Midwinter Reverence

Midwinter Reverence

Fresh snow softly falls
Dressing tree limbs in white garb
Until the wind stirs
For who else would dare disturb
Such a divine handiwork

Frosted light enters
And blankets a sleeping child
Beyond the window
Where even the arctic chill
Melts against a baby's breath

JMC 
1/27/15
(c) 2015

I Dare Not Be Ungrateful

It has been some lean times. As a nation, most of us are in the same boat economically: unemployment, underemployment, rising costs of living, etc. It is no great wonder then, that the stress of uncertainty sometimes weighs on me and my own family. Being the parents of an 18 month-old daughter while expecting our second baby in January, we know that our livelihood is about more than just being comfortable, but about providing a happy and safe home for our children. Lately it seems harder to manage and stay afloat. Our income is actually less than it was when we were first married due to circumstances and of course a pregnancy that limits job opportunities. At times we worry about paying bills on time, accumulating debt, fixing things in our home, and saving for emergencies and for our future. We know that we just can’t afford certain things, especially during the holiday season, when people are bombarded with advertisements to buy everything and anything. It can be quite taxing on the soul, and the body. It can cause a disturbance in the home and restlessness in our sleep. At least, that is one way to think. 

Notwithstanding all of the very real worries that we have, as a family we have so much to be thankful for! First, we have each other. My wife and I vowed to walk side-by-side though the hills and valleys on life’s road. It is comforting to have this companionship. Some families have a hard time enduring the stress and people often forget their commitment to one another. We have our health, and our unborn child is growing just fine! Many people struggle with chronic illnesses, or have children with developmental problems, and they do not have the means to treat them. We even have great health benefits and insurance due to my job. We have a roof over our heads! In fact, we own it, so we have home equity! We have food on our table! Even when we can’t necessarily afford to buy it ourselves, we have family that helps provide for us! There are hundreds of families in my community who have to depend on food shelters or churches just to have meals for the week. We have employment! Even though one of us is underemployed, we still are earning an income that more or less sustains us. We live in a safe community, where there is no crime and where we don’t have to worry (within reason) about robbery or gunfire! We have luxuries! We have running water, electricity, (which most people would say are necessities), we have cable television, we have possessions!

For all of these things, I give thanks. When I compare all of the blessings that we have to the worries and problems that we carry, it is almost embarrassing. My Uncle’s family lost their entire home in a fire last year. I have a close bredren (Rastafari brother and friend) who has been struggling with unemployment for several years now. I have family members and friends who are battling disease and health conditions. I have friends who live in neighborhoods and in cities where there is severe distress and where crime affects their livelihoods. I have students who are homeless, who are struggling with drug abuse and absence in their families. Even if I had all of these burdens, which would be hard to imagine, I have the air to breathe, water to drink... I have life! During these “tough times” (it seems funny to say now), I remember to wake up in the morning and give thanks to JAH for not being the worst. I give thanks for all of the little things that we have. When I lay my daughter down to sleep, I pray with her and give thanks even though she does not yet understand (although she does say “Amen”), because it is important that we acknowledge our blessings and good fortune. I dare not be ungrateful to JAH, Yahweh, Jehovah, Rastafari... because that would be an affront to all of the blessings that my family has received from HIM. 

Thanksgiving... yes, I know as a student of history that the first Thanksgiving is not necessarily the glorious moment that we celebrate in American mythos. I will not get into the socio-historical controversy here, because that is not my current message. I will however celebrate this day by truly giving thanks on a personal level. I will celebrate it as a day where I can join my family and extended family, break bread, and honor the Most High with a joyful heart! I truly believe that every day should be “Thanksgiving” (sans the overeating), but I am thankful for the tradition that puts a pause in our busy lives and a reality check to our woes and instead reminds us that life is precious, life is good, and we need to celebrate it! I give thanks to JAH Rastafari, to Iyesos Kristos, to Selassie I, for all of the elders and ancestors who guided the human spirit. I give thanks for all that I have and I dare not be ungrateful! Selah!

Give Thanks,
JAHsh

Nightenday Meditation

Nightenday Meditation

Nocturnal breezes 
Dancing in through the window
Such splendid silence
A peace can always be found
When we surrender to it

Hints of sunlight bring
Morning greetings from songbirds
There is a lesson 
A chance to compose oneself
And send out our own blessings

JMC
4/30/13
(c) 2013

Attitude Of Gratitude

When was the last time you sat down and ate a meal? I mean really ate, like taking slow bites and savoring each flavor. If you try it, it can be a completely different experience from the usual wolfing-down food on the go. You discover flavors that you were previously unaware of, and you become satisfied with smaller portions of things. I’ll be the first to admit that I am usually guilty of eating too fast and too much... but I’ve been more conscious of that lately and it has caused me to think beyond food and propose this question: When was the last time you savored the flavor of life?

