The Journey Back

Death...we all say we know it will come to us one day and yet when it does very few of us are ever prepared. In the past 3 weeks I have lost three family members. Two in the same week and and one about a week and a half after that; various ages, from elderly to middle age to young. As my cousin stood there watching as his grandmother (my aunt) was being buried, I doubt that he had any idea that he too would, only a week and a half a later, be in the same position as her. Death can be somewhat of an oxymoron, as it sheds light on life. What are you doing? How are you living the life you have? With honour, dignity, respect, love, kindness, obedience to Divine guidance? In your absence would you be remembered fondly or missed? Are you living with regret for things that should have not been done or said; or things that should have been done or said? Are you laying the foundation for leaving behind a legacy that would bring continuous goodness for others? Death brings heartache and yet some benefits. It is a time for remembrance and reflection on life....

Reflecting

I was reflecting on something this morning, and that is that money is usually at the root of evil. This is not to say that money is bad or that people who have it are all evil, but just that many people do not know how to handle wealth, or cannot handle being without it. For example alot of people are willing to go to great and sometimes harmful lengths to get it. People kill family and strangers for money, they steal for it, lie for it etc. When I stop to think about how many marriages fail due to problems with finances and how many families argue about money on a weekly, if not daily basis, it astonishes me. Then I think about the comparison of people who live in poor countries and how for the greater majority of those families, the lack of money brings them closer together. So it makes me realize 2 things; 1 you have to be more at peace with what you have, especially when what you have allows you to have your basic needs. You have to realize that alot of what you are trying to achieve should not make you sacrifice your integrity, and that most of what we are working towards is well over what we need to survive. Of course I do not have anything against someone working hard and as a result that person becomes wealthy; just that if you are killing yourself and angry all the time due to the pursuit of wealth, then you need to evaluate if you priorities are really in order. You see, many people in this society are in debt due to overindulgence. Many times you will hear of people owning expensive cars and other toys, but yet their rent or mortgage is months overdue. I remember once watching an episode of Oprah and there was a couple on the show and between the two of them, they earned over one hundred thousand dollars annually, they both were paying on really expensive cars, but yet they had their stuff for the baby's nursery on lay-a-way, because they were in so much debt they could not afford to pay for it flat out! This is a serious problem...The second thing that I realized is that when you are blessed with wealth, you have to remember where you came from, and how you got to where you are today; when you do this, you are more likely to benefit others and the more you benefit others as well as yourself, the more fulfilling your life will be. The lesson is: be in control of wealth, don't let wealth control you.

Thank You

I have been thinking (there's a first) about the people I have met in my life lately. I have heard on more than one occasion how you can learn something new from everyone you meet, in fact I can even recall a famous quote saying that you should cherish every chance encounter, because each is an opportunity to gain new knowledge....or something to that effect. Anyway it got me thinking that I need to start looking at this and really acting upon it. When I think about it even people that I have had bad relationships or encounters with, it did give me the chance to understand or experience something new (once my anger subsided of course). So to all my friends and enemies I say thank you for giving me the chance to experience the variety in life. I am especially grateful to a few select people, such as my best friends (especially F)--- thank you for allowing me to understand that I don't have to change to find that special loyal friend who will accept me and all my goofy, boring, bizarre, and not so so bizarre moments. To the first guy I ever considered spending my life with, although it did not work out I still say thank you. Before you I had trust issues about men and I had a hard time imagining that I would be able to feel that way, but you changed that. Now I am more open and receptive and appreciative of the opportunity to be with someone who is willing to stand by my side and build a future together and although I have not found him yet, I know that the possibility is there. Thank you. To my third grade teacher Mrs. Patricia Baugh from Camp Allen Elementary---Thank You. You were so instrumental in harnessing my creativity and passion. You made me realize that certain things were possible and acheivable, and you were the only one perceptive enough to notice that I was a blind little bat who desperately needed glasses lol. You were a wonderful teacher and I only hope you can read this and know how much I appreciate the impact you made on me. Lastly to my group of aquaintances those who I know in real life and those who I know thru the net, you are such a group of diverse individuals from different backgrounds and I thank you for allowing me to know a little bit about the many different people who make up this world. Whether we agree or disagree you allow me the chance to expand my knowledge of the world... There is no need to express here my graitude for the lessons and support I have recieved from my family especially my mother (who I have inherited alot of my traits from) because words are not nearly enough. Of course I am aware that anything I have learned and received is a blessing from our exalted creator so I strive to always remember him and remain humble about any knowledge I have gained.