The Light Within: See It... Believe It....Be It

We are so often focused on acquiring things that exist outside of ourselves, that we lose faith in the fact that everything we will ever need or desire has its beginning on the inside. We need to first acknowledge that all things exist inside of us, and then we can make a concerted effort to let whatever is present inside come out. Once that happens our realization of and contribution to the universal law of abundance will increase exponentially. There is a biblical verse which come to mind that might shed more light on what it is that I'm trying to convey, and hopefully it will perpetuate our willingness to view life from the inside out.

The verse reads like this: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Well this may seem a bit abstract because we don't literally see the light inside, and most of the time we don't even consider the fact that it exists. However; it is this very light, and our willingness to share it, that is the basis for supplying all our needs and making manifest our every desire. The first step is of course to believe that this inner light exists, and then to see how that belief has been created on the inside and can be made manifest on the outside.

There's also a book entitled 'Princess Javonne  A Story of Overcoming Obstacles',* which I feel  addresses how we can uncover the light that illuminates both our seeing and believing. In the book we find three obstacles that prevent the main character, Princess Javonne, from reaching the elusive 'Palace of Possibilities'. These obstacles are: 'The River of Fear', 'The Mountain of Doubt', and The Wall of Worry, and they are the very same obstacles that blur our dreams and desires and cause us to doubt our ability to achieve them. Now although this is a childrens' book, I recommend that all of you get a copy of it for your child or yourself. By reading it you will allow Princess Javonne to share her journey toward understanding that we can only see what we believe to be true, and that the key to our belief is becoming aware of the endless possibilities and dissolving the barriers that stand in the way of our  realizing our dreams and achieving our goals. 

                             *Go to: www.princessjavonne.com  for book copies information.

We all have a light that exists inside, and our ability and conviction to allow it to shine, both inside and out, is predicated on seeing that light and being compelled to use it to brighten the lives of others. There are many ways in which we can make that happen. We can say hello to a stranger, write a letter to a friend, or read a passage from a book to a loved one and feel the mutual joy that unfolds. We can hug our child for no reason, give a dollar to someone who asks us and not judge how they might spend it, or pick up and discard something we didn't drop, and actually feel how the universe responds with joy and thanksgiving. We can walk with a friend to a mutual destination or stop in the middle of doing something to thank God for always providing us with more than enough, and then be a witness to the brightness that ensues as a result. We can even write a movie script, choreograph a dance, or sing a song in a crowded elevator, and know that an illumination, in some form or fashion, is about to occur. Whatever creative act we can imagine we can make manifest. All we need to start is doing the simple stuff and begin realizing that what we thought was impossible is really simpler to achieve than we could have ever imagined. 

We are the light of the world ya'll. Let's see it...believe it...be it, and then prepare ourselves for the bountiful blessings to come.

I want to thank Javonne for allowing me to share her light,  I want to thank each of you for seeking the light inside, and I implore all of us to stay encouraged knowing that all good things will come to pass because of the Grace of God and because of our efforts to make it so.



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Doing The Right Thing

It seems that too many of us here in America don't purpose in our hearts to take action, we wait until something happens and then we react. When we used to hear the so-called conspiracy theorists talk about how just a few people controlled the majority of the wealth of the entire planet, we took it all in with a grain of salt. Now that the toppling of the housing industry, the deterioration of our educational system, and the apparent racism in the political arena is being talked about by mainstream media, we're looking a little closer at what's really going on. We're starting to question where all the money associated with housing, schools, and political campaigns is actually going. We're beginning to believe that the government, as we know it, is not responding to our needs as it should; and possibly adhering to the desires of a small group of people whose names we don't even know. But then we still recognize and fear the power and control the government has over us, and we want to wait until we're sure they'll be no repercussions before we start openly complaining. We then start to wonder how these  so-called conspiracy theorists are blatantly talking about how wars, environmental problems, and food modification, are all being perpetrated by the powerful few for personal monetary gain. The stuff they're saying is believable and the powerful few must know that we're starting to accept its validity, so why aren't they doing something to prove these theorists wrong? Well, why should they? We are a crisis-oriented people and unless something happens directly to us, we just allow things to unfold as they do. We are dangerously complacent, and have become perfectly willing to allow others to fight our seemingly hopeless battles for us. The problem however, is that all negativity is being done at our expense, and at the possible disintegration of a viable future for our children and our children's children.

We need to start being less reactive and more proactive. How can we do that? While visiting my mother in Chicago this past week, I decided to empty all her garbage bags as I usually do. This time however, she was really adamant about the separation of 'garbage' and 'recyclables'. Now I pride myself on being a non-conformist to ideals that are not being carried out by their protagonist, that being the City of Chicago in this case. I for one, find it hard to believe that my beloved hometown is participating in an effort to 'save the planet', unless there's some tangible gratuity involved. I am just a firm believer that most Chicago politicians are more concerned about personal gain than the welfare of their constituents, and am thereby hesitant in supporting any of their agendas. I didn't verbalize these thoughts at the time, but my mother, who would be one of the few honest politicians if she were one, went right for the jugular in her attempt to secure my vote. She said, "You're writing that blog and always talking about the 'we' , yet you don't think it's a we thing when people are trying to do something positive? You talk about people talking the talk and not walking the walk. Are you one of those people?" Well it was getting kind of painful for me, and she was just getting started; so I succumbed and transferred all the items to their respective (proper) bag(s), and placed them all outside in their corresponding receptacles. I initially just reacted to my mother's plea; but, as an afterthought, have decided to actively adhere to the recycling procedures here in California. This is just my one small example of proactive behavior, and yet there are so many other ways in which we can demonstrate this same mindset.

