Zero Three One Seven

Happy New Year

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions; I hate feeling like a failure five days into the new year.

There are things that I want to learn in 2009, and I am willing to put all of my energy into learning these things.

1. I am going to trust my own
decisions. I have spent most of my life either second-guessing my decisions or asking other people for approval. 2009 is the year that I become solely responsible for my own life.

2. I am going to continue to add to my diet foods that are known to contribute to good health. Last year, I discovered that I am
allergic to all things dairy; as a
result, I have cut dairy out of
my diet— no exceptions. Eliminating dairy products from my diet has been one of the best things I have done for myself. Not only did I lose a few pounds, but my skin (and scalp) are clear.

The Obama Family is Moving Into The White House!

I am not dreaming; Barack Obama has been named the forty-fourth president of The United States of America. Black people are moving into The White House!

I am not sure what this all means just yet, so I will save my comments until I know.

God bless America.

God bless President Obama, Mrs. Obama, Sasha and Malia.

*m

On Learning Myself...

I have to put my feelings in check all the time.

I am super-sensitive, and the smallest things have me asking myself a thousand questions about my worth. The thing that helps me cope with this obviously neurotic disorder is that I know that I am responsible for the way I feel. I try not to make others feel responsible for my shit. No matter what effed-up madness others throw my way, I can control only my reactions.

As a younger person, I was always trying to tell people how they hurt me; I would try to get them to change/adjust their behavior so I could feel better about myself and the world. This new approach (owning myself and my feelings) is challenging, but it is the most rewarding decision I have ever made.

I am glad I have learned to own myself.

*m

Trouble in My Way; I Have to Cry Sometimes

In Christianity, the fundamental role of a prophet or one with a prophetic voice is not to foretell the future or make predictions. The prophet, first and foremost, must name the sins of which the people are guilty before the prophet can lead the people into a better land. Racism has been the force which dares not speak its name in this campaign. Let us stop for a moment, name the sin, and attempt to heal some festering wounds, so that we can move forward together.

                                                                         ~Dr. Yolanda Pierce
                                                                          (The Kitchen Table Blog)

Amen, Dr. Pierce.

If we cannot name the sins of the people, we can never atone for them.

I have spent many nights wondering if, even with a black president, we will ever be able to have an honest conversation about race in this country. During the debate, Obama had the opportunity to discuss the power of language to incite people to violence; he could have (in his cool-as-ice way) slammed Sarah Palin for not speaking against the incendiary rhetoric posited at her rallies, but he did neither. Obama’s unwillingness to address these issues now will make it impossible for him to create a space for this kind of discourse once he occupies The White House.

The prophet has to speak the ugly, hateful, hurtful, dangerous name of racism, and then we have to come together and look for honest, constructive solutions. We cannot be deterred when people, like McCain, use their whiteness as license to feign indignation when their sectarian deeds are questioned.

The needs of the American people are as diverse as the people who dwell here; how can we allow only the needs of an unlicensed white plumber trump the needs of every other American citizen? How can we stand to be rendered invisible again and again?

Please, add me to the list of troubled souls this morning; my heart is heavy, and I am saddened that Barack Obama must bear his cross alone, because speaking its name could lose the election for him.

*m

The 2008 Man Booker Prize Goes To...

 Aravind Adiga  (The White Tiger)!!!

Man Booker Prize 2008 Finalists

Best of luck!!!!

Sebastian Barry—The Secret Scripture          

Aravind Adiga—The White Tiger

Amitav Gosh—Sea of Poppies                    

Steve Toltz— A Fraction of the Whole

Philip Hensher—The Northern Clemency    

Linda Grant— The Clothes in Their Backs

Best of Luck!

~0317

Thank You, Kara Walker

Kara Walker’s art is fierce.  I hope you will add her to your must-see list!

Responsible Faith

(posted from my iPhone, so please forgive the errors)

This morning I worshipped with a lovely group of Unitarian Universalists. They were warm, friendly and honest in their quest to live peaceably with all of creation. I left the service feeling renewed and encouraged. I know that my responsibility as a member of the human race is to learn create harmony and balance. I have to be worthy of the gift of life that has been given to me.

As we witness some of the crazy behavior that this election cycle has stirred in all of us, I am hopeful that we will not forget that we are on this planet and in this nation together, and we must work collectively to  become our highest selves. When we expand our vision to include others, we can live.

Let us strive for understanding and the preservation of the human spirit. We must assume the responsibility of the faith that calls us to love one another.

Namaste.

~0317