Are you ready for the end?

Lately with all of the birds falling out of the sky, fish dying and with 2012 on our heels people have been talking about the end of the world. I've been reading a lot about what some people have to say about the so-called Mayan 2012 end of world predictions and the one thing I've seen the most is proselytizing. People are trying to convert sinners to a "righteous path" by instilling the fear of the end of the world coming soon. As devious as that is, it is something that has been going on for centuries. But it did get me thinking. If everyone is so fearful and convinced that the end of the world is coming December 21, 2012, are you ready?

Christianity is the largest religious group world wide with an estimated 2.1 billion members, or 33% of the world's population with Islam and Hinduism coming in second and third with 21 and 14% respectively(www.adherents.com). It is fair to say that most religions follow dogma that requires its followers to live a good life and be kind to others in order to pass on to a "heaven" lest they go to "hell." So with all of this worrying about the end of the world, shouldn't we start seeing a kinder gentler world in preparation for the end of the world as we know it?

I personally have not witnessed more caring, loving, repenting going on. I can only conclude that this fear is of the actual end, and not what comes after. It makes me suspect of religion. Christianity alone holds great power in the world. It has at least 2.1 billion people, and a million other non Christians spending billions of dollars a year on Christmas gifts and trees, and decorations. How is it that it can't bring comfort and security to all of those people awaiting the end of the world? There's an old saying in the south, "If you're scared, go to church," I guess they were wrong about that.

I see sons mistreating their mothers, co-workers backstabbing co-workers, businesses and government agencies taking advantage of the poor. People are behaving as badly as ever. I even read that people have been calling NASA to inquire about the so-called Mayan predictions and one woman said she considered killing her children and herself so they wouldn't have to endure the end of the world. I guess she was agnostic. This goes back to faith. What is religion really doing for people if there is so much fear and distress in the world. What is it doing for people if there is still so much oppression, greed, violence, lying, thievery, and sexual deviance in the world?

Studies I've read say that the Maya Long Count calendar is merely going back to zero after December 21, 2012 and starting a new cycle, that there are no predictions of any sort in any Mayan documents found. The keeping of time, after all, is a man made thing. As reprehensible as it is for religious groups to promote fear in order to get people to repent in preparation for the "end of the world," I can kind of see why they would do it. But why not just promote living righteously and being good to each other because it is the right way to live? Isn't that what "religion" is supposed to do? Love is my religion, maybe everyone should join me.

The Rising of a Queen: Don't Give Up

The Rising of a Queen: Don't Give Up: "I've been thinking about exactly what it means to be a queen. Yes, it is a birthright, but to actually be looked upon and treated as a queen..."

Don't Give Up

I've been thinking about exactly what it means to be a queen. Yes, it is a birthright, but to actually be looked upon and treated as a queen, to earn the crown takes work. A queen carries herself with respect and commands respect, but not by fear. A queen is free with her love, but does not throw her pearls to swine. She is confident, yet humble, elegant, yet down to earth. She is kind and understanding, yet does not let her kindness be taken for weakness, nor her generosity for stupidity. She is at once demure and a pillar of strength. She seeks wisdom and shares it, heeds instruction and correction, forgives (but does not forget), loves those who hate her,  and respects and listens to her Father the Mighty King. These are just a few qualities a queen must have to earn her crown. My, what a daunting list. The most important thing on that list is that even when she fails at one or all of those, she continues to strive to achieve them.

This trod can be challenging to say the least. Many will try to cause me to stumble, and I may, but I will pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep on down the road. I have encountered many struggles in my life, some tougher than others, none so tough that I give up. So many others in the world have had it much tougher than I ever will. But the fact is, my struggles are mine and only mine to deal with, and every man thinks that his burden is the heaviest. But it is the strong that survive. Some people think that strong people never get scared, frustrated, angry, sad, hurt, or discouraged. It is quite the opposite. It takes more strength to continue trying, striving, working hard towards a goal or a dream in the face of obstacles with fear, pain and doubt, than without it. To continue on under those circumstances shows real faith and confidence.

I have had people try to encourage or  manipulate me into giving up for many years. I remember after my first semester of college being put on academic probation and my college counselor told me, "college isn't for everyone, maybe you should go home." Going home without a degree simply was not an option for me. There were too many people who had sacrificed and prayed for me to succeed for me to give up. Fortunately, I found some allies and continued. I graduated with a 3.27 gpa. It wasn't easy, and it was nowhere near the top of the class, but it was so far from where I started. There are those in my life right now who would love to see me fail, to give up. There's no legitimate reason for such a desire, but some people don't want to see others do what they could not. I'm the opposite. Others' successes are mine too, because I pray for them to succeed, and I know my prayers worked when they do.