We can stop eating in at least one restaurant where the food tastes good, but we know that it is not good for us.  We can buy only the eggs produced by free-roaming chickens. We can try to stop smoking and/or drinking at least one day a week. We can park our car further from the entrance of the mall, and stop emitting so many fumes trying to find a space closer to the door. Even better we can take public transportation at least once a month. We can spend some of our money in the 'mom and pop stores', rather than giving all of it to the big corporations. We are all creative beings, so just think of  something you can do to address the issues that you are aware of. Something's going on in the world that's not in everybody's best interest, and you know you don't like it. So even if you feel you can't do anything about that particular thing, do something positive in another arena, while realizing that every little bit helps. The 'we' is a very powerful entity ya'll, and if each one of us does her or his part, no matter how small it might seem, in the words of my friend Kenny Bean,.. "Righteousness shall prevail."

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Beginning Of The Best

I once heard that if you're in a room of  people, one of them tells a lie and you don't say anything, then you're lying as well.  I also heard a relative of mine claim, "I say what I got to say and then I leave it alone." To put these statements in perspective, let me just say that too many people get away with saying and doing too many distasteful and sometimes despicable things, and too few people make an effort to hold them accountable. There are a lot of man-made laws that promote order and decency, but somehow we allow certain individuals to remain 'above these law'. There is one Universal Law and it proclaims that we are all one. What that means is that whatever you do to me you are also doing to yourself. So by us making others aware of their errant behavior, all of us will benefit.

This past election brings the gist of this discourse into focus, because it demonstrated that we voters have let the politicians and backers know that their conduct is no longer void of  consequences. We have once again begun to, and will continue to hold them accountable for their behavior. You, Mr. Mourdock, say that pregnancy induced by rape is a gift from God? Okay, now you will have to consider if your loss in the Senate race is also a gift from God. Mr. Romney, you gave us  a general and very vague account of what you would do if elected president, and refused to give us any details in regard to how your actions would be carried out. Well, our votes have let you know that we are not going to sit idly by and allow you to continue insulting our intelligence. Politicians beware. We are tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. We have for too long, in the words of Brother Malcolm, been hoodwinked, bamboozled, and led astray. There is too much at stake, and as Mary J. Blige implies in her music, 'we can do bad all by ourselves'. So if you're going to bring it..it better be correct, or be prepared to pay the price for it not being that way.

What we need to do now is to bring this same mindset into our every day lives. We can no longer allow our children to talk to us any kind of way, and not let them know that the tone and content of their conversation is unacceptable. No longer will we be complacent when our educators, from the teachers in the classroom to the United States Secretary of Education, tell us that there's nothing else they can do for our child. We're going to  find out, undertake, and implement whatever's necessary to insure that our children get a better education before our military gets more weapons. Continuing to allow gas prices to fluctuate as randomly as they do is a no no. So the next time the cost of gas increases exponentially, and we get a credible online plea to boycott a specific gas distributor, we will seriously consider doing just that. And if anyone, from a menial to managerial position, whether on the phone or face to face, talks to us in a less than respectful way, then that matter will be addressed immediately so that the outcome of that and subsequent discussions is favorable to all. Everything we've spoken of thus far will of course be done tactfully and with good intent, but it must and will be done because our collective well-being is at stake.

I want to personally thank each of you for getting out to vote, and I implore you to remember and understand that our struggle is ongoing. Let's keep it real ya'll by holding all those who claim to have our best interest at heart, acccountable for acting with honesty and integrity. The message has already been sent through this election, so let's keep it moving. More than that, let's be encouraged always by keeping in mind that as long as we treat ourselves and each other as one...The Best Is Yet To Come.

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Is The Rule Really Golden?

You can check out the audio version, with musical accompaniment, by clicking on the following link: audio version.

While in a crowded parking lot Saturday, I waited on three cars to pass before backing out. When I finally got a chance to do so, another driver stopped me, rolled down her window and yelled, "Wait your turn." Before she drove off (even though I wanted to do otherwise) I decided to treat her the way I would like to have been treated, with tolerance and patience, in the hope that she would pass that same spirit on to the next person. It was unfortunate that her concept of the 'Golden Rule" was 'Do unto me as I would do unto me..'  The 'we' was entirely left out of her equation, as it has been with all of us (including myself) at one time or another. This type of behavior sadly allows separation, rather than cooperation, to be the dominating factor in our interactions.

Divisiveness is a disturbing yet effective means of wresting power from the many and relinquishing it to the few. Divide and conquer is not an insignificant adage but a viable and oft used reality. It has been employed throughout the ages to control, and no group of people is immune from its debilitating effects. Yes even religion, the largest single entity of human consciousness on the planet,  has fallen prey to this perpetrator of hiearchal self-righteousness. The fact that a reported 3.5 billion people on the planet profess a belief in a Supreme Being, yet focus more on differences than on similarities, is a boon to those whose major objective is to be right rather than righteous. Right or wrong can only lead to separation and conflict, whereas true righteousness leads to unity (oneness) and peace.

The Golden Rule is one similarity that exists between at least five of the major religions of the world. However, divisiveness between them, whether purposed or not, contributes to the problems of our world today. Let's take a look at the parallel between religions in terms of numbers. These numbers are admittedly research figures that may be opinionated at best. However; they do serve to make a point, so let's focus on their qualitative rather than quantitative value.

Christianity: There are over 2 billion Christians in the world and the Golden Rule as expressed by Jesus in Matthew 7:12 reads, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Islam: We have1.6 billion Muslims on the planet and the same rule is found thusly in the Prophet Muhammad's Forty Hadiths "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself."
Hinduism: 900 million Hindus live in our world and their version of the same rule is found in chapter CXIII Verse 8 of the Anusasana Parva, and it reads," One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one's self. This, in brief, is the rule of dharma {the universal law of being}. Other behavior is due to selfish desires." 
Buddhism: The Buddhists population is 376 million in number and in the Udana-Varga 5:18 we find,  "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." 
Judaism: Our world consists of 13.75 million Jews and we find the following words in the Talmud, Shabbat 31a, "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary."