In this day and age it is so easy to forget about the very vital things that sustain our lifestyles, let alone our very lives. We wake up each morning taking for granted that we have actually woken up. We have food to prepare a breakfast, or we have the money to buy some. Speaking of money, most of us have sources of income, so we can take care of our needs and our wants. We have shelter, we have comforts. We have family, and friends among us. Yet one thing most of us act like we don’t have is time. Why is it that we have so much abundantly set before us, and we never bother to consider how blessed we really are. We overlook all that we have, and instead desire what we don’t have. We never really taste the goodness of life, we just nyam it down.

Try taking the time to give thanks during the day at every moment possible even if it seems like there is nothing to be thankful for... because there always is. Even if you were to have nothing, which is rare but almost possible, then give thanks for every draw of breath, every beat of the heart, every little second onward against the tide of struggle. It requires a great deal of humbling of the self and magnifying of the Almighty. I know that some people do not believe in God, but as a Rastaman I have to give thanks and praise to the Creator and Sustainer of Life... Yahweh, Jehovah. I give thanks for the love and sacrifice of the Savior, Iyesus Kristos. I give thanks for the wisdom and faithfulness of King Selassie I. I give thanks for all the prophets, the freedom fighters, and the lovers of humanity. I give thanks that life has a purpose to it, that there is a rhythm... and you just have to tune in. When you're in sync, it is easier to go forward in confidence.

Take a moment to pray, to show some gratitude. Many things come forth from a grateful spirit. For instance, being thankful will help you become happier, healthier, more satisfied, more caring and more aware. Take time to acknowledge creation, the plants, and the animals, the small and wondrous things that we often just pass by. If you did so, you would know JAH because creation reflects the Creator! Gratitude can change your doubt into faith, your weaknesses into strength. And if you don’t sight up the Most High but say you are grateful, then who are you really showing gratitude to? It’s bigger than you, or me, or any man or woman. Yet people are so vain and confused, sometimes they’d rather say that aliens came down and genetically manufactured us rather than admit that there is a God. Go praise some Martians if you want... but I can’t sight that up, not at all!

Gratitude should be a continuous attitude, it should be part of one’s lifestyle (or as we say in Rastafari, livity) and not just for a particular occasion. When you have gratitude it allows the peace of JAH to reign in the heart even amidst troubles. When you honor and glorify the Most High it eradicates the trivial worries, the selfish wants, and the despair that can form when you don’t clean up your mind and heart. When you practice being thankful, all of those burdens just slip off because you give them no foothold. It’s not a magic wand and not everything will go as you would like, but you will see things in a different way when you have a thankful heart because it helps you to keep counting the blessings rather than overlooking them. Being grateful for even the smallest of things can make a huge difference on your outlook on life. And just like a delicious dish that you take time on, life too will taste a little bit sweeter... I guarantee it!

All Praises Due to JAH! Rastafari! Keep an attitude of gratitude!

JAHsh

Ease Up

I was watching the Discovery Channel a couple of days ago and there was this show on called "Man vs. Wild". During this particular episode, the host, Bear Grylls, was traversing the swamplands of the Everglades in order to show the viewer how to survive there if one ever found themselves lost. Anyway, he comes across some quicksand and proceeds to jump right into it in order to demonstrate what to do. Bear starts to struggle, and he sinks deeper in. Then he just relaxes and he is able to stay still in one position. He slowly climbs out by spreading his arms across the surface of the mud, wriggles out and "monkey crawls" to safety. He managed to get out of that slimy pit in a matter of seconds, whereas some people or animals become stuck in for days and sink deeper and deeper until they suffocate in the mud. Why am I mentioning all of this, interesting as it may be? Well, lately I realized that the more you try to fight against something, the more you struggle, usually the more sufferation it brings. Trying too hard and thinking too much will only get us stuck in our own quicksand. The way out is the way of least resistance.

If someone doesn't want you in their life, then why struggle against that person? The more you try and make it work and put up resistance, the more trouble you get. Go your separate ways, and if your paths cross again later, so be it. If something or someone gets you frustrated and mad, what's the use of getting vex and sinking deeper into anger? Frustration comes and goes; there is no use in worrying about something. If you miss an opportunity, fail at something or find yourself heartbroken, there is always another chance to succeed later on. When one door is closed, another is open. However, resistance is not reserved for negative situations. This philosophy goes with anything really, even in dignified attempts to accomplish something positive including things like teaching, volunteering, going to job interviews, proving your worth or integrity, and anything else you set out to achieve. For all of these, being self-conscious gets in the way. When we ease up, and focus on simplicity, things will come more naturally and more effectively. We have to trust our intuition and let go of our preconceptions and expectations. Yes, certainly there comes a time to fight and confront certain things, nothing is ever so black and white. Nevertheless, more often than not, easing up is the best solution for every day survival.

The next time you are struggling with fear, doubt, jealousy, anger, or temptation while trying to climb out of the slimy pit, it would be wise to remember to just "cool and settle". Don't try and bring about what we think should or should not be, just be. Be benevolent and righteous, walk through it and lead the way by example. Goodness and natural harmony has got to prevail in the end. What will be, will be... JAH Know!

