Mysterious Laughter", highlights Anne Thomas', experiences in Tokyo in the realms of funny moments.
She beautifully illustrates how during her presentation in Art class she was so embarassed by her stumbling attempts to communicate the message of her piece in Japanese(and the fact that her painting was far from great) she was flushed red. She couldn't possibly understand how in an awkward moment her fellow "energetic" classmate, who presented after her, was able to laugh at himself during his presentation. The whole class began to laugh with him. Anne learns that the Japanese laugh with you and not at you for they too have been embarassed and can relate to nervousness.
Interestingly enough, mystery births the greatest questions. The Japanese live a life of humility on their path to Greatness. So they often demean the dearest people to them in the interest of not putting themselves or their family above anyone else. Anne found this hilarious at first, but she soon discovered that it is a reflection of their humble culture. Although she continues to laugh, she finds a Greater understanding of this "mystery" of Japanese culture from....the Japanese proverb....
"The heavier the stalk the lower the bow." Here, the stalk is of rice. The more grains it produces the more it will feed. The more fed the Greater it {the Stalk} becomes. The Greater you are, in their culture, the more humble you must be. It's when we are reminded that we are more similar than we are different, our laughter takes on a meaning of its own.
We discover, as Anne in Tokyo has, there is so much to learn from one another. Are we open? Are we bounded by our self pity? Are we made to be victims or are we a cure for the symptom? Are we moving in Faith? Are we sowing?
If and when we do.......Are we Laughing?
"Happy are those that inherit the Kingdom of God" and another quote that comes to mind is "You want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans." When the plans of others interfere with your greatest Intentions, Laugh! When we smile in the face of adversity we take the power of which that seeks to conquer us. Have you ever wondered why Laughing is contagious? It's your Spirit's reminder that nothing is too heavy to move. No worries to heavy to bear. No dissappointment too heavy to forgive. No challenge too heavy to overcome.
Yesterday, I read an enlightening blog entry about humor, I have to say it was an eloquent tribute to Japanese culture. The blog, "Mysterious Laughter", highlights Anne Thomas', experiences in Tokyo in the realms of funny moments.
She beautifully illustrates how during her presentation in Art class she was so embarassed by her stumbling attempts to communicate the message of her piece in Japanese(and the fact that her painting was far from great) she was flushed red. She couldn't possibly understand how in an awkward moment her fellow "energetic" classmate, who presented after her, was able to laugh at himself during his presentation. The whole class began to laugh with him. Anne learns that the Japanese laugh with you and not at you for they too have been embarassed and can relate to nervousness.
Interestingly enough, mystery births the greatest questions. The Japanese live a life of humility on their path to Greatness. So they often demean the dearest people to them in the interest of not putting themselves or their family above anyone else. Anne found this hilarious at first, but she soon discovered that it is a reflection of their humble culture. Although she continues to laugh, she finds a Greater understanding of this "mystery" of Japanese culture from....the Japanese proverb....
"The heavier the stalk the lower the bow." Here, the stalk is of rice. The more grains it produces the more it will feed. The more fed the Greater it {the Stalk} becomes. The Greater you are, in their culture, the more humble you must be. It's when we are reminded that we are more similar than we are different, our laughter takes on a meaning of its own.
We discover, as Anne in Tokyo has, there is so much to learn from one another. Are we open? Are we bounded by our self pity? Are we made to be victims or are we a cure for the symptom? Are we moving in Faith? Are we sowing?
If and when we do.......Are we Laughing?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Epically You
I usually write in retrospect, but today I found inspiration in an email sent by my Mother. You know, those forwards that we send to our entire address book or, if you're like me, you send to a select few who are an inspiration to you. Below is what I found in the email:
Anger is not worth the price you pay for it. Transform it, instead, into positive resolve.
Despair will only keep you stuck where you are. Choose to exchange it for a good dose of inspiration.
Arrogance will cut you off from the world. Cast it away and replace it with generosity and enthusiasm.
Impatience only brings you mistakes and frustration. Let it go, and let peaceful purpose take its place.
For every burden of your own creation, there is an alternative that will lift you up. When you feel yourself being dragged down by the attitude you have chosen, let that be a reminder to choose a more positive approach.
You are in control of the way you look at life. And the way you look at life surely and inevitably determines the way your life will be.
~ Ralph Marston
I believe that these words are great in Truth, but they are even greater still in Purpose. Most would think that Ralph Marston was a great orator of the 19th century or a world renown Spiritual guru with a reputation that supercedes his carnal ability. He's simply a man in his mid fifties living in Austin Texas as a Husband, Father, Son dedicated to personal development and the creator of The Daily Motivator.
Over 14 years ago, he began updating one of his websites with his messages of motivation, encouragement and inspiration. After garnering a significant following and publishing two collections of his messages, The Daily Motivator was born. From there, his work took on a life of its own affording him financial, personal and Spiritual freedom that only derives from taking a risk to do what you do best. To be you...
What do you do best? When are you at your best? Where do you find your best? How can you make your best, better still ?
I believe in Ralph Marston's story we learn that the only thing that we shall supercede are.....our Limitations....
Visit The Daily Motivator at www.greatday.com/
Anger is not worth the price you pay for it. Transform it, instead, into positive resolve.
Despair will only keep you stuck where you are. Choose to exchange it for a good dose of inspiration.
Arrogance will cut you off from the world. Cast it away and replace it with generosity and enthusiasm.
Impatience only brings you mistakes and frustration. Let it go, and let peaceful purpose take its place.
For every burden of your own creation, there is an alternative that will lift you up. When you feel yourself being dragged down by the attitude you have chosen, let that be a reminder to choose a more positive approach.
You are in control of the way you look at life. And the way you look at life surely and inevitably determines the way your life will be.
~ Ralph Marston
I believe that these words are great in Truth, but they are even greater still in Purpose. Most would think that Ralph Marston was a great orator of the 19th century or a world renown Spiritual guru with a reputation that supercedes his carnal ability. He's simply a man in his mid fifties living in Austin Texas as a Husband, Father, Son dedicated to personal development and the creator of The Daily Motivator.
Over 14 years ago, he began updating one of his websites with his messages of motivation, encouragement and inspiration. After garnering a significant following and publishing two collections of his messages, The Daily Motivator was born. From there, his work took on a life of its own affording him financial, personal and Spiritual freedom that only derives from taking a risk to do what you do best. To be you...
What do you do best? When are you at your best? Where do you find your best? How can you make your best, better still ?
I believe in Ralph Marston's story we learn that the only thing that we shall supercede are.....our Limitations....
Visit The Daily Motivator at www.greatday.com/
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
In Freedom Lies Responsibility
I've been having loads of fun sharing in "Spiritual" studies with different people of different beliefs in different spaces on their Spiritual path. Learning from them all, reminds me of Jesus' reference to the "pure at Heart" who shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
What does it mean to be "pure at Heart?" How do we measure this purity? Once pure, what next? When you stumble upon Truth and receive the things that God gives us freely. It's euphoric! You begin to feel all the questions of your Mind being answered by the voice of your Heart. Your inner conflictions begin to fade for you are certain that your next step is moving in Divine Direction. It's Love!
