Sowing Good Seed

Once while in a youth development training, I read a story about a farmer who always produced prize winning corn. His corn was plentiful, plump, and sweet. People always marvelled over his award winning crop and often asked how he did it. He would always respond by giving them some of his corn seeds. Upon receiving the seeds, his neighbors would ask, "how can you give your prize winning seeds away?" The farmer would reply, "My seed is good seed. If my neighbors also have good seed, when their crop pollinates, it won't corrupt my crop." I read this story many years ago, yet it stills resonates in my head today. If one shares his good seed, it benefits him. You will reap what you sow. This is not just a quote from the bible or something my grandmother used to tell me. I have seen it and experienced it with my own eyes. I have seen those who have treated me badly receive the same treatment from someone else. I have also seen those who have done good for me receive good as well.

Having had these experiences, I am often baffled by those who live only for themselves. All around me I see people hustling to benefit only themselves, blocking others efforts to give, not caring about all of us to whom they are connected. In ten years of working in non profits, I have noticed that some, because there isn't much money to be made for most, engage in power struggles in an effort to attain a certain status and name for themselves within the industry. This wouldn't bother me if their efforts towards notoriety didn't impede my efforts towards helping youth. If they only knew that if they actually helped people good things would come to them.

There is a pervasive "What's in it for me" attitude in the world today. If we only help or give with the expectation of receiving something other than a good feeling in return, a lot of us would be helpless. If you think that what happens to someone halfway around the world doesn't affect you, look at it from a different perspective. Just look at the stock market or the implications of the US defaulting on its debt. We've seen gas prices rise over crisis in the middle east, or oil spills. After the earthquakeke and tsunami in Japan destroyed their nuclear energy plant, there were concerns around the world about radiation wafting in their direction. Everything that happens to each of us around the world sends out radiation, or pollinates good or bad seed.

So those of you out there who have a product, service, or art you promote, try giving support in some way to others and see how business picks up. Help someone in hopes that if you need help one day, that good you do will come back to you. If it takes getting something in return in order for you to help others, the story of the farmer with the prize winning corn should show you that you will. At the very least, don't impede someone else's efforts to help others. They are spreading good seed for you because when good seed pollinates, every farmer benefits. Love and light.

Text NOHUNGER to 20222 to donate $10 towards helping with the famine in Africa

Calling All Conscious and Compassionate Warriors!!

It is my desire in life to do something great, for humanity. By great, I don't just mean wonderful, but also big-impactful. The greatest thing I can think of is to spread my Father the Mighty King's message of love, unity, and peace. The next greatest thing is to serve my brothers and sisters. I have found it to be quite rewarding, literally. I am conscious of the connection between the good one does/gives and the good one receives. Perhaps this is why some of the people who inspire me have seen such success. In my mission to do something great I am in need of help from these inspiring souls, again. This is my open letter to them.

Greetings and Honor:

I would like to first give thanks to the Most High, I call Him Jah-Jehovah, for giving you all your gifts and enabling you to share them with the world. Those of you to whom I write have had a tremendous impact on my life, some of you more than you will know. It is your spirit of love, oneness, truth, and reverence for humanity that has compelled me to call on you for assistance. Please note, I am calling ON you, NOT calling you out, because you have already shown me evidence that you care about humanity.

I'll get to the point. There is a catastrophic famine happening in Somalia, Africa. Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are among countries in a vast African region being affected by severe drought.* This famine has been slowly coming on for months. The problem is, it is not considered a famine until

                        -the situation on the ground reaches level five

                         on the Integrated Phase Classification 

                         (IPC) system. This means:

                       -at least 20% of the population has access to

                        fewer than 2,100 kilocalories of food  a  day

                       -acute malnutrition in more than 30% of children

                       -two deaths per 10,000 people, or four

                        child deaths per 10,000 children every day**

I don't know about you, but for me, that is much too late. Plus, "It is usually up to governments to declare a famine. But in the case of Somalia, the UN stepped in because of the lack of central government."**  On Wednesday, July 21, 2011, the United Nations officially declared a famine. Up until then, I could not find any news coverage of it in the U.S. Today, there is still very little. I can inudate you with facts, statistics, and pictures of the crisis that I have found on several foreign media and humanitarian aid sites, but I won't. This should be quite enough.

