R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I always say 'respect' is one of the greatest attributes in this life for our fellow men.

Treat people how you wish to be treated; and if you have morals/values/spiritual beliefs, then really mold your lifestyle within those core beliefs, don't be a hypocrite or un-kind. If people don't respect your feelings, your love, your time, your being, then they don't deserve your time, energy or respect either. It goes both ways ~ Respect your fellow man. It's the one thing you shouldn't settle for, if you indeed respect yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc

Assumptions

I tend to find myself in sometimes rather un-savory situations, certainly not intentionally but surely because of lack of luster or strength to truly express my "No's". You see, I expect that everyone should respect one another; it is one of the wisest and greatest virtues in my book. For if you treat people the way you wish to be treated, the world would be a much friendlier and fair place. Apparently I missed the memo in that the world today, doesn't work that way; in turn, for my lack of love at filing paperwork, I become stuck in sticky situations with people who adore disrespecting and using me and my energy till the very small amounts of meat I've got on my bones, is pretty much sucked dry! Arrgggh! The torment!

I was told the other day by one of my new and dear friends, that if I was any gentler or polite, I'd be pretty much a sponge or an amoeba! I realized promptly that this wasn't a compliment, and however harsh was said with utmost love and absolutely necessary. People will take advantage of you or cross boundaries and limitations if you don't set any for yourself. I knew she was right; and it's not that I didn't see that, it's just that I always prefer to give others the benefit of the doubt.

Many people believe they can read one another like an open book. They make assessments and judgments based on what their parents taught them, on the experiences they've had, good or bad, and of course from what they view on film and the television. They shuffle you into boxes or brackets or quotation marks whenever they deem necessary and most times they haven't begun yet to scratch the surface. We're all guilty of judging and making assumptions, but should we really automatically do this without first giving the person a chance?

We are all reflections of one another, along the same path at different points in life, and despite a person's demeanor, personality or physical attributes, we know very little about that person's belief system, childhood structures or life ambitions. We must remember that what we give of ourselves, we receive; which takes me back to my philosophy of respect being an enormous virtue. Treat people the way you wish to be treated. Period.

Assumptions and Ego, get you nowhere in life, except disappointed. Be open to the lessons available to you throughout your journey here, think of it like a University degree, and each course you take, despite the deadlines, boring teachers and the adventure of scales, algorithms and thrilling adjectives, the more you challenge yourself, the better your CV will look. For once you do the right things, and listen to that voice within, which always ring true, then sure enough when you're in that interview before entering the next stage after your time here, you'll have impressive character and heart, and there's only one that can judge you based on the sincerities of your heart. J

Island Girl

I remember when first coming to America, when I was referred to as 'an Island Girl', I would feel as though I was put down. People would refer to my exceptional home as some 'third-world' or primitive country, insinuating that people from there wouldn't know much about the world or much about anything at all for that matter. People would poke fun and ask me if we wore grass skirts and used spears, if I knew how to work a microwave, and if I'd just disembarked from the 'banana boat'. Back then, I said nothing but only wore a sheepish and nervous grin; I figured they were from much bigger, much more established, much more organized and convenient lands, that they couldn't possibly fathom an island girl like me knowing about many things. I strongly disliked this though and as if it made much of a difference at all, I would prefer them referring to me as a Caribbean girl! Later on I realized that coming from a smaller, simpler place wasn't less sophisticated or striking but in fact a tad more alluring and interesting. I came from a place where people actually had family time, no over-time for work and just rest for that matter, and stunning and calm spots with hammocks that people liked to visit for holiday. Now I think that an island girl is something calming, and refreshing like an ice cold beer on a hot day with a gentle breeze… J

As they say, "You can take the girl off the island, but you can't take the island away from the girl…" My twin islands raised me well…and I am grateful for all the lessons I learned before beginning my journey in new lands. It taught me importance of simplicity of spirituality, of truth, genuinity and trust…I learned about Mathematics and Literature too, but these things are used more for enjoyment than in everyday adversities of life. I think the most significant messages were though, that no matter who you are, or where you come from you must treat people with respect. Everyone is on different paths, and if someone does you wrong, forgive them, because most times they do not know what they are doing. Treat people always as you would like to be treated, and do so with Love! J

So if you know better, use what you've been taught. If people laugh and poke fun at you because they are ignorant to the fact that you speak with an accent because you speak different languages, or ignorant to the fact that your country is in fact 98% literate, or ignorant to the fact that people from your country aren't as sick in the head because they have family time , fresh food and a lighter work load; then simply let them be. You have nothing to prove, because they don't know better. Forgive them, treat them with love and let it go. Maybe one day they will realize, or maybe they never will…

Remember also that you are entitled and worthy of all the beautiful abundance that the Universe has to offer. Whether you're a factory worker, a garbage collector, a worker in the vineyards picking grapes, or a 'lowly' island girl…it doesn't matter. We are all worthy and deserving of the best that life has to offer. Tap into that thought process…it isn't easy…because we are constantly brainwashed into believing that CEO's, 1^st world countries, and blonde, blue-eyed people rule the world. We switch on our television sets, or catch glimpses of billboards while whizzing by on bicycle that this is the way things will always be…but no! True we are where we're supposed to be in this moment of time, but it doesn't have to be forever… Continue living a life of love and respect and sacredness with all that you do, then also realize that the Universe is infinite and limitless and is to be shared between us all. We are all kings and queens of our life. It is hard to imagine it because human beings try quite hard to be better than another and create divisions…"Oh I'm better than you because I have larger gaps between my teeth!" But these things have no power over you, be the master…overcome this… and recognize your value and worth…because you are such a beautiful, powerful and wonderful human being worthy of the beauty the Universe has to offer. Whatever you do in life, do so with love and with joy!