In Love, all things are possible and all things are revealed in their proper time. However, once we are "pure at Heart" the work really begins. We were never promised a quiet, conflict free journey in Spirit and Truth. To those on the outside looking in, your journey may not seem worth the battle. Negative energy will seep in to take up space in your Mind to disrupt the communication with the Heart. Various weapons seek to appeal to your weaknesses causing you to forget you are wrapped in His loving grace. Questions that have yet to be answered make you second guess what you thought you were certain of.
We must be tested and our Faith must grow or our Works are dead, simply Lifeless. To gain Life, we must reach back and feel the same Love we felt when we first started out. Pull from the untainted Energy that gave us our start. Place first, a discovery of gifts that make us indispensable in our service of others. Begin with finding purpose in Divine Love.
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career or burned out from the demands of Parenting or depressed about your deferred Dreams? It may be time to listen to your Heart, restore its pureness and trailblaze full speed ahead in Love.....
What does it mean to be "pure at Heart?" How do we measure this purity? Once pure, what next? When you stumble upon Truth and receive the things that God gives us freely. It's euphoric! You begin to feel all the questions of your Mind being answered by the voice of your Heart. Your inner conflictions begin to fade for you are certain that your next step is moving in Divine Direction. It's Love!
In Love, all things are possible and all things are revealed in their proper time. However, once we are "pure at Heart" the work really begins. We were never promised a quiet, conflict free journey in Spirit and Truth. To those on the outside looking in, your journey may not seem worth the battle. Negative energy will seep in to take up space in your Mind to disrupt the communication with the Heart. Various weapons seek to appeal to your weaknesses causing you to forget you are wrapped in His loving grace. Questions that have yet to be answered make you second guess what you thought you were certain of.
We must be tested and our Faith must grow or our Works are dead, simply Lifeless. To gain Life, we must reach back and feel the same Love we felt when we first started out. Pull from the untainted Energy that gave us our start. Place first, a discovery of gifts that make us indispensable in our service of others. Begin with finding purpose in Divine Love.
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career or burned out from the demands of Parenting or depressed about your deferred Dreams? It may be time to listen to your Heart, restore its pureness and trailblaze full speed ahead in Love.....
Monday, July 20, 2009
Acheiving Greatness: Change is Ever Changing
The one thing that is absolutely constant is Change. At one point or another, we are all forced to come to terms with this Change. Allow me to highlight some of the most impressive ways to improvise.......
Barack Obama, with his declining support and backing for Healthcare Reform, steps it up a notch and stays the course reminding us all that although we may have to tailor our approach we should never lose sit eof our cause....check it out....www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25163.html
Trita Parsi introduces us to an Iranian prisoner that has a shockingly heartbreaking story, yet he is remembered for his optimism in our ever "changing" times.....Nice to meet you Bijan Khajehpour....it is with great pleasure that I introduce him to you....www.huffingtonpost.com/trita-parsi/where-is-bijan-khajepour_b_241047.html
Why don't we give peace a chance? Deepak Chopra gives us a timely view on what it means to be a superpower post the fall of the Soviet Union......let's consider a different approach....the US as trendsetters.....www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/can-we-stop-being-a-super_b_241254.html
When we think of the Children as our Future, I would like to remember the stellar examples of the children of CDF Freedom School, read how they lead the way in Social Action for Child Healthcare Reform.....www.huffingtonpost.com/.../children-demand-real-chil_b_240979.html
Which leads me to my fellow Parents, who are Raising children in an ever changing World.....join me in doing a self check.....after all we are our children's first heros.....be encouraged.......www.intent.com/arianedebonvoison/blog/parenting-kids-through-times-change
Whatever the changes may be; we all have to reassess, regroup and reveal our Greatness....
Barack Obama, with his declining support and backing for Healthcare Reform, steps it up a notch and stays the course reminding us all that although we may have to tailor our approach we should never lose sit eof our cause....check it out....www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25163.html
Trita Parsi introduces us to an Iranian prisoner that has a shockingly heartbreaking story, yet he is remembered for his optimism in our ever "changing" times.....Nice to meet you Bijan Khajehpour....it is with great pleasure that I introduce him to you....www.huffingtonpost.com/trita-parsi/where-is-bijan-khajepour_b_241047.html
Why don't we give peace a chance? Deepak Chopra gives us a timely view on what it means to be a superpower post the fall of the Soviet Union......let's consider a different approach....the US as trendsetters.....www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/can-we-stop-being-a-super_b_241254.html
When we think of the Children as our Future, I would like to remember the stellar examples of the children of CDF Freedom School, read how they lead the way in Social Action for Child Healthcare Reform.....www.huffingtonpost.com/.../children-demand-real-chil_b_240979.html
Which leads me to my fellow Parents, who are Raising children in an ever changing World.....join me in doing a self check.....after all we are our children's first heros.....be encouraged.......www.intent.com/arianedebonvoison/blog/parenting-kids-through-times-change
Whatever the changes may be; we all have to reassess, regroup and reveal our Greatness....
Friday, July 17, 2009
Freedom Friday: Sunday Spent on the Lake
Last Sunday, the family and I spent the day on Lake Alatoona at Red Top Mountain State Park outside of Atlanta, GA.
It's been almost five years since I've been on the lake. My husband, a Boston native, misses everything about the Lake: Water sports, fresh fish and beautiful lakehouses. Needless to say, we all needed this adventure. My 20 month old, Saadia was amazingly well behaved and cried only once in the seven hours we spent on the boat. We spent the afternoon swimming, tubing, wakeboarding and sightseeing. It was absoulutely beautiful!
Five years ago, I had absolutely no appreciation for water sports, and I would have been content with crusing and taking in the scenery. With rain pouring down on us, we pushed the boat to its speed limit just to have the wind be kind to us. Sport Boating, what fun?!
While tubing, I watched the clouds move and the sun peeked through the darkness to smile down on us. Giving us a second run at our water adventure after four hours of non stop activity. We couldn't get enough, we didn't have enough, we needed more. Repitition, how childlike?!
It's funny how at different points in your life, your perspective of what "fun" and "exciting" is begins to shift. The experiences we take for granted when the World is our "playground." I have to say, we made the best of it; Mother Nature would be proud.
At the end of our trip, I cried tears of Joy for quality time with family and having the chance to spend the day on the Lake.
Here's to broadening my horizons.......and.....
Spending the rest of the summer......
Doing things I've never done before......with.....
Eyes that's never seen before.......
That's Freedom.....
It's been almost five years since I've been on the lake. My husband, a Boston native, misses everything about the Lake: Water sports, fresh fish and beautiful lakehouses. Needless to say, we all needed this adventure. My 20 month old, Saadia was amazingly well behaved and cried only once in the seven hours we spent on the boat. We spent the afternoon swimming, tubing, wakeboarding and sightseeing. It was absoulutely beautiful!
Five years ago, I had absolutely no appreciation for water sports, and I would have been content with crusing and taking in the scenery. With rain pouring down on us, we pushed the boat to its speed limit just to have the wind be kind to us. Sport Boating, what fun?!
While tubing, I watched the clouds move and the sun peeked through the darkness to smile down on us. Giving us a second run at our water adventure after four hours of non stop activity. We couldn't get enough, we didn't have enough, we needed more. Repitition, how childlike?!