Now I don't know about you, but I see the very same message in all the above quotations. If  you treat me the way you want to be treated then we will undeniably be of one accord. Each  and every quote expresses a reciprocating principle that advocates, defends, and supports the concept of 'Oneness' to the nth degree.

It's obvious that the world is not reflecting this sense of unity, so what is causing our divisiveness. Could it be that we are saying what we believe and who we are, and  but are not fully being (living) what we say? Are we, from time to time, speaking ill of someone who doesn't act like we think they should, and then, in the course of doing so, opening the door for someone to speak ill of us?  Do we occasionally forget that it took us a minute to get where we are, and then expect someone else to be where we think they should be (right now)? We have been given countless opportunities to become better people, yet are we possibly not allowing another a chance to improve? How about us looking at someone else in terms of where they are and not where we think they should be? I believe that once we start seeing ourselves as a body of one, each sharing the same hopes and dreams of living in harmony and peace, we can be more true to ourselves and to each other. 

Life's purpose is more about action than conversation, and I don't believe that we can put anything out there and not get it back. If each of us makes a concerted effort to be who we say we are, and works harder on perfecting ourselves and less on being concerned with what we consider someone else's imperfections, then separation and chaos can be mitigated. Once that happens, we can graciously accept and manifest the universal One that we have always been.


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Words and Music By Grace

According to Corinthians 12:9, God's Response to the Apostle Paul's request to remove the tormenting  'thorn in his flesh' was, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my Power is made perfect in weakness". By Grace we have been given access to varied venues of relief for whatever bothers us. I was inadvertently reintroduced to two of these venues just this past weekend. Albeit not knowingly involved in any tormenting situation at the time, I was certainly not feeling my best and thereby became willingly lifted to a higher dimension via the composition (music) of six women and the literature (words) of one man. Whether it be the humdrum of daily life or the anxiety and sometimes frightening doldrums of fighting our personal battles, there is a way out. Words and music can be that way because as they did for me this past week end, they can take you to places where no woman/man has ever gone and bring you back with a renewed and strengthened sense of where to go from here.

I'd like to pontificate a bit on these two occurrences, if I may, and point out how the seven people involved in them both transformed and enriched my life.

The first was a two day event called 'Off The Page': Women Jazz Composers Festival. It was a collaboration of six ladies: Maia, Nicole Mitchell, Dawn Norfleet, Leah Paul, Tomeka Reid,  and Manisha Shahane, all accomplished composers in their own right, who at the behest of a Tomeka Reid brainchild got together to both showcase and share their creations with two totally encapsulated and enthralled  audiences at the 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica on October 12 and at the World Stage in Los Angeles on October 13. I was both privileged and honored to MC both these outstanding occurrences and grateful for the opportunity to both experience and be a witness to the  strenuous work, unflinching dedication, time consuming days and restless nights that accompanied these ladies as they arduously extrapolated indelible compositions and delivered unheralded performances allowing every member of the audience to leave with much more than they had imagined was available to them.

Jazz Composing Divas

L-R Manisha Shahane, Dawn Norfleet, Tomeka Reid, Nicole Mitchell, Leah Paul, and Maia

It was amazing to behold how each composer had to not only write a musical score for each instrument (voice included), but had to also ensure that each instrumentalist understood and was comfortable with the overall message that was to be conveyed. Needless to say, the musicians were handpicked because of their innate abilities to meet these criteria and were incredibly and undeniably adept at meeting the high standards to which they had been called. The result was a cornucopia of composition that included fusions of classical, folk, world, experimental, and jazz music that was irrefutably, as inferred by Maia's creative festival moniker..."OFF THE PAGE'. Their willingness to give of themselves to others at an unheard of $10 donation/cost for an event of this magnitude, the unselfishness of each composer to highlight  and display the awe inspiring skill and dedication of each instrumentalist to her/his craft, and the overall love for both music, audience and participant was indicative of how this event was an ideal microcosm of how we all can and should interact as One.

The ardent display, by all present, of appreciation for the collaboration; and participation in the celebration of our Oneness, transformed and enriched my life. It renewed my understanding that by the Grace of the Creator we are able and obligated to participate as co-creators in giving of ourselves to others,  by means of the gracious gifts that have so freely been given to us. As an added bonus a remarkable enlightenment arose from all of  this sharing and caring, that being the revelation that our co-creativity can easily be witnessed by the joyful exuberance displayed by our simply being present in the moment. It was all good ya'll.

The second occurrence was the receipt of an autographed copy of my twenty-five year friend, Paul Madyun's, first novel entitled 'The Candidate'. This compilation of literary expression depicts the life of a man besought by the need to understand his personal experiences and their relation to two universal and oft repeated queries: Why am I here? and What am I supposed to be doing?

I read half the book in one sitting and was so enamored with Paul's style of writing, his exceptional  assimilation and utilization of the English language, and the way in which the aural essence of each character jumped off the page that I decided to take my time and savor both the somatic and spiritual unfolding that emanated from each and every page. You see the book is not merely a fictional account of one man's life, it's an unobtrusive view of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual experiences that permeate the lives of every man woman and child. In addition to displaying the experiences we encounter in the course of attempting to live life on life's terms, Paul also offers insight into the choices available to us during those experiences that we might of heretofore been unaware of. Reading his book is like learning how to live life while being captivated and enthralled by the life of another who, like ourselves, is attempting to remain on that common yet elusive road of happy destiny.

In addition to all the subtle pleasures and substantive wisdom incurred while reading this wonderful novel, I am perpetually inundated with determining which character is closest to the author in terms of things like temperament, intellect, and spirituality, and in possibly discovering a little bit of him in every character. Then there is always the question of who and where I am regarding my own similarities to the make-up and behavior of each and every individual in this psuedo-fictional depiction of the life of all mankind. I'm loving this book Paul and ya'll.

