So I'm walking through Walmart and browsing the markdown movies when I am overcome by this sudden feeling of "incompleteness". As a young woman approaching her 30s, I feel that having this type of void is not good. It is reflexive of discontent and aimless wonderment...a bit of an extreme you say? Not really. Think about it this way...being discontent, dissatisfied, isn't the problem. However, that feeling of incompleteness comes by being dissatisfied with no foreseeable path to happiness. Thus, when you find that the path down which you wonder is bleak or altogether unapparent, you can can deduce that you're wondering aimlessly.
Coming from a past wherein I excelled and overachieved at most everything that I set out to do, I am torn by my current reality of being a "nobody" or a "just somebody else". This isn't the first time that I've attacked myself with the " who am I?" questionnaire. But this is the first time that it's hit me so randomly which causes the idea to concern me more than ever. I live by the motto: "Don't point out the problem if you can't suggest a solution." With that being said ......I'm feeling a bit hypocritical. I have no earthly idea how to DISCOVER MY PURPOSE IN LIFE.
Spiritualists may holler, "Seek God." Ambitionists may scream, "Find what you love and just do it." Free-Spirits mat think it best to just "go where life takes you." But being a more visual individual , I yearn certainty- or at least a ball park visual. And as much as I pray, I've rarely gotten assertions of my future.
As of right now, I feel like "I'm just living llife" (quoted with Rae Sremmurd in mind). I'll vouch to living prosperously, but I desire to live purposefully. So what's the next step ?
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Monday, January 5, 2015
Monday, July 8, 2013
AUDACITY OF THE ENEMY
The audacity of he who steps over you, undermines you, and deliberately tries to break you...
He uses you as the foot-stool to HIS accomplishes but falters in the background when you need uplifting.
The audacity of the enemy...
You fuel his fire. You take his crap. You inflate his ego...
only to have it returned with a slap in the face or a stab in the back. The audacity of the enemy...
But I finally turned my back, held my head to the sky. I put my confidence back on the pedestal and revived that fire within me. The audacity of the enemy...
You're nothing but a speck in my background, a stepping stone to my soon-to-be glory. I've elevated myself above you. Oh no. Not the audacity of the enemy. Let's see the resilience inside of me...
*For anyone who knows what it is to have sacrificed your happiness until you've surrendered your sanity, only to be trampled on or over and hurt beyond what you believe recoverable. Put your foot down, stand up, and walk away from that pain because what lies ahead is your greatness*
He uses you as the foot-stool to HIS accomplishes but falters in the background when you need uplifting.
The audacity of the enemy...
only to have it returned with a slap in the face or a stab in the back. The audacity of the enemy...
But I finally turned my back, held my head to the sky. I put my confidence back on the pedestal and revived that fire within me. The audacity of the enemy...
You're nothing but a speck in my background, a stepping stone to my soon-to-be glory. I've elevated myself above you. Oh no. Not the audacity of the enemy. Let's see the resilience inside of me...
*For anyone who knows what it is to have sacrificed your happiness until you've surrendered your sanity, only to be trampled on or over and hurt beyond what you believe recoverable. Put your foot down, stand up, and walk away from that pain because what lies ahead is your greatness*
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
"Black Beauty and Resilience in Senghor's Poetry"
It is of no mystery that the Black culture consists of an endurance of social suffering. But amidst it all, the people have managed to maintain a sense of appreciation of its natural bliss that entails not only it aesthetic appeal but its livelihood as a culture. One particular poet, Leopold Sedar Senghor truly encapsulates blackness and African heritage through his work. Born and raised in Senegal- a land of natural beauty but one that is no stranger to pain and suffering either, he generously shares a variety of vivid images that portray the black culture in a metaphoric, realistic, and literal manner. Furthermore, Senghor encourages self-embracement and cultural mutualism by praising resilience and black beauty throughout his poetry.
From the very beginning, Africans have always instilled the idea of self-love in its people. This is a type of love that extends beyond appreciating what has been physically bestowed upon a people. The type of self-love that rules the Black culture is on that teaches its people how to face, how to endure, and to recognize the value of struggles, taking note of things to help in the future. "And I had no dead to honor...You who have always refused to die...Guard my dreams as you did your thin-legged migrant sons." Reflecting back to a time of extreme cultures' history while fighting to retain the hope despite dealing with the strains of being out and put down. While the European race so often scrutinized and tortured the Black African people people, they, more often than not, found themselves entangled in affairs with this "inferior" group. Whether it was the result of secretive and consensual love or secretive and forced lust, many children were not only born out wedlock, but were also the product of white men who engaged with black women. The poem, "Totem" addresses this multiculturalism and how mixed individuals had to hid their true identity in order to not "burst the dam of scandal". This regular occurrence shows that Back had the power to be resilient and overlook adversity. The poem, "Snow in Paris", reiterates this concept of endurance. In a most symbolically calm and relieved manner, Senghor says, "Lord, you have offered the snow of your Peace to a torn world" and "I forget...the firm hands that led me to loneliness and hate". Having gone through and survived many decades of maltreatment, it proves that its people had an unavoidable hod on others (more specifically, the whiles who invaded "the Motherland")- perhaps the effect of an intrinsic beauty untouched by any other.