It's funny how at different points in your life, your perspective of what "fun" and "exciting" is begins to shift. The experiences we take for granted when the World is our "playground." I have to say, we made the best of it; Mother Nature would be proud.
At the end of our trip, I cried tears of Joy for quality time with family and having the chance to spend the day on the Lake.
Here's to broadening my horizons.......and.....
Spending the rest of the summer......
Doing things I've never done before......with.....
Eyes that's never seen before.......
That's Freedom.....
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Dark Side of In Vitro Fertilization
Maria del Carmen Bousada, a Spanish Senior citizen, died Saturday at 69 from complications associated with a cancerous tumor. This may sound like the average words found in your local obituary. Sadly enough, the plot thickens....
Three years ago, shortly after losing her mother, Maria decided that she wanted to be a mother. After undergoing hormonal treatment at Pacific Fertility Clinic in Los Angeles, she gave birth to twin boys in December of 2006. She falsified documents that led the clinic to believe that she was 55, the maximum age for an In-Vitro patient.
The twin boys, now 2, are without a Mother, was never given the chance at having a Father and will be raised by an Uncle that was forced to sell their story to a Spanish newspaper to provide for them. Maria's sole desire to have children came with a heavy price for her boys, Pau and Christian.
They are too young to understand what has taken place, but as they grow older the decisions their mother made will surely have an impact on them. Why do we have children? Are we thinking about what's best for them? Have we considered the sacrifice we make in the name of "wanting to be a mother?" Are we selfish? Are our children simply "an accomplishment?'
This story, although not similar in every way, reminds me of Nadya Suleman, the American woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this year. Already a Mother of six, her doctor implanted eight embryos during In-Vitro fertilization. All eight babies were alive at birth, but they obviously needed to spend time in NICU. As a single mother, how could she afford the medical bills let alone the costs to raise 14 children? No wonder she was signing a contract with a publicist before she left the hospital. Book deals and television shows could definitely help her sponsor her children.
In Vitro, if used by Mothers who are prepared for the journey of Motherhood, is a wonderful medical advancement for women who are reproductively challenged. However, like anything else, when it is abused; things can go awfully wrong.
The children are the ones who suffer.....
As the Doctors keep cashing their checks......
In the words of the late, great Marvin Gaye...."Save the Babies..."
Three years ago, shortly after losing her mother, Maria decided that she wanted to be a mother. After undergoing hormonal treatment at Pacific Fertility Clinic in Los Angeles, she gave birth to twin boys in December of 2006. She falsified documents that led the clinic to believe that she was 55, the maximum age for an In-Vitro patient.
The twin boys, now 2, are without a Mother, was never given the chance at having a Father and will be raised by an Uncle that was forced to sell their story to a Spanish newspaper to provide for them. Maria's sole desire to have children came with a heavy price for her boys, Pau and Christian.
They are too young to understand what has taken place, but as they grow older the decisions their mother made will surely have an impact on them. Why do we have children? Are we thinking about what's best for them? Have we considered the sacrifice we make in the name of "wanting to be a mother?" Are we selfish? Are our children simply "an accomplishment?'
This story, although not similar in every way, reminds me of Nadya Suleman, the American woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this year. Already a Mother of six, her doctor implanted eight embryos during In-Vitro fertilization. All eight babies were alive at birth, but they obviously needed to spend time in NICU. As a single mother, how could she afford the medical bills let alone the costs to raise 14 children? No wonder she was signing a contract with a publicist before she left the hospital. Book deals and television shows could definitely help her sponsor her children.
In Vitro, if used by Mothers who are prepared for the journey of Motherhood, is a wonderful medical advancement for women who are reproductively challenged. However, like anything else, when it is abused; things can go awfully wrong.
The children are the ones who suffer.....
As the Doctors keep cashing their checks......
In the words of the late, great Marvin Gaye...."Save the Babies..."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Social Media: A Tribute to Freedom of Speech
Here ye! Here ye! Here ye lies the most corrupt, biased, sensored "news" source known to man: Mainstream Media!
As dusk turns into dawn, as winter proceeds spring, as death gives way to Life, we celebrate a shift in what it means to be an "eyewitness" to historical events from Hong Kong to Honolulu. Social media, although controversial, is a force to be reckoned with. So much so that the Iranian government disabled all social networking sites and world wide web activity to prohibit access to the real time developments of the Iranian protests.
As an amateur poker player plays it safe, the Chinese followed suit by shutting down mobile phones, Internet, blocked Twitter and their native equivalent, Fanfou during the riots in Xinjiang. In the interest of giving true journalists a chance to give us more of the same "fair, balanced and objective' news we've come to take as a joke. The latest developments in this media "war" is indicative of how much control we truly have. Citizen journalists have come to take our power back from the governments we entrusted it to. Some things need structure and rules of engagement; our Voices aren't one of them.
While watching Additional Scenes of Corpse Bride with my daughter, I learned that the movie's setting was loosely inspired by the Victorian Era. During this time period, the news source was a single announcer who literally yelled the latest developments handed down to him by word of mouth in the village while ringing a bell. Undoubtedly, news travels fast and today we have the blessing and curse of images that can be altered, manipulated and falsely narrated. Yet, there is something pure and quite simple we can learn take from the Victorian era: Less is More.
Alas, there is hope for media after all. Simply typing 140 characters and providing a link to a video or picture capturing real time footage is all the news we need. Social media sheds new light on " A picture is worth a thousand words" and grants millions of us the Freedom of Speech to state our opinions, debate over the nature of events and a chance to make history whether you are a citizen of Beijing or Freedom Fighter of Tehran.
All good things surely must come to an end......
I think we've had enough........Stop the "Press!"
As dusk turns into dawn, as winter proceeds spring, as death gives way to Life, we celebrate a shift in what it means to be an "eyewitness" to historical events from Hong Kong to Honolulu. Social media, although controversial, is a force to be reckoned with. So much so that the Iranian government disabled all social networking sites and world wide web activity to prohibit access to the real time developments of the Iranian protests.
As an amateur poker player plays it safe, the Chinese followed suit by shutting down mobile phones, Internet, blocked Twitter and their native equivalent, Fanfou during the riots in Xinjiang. In the interest of giving true journalists a chance to give us more of the same "fair, balanced and objective' news we've come to take as a joke. The latest developments in this media "war" is indicative of how much control we truly have. Citizen journalists have come to take our power back from the governments we entrusted it to. Some things need structure and rules of engagement; our Voices aren't one of them.
While watching Additional Scenes of Corpse Bride with my daughter, I learned that the movie's setting was loosely inspired by the Victorian Era. During this time period, the news source was a single announcer who literally yelled the latest developments handed down to him by word of mouth in the village while ringing a bell. Undoubtedly, news travels fast and today we have the blessing and curse of images that can be altered, manipulated and falsely narrated. Yet, there is something pure and quite simple we can learn take from the Victorian era: Less is More.
Alas, there is hope for media after all. Simply typing 140 characters and providing a link to a video or picture capturing real time footage is all the news we need. Social media sheds new light on " A picture is worth a thousand words" and grants millions of us the Freedom of Speech to state our opinions, debate over the nature of events and a chance to make history whether you are a citizen of Beijing or Freedom Fighter of Tehran.
