I'm Not Holding My Breath

Having no expectations is a sure way to accomplish, have and experience a whole bunch of something yet nothing worthwhile. I try to avoid this truth in every area of my life. Expectations are my baseline for being. They are the standards and goals that give me control over the things I can.

My expectations are the result of internal question and answer sessions. Even with expectations in place, no matter what I do it will always be less than I’m capable of. (And even though Tiger Woods is the best, he could be better.) Imperfections breed inconsistencies. How much more should I have accomplished. How much of the good in me have I wasted being not as good as I should and by doing what, for what?

Though I’m happy for those who achieve their aim, I’m happier for myself because I can glean things for my own dreams. Doing so has helped me realize the only time the accomplishments of others seem like feats is when I am not being brave for myself. I now know the brave live full lives no matter what, so much so that half a brave life is inconceivable to most. What kind of bravery does it take to believe you can fly and then do it? Is it the stuff of titans and superhumans? Not at all, only the imperfect are great; therefore, I must stop holding my breath when others are simply doing their best on purpose and take deep breaths plus giant steps for myself.

I asked myself am I capable, do I have what it takes, can I handle this? How does an imperfect person attain their greatness? I asked many times not realizing this was not about my ability but about doubt and my low expectation of the reservoir within. The answer came calmly as always, “Just know the Spirit is immeasurable. Nothing can stop you because nothing can stop me.” Next, the forever giving nature said, “Let’s work together on this.” After that, silence. And then its final answer exceeded my expectations: “It takes the same amount of bravery to fly as it did for you to breathe your first breath not knowing you could or for how long. Yet, you continue because you must.”

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bravery, expectations, greatness, imperfect, Tiger Woods

Whatever you do, Think Again!

The day has arrived! Actually the day has been brought to pass. Whatever is worthwhile and worth waiting for doesn’t just come about, action helps it arrive. The first adult book given through me is in my hands. This time last year I was in the midst of some crazy nonsense. After a brief stint of upheaval I found a settling place.

Sometime last December, due to multiple factors and influences, I decided to dedicate 2007 and my resources to doing what I’ve longed to do and should be doing. Since doubts, distractions and the fact I didn’t know how to do what I should do didn’t make the mountain high enough, I decided to add a river supposedly wide enough. I chose to publish a book of literary poetry, prose and short stories: a book the industry claims is hard to sell, especially from an unknown. They have yet to realize you only have to be known by yourself and the Spirit of Truth to be effective. It really is who you know once you know.

Though the last two statements above are affirmation enough, throw in a few practicalities and realities like a house hunt, purchase, upgrades, another move, a few do-it-yourselfs, countless searches and purchases, deliveries, miseries, home setup (ongoing), a family reunion, a full-time job, the unscrupulous, the unreliable, basic needs, smiling faces, people changing places, lives that don’t stop when yours begins and the rest of life that waits for no man, but instead makes demands, and you realize it takes a focus you’ve never had along with grace and faith to make it all work out.

Through it all, Eloquence: Rhythm & Renaissance is now available for your consideration.

I am fortunate in so many ways. This road of publishing despite the assistance of industry experts, family and friends still has been more than a notion, which is what it will always take to achieve consistent motion. Flexibility and patience have become my mentors since very little has gone as expected except the need to make a dozen daily decisions and the unfolding of this phase.

The degree to which we align ourselves with our purposes is the degree to which we will transcend and be transformed. The tuning of thoughts, actions and spirit builds a rhythm to flow by and this renaissance of self, to our original state, not only exudes an attracting energy but also an affecting energy of contagiousness greater than any plague because when passion and promise meet potential it becomes exponential. So no matter what you think you’re up against, think again because neither you nor anything else can outthink or outdo the Spirit.

Asante Sana. Hotep. Amina.

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Eloquence: Rhythm and Renaissance, literary poetry, prose and short stories, publishing, Spirit of Truth

Poor Creativity

Tales From A Family Reunion

My oldest brother loves to share this punch and counterpunch from one of his marital disputes after 30 years together:

“If I had the money, I’d leave you!”

“If I had the money, I’d give it to you!”

That was several years ago and they are still together. Being poor can have unintended benefits at times but being poor by American standards has been a predictable blessing, affording me unknown things in an environment of creativity, ingenuity, imaginative play and problem-solving. I call this “poor creativity.”

For the couple above, being poor was manifested in their creative arguing. They completely spun and turned around the phrase, “It’s cheaper to keep her.” This would not have been possible if they had expendable financial resources. For me, being poor fostered an eventual recognition for the value, importance and appreciation of things, especially once I began to work every day for money. This was reinforced when I had to pay for everything I needed and wanted.

The notion that poor means having nothing is exposed for its foolishness when I consider my upbringing where making the most of what you have and making it despite what you didn’t have served as incubators for creativity and material sensibility, by American standards. We had the essentials and had more than others in this and other countries back then and today. Clearly, we were never poor; yet we were afforded the invaluable benefits of poor creativity. I wonder if that couple feels the same.

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American standards, creativity, family reunion, poor

It Can Be A Wonderful Life

Appeared 12/30/07 on the next 45 years

Life is difficult when we limit our view of the relationships we cherish most to one type: male/female in the romantic sense. By considering all of the other types of relationships available to us, life will become more enjoyable and fruitful.

Opportunities for relationships are at every hand. Real relationships that will nourish us are our relationships with our God, nature, our family, friends, strangers, neighbors near and far, our endeavors, our vocations and our relationship with silence, stillness, meditation and prayer. Hopefully we will reach an understanding of our interconnectedness as a result of experiencing each aspect.

Taking these real opportunities is the shortest distance between where we are and where we want to be. Let's practice making ourselves more available in some way to reap the promises and blessings as offspring of a limitless Universal Nature. There is more for us no matter our age or our stage.

Without this perspective and preparation, when real opportunities knock, we might not recognize the sound or it will be as though we've fallen and can't get up to open the door.

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opportunity, possibilities, relationships, wonderful life

Chase Not, Compete Not

Life Sentences #1

Never chase and never compete unless you’re chasing your dreams or competing with yourself.

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competition, dreams, life sentences