In order to truly capture the essence of this beautiful people, Senghor takes two different approaches. First, he addresses natural beauty, such as that described in "Black Woman". Senghor emphasizes purity by praising the "naked woman...dressed in your color that is life." From her voice to the light in her eyes, this type of woman's beauty is well worthy of attention "before jealous Fate reduces [her] to ashes to nourish the roots of life." This ending indicates a chance that such purity and naturalness will continue to blossom in the generations of women to come. In contrast to the praised and hope displayed in the poem, "Black Woman", Senghor attacks the counterpart of such perfection by writing "to New York". Initially taken aback by the beauty of its "huge, long-legged, golden girls", it isn't long before he begins to miss the simplicity and the comforts of home. "No mother's breast, but nylon legs...no tender word...only artificial hearts." This line suggests that the artificiality of the western world's culture versus that of Senegal, Senghor's home, is not natural and is not as desirable. There is comfort, however, in Harlem where Blacks move, sang, and apparently, lived freely. The many uplifting references made to body and to nature are indicative of the idea that which Senghor treasures. "Hips rippling like silk...ballets of water lilies" moving magically "to your heart beating to the rhythm of blood"- he advises his people to keep moving, or dancing, as it is evident of the Black-African culture rooted deeply within. Part three of this poem implies that Black should be encouraged to display freely the depth and richness of its culture, thus New York should allow the Black culture to thrive within its boundaries and beautify it with it naturalness.
One could define "resilience" as the ability to endure, fight, and recover from years of pain and suffering. And, Senghor further shows us the beauty of Black culture beyond physical aesthetics. What we find by reading this collection of poetry is that the black culture is overflowing with a history of struggles; however, it is clear that these struggles have helped to create a strong group of people who have taken these same hardships and continued to blossom. As if to prove that it is more to the black culture than the forced westernization, Senghor reiterates the idea of self-appreciation. Being a part of culture that has endured much and has still retained a major sense of its cultural individuality (or has displayed a strong sense of resilience), more than enough reason to continually praise its originality, simplicity, and naturalness which is beauty.
From the very beginning, Africans have always instilled the idea of self-love in its people. This is a type of love that extends beyond appreciating what has been physically bestowed upon a people. The type of self-love that rules the Black culture is on that teaches its people how to face, how to endure, and to recognize the value of struggles, taking note of things to help in the future. "And I had no dead to honor...You who have always refused to die...Guard my dreams as you did your thin-legged migrant sons." Reflecting back to a time of extreme cultures' history while fighting to retain the hope despite dealing with the strains of being out and put down. While the European race so often scrutinized and tortured the Black African people people, they, more often than not, found themselves entangled in affairs with this "inferior" group. Whether it was the result of secretive and consensual love or secretive and forced lust, many children were not only born out wedlock, but were also the product of white men who engaged with black women. The poem, "Totem" addresses this multiculturalism and how mixed individuals had to hid their true identity in order to not "burst the dam of scandal". This regular occurrence shows that Back had the power to be resilient and overlook adversity. The poem, "Snow in Paris", reiterates this concept of endurance. In a most symbolically calm and relieved manner, Senghor says, "Lord, you have offered the snow of your Peace to a torn world" and "I forget...the firm hands that led me to loneliness and hate". Having gone through and survived many decades of maltreatment, it proves that its people had an unavoidable hod on others (more specifically, the whiles who invaded "the Motherland")- perhaps the effect of an intrinsic beauty untouched by any other.