All good things surely must come to an end......
I think we've had enough........Stop the "Press!"
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Bigger than Myself?
After many sleepless nights and feeling an indescribable sensation tugging at my Soul, I realize that I need to be apart of a Movement. I want to work with a group of like minded individuals in pursuit of a greater cause....an even Grander existence. As much joy as my daughter gives me, I know that I am not half the Mother I aim to be...... that I will be..... once I come to live my Divine purpose. This is a process I know, but I am overwhelmed by the infinite possibilities this discovery will bring.
Actually, my daughter is the source of my motivation. From my journey, I hope she learns that all things are possible, to never be afraid of Self Discovery and always stay true to her inner voice. As cliche as my wishes are for my daughter, these are the greatest challenges of our lives. It's difficult to put in practice, but once developed Life takes on a new meaning. You begin to see things through a new set of eyes. Herein lies the power of positioning oneself to give an exclusive contribution to the World.
As an only child and the oldest grandchild on both sides of my family, I have grown accustomed to being alone. Up until recently, I thought I enjoyed living in solace. I purposefully alienated myself so that I didn't have to thank anyone for being there for me. I thought it a sign of weakness to call upon people even at my lowest points. God forbid if and when I did ask that no one was available or able to step in; I would somehow take this as a form of rejection and retreat back into my hole.
I have trust issues plain and simple. I much rather people depend on me, but somehow I've made it impossible to depend on others. The more I open up to new experiences and new relationships the more I see the bubble I've lived in. I think it's time to burst my bubble.
If all goes well, my daughter will never know it's possible to live in a bubble. She'll only see the world with her in it.......
Actually, my daughter is the source of my motivation. From my journey, I hope she learns that all things are possible, to never be afraid of Self Discovery and always stay true to her inner voice. As cliche as my wishes are for my daughter, these are the greatest challenges of our lives. It's difficult to put in practice, but once developed Life takes on a new meaning. You begin to see things through a new set of eyes. Herein lies the power of positioning oneself to give an exclusive contribution to the World.
As an only child and the oldest grandchild on both sides of my family, I have grown accustomed to being alone. Up until recently, I thought I enjoyed living in solace. I purposefully alienated myself so that I didn't have to thank anyone for being there for me. I thought it a sign of weakness to call upon people even at my lowest points. God forbid if and when I did ask that no one was available or able to step in; I would somehow take this as a form of rejection and retreat back into my hole.
I have trust issues plain and simple. I much rather people depend on me, but somehow I've made it impossible to depend on others. The more I open up to new experiences and new relationships the more I see the bubble I've lived in. I think it's time to burst my bubble.
If all goes well, my daughter will never know it's possible to live in a bubble. She'll only see the world with her in it.......
Friday, July 10, 2009
Freedom Friday: A Spiritual Community
I read Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love about a month ago for the first time. My lovely, dear friend Mia recommended it after hearing yet another one of my stories ridden with pain and confusion. Beyond being a New York Time's Best Seller, it's an amazing Spiritual journey of an amazing woman who's life seemed to be falling apart before her very eyes.
The more I read, the more I learned about Liz, the more I related to her journey, the more I understood her path. Our lives share striking similarities: we are both born under the same sign, we share the same gift: Writing, we both got married young and we both seemed to be unfulfilled after making what we thought were the right decisions for our lives. We share in an Awakening. Even though my Spiritual journey has not taken me to Italy, India and Indonesia, it led me to the next best thing , her Book.
The part of the journey that resonated most with me is her time spent at an Ashram in India. Without giving too many details, there are several instances where she relied on the support of others when she became overwhelmed with distracting thoughts and emotions. She discovers discipline in meditation while alone, but she experiences a Divine revelation sharing in meditation with many.
A Spiritual Community is what I'm missing. My Spirit screams to be amongst people who long for an intimate relationship with God, a place where all beliefs are respected in the interest of Unity, an acknowledgement that Divinity is only acheived when we recognize that God lives within us and that our gifts, talents and Divine capabilities are apart of His earthly muse.
Ironically enough, while listening to Unity radio, I stumbled upon an interview with Elizabeth Gilbert. In between questioning, I heard an advertisement that led me to such a Community. What we find along the way may come in different forms, but it all leads us to the same place....
Appreciating every step that lands me here....
My Prayer Community led me to my Spiritual Community.....
Thank you all.......
The more I read, the more I learned about Liz, the more I related to her journey, the more I understood her path. Our lives share striking similarities: we are both born under the same sign, we share the same gift: Writing, we both got married young and we both seemed to be unfulfilled after making what we thought were the right decisions for our lives. We share in an Awakening. Even though my Spiritual journey has not taken me to Italy, India and Indonesia, it led me to the next best thing , her Book.
The part of the journey that resonated most with me is her time spent at an Ashram in India. Without giving too many details, there are several instances where she relied on the support of others when she became overwhelmed with distracting thoughts and emotions. She discovers discipline in meditation while alone, but she experiences a Divine revelation sharing in meditation with many.
A Spiritual Community is what I'm missing. My Spirit screams to be amongst people who long for an intimate relationship with God, a place where all beliefs are respected in the interest of Unity, an acknowledgement that Divinity is only acheived when we recognize that God lives within us and that our gifts, talents and Divine capabilities are apart of His earthly muse.
Ironically enough, while listening to Unity radio, I stumbled upon an interview with Elizabeth Gilbert. In between questioning, I heard an advertisement that led me to such a Community. What we find along the way may come in different forms, but it all leads us to the same place....
Appreciating every step that lands me here....
My Prayer Community led me to my Spiritual Community.....
Thank you all.......
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Let's Get Uncomfortable
My uncle and I shared in an amazing exchange the other day. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the carefulness of his words and the delicacy of his questions; Yet, they were Thunderous in their Intent and Lightning in the unveiling of Truth. The Truth about Marriage, Family and Love. In the moment, I didn't realize that this duality gave the me courage to share, but also made me uncomfortable enough to stay the course in the name of my commitment. After we hung up, I jumped in a pool of Patience.......a lake of Love.......a river of Reflection.....in an ocean of Offering.
I see now that I've been too comfortable for too long. I understand that I shield my heart from Love because I am afraid to feel the pain. I'm clear on the fact that I have been selfish, even in giving, because I gave in lieu of completely giving my heart. I was so obsessed with getting it right ; I lost sight of what Commitment requires. It requires Discomfort.
Commitment is a testament to our character. In it, we find out what we're made of, what stirs our Souls, we experience Life more abundantly, we even end up alone in a dark closet to drown in our own tears, we give of ourselves freely in the interest of maintaining something greater than ourselves. We do it not to have it done for us. We do it in the name of Love, God's Love (although, we may not even be cognizant of it).
Only on the roughest terrain and in the stoniest places can we experience the Joy of Spiritual Truth. Our Creator has given us a myriad of things to take refuge in. He knew that there will come a time where we needed words of comfort because we were uncomfortable. He knew that we would encounter obstacles, we would create our own mess, and others would bring chaos into our lives. We can't run away. We must stay and live to fight another day.
