Vulnerability

Growing up in my island home, one thing any child can say they grew up with are the sayings from our elders. It didn't necessarily mean that the one's giving us these sayings were indeed the wise ones; but somewhere along the way, they were given these words of insight and felt the need to share the love and joy by speaking it on from one generation to the other.

"Good things come to those who wait…"

"Do so, en like so…"

"Keep your friends close and your enemies' closer…"

"Do your best and let God do the rest…"

I can go on and on, and the majority only Caribbean people may understand because it is written and said in the many dialects and crosses of languages we have learned to use while living here.

Sometimes we are driving in brand new snazzy cars; sleek, sharp, with that new car smell, we can drive on to new and daring destinations without a care or worry. That's when we feel we are in control of the situation, when despite the signs that we pass in the rear-view mirror, we shrug off and do our own thing. Along the way we form new relationships that are exciting and promising; and every so often we bend over backwards to ensure their happiness.

By the time we get to new cities, towns or villages, the new relationships or passengers in our snazzy car, we realize who they really are. Some of us show them the door straight away after realizing this; others (sadly like myself) think that although they have showed their true colours, there must be some goodness left inside somewhere. For aren't we all reflections of each other, on different paths, to learn different lessons? Then why ostracize and criticize and eliminate so quickly.

So at this point, although our car is lagging now, and running low on fuel and energy, some of us decide to speak. Speaking can be a wonderful thing when you choose your words wisely and slowly; for even though we may feel vulnerable , upset, angry or in a bit of pain, once unleashing these emotions, we are able to become empowered and with that, healing can occur for both parties.

Bollocks! I can hear some of you say… and yes, I would agree sometimes it's easier to hide away or try to forget, but this is where we are wrong. We mustn't hide. We must exist in clear love, for someone operating on true, unconditional love in its ultimate form keeps no secrets. Someone operating in an awakened state doesn't find it necessary to keep secrets, because they develop a sense of trust. Only when that sense of trust is broken; or they realize that the other person isn't ready to progress in light and love, and then do they gently surrender.

When we grace this earth, our memory evades us quickly of all the understanding we have gathered prior to this lifetime; because of this we feel helpless and vulnerable when faced with new challenges that ought to make us stronger. We find it easier to stay in a superficial, meaningless, and desires worldly; for we believe 'this is it', what we can see, hear, feel, touch and taste.

There is so much more my darlings, there is universal light and love, there are angels gliding ever so near, there are whispers of brilliance in the wind, there are messages seen in the sun-rise and the sun-set. And it's also here, now, living your life with purpose and meaning and mostly of love. Be truthful, even if you feel vulnerable. Take a breath and whatever you do, do so with the highest of loving intentions. You will be blessed for it! And those whom are slick and unrelentless…that disappoint us because we are not under their command anymore, let them go in love, with compassion and forgiveness, and pray that one day that small girl or small boy in them will grow and see the bigger picture. For it isn't a competition, it's about success garnered by helping and loving one another.

It's alright my darling; don't be afraid…as a handsome soul once told me…"You're stronger than you think…" J

Bless-up!

Jair J

I met the Walrus

** The truth...courtesy the late and great John Lennon...

Mother

This 2009 Korean film was short of magnificent. It delivered in every sense of the word; epic cinematography, suspenseful and thrilling plot, splendid acting, and charged with a mother's determination and love. Written and directed by Joon-ho Bong, the same director that wrote and directed, 'The Barking Dog Never Bites' and 'The Host', continued along with his skill with this story and it was nominated for quite a few of awards, it was a sorrowful tale of what a mother would go through for the freedom of her hindered son whom was framed in a young girl's murder.

Hye-ja Kim who played the mother in this film's acting was terribly exceptional that I find it hard to believe that she has only made few films prior. She opened and closed in such grace and poise despite the malady her life had become; and held great strength throughout the injustice and adversities that she was dealt. She led a quiet life of providing dried herbs and acupuncture to her neighbours and her point of living was to provide for her son. She was alone in the world and protecting and caring for him was what kept her going.

It was a nail-bitingly mystery that was filled with twists and turns of drama and shocking moments. Bin Won who plays Yoon Do-joon, the son, also performed superbly with specific idiosyncrasies' and bizarre outburst at the perfect moments. The film takes its audience on a ride, far from conventional and leaves it's viewers in even more of a perplexity at who the killer turns out to be.

Deserving of many more nominations and awards for being thought-provoking; smooth transitions and plenty of hard work. This is the perfect example of true love and going to the ends of the earth to keep it going strong! Gooo South Korea! J

Boss Man

** When you are truth ...

they hate you ...

because they only wish they could be it too! :))

All you need is love silly rabbit! ;)

Love you John!

Mind Games

Lately it's becoming more and more apparent of the world in which we live and how important it is to recover and be resilient. It's alright to grieve a bit, but we need to be strong in this here life! You need to be careful who you surround yourself with and trust your instincts in keeping your life in balance and in harmony. Just as quickly as light forms and bends, so too are our emotions, paths and fortunes able to rise and decrease like the tide of a pebbled beach.

I was inspired by some light reading and wanted to share in the beauty of it as well:

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth; but that which is good to the use of edifying."

"We perform may acts automatically. We have formed the habit of walking, eating, etc., without conscious thought. In the moral realm, we can so form the habit of living up to our better selves that this also becomes automatic."