Africa, a continent which many of you sing about and consider home, has become the continent of the forgotten people. The bombing in Oslo today received immediate coverage, while a famine that is on course to becoming the worse in history, and is wiping out entire families, goes unnoticed. Women and children are always the most vulnerable in a crisis like this. So the future and those who give birth to the future are being left to wither.

You have strong voices, voices that have a receptive audience. You have names and faces that are known, revered and respected. You have connections who can make things happen. I am asking you to join me in my mission to help our brothers and sisters in Africa. I am NOT asking you for your money, not directly. Some say time is money, and I am asking for a bit of your time. I say time is precious and controlled by the Most High, so it is of the essence. I am asking you, humbly, to do any of the following 1) Spread the word of the famine so the people can know their help is needed, 2) Consider using your talents as a fund raiser, perhaps a benefit concert, write a single or collaborate and do an album to sell, donate an item for auction at a fund raiser 3) Assist me by directing me to those who can help me get these things done. Oh yes, I am ready, willing and able to do my part.

I am not looking for fame, money, or any accolades or acknowledgement at all. My name and/or presence can be kept out of any endeavor you may choose. I am looking for compassion for our brothers and sisters. Below, I have included some links with more information on the famine and how to help, as well as my email address should you decide to answer this call. Please know, I am like the widow in Luke 18:1-8. I will continue to voice my supplication to Jah, as well as my plea to you, unless you tell me to leave you alone. Feel free to use my email for that as well. I follow and support you all in your endeavors, and I do so for a reason. This is why I am confident that I am on the right path with this. I give humble thanks and honor for your time. Love & Light.

            " It is both the duty and responsibility of the world's fortunate few to help fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the unfortunate many".

 ~His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I

P.S.-To others of you reading, please feel free to forward this to those whom you feel would answer this call.

Empress Ashaki

impressashaki@gmail.com (please note: Empress Ashaki is my pen name)

  *http://www.channel4.com/news/somalis-flee-famine-as-drought-grips-east-africa

**http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14199080

A couple of ways to help:

http://www.actionagainsthunger.org

http://www.unicefusa.org

http://crowningwrites.blogspot.com/2011/07/moon-also-shines-in-africa.html

Chain of Thought: We're linked

I've said time and time again that we are all connected. This is why we have to be mindful of the energy we put out because everyone can feel it. What do I mean by energy? To simplify it, I am talking about the emotions, attitudes, thoughts, actions, anything that others can pick up on. Have you ever had a friend call and ask how you were, and you said 'I'm good' and they replied, 'what's wrong?' It's because your true condition was sending strong vibrations of energy to that person, and they felt it. We must try to send out positive energy to the world, but know that your S.O.S. will be felt too.

I try not to write unless I can write something positive, or in a positive way. Sometimes it may take me a few days to get there, or to learn the lessons being put before me. Being positive takes daily effort, which is why I try to encourage others with something positive. There are times when I need that encouragement, but in my effort to send out positive energy, I forget to ask for it. These are the times when I bottom out, I don't have positive energy to give. This sometimes manifests itself into anger or depression. I don't like that because I know I'm sending that energy out to all of you. But my Father the Mighty King has a method to His mysterious ways. There's always a lesson, and things always occur in order. During these times when my energy takes a downturn, I find out who is really attuned to our connection.

We build relationships and form bonds with others and with that comes an expectation of mutual support and love. These bonds are usually initiated by common interests, backgrounds or beliefs. I've been meditating on the idea that this connection that we all have is like a chain, each person a link. Those to whom we feel a closeness are closest to us on the chain. This feeling is not necessarily based on relationships that have been built, rather, vibrations (vibes) that are perceived. Ok, I know this sounds out there, but stay with me for a minute. Have you ever met someone with whom you automatically clicked and you felt like you've known them your whole life? Or have you ever met someone who looked so familiar yet try as you may, you can't figure how you could know them? Maybe you've met someone and knew right away you would be great friends, or that you would marry them. I think that this familiarity, this immediate bond is because in the chain of energy that is humanity, these people's vibrations are the closest match to our own.

