People

People cease to amaze. If they did cease to amaze, then what an utterly dreary place earth would be. We come from all walks of life; all sorts of chips off our shoulders, all sorts of upbringings, cultures, customs, beliefs etcetera. I can go on forever. It is impossible to have everyone think the same way; yes very well impossible; for we are all different and unique individuals with specific personalities and drives. Sometimes it's hard to swallow; tis true everyone is not going to agree with you, or see things your way. We all have singular agendas and thought processes and during our journey here, specific lessons brought into our lives to accomplish, understand and in due course overcome. Despite your progress and advancement along the path of life; some others will never be able to comprehend where you're at or what it is you're going through. Not because they're stupid or slow; but because it's not their time to learn that particular lesson as yet, or simply that it is irrelevant to their journey and so they are mentally blocked off to seeing it.

It becomes discouraging, disappointing, daunting and heartrending at times when people do or say things intentionally or un-intentionally to hurt you or bring you down. There are so many mind games human-beings like to play, they're always trying to get 'one-up-on-you'; and drain your energy, determination or drive to make themselves feel better. It seems real odd for those of us that care not to play games but embrace everyone for who they are and where they're at in life's journey; that it's mind-blowing to think that people can just be downright disparaging and mean!

Masters and prophets like Jesus, Siddhartha, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Mohammed to name a few who be-friended and learned from even the most simple, meek, mild and humble people and even from those who were crude, angry and un-kind to others (for with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and therefore a reason for everyone's behaviour). We can learn a great deal from their examples of love, acceptance and non-judging attributes to practice within our own lives.

At times when people around you make spiteful and insensitive comments, or act out in ways that make you wonder about their ultimate motive; I would recommend a wonderful piece of literature I came across while reading 'The Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramahansa Yogananda who had a lovely excerpt by Thayumanaver, which read:

"…You can control a mad elephant; you can shut the mouth of the bear and the tiger; you can ride a lion; you can play with the cobra; By the alchemy you can eke out your livelihood; you can wander through the universe incognito; you can make vassals of the gods; you can be ever youthful; you can walk on water and live in fire; but control of the mind is better and more difficult…"

Which I find this passage to be holding great value and worth; for we as humans judge constantly, we are ruled by the ego; thinking we are better than others because of the colour of our skin, the curls in our hair, our status, or the job we do to pay the bills; always trying to make divisions and prove that 'you are better because'; when this is the wrong direction to head in. We are reflections of each other; none better than the other, none divided by the other; all part of the bigger picture, the many streams and rivers leading to the same ocean. We must learn to love others as we love ourselves, and treat others how we wish to be treated.

And for those who not yet know this special secret of happiness, then try your best to make your mind an ally; to work for and with you and not against you. Take a breath of air and put things in perspective. Don't ask why people are doing this to you. Ask, why am I reacting to this situation in this way? Why does it make me displeased? If others are rudimentary, and un-caring, then let them be; they do not know any better or they are still struggling with themselves and their over-active and negative-thinking mind. Be still and know that you are protected, loved, and in constant company of your guides and heavenly angels that wish to keep you in a cheerful mood and lead you to where it is you need to be. So trust in that and say, 'Here I am!' and 'Is it me you need?'Listen to the sounds of the evening; and turn people's tactless words into a smile upon your face, because you are stronger than you think, you have grace, elegance and the power to not react but just absorb it for what it is; words; words that have no merit or control over you and your thoughts. Let it roll off you as water runs off a duck's back…

Practice self-love and eliminate those negative energies.

Bless-up!

Jair 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]