For the storms surely do pass and the sun most certainly will shine brighter than before.
I'll close with one of my personal favorites, my poem:
Ripples in the Rain
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
The energy spreads and disappears never
Leaving a stain, yet they trace the tears and
Fears of yesterday’s pain. Wearing away at the
Sounds of even Billie Holiday’s blues. Dispensing
from clouds of darkness, filling the deepest of
pools, remnants that always seem to
overflow in tomorrow’s news.
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
In all of its molecules it takes form in many drops
With it may come thunder that stirs and stops
Yet, they are powerful enough to make fools out of
Me and you or bring life to what was once doomed.
Nature in all its duty reflects a path of life in which
We must all choose.
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
Or listened to the rhythm that beats on the pave
Singing tunes of a heart that’s been abused, used
And now is enraged. Longing to be left out to dry, but
Can’t seem to escape it’s tendency to be shy. Now it’s
You time to stand up and proclaim
“I wanna go outside in the rain!”
When I watch ripples in the rain…..I feel a Spirit that
Has come to restore, a day of peace before the sun
Shines brighter than before….The creation of condensation
That once clouded my view, but now I can see beyond
The heaviest of dew. A liquid that washes away at the
The Earthly strains that get in the way of me living
Life more abundantly and keeps me saying
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
I see now that I've been too comfortable for too long. I understand that I shield my heart from Love because I am afraid to feel the pain. I'm clear on the fact that I have been selfish, even in giving, because I gave in lieu of completely giving my heart. I was so obsessed with getting it right ; I lost sight of what Commitment requires. It requires Discomfort.
Commitment is a testament to our character. In it, we find out what we're made of, what stirs our Souls, we experience Life more abundantly, we even end up alone in a dark closet to drown in our own tears, we give of ourselves freely in the interest of maintaining something greater than ourselves. We do it not to have it done for us. We do it in the name of Love, God's Love (although, we may not even be cognizant of it).
Only on the roughest terrain and in the stoniest places can we experience the Joy of Spiritual Truth. Our Creator has given us a myriad of things to take refuge in. He knew that there will come a time where we needed words of comfort because we were uncomfortable. He knew that we would encounter obstacles, we would create our own mess, and others would bring chaos into our lives. We can't run away. We must stay and live to fight another day.
For the storms surely do pass and the sun most certainly will shine brighter than before.
I'll close with one of my personal favorites, my poem:
Ripples in the Rain
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
The energy spreads and disappears never
Leaving a stain, yet they trace the tears and
Fears of yesterday’s pain. Wearing away at the
Sounds of even Billie Holiday’s blues. Dispensing
from clouds of darkness, filling the deepest of
pools, remnants that always seem to
overflow in tomorrow’s news.
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
In all of its molecules it takes form in many drops
With it may come thunder that stirs and stops
Yet, they are powerful enough to make fools out of
Me and you or bring life to what was once doomed.
Nature in all its duty reflects a path of life in which
We must all choose.
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
Or listened to the rhythm that beats on the pave
Singing tunes of a heart that’s been abused, used
And now is enraged. Longing to be left out to dry, but
Can’t seem to escape it’s tendency to be shy. Now it’s
You time to stand up and proclaim
“I wanna go outside in the rain!”
When I watch ripples in the rain…..I feel a Spirit that
Has come to restore, a day of peace before the sun
Shines brighter than before….The creation of condensation
That once clouded my view, but now I can see beyond
The heaviest of dew. A liquid that washes away at the
The Earthly strains that get in the way of me living
Life more abundantly and keeps me saying
Have you ever watched ripples in the rain?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Hear as If Unable to See
On yesterday, like many people, I spent much of the afternoon watching Michael Jackson's Memorial. Musically, the most compelling performance was Stevie Wonder's "I'd Never Dream You'd Leave In Summer" and "They Won't Go When You Go." His performance left me overwhelmed with emotion and as I struggled to watch the rest of the service through my swollen, teary eyes I knew that the world is a better place because of the Michael Jacksons.....the Ghandis....the MLKings......the Princess Dianas.....the Mother Theresas.....
The most compelling ephiphany had during Stevie Wonder's performance is that his Musical Ear has transcended his ability to see. His body of work as a songwriter, composer and vocalist convinces you that he isn't void of sight. He has always been able to see; for he sees through his Heart.
I can't help but ponder over how much we take for granted, those of us with all five senses. How we are so easily misled by media images, critics and negative people who are incapable of seeing beyond their jaded misconceptions. When we are unable to see and only hear, we take more from the message, the instructions, the song. If we can only close our eyes and open our hearts to simply listen.
Ironically enough, Stevie had the "most personal-feeling tribute" and he had never seen Michael Jackson's face, witnessed his transformation or followed the Wacko Jacko coverage of mainstream media. Yet, he heard his voice, listened to his music, and opened his Heart to his legacy.
Are we listening? Have we heard? Do we see with our ears or do we only hear with our eyes?
Are we heartless? Have we loved? Do we feel with our hands or do we boldly touch with our hearts?
The choice is ours.....
The most compelling ephiphany had during Stevie Wonder's performance is that his Musical Ear has transcended his ability to see. His body of work as a songwriter, composer and vocalist convinces you that he isn't void of sight. He has always been able to see; for he sees through his Heart.
I can't help but ponder over how much we take for granted, those of us with all five senses. How we are so easily misled by media images, critics and negative people who are incapable of seeing beyond their jaded misconceptions. When we are unable to see and only hear, we take more from the message, the instructions, the song. If we can only close our eyes and open our hearts to simply listen.
Ironically enough, Stevie had the "most personal-feeling tribute" and he had never seen Michael Jackson's face, witnessed his transformation or followed the Wacko Jacko coverage of mainstream media. Yet, he heard his voice, listened to his music, and opened his Heart to his legacy.
Are we listening? Have we heard? Do we see with our ears or do we only hear with our eyes?
Are we heartless? Have we loved? Do we feel with our hands or do we boldly touch with our hearts?
The choice is ours.....
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Celebration of Life
It's my birthday! I have designated today to enjoy the simple things: the human touch, park walks with my family, overcast skies, the smell of rain, cupcakes and a tall glass of milk. For most, today is just another day, but I'm overjoyed that this one day out of the whole year ignites an inner reflection of the many self discoveries I've made in the last year.
India Arie's song "Private Party" is befitting for the occasion: "I'm having a Private Party..... Learning how to Love me .......Celebrating the woman I've become." We all reach a point in life where we don't need the big, lavish celebratory experiences to feel loved. Somehow we come to realize that the most special moments are spent with your inner circle sharing the most intimate moments. To be surrounded by Love and well wishes by the few people you have come to know as your boldest cheerleaders is enough for me.
I wouldn't have it any other way....
Happy Birthday to me.......
India Arie's song "Private Party" is befitting for the occasion: "I'm having a Private Party..... Learning how to Love me .......Celebrating the woman I've become." We all reach a point in life where we don't need the big, lavish celebratory experiences to feel loved. Somehow we come to realize that the most special moments are spent with your inner circle sharing the most intimate moments. To be surrounded by Love and well wishes by the few people you have come to know as your boldest cheerleaders is enough for me.
I wouldn't have it any other way....
Happy Birthday to me.......