Sorry if I lost you. I could be wrong, I certainly haven't studied this, or even know if this is something to study. Maybe this is my way of explaining the strong connections I feel to some people, even ones I haven't met or to whom I've barely spoken. I do know that recently, when my energy started becoming less than positive, ok, it almost bottomed out, there were several people who stepped up with encouragement and just the right positive words and energy to get me back on track. I wasn't surprised by some, because their proximity to my link had already been proven. Others were revealed to me, although I had already felt their vibe and their closeness, they confirmed it. Still others, who I thought were closer, didn't respond. They may still be close on the chain, just unresponsive for whatever reason. But this has been a telling experience.

Yes, my Father the Mighty King, is wise and omnipotent in all of His ways. He's always teaching me something, revealing things to me. What I've learned is that we are indeed connected, our energy, both positive and negative, is felt by everyone, and we need to be attuned to one another because it might surprise us to find out who is closest to us on this chain of life. I'm sending out positive energy to all of you, especially to my closest links, you'll feel who you are. Love and Light.

Lighten Up

Last night I had a conversation with an old friend who said to me, "you're not the same person you used to be." He reminded me that I used to be funny. I am still funny, I crack myself up daily, but after a little reflection I realized he was right. I hardly ever laugh anymore. I've become very serious. I'm aware of the reasons why I've become so serious, because life became really serious. The economy has caused many people, including myself, to lose their jobs, some have lost their homes. This country has been at war for 10 years. I could go on, but I already have in previous posts. The last two years have been very trying for me on many levels, and I think I became so focused on survival that I forgot that laughter is a key tool for survival.

In the last couple of years, I have been hurt by loved ones, trampled by a biased system, and caught up in circumstances beyond my control. All of these things have led me to my journey today, my trod to the throne. I was allowing others to treat me like a peasant, though I know I am a queen. So I am grateful for the experiences. I am constantly learning lessons, and I willingly share them with you, in hopes that you learn from mine and not have to go through your own. My lesson today is that I have to lighten up. I carry this burden around like I'm Shu (Egyptian god who held up the sky-the equivalent to Greek mythology's Atlas), only the sky won't fall if I put it down for a bit.


We've all heard the saying, 'laughter is the best medicine.' I don't know the science behind it, or if there is science behind it, but I've found it to be true. A few weeks ago, I started laughing (at one of my own jokes) and I couldn't stop. Everything then became so funny that tears were pouring out of my eyes, and I could hardly catch my breath. This went on for at least 10 minutes. Once the giggle fairy had left, I felt so good. It was like how I feel after a cleanse, light and relaxed, like a weight had been lifted. I guess laughter is like a cleanse. Maybe when we laugh, we release all of the worries, heartache, and pain that become toxins in our spirits. The harder we laugh, the more we release. Milton Berle once said, "Laughter is an instant vacation." It does help one get away from the minutia of life.


My humor has always gone over most people's heads anyway. I would always know if someone would be my close friend if they got my jokes. I can be dry and sardonic, and sometimes people can't tell if I'm joking. But my brother, he's just silly. I still think he's one of the funniest people I know, but even he has gotten a bit serious. If we can't find the humor in life, even in it's tragedies, we will have a difficult time surviving. Bob Newhart said of laughter, "Laughter gives us distance.  It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on." Maybe this is the science behind it. I don't know, but I do know that life is to be enjoyed. There is a reason why my Father, the Mighty King, sent that old friend to me. He is not someone I have spoken with very much in a long while, but he is one who really knew the funny light hearted side of this queen. So today, I am focused on laughing, making others laugh, and enjoying this beautiful life I have been blessed with. If you speak with me today, make me laugh. (Thanks Eddie)


When people are laughing, they're generally not killing each other. ~Alan Alda



I've always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, "Ain't that the truth." ~Quincy Jones


A good time to laugh is any time you can. ~Linda Ellerbee






Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ~Victor Hugo


Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

We All Bleed

Do you know anyone who is living that does not bleed if cut? I don't. We all bleed. What I am saying is that none of us is impervious to pain. Some of us can handle more than others, but we all have a point where we bleed. Are you aware of those around you who are bleeding? Do you offer a tourniquet or a band aide? Are you the cause of the wound? How aware are we of what others are going through or of what we cause others to go through? How many of you respond?

A lot of people are struggling day to day, sometimes minute by minute. People are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. They're struggling to keep a stiff upper lip and hold onto hope. They're struggling to stay silent in a world that is goading them to scream. They are struggling to be heard in a world that has gone deaf, dumb, blind, and cold hearted. Some are struggling to not feel lonely in a world that tells them they have 233 friends. We are all struggling, but sometimes people begin to bleed, that is, to lose the life force that keeps them going. They cry out for help but aren't being heard. Some people can't handle blood. They can wipe snot from your nose and blot your tears dry, but you might have to go elsewhere for stitches.