No think about this. When was the  last time you read an enthralling book or attended a captivating concert? When were you last able to separate yourself from life's tormenting madness and celebrate the glorious gladness that a brilliant book or some mindful music can bring. Well, I'm inviting you to become one with the opportunity to combine creativity, to reciprocate love, and to promote positive consciousness and peace of mind. No matter where you are in your journey, take a little time to google either or all of these seven people; Paul Madyun, Maia, Nicole Mitchell, Dawn Norfleet, Leah Paul, Tomeka Reid, and/or Manisha Shahane. Familiarize yourself with their work (gifts) and do what you can to share your findings and insight with yourself and others. Let's all participate in a collaborative effort  to support, celebrate, and share with one another as we become one with the universe which, by Grace, is available to us all as we make our way to heaven right here on earth.


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Our Connection Is Not an Option...It's A Necessity

The thigh bone connected to the back bone,
The back bone connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone connected to the head bone,
Oh, hear the word of the Lord!

The foregoing is an excerpt from the song Dem Dry Bones, with melody composed by James Weldon Johnson and lyrics written by an unknown author. While in a Yoga class this week, the instructor commented on how each yoga posture has an effect on the entire body, including the internal organs, and how our awareness of this connection can enhance the benefits derived from the posture itself. I thought about this in terms of how President Obama had inadvertently referenced the importance of a 'national connectedness' in an interview with the television program 60 Minutes. He implied that as a result of his experience while in office, he would spend less time trying to garner the support of the Republican congress and more time on assessing and meeting the needs of the American people. My contention is that the president has realized or remembered that until all our needs are met, until we all collaborate and agree on 'what we gon do', there will be no real peace and freedom for any of us. We're connected, we're one, and until we initiate and sustain our actions from that premise, division, dissatisfaction, and the subsequent dismantling  of life as we know it will continue to plague us.

It's no mystery that there are only a few people on the entire planet who have collectively amassed almost all the material wealth. Along with that wealth is a semblance of power that seeks to strengthen and maintain their status by keeping the rest of us competitive and at each other's throats. A sense of I got to make sure that mine is bigger, better, and 'righter' than yours has become our mindset, and we spend a lot of our time concerned and bickering about things like: the Republicans or  Democrats being the best party, the Chicago Bears being a better team than the Oakland Raiders, Christians or Mormons being the only ones going to heaven, whether or not Haile Berry looks better than Angelina Jolie, if Hip Hop has a good or bad influence on the black community, or if a "Big Mac" is better than a "Whopper". These and many other issues keep us at odds  among ourselves while the supposed 'powers that be' are dedicated to collectively insuring that their stronghold remains intact. Their semblance of power is fueled by our elusive desire to be like them, and we thereby lose sight of who we are...one people whose existence is made manifest by One Creator for the sole purpose of helping one another experience heaven right here on earth. Once we realize that it ain't about what me or she has, but about learning how to depend on and treat one another, we'll be able to experience a sense of wealth and power beyond our deepest imaginings and our wildest dreams. We can then transition from the mindset of limitations to a consciousness of more than enough.

I propose that once President Obama is re-elected he can start incorporating the thoughts of the people in his decision making, from a foundation of inclusiveness rather than 'elitism'. He  can involve the recently unemployed in balancing the budget, because they have learned how to eliminate debt from experience and can assist the 'experts' who rely primarily on analyzing statistics, conjecturing solutions, and lining their pockets. He can call in retired insurance execs who are willing to tell the truth about insurance fraud on the corporate side, and have the knowledge and desire to formulate a means for allocating medical benefits in an honest and equitable manner. As for foreign affairs he can bring both allies and potential foes to the table, and they can all come to terms with the fact that their quest for nuclear power stems from a desire to keep up with the "Jones's. As my buddy Buzzy used to say, "White folks got it, you know I want it." From these and similar meetings an international forum can be established where the major focus is making sure that everybody has what they need, so that they don't try to get somebody else's.  You inferred the concept of 'connectedness' in your interview Mr. President, and I don't know how and if you intend to incorporate it, I'm just sayin. We can solve the problems together, as one, by  being inclusive and collaborative in our approach. 

"The neck bone connected to the head bone...". I remember singing that song as a child without realizing that it was a Negro Spiritual, because we never included the words 'Oh, hear the word of the Lord!  Well the 'Word' is and always will be 'One'. We all can do our part by recognizing, legitimizing, and utilizing a sense of oneness in our homes, on our jobs, and wherever and whenever we find ourselves in the company of others. All we need do is see ourselves in others and do our best to promote and solidify our connection to one another. We can sit at the table and eat dinner together. We can take a walk with a loved one. We can say Hi to the person walking by. We can give a dollar and/or a smile to the one with the cup in her hand. Neither the president nor anyone else can make anybody do anything, but our example can and will lead to beneficial results. Our every action affects another, and in turn affects all of us. We're one ya'll...we're connected. Let's do everything we do with that in mind.


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Is Age Really a Factor?

Your number of years on the planet might be very significant when you're five or six and you first start school. In the words of the kindergartner when asked how he liked his first day of school he said..."It was OK mom, but how much longer do I have to do this?" As a teenager there's the joy of having reached a milestone but then a sense of awkwardness crops up, and with it a preoccupation with personal appearance. Then you're twenty-one and legally grown but now responsibility is definitely an issue. At thirty the desire to succeed increases, and upon reaching forty you begin wondering if you ever will succeed. Fifty brings with it an attitude of "Oh Well, it's now or never",  and the common axiom at sixty is 'whatever' because the concern for what you or others have expected of you has significantly diminished. Now I can't speak from experience as to what happens at seventy, so I won't even try. However, in celebrating my wife Nicole's Godmother Jean Ann's eighty-first birthday last week, I learned that it really doesn't matter how long you're here. What truly matters is what you do while you're here, and how you feel about doing it.