There's a saying that just when you're ready to give up, that's when things start turning around. That saying alone keeps me going, because what if I give up right when my dreams are about to come true or my destiny realized? Earning my crown is going to take a lot of work, but once I have, there is nothing that I cannot achieve. Never, ever, ever, give up.

Relax, relate, release

Why do I blog? Hardly any one's reading it, and those who do read it give no feedback. I do it because writing makes me feel good. I've always loved writing and lately I have been so compelled to write I've been writing all kinds of things. I have two other blogs, one of which is all poetry, and I wrote a short story the other day. I'm supposed to be writing a children's book, and I will get to finishing that within the next few days, if it pleases my Father the Mighty King. Writing is my outlet. I don't know if I have any real talent for it, or where it will lead me, if anywhere. What I do know is that it helps me express myself better, not just in blogs or stories, but in conversation as well. Writing calms me down, cheers me up, makes me smile. Sometimes when I write, it's like a relief, like finally being able to take your shoes off after a long day.

We all need an outlet, a release, but it should be something healthy. Some people exercise, some dance, sing, paint play music either on an instrument on a cd. You don't really need to be good at it, you just need to enjoy it. There's a saying that goes "do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do." The problem most of us have is that we do a lot of things that we have to do, and either forget or don't leave time to do the things we want to do. Doing things that we enjoy is essential to a healthy lifestyle. My friend and brother who is a naturopathic healer is always telling me that the mind, body, and spirit, are connected, and if one of them is unhealthy, the other two are thrown off balance.

We are aware that we must feed our bodies, but we also must feed our minds and spirits too. That mental and spiritual , and even physical food can come in the form of self enjoyment. Doing the things that matter to us, that are fun, that bring relief is like taking vitamins. I've just recently started writing again, but before I did, I just held things inside, creating tension, stress, and disease. But writing and listening to music enable me to  relax and heal. What do you like to do? What is your passion? How long has it been since you've done it? If you don't know the answers to these questions, maybe it's time to explore them. We don't have to always do things that make money or check something off of a list. We can do things which only serve the purpose of bringing us enjoyment. They're serving a bigger purpose than you think. Ahhh, that's better.

Challenge: Be kind

Happy New Year to you and your family. This year is about going bigger and bolder for me as I have some catching up to do on my trod to the throne. Many people use the arrival of a new year to make resolutions which they let go of in a few days, weeks, or months. Resolutions are just words without a plan and a prayer. I don't do them anymore, but I do like the idea of using this new orbital period as a new beginning, a fresh start. It's a hopeful time, however brief it may be, when everyone decides to work towards being better people to themselves and others. Some actually achieve these goals, and so I have been pondering how to help people create goals that they can actually achieve.

The first issue to get away from is making a resolution. A resolution is a statement or declaration of an intention (dictionary.com). A statement or intention has very little strength behind it. Now dictionary.com defines a goal as; the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. That is what we need, to exert effort towards an aim or end. But first we need a plan. One problem with resolutions is that people don't think them through enough to see if they're attainable for them, how they will go about achieving them, and if it is realistic. Most people resolve to lose weight by eating right and exercising, but they have no real idea of what eating right or exercising is. They think celery sticks and water combined with 2 hours on the treadmill is going to do the trick. Well, first of all, celery is not rich enough in nutrients to sustain someone alone and people don't say 'mmmm celery' so they break down and go for the burger. Secondly, exercise should be something you enjoy and will be willing to do regularly, not boring and exhausting.

Others want to make more money, fulfill lifelong dreams, find a husband, etc. I can't necessarily give tips on how to achieve those goals, but I can offer some help on how to achieve something this year that will make you feel good all year long. Why not take baby steps and start with something you can take steps daily to achieve and then use that method on the bigger goals. I offer you a challenge. Starting today, make a point to say or do something kind to one person you know, and one stranger. It could be as simple as a smile, or a compliment (as long as it is sincere) or it could be giving someone a hug, or a ride, or spare change. Simple acts of kindness not only make you feel good about yourself, but it also spreads kindness throughout the world. Now some of you may think this is hokey or won't do any good, but you will never know for sure until you try it.

If you commit to consciously being kind to one person you know and one stranger, in small ways, you will find that after a time, you have stuck to a goal. Now you have a blueprint on how to proceed with the bigger goals. One thing, don't let your random acts of kindness give you license to be unkind to someone else. It doesn't balance it out, it cancels it out. Come back and visit this post and tell me about your experiences in the comments section. If you find that you have slipped, offer up a prayer or statement of forgiveness to the Higher Power or universe and start again the next day. Random acts of kindness could lead to world peace, or at the very least, peace in your world.