Even the strongest of us have days, sometimes weeks and months, when we need strength, encouragement, friendship, love. Those people that freely and frequently offer up these things to you are no different. Do you offer an ear or a shoulder? I often wonder about people who commit suicide, become homeless, are committed, or who become criminals. I wonder if they ever cried out for help but weren't heard. I started working with youth after shootings at schools became an epidemic. I was convinced that if these young people had someone to whom they could unburden themselves or from whom they could seek advice, these tragedies could be averted. I still believe that. I believe it's true for adults too.

I know my Father the Mighty King is always here for me, but I also know He put us here for each other, to serve each other. Service can be as simple as caring. Caring can be as simple as asking one little question, "How are you feeling," and then actually listening to the answer. We are all connected and we should get in tune with each other to know when one of us is bleeding. We all bleed. We should all be nurses to one another.

Forward Ever, Backward Never

This morning, just before I awakened, I had a dream that one of the girls in my program was singing a song she wrote. It went like this "Sitting on the edge of night, waiting for someone to turn back the hands of time. I just wish I could make everything alright." Now I often have poems come to me in dreams, but when I woke up, I immediately knew what this song was about, and why a child was singing it. This past week, I have engaged in several reasonings in which some people felt that the only way for life to be good again is for us to go back to ancient, tribal, bush living, and working with youth everyday, I hear them crying out for things to be different, better.

This idea of going back in time to how our ancestors lived is intriguing, yet romanticized. Many of us would not be able to give up the comforts of modern society, don't have the proper knowledge and skills to do so, and don't really have a plan on the best way to do it. But that isn't the point, because the human race has always been able to learn, adjust, and make a way for change, that's how we got here today. The point is, we should be thinking 'while we are here, now, in this society, how can we make our livity, our way of life, one that is natural, kind (to each other and the environment), loving, peaceful, and positive?'


I think the first thing we have to do is change our mindset and our values. I recently saw an interview with Harrison Stafford of "Groundation" where he said, "Greed has captured the heart of man." I thought to myself, 'and these seven words sum up the world today.' This is a world driven by money which creates a wanting for so many other things. People are greedy for power, status, material goods, sex. Money is a gateway drug for all of these things because,  "he who has money never has money enough, he who loves wealth is never satisfied with his income." (Ecclesiastes 5:10) The last sentence of that passage, however,  is "This too is meaningless." The want for money and all of these other things causes people to do unsavory things to get it. People lie, cheat, steal, murder, rape, destroy the planet and each other to attain money, power, status, things, sex.


This greed has pitted man against man, woman against woman, and man against woman. It isn't natural. We are all connected, and this connection by nature should have us doing things that are for the greater good. Look at ants. Ants are social insects because they live and work together in communities. Here, they feed and protect one another. They raise and care for their young. This is how humans are supposed to be. So, this inclination towards me, myself, and I, is a byproduct of the indoctrination of "bling envy" by those who have the most upon those who have the least. This is how the rich get us to work for them instead of with them and then go and spend our hard earned pennies on things they make or from which they profit. Rich and greedy people now determine our values. This is how we got here today, wishing to go back in time.

I have news for those wishing to turn back the hands of time, we are already moving backwards. Greed never goes away, and too few people have most of the money that too many people crave. This is pulling us backward into medieval behavior. Civil rights are being taken away, money and power are giving ones the illusion of being beyond reproach, lascivious behavior is increasing. I don't know about you, but I don't want to go back to that. We are tomorrow people who should be ever striving to progress positively. Instead of trying to fit into societal norms, why not create new ones? Instead of trying to go back to what you think was a simpler time, a time of which you couldn't possibly know or comprehend the full experience of, why not try to preserve those traditions, customs, and ways of living by finding a place for them in your modern life?
Of course I realize that I was the child in the dream I had this morning. As a child, life seemed simple and joyful and I often yearn for those things. I can keep that feeling inside of me, but I, we all, must move forward towards a more loving and unified way of life so that our children can experience that simple joyful life. We can clean up our acts now, or clean up the mess later. The choice is ours. Love and Light.