What is temperament? What is our better self? The answers, the truth, my dear readers, lie within us all; for we know when someone means us good or the lack of it; we know what feels right and what may work for a while but not forever...

It is good to reach out and remember those first words uttered in love and kindness, but as soon as they pull the rug out from underneath you, don't hesitate to bid them adieu … as the sayings go:

"When a man has not a good reason for doing a thing, he has one good reason for letting it alone."

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour."

Be the lion, be vigilant, and even though the world is changing and they play these mind games with you; remember to be solid as a rock, strong enough to play, but with your wisdom and temperance, you my seemingly weak child now, will rise up and win in the end! J

The Beach

I remembered when this film came out; it was the summer of 2000, and my sister wouldn't stop raving about how much she wanted to see it. I didn't know what it was about, and I'm not even sure if she ever did see it; all I knew was that she had a thing for Brad Pitt and back then, apparently Leonardo Dicaprio too. J

Turned out to be a pretty darn good movie; nothing I haven't seen before, but certainly some decent messages about life and what you might think it's about. It spoke about how skewed our vision is when we're younger, and how easy we think it is to try to forget about it all but if we don't deal with it right there and then, it always comes back to bite us in the arse'.

Written by John Hodge and Alex Garland, and directed by Danny Boyle, the crew did an astounding job at delivering the true essence of the two sides of Thailand. The one we all know, and the one we all wish we could visit. No island get-away 'anywhere' in the world would be complete without Bob Marley's 'Redemption Songs' and all you can smoke of weed. We get that, we get the excitement of exploring a new land and how quickly it becomes like parasites eating away at a paradise because it is overridden with those who only seek to use and destroy. It was from there that our young Richard played by Leonardo DiCaprio was trying so hard to escape from. Because as he said, he had travelled all this way from home, to find just want he was missing, but busy, crazy Bangkok, wasn't what he wanted, it was paradise.

Paradise was what he found, at first, before he realized "the person he used to be….after the truth…"and that "…nothing must interrupt the pursuit of pleasure, not even dying…"For we all can jump off a cliff to find paradise and swim to one island to the next but we must never forget where we came from, who we are, and more importantly why we're here; because lo and behold, there just may be sharks lurking in those waters, one's that like to take a BIG bite out of your heart and dreams!

This film was full of adventure, hot young tanned bodies in the sun, and some excellent narration and acting from Leonardo Dicaprio as usual. It's about time he won an Oscar already, he's been working at it quite hard from the beginning! Despite the movies utter predicament, with shark attacks and back-stabbing, even by Francoise, played by Virginie Ledoyen who easily walked out on her boyfriend for the 'new kid on the block' the audience was kept on the edge of their seats by the ever engaging Tilda Swinton, who played the leader of their 'Animal Farmesque' island paradise named Sal.

It was a strange, tropical adventure with a touch of romance, a touch of fear and plenty of incredible Thailand island cinematography. J

Mary and Max

People have their preference in television shows or films they like to watch, for many varying reasons. Some like the news, reality television or soap-operas, and others like animated. Animated films have evolved from entertainment for children only, and is enjoyed by an enormous amount of adults now too; most are made to make us laugh, and others like Mary and Max could do quite the opposite.

The official trailer doesn't give the true essence of what the film is like. Sure there are several moments of giggles and chuckles, but this movie is most definitely somber and suitable for adults. It is a marvel and a masterpiece; it is unique and quite thought provoking indeed. It takes place over the period of ten years from 1978 to 1998 and is based on a true story. I've attached a clip more likely showcasing the true essence of the bit of comedy but true flavour of the film.

It reminds us that we are born into family and have relatives we 'have' to live with; but that we undeniably have to choose our friends. For they also are a substantial part of our lives; for they can lift you up or pull you down and therefore you must choose wisely. True friends will let you know who they are; for they are with you through thick and thin, always support you, and never challenge your worth or integrity. True friends is true love; something that lasts forever.

Our clay characters for this film were Mary, an 8 year old Australian girl voiced by Toni Collette and Max, a 44 year old Asperger American man voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman; both of whom are lonely and become pen-pals. Writer/Director Adam Elliot did a marvelous job at zoning in on the symptoms and idiosyncrasies of both characters and truly brought them to life. I love how the director used colour to distinguish different aspects of their lives and feelings. For Mary, it was very colourful and for Max, his world was mostly grey, except for his hat and the lady he didn't fancy, red lips.

Despite this 2010 film being visually delightful, it was rather melancholic and heart-wrenching. What can be taken away from this film though is a greater message of how we should treat one another and that we should be more accepting, loving and appreciative to one another despite what may be dished out to you in life; for no-one is perfect and everyone deserves a friend till the end they can confide in and relate to.

Beautiful quotes and phrases I can share with you throughout the film are as follows:

"He felt love, but couldn't articulate it…"

"Humans were endlessly illogical. Why did they throw out food when there were children starving in India? Why did they clear the rainforests when they needed oxygen? And why did they create bus time-tables when they never ran on time…"

"Her eyes were the colour of muddy puddles…"

"True friendship is seen through the heart not through the eyes…"

"All humans are imperfect…"

"I find humans interesting, but I cannot understand them…"

"People often confuse me, but I try not to let them worry me…"

"Everyone's lives are like a very long sidewalk. Some are well paved, others have cracks, banana peels and cigarette butts."

A true cinematic gem; and attractive actors were not even needed! J