Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Phoenix Rising... From the Ashes
My wife and I talked over lunch about the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony and its effects on us personally and on societies local and global. What she said struck me so powerfully that I had to quote her:
"This is the opposite--this is the antithesis--of 9/11. What I mean is that what I felt that morning, the thought that history was changing, that American history would be marked pre-9/11 and post-9/11; and that the way the world and all Americans see this country would shift in some amazing--and even scary--ways. This day is the opposite of that, in a way. It's...like a phoenix rising from the ashes."
I formally invite DJ Jay Smooth to expound on the thought (and no, I don't agree with each of his points, but the overwhelming theme is on target):
We have permission to be happy while maintaining our practical perspective. America has signed a treaty with her children, a promise to learn from the cornucopia of our past blunders by walking in Dr. Martin Luther King's--and, for that matter, my mother's--dream to live as humanly and as humanely as we REALLY can in our country's grand area. Our problems are far from over in many ways, but we--America--are walking our talk again.
Let freedom ring. Keep walking your talk. Love somebody just because God loves him or her as much as He loves you. Talk about tough topics with people--instead of setting people up to look like racists because they don't understand your perspective or your culture. Open your mind enough to see another human's perspective, and you might change your mind about a few things. The work IS a part of the dream, believe it or not...
God bless you. Vaya con Dios. Salaam 'Alaykum (السلام عليكم).
If I have misspelled or misused the beautiful words of your parent language, forgive me and correct me. It's my pleasure to learn. That, as it turns out, is another part of THE DREAM.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Zen Perspective for a Christian'sThinking
RELAX. I am not picking up the "internet guru" label to plaster on my blog. Seth Godin happens to be one of my favorite bloggers, and I hope that God allows me the chance to meet him over a cup of good caffeine during 2009. I mention him because his writing is simply brilliant, brilliantly simple. Is he a Zen thinker? Beats me. Does his perspective help to spark my imagination? Constantly. I would feel remiss if I didn't give a friend a link to his page, so enjoy. Let me know if you agree with me.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Return of Writing
Silence does a writer's mind little good when he silences himself.
I spent most of the last two months (wow...so long) digging into the grey matter for a little realism. This writer needed to look hard and close at "the love," that part of every writer (real or fake...and you know what I mean) that feeds the curiosity about life and the world surrounding it and that nudges every scribe to put pen to paper or fingertip to keyboard. "The love" cares little about bills and insomnia and relationships and that movie that you waited four months to watch on Cinemax because you paid for it, by God! "The love"-- writing-- wants your devotion.
Writing is a Muay Thai boxer who wants your mind to tap out in the fight, to yield all control to the pen, to the CPU, to the poet's corner. Writing wants your absolute love and devotion. Writing wants your kids, baby! Dramatic, you think? Kill the messenger if you must, but writing is not something you do just for the sake of doing. This art is a love thang, an addiction, and a career all wrapped in C-4 explosive and critique. Explosive, exhaustive and exhausting, writing expects your best.
I failed to give my best to my writing in the past. There are places within me that I ducked, dodged, bobbed and weaved past for years that are determined to see the printed page, papyrus or Kindle. Excuses and fears are chained in a dungeon right now, Guantanamo Bay'd like political prisoners. Writing has won the battle at long last, and I accept defeat.
This defeated man has become the victor. Stay tuned, reader, because you and I are in for a wild ride together.
What I Need to Eat
For my soul
Some soul food
For my soul
It keeps a body warm
In a world so cold
Economy's nastier than a 'walker on Halsted
Weather's crazier than a Bush in office
If my ride bounces wildly off just
ONE MORE SPEED BUMP!
I just might lose my GOD-GIVEN MIND!
I need some soul food
A little rhythm tonic
With a dash of funk and an 808
Something to slap me across my face
The only way I'll EVER take it
I need a slappin' track
And a lyricist spittin'
Fiyah 'pon Babylon
Heatmiser for ears
Seasoning for my thoughts
And a quick respite for my third eye
CD player's door is opening
About as hungry for some soul food
As its master is
Time to eat, baby
Don't bother me for about 45 minutes...
Time to eat!