Now I would be remiss if I didn't remind some of you and inform the rest that my momma is also eighty-one and that she got her Bachelors Degree at forty-nine. She, started teaching aerobics at fifty-one and taught at least four classes a week until she was eighty years of age. She started working with adolescents and teens at seventy-two, while still teaching aerobics, and worked with me at the Lighthouse Youth Center until May of 2011. She's been and still is my inspiration in everything I endeavor to do, because her uncompromising work ethic and unrelenting desire to help others are the characteristics with which I attempt to fashion my life. I knew that there were others beyond the age of seventy that shared my mother's zest for life and her 'never too late' consciousness; but it wasn't until experiencing Jean Ann's life, up close and personal, that I was able to witness another version of that same mindset.

  Momma modeling      

After booking our flight to visit Jean Ann, Nicole and I had offered to take a cab because of our late arrival time. However, Jean Ann insisted on picking us up and, true to her word, she pulled up to the curb 'round midnight' and whisked us away in her purple automobile. We arrived at her home where we talked for a while as she introduced and acclimated us to our new surroundings. She then excused herself in order to get back to a project that had to be completed by the next day. Having worked until three in the morning, Jean Ann went to bed and got up around six a.m. to finish her project and to prepare for an eleven a.m. meeting at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Collection in Focus, where she has been a guide since 1999.  The project was a lecture and tour that Jean Ann coalesced with her birthday celebration and it addressed the presence of the works of over forty (40) African American Artists in the permanent collection of the Institute. The program started at one p.m. and Nicole and I had front row seats.

Jean Ann in Her Purple

The venue was filled to capacity with over sixty (60) people present. The majority were African Americans who had never stepped foot in the Institute. All the people present, were friends of Jean Ann who were there primarily to celebrate her birthday. The program was extremely enlightening and thought provoking as the highly knowledgeable art historian, who Jean Ann brought on board, shared her expertise. Jean Ann was both captivating and entertaining as she gave a formidable explanation of what art appreciation is all about, and challenged us to share our personal interpretations of what each artist was trying to convey through their painting(s). The number of people and the ease with which she facilitated the program succinctly conveyed how Jean Ann loves what she does, it aptly illustrated how she does what she does in the hope that others can share in her joy, and it deftly demonstrated how people are receptive to truth and beauty especially when it is administered by someone who lives it. 

Two years ago Jean Ann became an advocate and volunteer for the Restorative Justice Alternative Court System which seeks to exonerate first time offenders. As she shared this with me I was reminded of how my mother recently let me know that she was eager to start a new career, and that it would undoubtedly be in the field of Public Service. These two women allow no grass to grow under their feet, and both purposefully and inadvertently inspire and encourage others to do the same. For those of us under eighty-one, we have a wonderful opportunity to learn from those who have 'been there and done that'.

Let's take advantage of every opportunity we can to walk, talk, share ideas, and listen to the wisdom of our esteemed elders so that we too can give to others what has so freely been given to us. Time is not linear ya'll it's right now; and it's not about how long you live, it's about how you live. So let's apply the  paraphrased words of Jean Ann's cell phone message to our own lives,"If I don't answer your call, it's because I'm out somewhere living life to the fullest..." 

Thanks Mom for being all that you are, and thank you Jean Ann for choosing to share your life with me and for allowing me to share mine with you.




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Breathing is a Blessing...Gratitude an Attitude

Sometimes we take things for granted and are unaware of how thankful we should be for what we have received. I had no idea how much my deceased wife Elaine loved me until after she had made her transition. What she has done has committed me to loving my present wife Nicole as much and even more than I am loved. Thank you Elaine for what you've given me. I once reminded my nephew that I was providing him with food, clothing and shelter and that his grades did not reflect his appreciation. He told me that I had to take care of him. I know that his attitude has changed by now and I am grateful that he inadvertently pointed out how hurtful it can be when our efforts are taken for granted.

Nicole and I went backpacking with her cousin Kappe last week when I realized that my ability to breathe was hampered by a cold I'd contracted the day before. Mind you the trek, with packs on our backs, was a 3 mile hike up a mountain. It's one thing to walk 3 miles down the road, but because of inexperience I had no idea how strenuous it is to walk 3 miles up a mountainside. I had already claimed that I was not going to be made to look like the 'weaker sex', and so it was an unrelenting ego that would not allow me to be outdone by two women. This egotistic mindset, alongside the unmitigated Grace of God was the only way I was able to get to the top of that mountain. It was only when we came down the other side however, had settled at the campsite and had an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of creation that I actually realized that every breath I had taken was a gift from God and believe you me, I took quite a few coming up that mountain. Thinking about how we take something as important as breathing, a beating heart, or functioning organs for granted I began to truly appreciate how life itself is a gift, and that every thing and every body that contributes to our well being is a blessing.

After having rested the entire second day, and having savored the indescribable magnificence of what had been created for all the world to experience and enjoy, I felt ready to make the return trip up and down what I considered a magnanimous mountain. Although my cold had abated somewhat, it had not yet passed and I had several opportunities to experience how much a blessing it was just to be able to breathe. There was something else however that unequivocably illustrated how God can adjust our attitude through others. Nicole and I were climbing the mountain, still short of having reached the top, when Kappe appeared without her backpack and asked if I wanted her to carry my pack the rest of the way. It wasn't my ego this time that caused me to say no, but an undeniable understanding and a platitude of gratitude for Kappe and all the people that God allows to be a part of my life. It is because of other people, and the things they do, regardless of how significant or insignificant these things may seem, that make the days of our lives remarkably worthwhile.

Recognizing how blessed we are can be a humbling experience, but maintaining an attitude of gratitude for the blessings we receive, no matter in what form they may appear, makes every experience an opportunity to better ourselves and to give to others what has been given so freely to us. Thank you God for the breath of life and thanks to all of you for helping me to appreciate this gift and all that goes along with it.



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Love Is A Consciousness

The worldly consensus seems to mandate that we choose and profess a religious affiliation. Then it offers automatic credibility and authoritative license to those of us with a 'title' before or after our names. I've always experienced hesitancy in regard to accepting religious beliefs as spoken and demonstrated by those who claim to love God and are so-called conveyors of God's Word. I'm talking now about not only Christians, but Muslims, Buddhists, and all others who profess one thing and seem to live another. As far as I'm concerned, who we are, who we're with, and what we know is not nearly as important as how we live (love). 