Monday, July 6, 2009
Fragile Minds
I have decided to use my troubles as a catalyst for strengthening my mind. Often times, I find myself narrating storylines in my head to protect myself from the Truth. I never reach the bottomline because I can't get past what I thought life would be and what it has become.
"Life is what happens while we plan for it" has never meant more to me than it does today. Why do we plan for life? Haven't we been taught to have plans A,B,C,D and E just in case? Are there some areas in life you plan for and others you don't? What's the secret formula? So many questions....only one answer. Learn and forget.
The more I learn, the harder it is to implement theory in real life situations; Likewise, real life situations make it difficult to adhere to theory. Honestly, the most peace I've found in sorting out my confusion is Silence. When I quiet the voices in my mind, I begin to see where the conflict began. It has nothing to do with what's going on around me and everything to do with what's going on inside of me.
In light of the latest tragedy of Steve McNair and his girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, I am reminded of just how fragile the mind can be. Our minds can become fixated on what we want that it's impossible to acknowledge what we need. It's as if there is only one solution to our temporary problem. Too often, the solution can be fatally permanent.
The strength of the mind can be liberating and captivating. It's up to us to decide its fate.
I choose Liberation......
"Life is what happens while we plan for it" has never meant more to me than it does today. Why do we plan for life? Haven't we been taught to have plans A,B,C,D and E just in case? Are there some areas in life you plan for and others you don't? What's the secret formula? So many questions....only one answer. Learn and forget.
The more I learn, the harder it is to implement theory in real life situations; Likewise, real life situations make it difficult to adhere to theory. Honestly, the most peace I've found in sorting out my confusion is Silence. When I quiet the voices in my mind, I begin to see where the conflict began. It has nothing to do with what's going on around me and everything to do with what's going on inside of me.
In light of the latest tragedy of Steve McNair and his girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, I am reminded of just how fragile the mind can be. Our minds can become fixated on what we want that it's impossible to acknowledge what we need. It's as if there is only one solution to our temporary problem. Too often, the solution can be fatally permanent.
The strength of the mind can be liberating and captivating. It's up to us to decide its fate.
I choose Liberation......
Friday, July 3, 2009
Freedom Fridays
In obeservation of Independence Day and my first full week of blogging, every Friday will be Freedom Friday. A day when and a space where we can free our thoughts, emotions and laughter held captive all day, all week, all year in the name of Healing.
Let's get the ball rolling, this week, I have been on an emotional roller coaster of heartache. From one day to the next, I feel a myriad of emotions....Forgiveness, Unconditional Love, Hatred and Resentment. When I feel the latter, I instantly become overwhelmed with selfishness and self pity. I have always held myself in the highest esteem and treated myself as an exception to most people's rules. Although, this can be healthy in personal growth; it can be suicide in Spiritual growth.
When I fell self absorbed, I have made it a practice to begin a breathing exercise, centering Meditation and my Acceptance prayer. It's amazing how fast my self absorption fades away giving life to something greater than myself....Love.
In the event we lose track of Love, be sure self absorption is not too far behind. I have to admit I enjoy living in my head. It's very easy to maintain emotional intelligence when I don't have the capacity to give outside influences the energy they so desperately seek. It's not until this outside influence is your better half and you can't imagine being whole without Him, do you realize that you weren't as emotionally intelligent as you thought. Not as Spiritually grounded as before? Yet, you are, but you have to capitilize off of your moment to prove it to yourself.
In short, our lives are filled with highs and lows, successes and failures, fairytales and tragedies. Through it all, it comes down to making the most of these moments until we no longer experience extremes we live in duality.
What Freedom......
Let's get the ball rolling, this week, I have been on an emotional roller coaster of heartache. From one day to the next, I feel a myriad of emotions....Forgiveness, Unconditional Love, Hatred and Resentment. When I feel the latter, I instantly become overwhelmed with selfishness and self pity. I have always held myself in the highest esteem and treated myself as an exception to most people's rules. Although, this can be healthy in personal growth; it can be suicide in Spiritual growth.
When I fell self absorbed, I have made it a practice to begin a breathing exercise, centering Meditation and my Acceptance prayer. It's amazing how fast my self absorption fades away giving life to something greater than myself....Love.
In the event we lose track of Love, be sure self absorption is not too far behind. I have to admit I enjoy living in my head. It's very easy to maintain emotional intelligence when I don't have the capacity to give outside influences the energy they so desperately seek. It's not until this outside influence is your better half and you can't imagine being whole without Him, do you realize that you weren't as emotionally intelligent as you thought. Not as Spiritually grounded as before? Yet, you are, but you have to capitilize off of your moment to prove it to yourself.
In short, our lives are filled with highs and lows, successes and failures, fairytales and tragedies. Through it all, it comes down to making the most of these moments until we no longer experience extremes we live in duality.
What Freedom......
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Discovering My Voice in Love
This year has been a year of Revelations. I have learned more about myself in the last six months than I have in the last twenty six years. One of the many things I've learned is that I am uncomfortable in the space of Love. Oh how this realization hit me like a europlanet traveling at the speed of Light through a million Light years!
I must give you a little insight into how earth shattering (figuratively) this is for me: I am an emotional creature, born under a Water sign, relationship oriented and I surrender my mind, body and Spirit to Love hoping that it will all be worth it or at least this is what I'd like to believe.
In reality, I take calculated risks in matters of the heart and I practice the art of 'out of sight out of mind' in the interest of preserving my dignity, ego and pride. I seize opportunities to act out various dramas to test Love's waters to determine just how much I have at stake. I must always be in control, at least in my mind, until the tables turn.
Alas, they turn, just when you're ready to stop hiding behind your love mask in the interest of truly giving your best. I face the harsh reality that Love and Logic are not related and no matter how hard I try to ensure my heart is not broken; Love proves yet again that I never had control to begin with. Why do I feel I have to protect myself from Love's boogey man? When did I begin to feel I am an exception to Love's tragedy? Why is my strength often perceived as cocky? In the midst of all of the deterrants and distractions, where did the Love go?
I became so consumed with fighting the battle of Love; I lost the War. Damn you, Pride, for always intervening in my best attempt to Love with a pure heart. The truth of the matter is the habits we develop in Earthly Love can seep into our efforts of Spiritual Love and vice versa. It is in our best interest to genuinely lay everything on the line so that our love translates amongst various tongues, tribes and times. It must be worthy to be Written.....It must be deemed Classic.....It must be utterly Universal......
I feel it's about time that all is fair in Love's War.......
I will lay down my weapons...
Raise my hands high
For "I surrender to Love......."
His Love was given first...Your Love is His reflection....Our Love transcends the Material.....Love still remains.
I must give you a little insight into how earth shattering (figuratively) this is for me: I am an emotional creature, born under a Water sign, relationship oriented and I surrender my mind, body and Spirit to Love hoping that it will all be worth it or at least this is what I'd like to believe.
In reality, I take calculated risks in matters of the heart and I practice the art of 'out of sight out of mind' in the interest of preserving my dignity, ego and pride. I seize opportunities to act out various dramas to test Love's waters to determine just how much I have at stake. I must always be in control, at least in my mind, until the tables turn.