Just a quick side note…gluttony is not…keep your heart pure and sincere and you will be blessed! J

Here is something to meditate on; while doing some light reading the other night, I came across this. Try to remember:

…Begin to act as if what you would like to attract is already in your life. If you want to create healing, formulate the picture, radiate out that energy to connect with all-creating energy, be cheerful and trusting in your knowing…

…Whenever you feel unworthy of having your manifestations arrive, remind yourself that no-one is unworthy and that the same divine energy that flows through you, flows through all of God's children and that all are worthy. This includes you…

[Excerpt from: Manifest Your Destiny by Wayne W. Dyer]

Dreams on Fire...

Having to drink a shot of vodka just to get some 'shut-eye' is far from funny. Not having an appetite and then whenever you manage to eat you feel nauseous is a bit worse. But feeling teed off when every other person that walks by is pregnant or part of a happy family of three holding hands; that's when you know you've got problems. Why couldn't I be that happy couple? Why couldn't that unborn child be in my stomach? Why couldn't the one I love, love me the same way he longed and yearned for her?

It's not fair!

It really isn't…true it's good to have forgiveness and compassion and to walk the right path. But can one forgive someone who betrayed their trust? How can one still love someone even though it was quite obvious that they didn't love you the same? I suppose only that person would have answers to those sort of questions.

Sometimes it seems that you're living in a nightmare; but just your nightmare; your torment; your hurt. Because for everyone else, life is just 'peachy'! You begin to wonder if perhaps you're cursed, if you've racked up a full life-time (this one) of bad karma, if you'd be doomed to become a lonely cat lady even though you didn't fancy cats. Couldn't you get a little break? Oh, wait, you did have a break…the 7 months of being giggly silly in love, being there for that person no matter what was going on in your life, every morning a lovely memory of what you'd talked about or did the day before. That was your break. 7 months of pure bliss. Now it was back to harsh reality; back to your punishment; back to being single and having to hear all your friends say, "Don't worry, you'll meet someone new!" or "He's just a jerk, forget him, move on with your life!" Hah! Little do they know of the utter joy you had in this short space of time. Little do they know that he was the best thing that happened to you? Because sure it's nice to spend time with your girlfriends, but they didn't have broad shoulders and hugs that made you melt. Or opened doors like your very own modern-day gentleman, or cook for you, and tell you stories of his youth. Or call you doux-doux or sunshine and never once disrespect you…

I know they mean well. I know that everyone means well. But the truth is that every waking moment (especially since you can't sleep) you think about that person, and if it's only good times, then that's all you're going to remember. The truth is that 'every' damn slow song that plays on the radio makes you tremble with tears, and the upbeat happy ones make you livid. The truth is that you're going to feel like dying every morning you wake up (5 minutes of rest) until one morning you realize that it is what it is, and you have no control over the situation. Then you accept it and slowly your heart heals; and you'd be so tired crying and feeling nauseated that you finally realize you need to sleep….

And people say you have a lesson to learn; and some people say you did nothing wrong and it's not your fault. And I think each instance is different. I think that sometimes you have nothing to learn, because loving somebody could never be a bad thing. That you sadly stumbled into this beauty quickly turned into hell because YOU had a lesson/s to teach THEM. And that you cannot force somebody to love you; you can pretend but if they don't love you, they'll 'mess up' or go away and leave you without closure. Or maybe you'd think of what I'd have been like to be gay; they didn't have such problems as bringing life into the world. Or maybe becoming a monk or nun; if nobody loves me at least my imaginary God will and I can lose myself in prayer and chores and wear long robes to ensure no human could bring me pain. Hmmm…maybe not such a bad idea; although being a cat lady might be the best fit because you could wear shorts on hot days and still have loads of cats give you love. You and the cat hair would be inseparable. Un-conditional love….Hmmm….

Really…life is up and down and down and up. Like a see-saw or swings in a child's playground. So you go UPPPPP… and you have a view of the clouds and the sky, and trees in the distance and you go DOWNNNNN…and you lose all that sense of euphoria and beautiful view, but children don't worry because they know that they'll be up again in no time. I think we have to look at life like this too. When you're down in the dumps and you feel worthless and disappointed and used and hurt and unattractive like you're 'just a friend'; believe it or not you will get up again.

With every disappointment it is really a blessing in disguise…you must believe that. We cannot see why this is happening right now; who knows what the future holds (hmmm…sounds all too familiar), we do not know what it holds, if you are due for an up, you can bet it's something really good! Because you are beautiful, wise, intelligent, and if you continue to do good, you will be rewarded for it….the universe guarantees it J Let go; and take care of yourself…it's time to heal. Now it's your time…just let it be…

If only the breeze could kiss me

Trees green as your eyes are

The river enveloping me like your hugs

If only the fragrance of the grass smelt like you

A taste so sumptuous

A love so pure

Of friendship

Of trust

Of sharing

Then if I had all these things I wouldn't miss you…

I could live happily

Walking the earth

Hugging the trees

Drinking from the river

Not caring if the breeze chapped my lips

Because then I could live knowing you'd always be a part of me

As much as it mars me…I trust you universe, to always love me….

Now

And forever

And I thank-you for loving me…

For without your love, I may as well be a character in a story that would never be written…

I put my trust in you – despite my gaping and bloodied wound.

– you are the magic; you are the prayer I'm saying…Dreams on Fire.

By: Jair Ananda Massiah