The purpose of this posting is to address the need for developing, manifesting, and maintaining a consciousness that doesn't replace but transcends any and all theological beliefs. It's about being more concerned about our spiritual connection than our religious affiliation. It's about loving each other where we are and not where me, you, or anybody thinks we should be. Mankind has taken its own interpretation of what God would have us do, and packaged, labeled and advertised it under the premise that whoever doesn't buy it is going to hell. I believe that if we do our best to live according to the two things that Jesus said summed up everything..."Love God and love each other..." then we will not only have eternal life but can experience heaven right here on earth.

Love is the act of being one, not only with God but also with each other. What Jesus and other spiritual teachers had (have) is a "doing whatever it takes to bring more love Into this place" type of attitude. They had (have) a Love consciousness. Our religious affiliation, and who and what we want to be known as, has little or nothing to do with what we're supposed to be doing. Our love for God, for one another, and for ourselves,...that's the place we're supposed to be working from. We too can develop, manifest and maintain a Love consciousness, by realizing and accepting that we're in a position, right now, to do what needs to be done.  The fact of the matter is that the world is calling for  more love and we are all in the right place, at the right time, title or no title, to answer that call.

We can all be participants in a revived 'I'm going to bring love to this place' consciousness by looking at what we're doing and starting to ask ourselves if we're doing whatever it is out of love. Then, if we're not, making an effort to do so. Our religious affiliation will be part and parcel of that consciousness and we will not have to promote who we are, what we know, and who we're with, because people will be attracted to what we are doing. Love, the act of being one, can then be made manifest in our own lives and the lives of all mankind. 



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It's Not About What You Bear Or Wear...It's About Who You Are

Once when I walked into a Christian church wearing an ankh, one of the deacons looked at me and greeted me with "We don't wear crosses in here, we bear them." You ever been in a situation like that where you wished you could, but you just couldn't find the words that would make you feel that you had righteously put a person in their place? Well that was one of those times, and I now realize that the following is what I would liked to have said. "First of all Junior, this is not a cross it's an ankh...an Egyptian symbol of eternal life. And secondly, why are you still bearing the cross if Jesus did it for you?" There, I feel better now so allow me to pontificate just a bit about how I felt then and how I still feel today.

All my life I've heard that God Gave His only begotten son so that whoever believed in him would live forever. I've also read the following biblical verses Matthew 16:24 and 1 Peter 2:21 respectively,  "To this we were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.", and, "If anyone would come after me he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. " I believe that these passages are paramount in that they describe how true sacrifice is made and they indicate that we might experience discomfort in doing God's Will as demonstrated by Jesus.  But is sacrifice and suffering supposed to be the gist of our focus? Do we have to tell everybody, all the time, that we be going through this and going through that (bearing the cross) so that they  believe we are the ones who are saved, sanctified, and full of the Holy Ghost? I bet that  Jesus feels we should  even diminish the attention we give to his suffering on the cross, and display other images of him like his healing the sick, feeding the 5000, setting the record straight with that Samaritan woman, or restoring the life of a child. In retrospect, maybe we can start talking more about the good we gon try to do rather than the suffering or sacrificing we've already done. Doing good in the hood, ain't that something we'd all like to hear and see more of?

Went to see one of the best movies I've ever seen and I think it's a must see for all. It's called The Beasts of the Southern Wild and it speaks volumes to how the so called least of us have learned to endure and appreciate life's sometimes painful lessons. One of my favorite passages was the mother talking to Hushpuppy, her six year old daughter, who she hadn't seen since birth. It went something like this..."Every woman is a waitress and one day you gonna drop the plate and ain't nobody gonna pick it up for you. You gonna have to pick it up all by yourself without crying cause don't nobody like a pity party havin woman." Now as far as I'm concerned, that's sound, brutally honest advice for men and women alike, and something that we should at least think about cause the person it was directed at, six year old Hushpuppy,  wound up having to live it before the movie was over.  So in addition to what I've already directed to Junior back at the church; I say let's focus more on serving and sharing, and quit talking so much about what we're  bearing and what somebody else is wearing.



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We're Born To Win

Everybody loves a winner... even the 'haters' who just don't realize that you're not a winner based on what you have but on who you are. When you project who you really are, not who you want people to think you are, everybody can't help but to want some of it.

My wife and I had the opportunity to attend a concert this past Saturday at UCLA, and witnessed an incredible display of jazz compositions performed by a classical music orchestra. The concert was preceded by JCOI (Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute) a week of intensive study facilitated by eight of the most prolific and honored jazz composers on the planet, and administered to 40 very accomplished jazz musicians, chosen from a field of several hundred applicants, who sought to expand and embellish their composition skills.  The focus was on the inherent gap between classical and jazz music, that is fueled by the same heirarchal attitude that permeates our society today. The participants spent 10-12 hours each day discussing ideas and techniques that would help to bridge that gap, expressing their experiences, hopes, and dreams in regard to developing a means for garnering respect for all musicians, regardless of their genre, who sought to hone and share their work, All of this was undergirded and intensified by the anticipated and culminating concert that would give the participants and listeners a peek into what  the future holds for the world of music.

  

                                                     Alvin and Calvin                                

I would like to give you my insight on each piece performed and the response of each and every composer, but am going to limit this talk to the composition written by my friend Alvin , who calls himself Calvin without the C, entitled Almost A Boogie.  Now I'm not going to focus on the content of his peice except to say that it included and demonstrated all the principles and precepts discussed during the weeklong UCLA endeavor. What I am going to do however, is draw your attention to how Alvin and everyone present is a winner in their own right. The humility and obvious acceptance of their many accomplishments and endeavors as something that can be achieved by anyone who strives to make a difference was a sight to behold. A primary example is how as the audience applauded; Alvin got up out of his seat, walked to the stage and personally congratulated the conductor and orchestra for their appreciative and complimentary rendition of his piece. This act was aptly duplicated as he personably and graciously accepted each and every kudo handed him by the audience, and mirrored once more by the way in which he mingled and interacted with the attendees at the reception afterwards. What I garnered from Alvin was that he and his fellow musicians were hailed and celebrated as winners by everyone present not because they tried to be but because they are.

