Present

I remember attending primary school till secondary school in Trinidad & Tobago, when our teachers would 'call roll', to see all who had attended classes that day and how my classmates and I would all respond with "Present Sir" or "Present Miss" and how we would stand whenever someone in authority would enter our classrooms. Then I remember attending classes here in America where classmates snickered if I said Sir or Miss and realizing that they would respond with 'Here' when their professors called roll. There was no regard at all if anyone of authority entered the room, but it was a different system, a different culture.

I have realized that there is a gigantic difference between 'Here' and 'Present'. These words may seem similar to anyone who processes words logically, but to those who dig a bit deeper into the meanings of words or prefers to read between the lines and expressions, there is a whole different hidden meaning there.

Forgive them for they know not what they do. They gave and did their best. All you are experiencing will be significant towards your glorious future. Fear not and worry not children; be sure to keep the bridge between the manifested/real world and the unmanifested/inside world in balance. It is vital to keep that portal open, for so many of us are here but fast asleep; keeping in march and under the consumerist-zombie like atmosphere, when it is important to be present with the stillness within you opening the heavenly and angelic realms and allowing you to be the master of your life!

When you are connected within and present with your breath and Universal stage, you will be able to recognize the truth when you hear it. If you know who you are and what you stand for, it will be hard for people to enter into your life if they don't belong… If you have the gift of ESP or have gifts of sight into the un-seen world, you must learn to raise your frequency and energy so you do not absorb people's negative energy. It is easy to have others drain your positivity and energy and in turn making it more difficult to make connections.

Many relationships fail because humans are always living with their minds and scenarios; they are there, but not fully present. Present with the situation or the inside of that person; the person's soul and their current feelings. They don't listen and feel what the other person is telling them. They don't really communicate and be clean with their feelings either. Only in that clean space can a relationship bloom; can love finally become true!

If only we would honestly communicate how we feel, it would eliminate many problems, so SPEAK when you have to. And listen from the heart, feel what it is they are saying, and be PRESENT with the moment. What is happening with you, what is happening with the other person? Respect for that moment, unlike any other…a bridge of balance between both worlds.

Mammoth

Mammoth was colossal; no pun intended. This 2009 Swedish film (another good one) was set in New York City, with actors Michelle Williams and Gael Garcia Bernal as the main characters of this tale. Although it ran at a much slower than usual pace, even by foreign film standards; I found it extremely easy connecting with it. Mammoth completely resonated with me; and I understood completely what the characters were going through. I don't remember the music/soundtrack very much, expect for perhaps 1 or 2 songs, and that lets you know that if a film can leave a lasting impression, even without compelling music, then it's a pretty darn good film. And this pretty darn good film made it to Jair's list of top favourite movies, yes sireee!

I loved the smooth transitions, and lovely cinematography throughout the film, which clearly painted a picture of the lifestyle each character, came from. I enjoyed also the gritty truth the writer and director Lukas Moodyssoon portrayed of different parts of the world; specifically of Thailand, because although it is alive with much beauty and simplicity, it can also be a sad, dark and lost society for people who enjoy paying pittances for pleasure, or in some cases abuses and uses for free. The acting by Jan David G.Nicdao who played Salvador was beyond exceptional and heart-warming and I found myself finding difficulty at holding back my tears.

What I disliked greatly however, was (and I know many male readers are shaking their heads now), the fact that Leo played by Gael Garcia Bernal, knew he was married and the sanctity it held and knew he had a child to top it off, to willingly cheat on his wife and family in Thailand, because the girl who couldn't even hold a proper conversation but just giggled and wanted to show him 'fun' was reason enough for him to forget all his morals, even without the a-a-a-al-alcohol! I also found it hilarious that Leo again was even considered a New Yorker for this role, because of his absolutely thick Spanish accent. I didn't feel as though Ellen played by Michelle Williams and Gael Garcia Bernal had a good connection or chemistry. It felt strained and not real to me, but I suppose to a Swede writer/director his accent was close enough to an American and his connection with his Thai mistress compelling enough to outweigh his wives' relationship.

I found that the underlying message and or questions of this film were: Who belongs here? Do you ever belong here? What will you sacrifice for the sake of a so-called better life? What is more important, money, fame, or the presence among those you love and who love you? All that glitters is not gold, and if you get that gold, will it indeed make you happy? How can you betray or forget about someone because you're put in different circumstances or environments? Who are your real friends? The debates and conversations based on this film are endless and the fact that it was able to evoke such strong emotions is why this film Mammoth was phenomenal! J