Alas, they turn, just when you're ready to stop hiding behind your love mask in the interest of truly giving your best. I face the harsh reality that Love and Logic are not related and no matter how hard I try to ensure my heart is not broken; Love proves yet again that I never had control to begin with. Why do I feel I have to protect myself from Love's boogey man? When did I begin to feel I am an exception to Love's tragedy? Why is my strength often perceived as cocky? In the midst of all of the deterrants and distractions, where did the Love go?
I became so consumed with fighting the battle of Love; I lost the War. Damn you, Pride, for always intervening in my best attempt to Love with a pure heart. The truth of the matter is the habits we develop in Earthly Love can seep into our efforts of Spiritual Love and vice versa. It is in our best interest to genuinely lay everything on the line so that our love translates amongst various tongues, tribes and times. It must be worthy to be Written.....It must be deemed Classic.....It must be utterly Universal......
I feel it's about time that all is fair in Love's War.......
I will lay down my weapons...
Raise my hands high
For "I surrender to Love......."
His Love was given first...Your Love is His reflection....Our Love transcends the Material.....Love still remains.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Great Expectations: Man in the Mirror
In the name of abandoning all Expectations, I have snuggled, cuddled and found a euphoric nook with my Standards.
As I lie here, in the purest intimacy, I've never felt so content with the unknown variables that are my future. I realize that setting high standards for myself has nothing to do with my Expectations and everything to do with my Self Awareness. We tend to believe that Standards and Expectations go hand in hand; yet, they are much like Oil and Water.
Let's explore this for a moment. When the closest, dearest people to our hearts disappoint us, we tend to feel consumed with questions like "How could he do this?" "He couldn't care about me?" "How can I call him a friend after this?" "How would he feel if I did the same to him? "After a tiresome effort of analyzing their actions, we begin to pass judgement on the person or have a person outside of the situation attempt to answer our questions. Once we build up the courage, we may even confront the person we feel betrayed by.
Imagine this scenario if we were to allow our disappointments to renew our commitment to our Standards rather than impose our unrealistic Expectations on people that are merely Beautifully Human. As with any commitment, there is an element of personal growth that can not be ignored. Instead of buying into the misconception that you were failed by this person embrace the moment to welcome the idea that our level of success (in building healthy relationships) is directly proportionate to how many times we take the risk to fail.
Failure is what you make it. If we allow it to help us see beyond our selfish desires, we will be amazed at how our Standards begin to replace others' Expectations as their Expectations are replaced by our Standards.
Join me in starting with the Man in the Mirror.....
As we share in the Great Exchange......
As I lie here, in the purest intimacy, I've never felt so content with the unknown variables that are my future. I realize that setting high standards for myself has nothing to do with my Expectations and everything to do with my Self Awareness. We tend to believe that Standards and Expectations go hand in hand; yet, they are much like Oil and Water.
Let's explore this for a moment. When the closest, dearest people to our hearts disappoint us, we tend to feel consumed with questions like "How could he do this?" "He couldn't care about me?" "How can I call him a friend after this?" "How would he feel if I did the same to him? "After a tiresome effort of analyzing their actions, we begin to pass judgement on the person or have a person outside of the situation attempt to answer our questions. Once we build up the courage, we may even confront the person we feel betrayed by.
Imagine this scenario if we were to allow our disappointments to renew our commitment to our Standards rather than impose our unrealistic Expectations on people that are merely Beautifully Human. As with any commitment, there is an element of personal growth that can not be ignored. Instead of buying into the misconception that you were failed by this person embrace the moment to welcome the idea that our level of success (in building healthy relationships) is directly proportionate to how many times we take the risk to fail.
Failure is what you make it. If we allow it to help us see beyond our selfish desires, we will be amazed at how our Standards begin to replace others' Expectations as their Expectations are replaced by our Standards.
Join me in starting with the Man in the Mirror.....
As we share in the Great Exchange......
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Finding My Inner Strength
Her cries, hidden in the darkness, trace the tears of the stresses of a looming Divorce, the demands of responsible parenting and the piercing acceptance that True Love almost always never stands a chance. The hollowness in her soul compares to that of a corpse, the emptiness of her mind is the only things that eases the pain. A stillness comes over her and she listens to the song of Silence. Her Spirit finds a chord that seeks Balance, a pitch that yearns for Life and a melody that savors Peace.
She is no stranger to letting the pain burn, yet this time she knows that she's reached new peaks on the mountain that is her strength. A feeling of accomplishment brings a smile to her face as she brushes her shoulders off to begin a journey declining from this High place......
Spiritually, we have several stellar examples of prophets, teachers, gurus and mystics who, when all Earthly weapons sought to murder their very Soul, retreated to the wilderness, the desert, the moutaintop, the most disciplined Meditations. Undoutedly, like any of us, they questioned whether they were truly chosen or capable of assuming such a great calling. The one and only thing that they all have in common....... that we all have in common.........is Sacrifice.
What are willing to sacrifice in the name of living our best life ? When is enough, enough? When do we reach our breaking point? How do we overcome obstacles? Where does the healing begin? These questions seem to trace lines through my heart as veins follow paths to my internal organs. The answers are our source of Life.
.........Reflectively, the cliche: 'The same people you see going up; you will see going down' comes to mind. Her face beams rays of triumph and glows of perseverance. High off of the inclination she found filled with Beautiful exposures that often evade most, she feels pride and honor for the chance to be triumphant through the skirmishes......the fights......the battles......the wars.
She is me and I am her.....and this is my Sacrifice....
My inner voice says "Job well done....."
She is no stranger to letting the pain burn, yet this time she knows that she's reached new peaks on the mountain that is her strength. A feeling of accomplishment brings a smile to her face as she brushes her shoulders off to begin a journey declining from this High place......
Spiritually, we have several stellar examples of prophets, teachers, gurus and mystics who, when all Earthly weapons sought to murder their very Soul, retreated to the wilderness, the desert, the moutaintop, the most disciplined Meditations. Undoutedly, like any of us, they questioned whether they were truly chosen or capable of assuming such a great calling. The one and only thing that they all have in common....... that we all have in common.........is Sacrifice.
What are willing to sacrifice in the name of living our best life ? When is enough, enough? When do we reach our breaking point? How do we overcome obstacles? Where does the healing begin? These questions seem to trace lines through my heart as veins follow paths to my internal organs. The answers are our source of Life.
.........Reflectively, the cliche: 'The same people you see going up; you will see going down' comes to mind. Her face beams rays of triumph and glows of perseverance. High off of the inclination she found filled with Beautiful exposures that often evade most, she feels pride and honor for the chance to be triumphant through the skirmishes......the fights......the battles......the wars.
She is me and I am her.....and this is my Sacrifice....
My inner voice says "Job well done....."
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Today I celebrate Revolution! Democracy now sports a Green face prompting a permanent place for social media in delivering unbiased, uncensored news.
When I think back to the U.S. Presidential election of 2000, I can not help but to feel that I have some unresolved issues with the land of the Free and the home of the Brave. In 2000, I was just eighteen years old with a naive glimmer of belief in the greatest country in the world. As I proudly stood in line waiting to cast my vote at my assigned polling location, I remember looking at the faces of my fellow voters with wondrous excitement hoping that they all appreciated the many sacrifices made in the interest of giving each and everyone of us a voice in the political process.