This whole JCOI event was not about people trying to impress and be lauded. It was about every day folk sharing their musical gifts with one another so that all who experienced their subsequent contributions could hear what winning through collaboration sounds like, and hopefully seek to win through like means in their own respective endeavors. It's all about us being who we are, doing what we do, and wanting everybody to profit as a result. We all can't help but to be winners when we want some of that.

I thank all you JCOI participants for showing me how to win.



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Where Do We Go From Here?

There is a common response that makes me wonder how we got to this point. It's usually made by dependent youth in response to a conversation that goes something like this... "I put a roof over your head, buy all your clothes, and feed you each and every day. Why can't you do what I ask you to do?"  The paraphrased response is the same in any language. "I didn't ask to be here...it's your job to take care of me."  What's going on ya'll, what happened to work ethic and responsibility? I certainly don't know the answer but allow me to share my thoughts if you will.

We all have a tendency at times, to blame some one or some thing else for our uncomfortable and compromising situations.  According to the Bible Adam blamed his wife for eating the forbidden fruit'. "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." The fact of the matter was that God and Adam (the we) had a deal andAdam forfeited when he ate the fruit. Upon  realizing that he was exposed(naked) he tried to cover up.  Then, when he got caught and God called him out, he blamed Eve for the infraction. Today it's the same scenario. We get caught not doing what we should or doing what we shouldn't;  and place the blame on our parents or children, on our bosses or the school system, or on the media for our subsequent separation from the 'we' consciousness. The bottom line is that our existence on this planet has always been and will always be predicated on a we thing. No matter how we got here, no matter what we do or feel, our very presence means that we have a pact with the universe which guarantees that the way we treat each other is the way we will be treated. That's an inevitable, universal truth and it's the real deal. We and the universe are one, we are all part of the we. Whenever we break away from that reality, which has already been established, we are at fault for what some of us still claim is not our responsibility.


Each of us has a purpose for being here and not until we realize that we have to be of one accord to make that purpose manifest, none of our projects or goals will reach their full potential. If one child leaves food in the room causing ants, cockroaches, or mice to appear; the whole household and everybody in it is affected. If the father and mother are at odds with each other, whether they're in the same house or not, the children are going to suffer along with them. The schools play a role in this scenario as well  by not mandating that everyone in a child's life be involved in the educational process. Shows like 'Basketball Wives' should not be accepted as  'Reality' shows,  but for what they truly are... 'What People Do Who Ain't Doing Nothing Else'.  In order for each of us to make manifest our reason for being here, and to change the things that are not really in our favor, we must first realize that something has to be done, and then understand that before we do anything we must first take into consideration how everyone else will be affected. Then and only then can a beneficial and altruistic change come about, and then and only then can we truly fulfill our individual purposes for being here.

The next time we get 'checked' or 'treated by somebody else, let's stop responding with excuses. Instead let's recognize and accept that we're essentially being notified of how we've separated ourselves from the 'we', and how important it is to come back home to the we in that 'Garden of Eden' where it all began. Once we acknowledge and accept where we're from, we will truly recognize and realize where it is we're going.


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'My Bad' Might Be Good

I've decided that from this point on I'm going to attempt to look at the positive aspect of every situation. It's not going to be an easy endeavor, but I'm sure its outcome will open the door to creating an alternative way of dealing with daily situations in a manner more beneficial for all involved. The initiative for this particular endeavor comes from something I recalled seeing and hearing many years ago. A young boxer, nineteen years of age, had just won a gold medal in the olympics. After confirming that he was going to turn pro, he was asked about his future goals. He did not say that he wanted a world championship belt or that he wanted to make millions of dollars, as I had anticipated. What he said instead was that he wanted the life of everyone he met to be made better as a result of having met him. His lofty yet positive intent inspired me then and it inspires me yet again today. This young man's attitude has led me to believe that my looking at and dealing with only the positive side of every situation, no matter how difficult it might be, will diminish the possibility of seeing someone else as greater or lesser than myself, possibly implant in them a higher sense of well-being and self esteem, and ultimately increase the positive vibes of the universe in which we all reside.

Everything we encounter, experience, or hear about, no matter how bleak it may seem,  provides an opportunity for a positive outcome. From this point on I'm going to attempt to look at circumstances not as problems or crisis situations, but as opportunities to assist in the creation of and contribution to the most beneficial result for everybody. Just this morning someone dear to me repeated the very same error as yesterday, the result of which negatively affected myself and others. Initially I simply saw the repeating of this particular action as negligent,  trifling, and disrespectful; and have not dismissed those adverbs as being inappropriate and non-applicable to the situation. However; what I have realized is that I now have a chance to help another human being resolve an issue, the result of which might negatively affect them and others later on down the line. I've come to the conclusion that a conversation is definitely in order. Without blame or ridicule I must make the one I hold dear aware that before we do anything, we must first take the feelings and concerns of others into consideration. We must understand that everything is reciprocal and f we don't want negative outcome, our input must be of a positive nature.  I'm not yet aware of how this conversation will take place, but take place it must if Good Orderly Direction is to prevail.

I reiterate that the aforementioned and whatever else lies ahead is no easy task. However, I've traveled the road of judgement and condemnation for many years and am definitely ready for a positive change. "What we have," according to the 'Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous', " is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." I'm presently in a decent spiritual state of mind and being, and am anticipating growth rather than setback. I'm the only one responsible for the outcome of what I do; and allowing others to jeopardize that outcome, as a result of the way in which I interact with them, ain't what I'm on right now. I'm on seeing the best in all things. That's where I am and that's where you'll find me.