JAHsh

Back To Basics

Back To Basics

How do you go about each and every day
Never conscious of what Mother Nature say
Too busy with your Bluetooth and your PDA
You even use the GPS to find your way

Look I tell the people dem to shed the shackles of illusion
Whoah yes, going back to natural living is my only conclusion
Be mindful of everything around you and please adjust your view
Tell me, how will you survive when even the basics confound you
No skills and no tools, man will starve if they can't plant no crops
Must learn to use the earth to build, and not plastic Lego blocks
It's just a matter of time before everything will stop and rewind
Today's digital media and electronics will be nowhere to find
Now when I look all about I don't even see one human being
Just cyborgs around town with their phones and that Star Trek ting
It really is a shame, people can no longer think or be constructive
They're just a burden on the earth, too carefree, being so destructive

We all must go back to the bare essentials
So humanity can live up to their full potential
Chop back our reliance on so much technology
Go back to reality so mankind can live free
Free like we were destined to be...
Like the birds in the air and the fishes of the sea
Back to the roots of the ancient tree
Children, we've got to repatriate mentally

I know the time is dread, when man can't even start a simple fire
So long been fed he can't even cook, just look for fast food supplier
So far away from the instructions of the wise ones from the past
Humanity is moving too fast, and everything rush has got to crash
I tell you friends, simplicity and overstanding is the only way to make it
Because when the world changes we have all got to face it
All this nonsense, forsake it, because it will all be wiped clean
Mankind must learn to live proper instead of following a fantasy dream
Check and see how the world turns despite anything that we may do
You could build a tower higher than Babel and still end up a plain fool
Stop the goose chase into outer space, such things remain out of our grasp
But if we keep grounded and learn from our past then we are surely gonna last

It's true, we all must go back to the basics
Contraptions and distractions, got to forsake it
Clear up our minds and learn responsibility
Go back to natural harmony and live free
Free like we were destined to be…
Like the birds in the air and the fishes of the sea
Back to the roots of the ancient tree
Children, we've got to repatriate mentally

JMC
5/5/07
(c) 2007

Simply Divine

To live life is the right of every man. To live life is divine, which is living life the way it should be, simple and natural. One does not need to look outside of oneself to find God… JAH the Creator. He created everyone… black, white, Indian, Chinese, rich, poor, beggar-man, thief. JAH dwells within man for He takes unto Himself flesh and dwells and makes a home in the human heart for his Word-Sound… the Spirit. When I&I look upon mankind, I&I should be seeing the living face of JAH. People try to deal so much with ism and schism… rules, rites, rituals and doctrines… pure divisiveness. They fail to love and instead of loving-kindness they practice hate and intolerance. They make all these stipulations to set one another up for failure and instead of providing equal rights and justice for every one, they withhold these things for the sake of being superior. How can such a selfish love be superior? The only superior love is JAH love, a love freely given, a free true word to reincarnate in humanity the mind of Christ. If you love you are safe and free to live, but if you hate, you will bow to the sword because hatred breeds hatred… even the smallest grain of intolerance or disrespect, it is a blemish on the soul. Love will become cruel, until one will abandon love altogether. Love is allowing each man their right, respecting them and not making their mind like your own, but to live free.

It is better and easier to be simple and live pure. Who can argue with being loving, caring and sharing with people? It is irrefutable, it is something that all human beings want and need... simplicity to save their souls alive, to give hope and renewal of spirit and mind. When you recognize the divinity in mankind, in every man, woman and child, then what you do unto them you do unto JAH also. When you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless... when you say "respect", "good morning", "good evening"... you say these kind words unto God, you reflect your own heart. How can one deny these things of one another and of them self? To know yourself you learn to respect, and once you respect and love yourself... then you can share that with people, and with creation. If you have love, it is hard to share hatred. Plenty people say they know love, but they really do not. They love vanity, things for their self alone or for their family... what person does not want these things? Even the wicked man will love his own offspring but cannot love his poorer brother and sister, cannot love his neighbor or the stranger from another nation. A Rastaman can not watch over humanity with mighty eyes... but the humble eyes of a servant of the Almighty and teach people love and compassion by sewing good seeds and enjoying the good fruit and sharing it with all people. All were created equal in JAH sight... when man and man come and disrupt this and take away the God-given rights of another man that is what destroys the order of things and where you find hatred, envy, and strife. People must love one another and treat each other righteously… even when they find one to be their enemy, someone who sets out to fight them down. In that case you must love them still… only from a distance because they are dangerous and they do not know how to reciprocate love and treat love right, instead they will devour it and seek your flesh. But I&I have to love them still.

Two powers exist on this earth... good and evil. If you are doing good things, good things will manifest. If you are doing wicked things, wicked things will manifest. Simplicity, there is no area of grey in that reasoning... just two ways to live. If you are not serving one, you are serving the other. Goodness is love. Be good, and love humanity, teach humanity... teach yourself about the love of the Most High and do not deny people their right, and do not deny people their measure of love. Share what you have been given. Equal rights and justice for each and every soul! Love is the key of life and the key to Zion gates! One Father, One Mother, One ruler of us all, one blood running through is all... love and I-nity, equal rights and justice. Mankind, be simply divine.

JAHsh