We are family

People say you can't choose your family, well I disagree to a certain extent. Family is who and what you make it. Love, honor, respect, and loyalty makes family. We are all brothers and sisters on this rock anyway. There is a big difference between relatives and family. Relatives share a bloodline, DNA, chromosomes. Family shares bonds, memories, heritage, joys, pains, meals, milestones, love. Yes, relatives can also be family and vice versa. I read once that family is a haven in a heartless world. I have found havens outside of my gene pool. It's all in who you gather to your heart.


There have been many people whom I have gathered to my heart, yet they chose not to stay. I would not say they are family because that is where the loyalty comes in. Family sticks by you through your ups and downs, they may judge you, let's not bs that issue, but they won't hold it against you, at least not for long. Family sees the divine in you even when you don't see it in yourself and they treat you accordingly. There have also been many who I have gathered to my heart who have chosen to stay and I give thanks for them.


There is my sister who is love, she gives freely of her heart, prays for others, and spreads joy. Her husband is my brother who shares wisdom, lives a life of integrity, has a warm mild demeanor, and is a great father to his beautiful daughter, my niece. She is just love and joy wrapped in a smile. I have another sister who lends an ear for my venting or sorrows, and gives encouragement. She feeds everyone and offers her home as a safe haven for many. I have a sister I've known since my youth who keeps in touch in her own way, never going too long without contact. She always invites me to spend time with her family (my family) and holds my mom as dear as her own. Then there is my brother whom I would never have thought would be so at one point. We had some differences that threatened to separate us forever, but my Father the Mighty King is also his Father and that kept us together long enough to build a bond of brotherly and sisterly love that can never be broken. I could go on and on, but these are just a few who touch my heart.


I have felt a feeling of family for others who didn't feel the same, but I know my Father the Mighty King intended for me to keep them close to my heart, so although they move farther away from me, I will stay close in spirit with them. Groundation sang, "wondering why they couldn't love them who loved them," ("Smile") and I often wonder that about some of the people I have gathered in my heart. Some share DNA with me, but I'll love them still. Desmond Tutu  said, "You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." Now I agree with that, and I am thankful.

Reason for the season?

So, here it is "christmas" day and I'm left thinking two things, 1) everything about this holiday is based on lies, and 2) very few people are focused o what matters right now. Now many of you may have heard that December 25th is not the birthday of jesus, the Christ who is celebrated on this day. But people don't care, it's just as good as any day to celebrate. But why do we give each other gifts? And of course there is no santa claus but we perpetuate that lie to children for as long as we can. I get over joyed when a child tells me there's no such thing as santa claus, while other adults are mortified and saddened as if a piece of them had died. I don't get it.

Why do we lie to children and go so far out of our way as a society to keep the lie going like some never ending chain letter? Parents work their butts off, brave lines, crowds, and vicious parking lots to get their children the things they want, not need, want. Yet they think that a child would be more respectful and well behaved if they think some phantom fat man is watching them all year than to let them know that their parents love them enough to make sacrifices so that they can have the things they want. What's with the gifts anyway? People feel obligated to buy people gifts and children (and some adults) are ungrateful if they get something they didn't want, or didn't get something they did want. Isn't it supposed to be jesus' birthday? Oh right, that's the other lie.

I think christmas should be a time to give thanks for life and family (and family is who you make them, more on that in a coming blog). All year long we whine and complain about what's going wrong in our lives and what we don't have, all the while forgetting to be thankful to have life at all. Two people who are close to me were witnesses of strangers passing on. One held a young man of 24's hand as the life slipped out of his body for no apparent reason, the day before christmas. Another saw an elderly man lie lifeless on the ground after being senselessly gunned downed in front of his home. Many people didn't wake up to see today, let alone to be disappointed in a gift for someone else's birthday.

LIFE is the real gift, and to be thankful for it the "reason for the season".  People are saying 'happy birthday jesus,' but if this jesus is the son of God, he no more needs presents or birthday wishes as he needs turkeys, hams, or figgy pudding. I am sure he would be quite confused by the decorated pine trees, and the fat guy in the red suit stealing the show at his party. We should stop teaching children to be expectant and  greedy, with a sense of entitlement and bribing them to be good, and begin teaching them that this life is a gift and it's irreplaceable, and that helping others should be the gift they give in return. Merry Life, and Happy Gratitude.