Holla back...



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Making It Till The End Of The Movie

Racism  is a by-product of the myth that human assets and liabilities are influenced by one's racial/ethnic background. This myth was created some time ago by those seeking to divide, conquer and control, and its purpose was to goad us into competing against each other from a racial or ethnic (racism within a race) perspective. By doing so we focus on climbing as high as we can within the supposed racial hierarchy, while those at the the top give their full attention to the acquisition of more money and more power to ultimately achieve their own virtual reality of total control. Try as we might to convince ourselves that racism no longer exists or that we will not participate in its perpetuation and sustainability, we still find ourselves in its grasp.

As you might have ascertained from a previous posting, I love me some movies. I see them as a microcosm of real life and sometimes get caught up in discerning the writer/producer's intent. Years ago my friend Les gave me a veritable and important bit of advice when he admonished me to stop scrutinizing so much and accept non documentary films for what they are, a form of entertainment. Well I'm trying Les, but there's one thing that never fails to take me back to an analytical mode. Why is it that the black man is usually the first and/or only character to die or be killed? Have you guys ever noticed that? I was intrigued by L.L. Cool J's response to a life threatening situation in the 1999 movie Deep Blue Sea, and wonder to this day why it was an intended part of the script. The line was, " Ooh I'm done. Brothers never make it out of situations like this! Not ever!"  Samuel L. Jackson's character had already been killed in that particular movie, and I've seen plenty of movies since then where neither the 'brothers' nor 'sisters' make it to the end of the movie.

My latest experience was with the movie 'Savages' where the only black guy, in a group of six or seven para military commandoes, was killed in a seemingly inconsistent manner. He's sent to protect the female co-star, in a different car mind you, and as he's trailing her he's stopped by a supposed police officer who shoots and kills him. Now you tell me, what was the real purpose for his being in that particular scene? Every member of his group had bit parts, with no real dialogue. What was it about him, what did he have beside a different complexion that the other six members of his group did not?

Well I'm still going to attend movies cause that's just what I do. However I'd appreciate some feedback in regard to how to either overlook these racial inferences and innuendos and accept them for what they are, or deal with them in a manner that doesn't nourish, substantiate and support that virtual reality of the existence of racism.


Ironically, this posting was composed prior to my hearing about the non racially motivated killings at the showing of the 'Dark Knight Rises' movie in Colorado, and seems so minute in comparison to the tragedy of humanicide (killing of humans beings due to man-made issues). However it points to the urgency and importance of addressing and resolving our social illnesses, no matter how we gauge their importance, and aptly illustrates how movie writers, directors, and producers can use the film industry as a means for doing just that.

Holla at me ya'll...



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Best Is Better

Why do we confine ourselves to doing just a little bit more than the next guy? Why do we limit our capabilities by defending our behavior with that same old adage “I’m better than I used to be.”

While working at the Lighthouse Youth Center I would intermittently ask the kids what types of grades they were getting.in school. There would be a couple who responded with a detailed answer such as “two A’s four B’s and a C”, but the majority would answer with a very nonchalant… “I’m passing”. There’s a young lady in her late teens who’s very dear to me, who when asked why she had missed school or why her grades were not up to par would answer with “At least I go to school. I’m not a drop-out, or pregnant, or on drugs like a lot of kids I know.” Then there’s my millwright friend and co-worker who when we finished repairing a piece of machinery would say, “Well, it’s better than it was.”  All legitimate and honest statements but I think that they are only used as a means for justifying our complacency and satisfaction with being less than who we truly are.

I know without a doubt that I have been created to be the best Calvin Bernard Gantt on the planet, just as each of you has been created to be the best whomever you happen to be. There is no one better qualified to do what you or I have been put here to do so let’s stop comparing ourselves to others and start excelling at who we already are. As the ‘Desiderata’ written by Max Ehrmann states, “…You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars…” So let’s stand tall ya’ll, let’s start shining and brightening things up wherever we go. We don’t ever have to worry about being better than somebody else when we’re always focused on being the best that we can be.

God will continue to give us all that we need to do all that we’re supposed to do and that giving will increase once we are no longer fearful of using all that we already have to remain the best whomever we already are.

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Keepin Secrets And Tellin Lies

While in Florida a couple of weeks ago, my nephew Nate and I were discussing some of life’s challenges and he surmised that a lot of society’s problems stem from people ‘keeping secrets and telling lies’. Now I don’t entirely remember the content of that particular conversation, but I do recall telling my nephew how clever and catchy a phrase he had employed, and to not be surprised at my using it as a title for a blog posting. Well Nate, and all of you…here it is.

Rather than discuss the pitfalls keeping secrets and not conveying our experiences and intentions to one another, and how the practice of which causes us to fabricate the truth, let me just give my opinion and personal modus operandi. In dealing with life and my interaction with others, my intent is to keep my life an open book. I think it imperative that we openly and honestly share with one another so that we can help the other to avoid the discomforts we have already experienced, and also to collaborate on the steps to be taken next in our ongoing quest for harmony and peace. We already know that what’s in the dark will inevitably come into the light at some point, so why not negate our fear of not being liked or being looked down upon and tell it like it is now instead of trying later on to convince ourselves or others that we were only trying to protect them.

Expressing my experiences and hopes through the writing of this blog has allowed me an opportunity to publicly share my strengths and weaknesses, character assets and defects, and inadequacies and capabilities. By so doing I have hopefully shown that we all have stuff to work on, and have been prompted by you, whether you know it or not, to work on my own personal stuff in the hopes that I can come back and let you know that all is well. There’s also going to be some stuff about me in the book I plan to finish within the next couple of months, that you really don’t want to miss. I’m telling you this because in doing so it causes me to work a little harder, and because it is my hope that exposing the truth about me, will set myself and all my readers free.

Thanks Nate for the OK in using your stuff, and thanks to all of you for your time and attention to mine.

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