Unfortunately, our voices failed to resonate beyond a hidden agenda that is deeply rooted in America's secret relationships, partnerships and dictatorship fantasies. Watching the media coverage of a possible recount in Florida was more than insult to my intelligence; it was a dagger pierced through our Souls. In this moment, I couldn't feel Free because I was too stunned to be Brave. Mainstream media stagnates our Will to fight and plays off of our fear to confront our greatest enemy: Ourselves!
Far too often, we have thoughts, emotions and plans that we convince ourselves are not worth pursuing. Why are we not inclined to take to the streets for our freedom as the Iranians have? Fighting for Freedom doesn't necessarily mean planning a revolt against your government or literally rioting in the streets wearing Green ribbons and face paint. Not to be misunderstood, I admire the tenacity, bravery and courage of the Iranians; nevertheless, every pursuit of Freedom and every opportunity to exude Bravery will not always be televised.
We fail to conceptualize that the greatest Revolutions start from within. In our deepest, darkest hours we find a way out of the darkness into the light. As the social media enthusiasts have welcomed their chance to bring the world Truth amongst a sea of biased, corporate driven savages known as mainstream media and the Iranians inadvertently provide us with a stellar example of what it means to be called the land of the Free and the home of the Brave.
Here's to the rebirth of Democracy and Mainstream Media......
When I think back to the U.S. Presidential election of 2000, I can not help but to feel that I have some unresolved issues with the land of the Free and the home of the Brave. In 2000, I was just eighteen years old with a naive glimmer of belief in the greatest country in the world. As I proudly stood in line waiting to cast my vote at my assigned polling location, I remember looking at the faces of my fellow voters with wondrous excitement hoping that they all appreciated the many sacrifices made in the interest of giving each and everyone of us a voice in the political process.
Unfortunately, our voices failed to resonate beyond a hidden agenda that is deeply rooted in America's secret relationships, partnerships and dictatorship fantasies. Watching the media coverage of a possible recount in Florida was more than insult to my intelligence; it was a dagger pierced through our Souls. In this moment, I couldn't feel Free because I was too stunned to be Brave. Mainstream media stagnates our Will to fight and plays off of our fear to confront our greatest enemy: Ourselves!
Far too often, we have thoughts, emotions and plans that we convince ourselves are not worth pursuing. Why are we not inclined to take to the streets for our freedom as the Iranians have? Fighting for Freedom doesn't necessarily mean planning a revolt against your government or literally rioting in the streets wearing Green ribbons and face paint. Not to be misunderstood, I admire the tenacity, bravery and courage of the Iranians; nevertheless, every pursuit of Freedom and every opportunity to exude Bravery will not always be televised.
We fail to conceptualize that the greatest Revolutions start from within. In our deepest, darkest hours we find a way out of the darkness into the light. As the social media enthusiasts have welcomed their chance to bring the world Truth amongst a sea of biased, corporate driven savages known as mainstream media and the Iranians inadvertently provide us with a stellar example of what it means to be called the land of the Free and the home of the Brave.
Here's to the rebirth of Democracy and Mainstream Media......
Sunday, June 28, 2009
New Age Professionalism: A Spiritual Journey
Interestingly enought, I have shared in numerous inspiring conversations with people in and out of my inner circle as to the aftershock of what we can now say is a FULL GROWN RECESSION. An oxymoron at best, but let's take a moment to reflect on this description. Historically, have we not seen a resilience in our fellow man when the global economy plummeted to it's deepest depths; the greatest minds, the maddest creative geniuses and the most devoted philathropists soared to their highest heights? Carpe Diem-are the fewest words I can use to captivate the approach we must take in such a challenging hour.
In the name of seizing the moment, this morning, after breakfast, I had the pleasure of reading yet another criticism of Obama's political agenda as to Global Warming and Universal Healthcare via Facebook. After reading this premature, unfounded analysis of our Commander and Chief and Maalika Chopra's Bloodsuckers and The World of Michael Jackson, I reached my tolerance level for displaced negativity in the face of adversity and the words I write now is what came to me in that moment.
How can we expect to address the Global Economic Crisis and America's social ills (or whatever obstacles may be looming in our respective lives) when we continue to point the finger at whomever we have designated to control our.......OWN lives.........our CHILDREN'S lives.........and the lives of our WORLD?!
Allow me to retreat to one of my favorite Ghandi quotes: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." We fail to realize that we hold the power to tailoring our armor in this Divine warfare where the only two things we can truly say we possess is the spirit of Hope and the ability to Change. Isn't that all our administration has asked of us? Finally, we have been called upon to play our role in a Global Awakening......a mind altering experience.......a tribute to our Constitution........a light shining in the darkness......the essence of our Freedom....
A paradigm shift? Take a trip down memory lane with me for a moment. Can you Remember the Time you took on a new role or responsibility? It requires one to view the world or their environment in a different light....from a different angle....or assume a different approach. It is a process of shedding what is old to embrace what is new. Whether you are searching for a new career, contemplating parenthood or starting a charitable organization, there is an Awakening that must take place in preparation for what lies ahead.
What lies ahead is uncertain and more often than not uncertainty can be an overwhelming space. We must take the time to assess what talents, gifts and capabilities make us uniquely indispensible to begin a process of self awareness. As we all know anything to do with Self is an internal journey that inevitably calls upon our Spirits that always leads us to truth.....
May the truth set us free.......
In the name of seizing the moment, this morning, after breakfast, I had the pleasure of reading yet another criticism of Obama's political agenda as to Global Warming and Universal Healthcare via Facebook. After reading this premature, unfounded analysis of our Commander and Chief and Maalika Chopra's Bloodsuckers and The World of Michael Jackson, I reached my tolerance level for displaced negativity in the face of adversity and the words I write now is what came to me in that moment.
How can we expect to address the Global Economic Crisis and America's social ills (or whatever obstacles may be looming in our respective lives) when we continue to point the finger at whomever we have designated to control our.......OWN lives.........our CHILDREN'S lives.........and the lives of our WORLD?!
Allow me to retreat to one of my favorite Ghandi quotes: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." We fail to realize that we hold the power to tailoring our armor in this Divine warfare where the only two things we can truly say we possess is the spirit of Hope and the ability to Change. Isn't that all our administration has asked of us? Finally, we have been called upon to play our role in a Global Awakening......a mind altering experience.......a tribute to our Constitution........a light shining in the darkness......the essence of our Freedom....
A paradigm shift? Take a trip down memory lane with me for a moment. Can you Remember the Time you took on a new role or responsibility? It requires one to view the world or their environment in a different light....from a different angle....or assume a different approach. It is a process of shedding what is old to embrace what is new. Whether you are searching for a new career, contemplating parenthood or starting a charitable organization, there is an Awakening that must take place in preparation for what lies ahead.
What lies ahead is uncertain and more often than not uncertainty can be an overwhelming space. We must take the time to assess what talents, gifts and capabilities make us uniquely indispensible to begin a process of self awareness. As we all know anything to do with Self is an internal journey that inevitably calls upon our Spirits that always leads us to truth.....
May the truth set us free.......
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