In order to truly capture the essence of this beautiful people, Senghor takes two different approaches. First, he addresses natural beauty, such as that described in "Black Woman". Senghor emphasizes purity by praising the "naked woman...dressed in your color that is life." From her voice to the light in her eyes, this type of woman's beauty is well worthy of attention "before jealous Fate reduces [her] to ashes to nourish the roots of life." This ending indicates a chance that such purity and naturalness will continue to blossom in the generations of women to come. In contrast to the praised and hope displayed in the poem, "Black Woman", Senghor attacks the counterpart of such perfection by writing "to New York". Initially taken aback by the beauty of its "huge, long-legged, golden girls", it isn't long before he begins to miss the simplicity and the comforts of home. "No mother's breast, but nylon legs...no tender word...only artificial hearts." This line suggests that the artificiality of the western world's culture versus that of Senegal, Senghor's home, is not natural and is not as desirable. There is comfort, however, in Harlem where Blacks move, sang, and apparently, lived freely. The many uplifting references made to body and to nature are indicative of the idea that which Senghor treasures. "Hips rippling like silk...ballets of water lilies" moving magically "to your heart beating to the rhythm of blood"- he advises his people to keep moving, or dancing, as it is evident of the Black-African culture rooted deeply within. Part three of this poem implies that Black should be encouraged to display freely the depth and richness of its culture, thus New York should allow the Black culture to thrive within its boundaries and beautify it with it naturalness.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A Captain and his Ship
It's 2012. Another year. Another chance to make resolutions to problems that you've probably had for many years now. Many people drag through a year of unfortunate circumstances only to find themselves adding to a long list of complaints. They wait until December 31st of every year to contemplate ways on how to better their situation. What makes the end of the year a better time than the beginning or the middle of the year for that matter? The best time to pursue change is the moment that you realize that you need change!
My brother and his wife came across a documentary, entitled "The Secret", and insisted that my mother and I watch it. The documentary brings together a select group of philosophers, authors, doctors, and other elitists who address the concept of (in so many words) an individual being in control of his or her own fate. Though most of us have heard this before, not many us recognize the intrinsic complexity of this simple theory.
After a little honest thought, we can all admit that everything takes some sort of effort, and everything is the affect of something else. That's the basic concept, but that only taps the surface. Specialists of "The Secret" reiterate the idea that our current state of happiness, the achievability of our goals, and our ultimate state of prosperity is reliant upon our thinking and OUR feelings.
According to the philosopher, Dr. J. Demartini, "When the voice and the vision on the inside become more profound and more clear and loud than the opinions on the outside voice then you’ve mastered your life." I consider this to be one of the most reeling quotes of the film, especially among a generation that seems to be tarnished by the ugly face of peer pressure. With this mentality of mastery, we develop and demonstrate a type of strength against our oftentimes unfortunate circumstances. With this mentality of clarity, we can mitigate the misdirected blame that people tend to place on others in regards to the cause of one's misfortunes. Finally, with this mentality of prosperity, we take create our dreams of happiness and take control of our fears of failure.
*BELIEVE IT* RECEIVE IT* ACHIEVE IT*
These are the three keys to becoming a "liver" versus a dreamer. With access to our many sources granted through technology, education, employment, etc., we have the opportunity to take this concept and make it work for us, ten-fold.
There are many scholars, documentaries, and books that seek to encourage desiring hearts, but they fail to make sense or fail to relate. "The Secret" offers various situations that support this theory and speak in terms to which the "average man" can relate. Therefore, time permitting, I highly recommend this video to open minds and perceiving hearts to greatness.
My brother and his wife came across a documentary, entitled "The Secret", and insisted that my mother and I watch it. The documentary brings together a select group of philosophers, authors, doctors, and other elitists who address the concept of (in so many words) an individual being in control of his or her own fate. Though most of us have heard this before, not many us recognize the intrinsic complexity of this simple theory.
After a little honest thought, we can all admit that everything takes some sort of effort, and everything is the affect of something else. That's the basic concept, but that only taps the surface. Specialists of "The Secret" reiterate the idea that our current state of happiness, the achievability of our goals, and our ultimate state of prosperity is reliant upon our thinking and OUR feelings.
According to the philosopher, Dr. J. Demartini, "When the voice and the vision on the inside become more profound and more clear and loud than the opinions on the outside voice then you’ve mastered your life." I consider this to be one of the most reeling quotes of the film, especially among a generation that seems to be tarnished by the ugly face of peer pressure. With this mentality of mastery, we develop and demonstrate a type of strength against our oftentimes unfortunate circumstances. With this mentality of clarity, we can mitigate the misdirected blame that people tend to place on others in regards to the cause of one's misfortunes. Finally, with this mentality of prosperity, we take create our dreams of happiness and take control of our fears of failure.
*BELIEVE IT* RECEIVE IT* ACHIEVE IT*
These are the three keys to becoming a "liver" versus a dreamer. With access to our many sources granted through technology, education, employment, etc., we have the opportunity to take this concept and make it work for us, ten-fold.
There are many scholars, documentaries, and books that seek to encourage desiring hearts, but they fail to make sense or fail to relate. "The Secret" offers various situations that support this theory and speak in terms to which the "average man" can relate. Therefore, time permitting, I highly recommend this video to open minds and perceiving hearts to greatness.
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