We’re rebuilding from the rubble. There’s no other choice…
…And there’s a lot of rubble left in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria that swept through the Caribbean last month, as well as from Hurricane Harvey that caused extensive damage and flooding in Texas.
I haven’t been home to the Virgin Islands yet, but thankfully Mom and the rest of my family are doing okay.
But the island, like many others, has been devastated…
For my people, climate change is not an intellectual debate. We see it.The evidence is in all the rubble staring back at us every single day.
“Climate change is the human rights movement of our day,” says Elizabeth Yeampierre, an internationally-known environmental activist of Puerto Rican and African descent.
“Our communities continue to get hit time and time again by climate catastrophe. We cannot choose between a Black Lives Matter protest and a climate justice forum because our survival depends on both of them,” she says.
I’ve only learned of Elizabeth’s work recently but she’s been fighting for environmental justice for more than 20 years. She’s challenging all of us to raise our fists and our voices.
“Our communities know another way. As people of African and indigenous ancestry, we come from societies and ways of life that protect and nurture Mother Earth. Now is the time to reconnect with our old ways. The knowledge is there – it is in our historical memory,” she says
I love what Elizabeth says about reconnecting to our old ways and how the knowledge we need is in our historical memory. It reminds me of something one of my mentors often said when he was teaching me the Ifa spiritual tradition. “When we break the rules of nature, nature breaks us,” he told me.
Professor Wande Ambimbola, a Yoruba scholar says: “To the ancient African mind, animals, plants and human beings were part of one large family. Planet earth is a very sacred place,” he adds. “She was not meant to be exploited as human beings have done for centuries.”
We have a lot of rethinking and rebuilding to do. Yes, we have a lot to learn from the indigenous world, but we also have a lot to learn from each other too. We’re all in this together, like it or not.
There’s something we can all do; we just need to find what that something is and we need to do it.
And we have a choice…
We can choose to see the current crisis as an opportunity, says my good friend, Maria Stiles, an artist and activist from St. Croix.
“Those of us who have been spared have a responsibility,” she says.”We have to restore balance and harmony with the earth. We need to wake up. If this is what it takes for us to look up and see the sky, then so be it.” says Maria.
“We have to plant more; we have to connect more. Times like these force us to realize how fragile we are, and how we’re totally at the mercy of the wind, the earth and the sea,” adds Maria.
Would love to hear your thoughts. Respond to this blog, and I’ll write you back as soon as I can. Would also love to hear what’s been on your mind lately.
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Meanwhile, back home in the Caribbean, we face the daunting task of rebuilding from the rubble left behind by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
On the island of St. Croix, where I’m from, we’re still trying to assess the damage. Thankfully, my Mom is safe, and as far as I know friends and family are safe as well.
But the financial and emotional strains will be with us for a long time.
The prime minister of Dominica described Hurricane Maria as “merciless” and left “mind boggling devastation” in her wake.
In Puerto Rico, the passage of Irma, then Maria, has left most of the population without electricity, drinking water or food. Many clinics and hospitals are closed. Like elsewhere in the Caribbean, many lives are at risk.
My Uncle Gerry was the first person to alert me when Hurricane Maria was on the way. He texted me over the weekend. “We are in a predicament,” he wrote. “Hurricane Maria formed in the Atlantic and might hit us.”
I haven’t spoken to Mom since the hurricane because with the exception of AT&T, there’s no cell phone or landline service. My Uncle assures me Mom is in good spirits despite the chaos.
In just two weeks, so many islands, economies and hearts have been devastated.
But we will rebuild. We have no choice. Hopefully, we will emerge stronger and wiser. Each crisis reminds us how much we need each other, how everything is interconnected, like it or not. And each crisis is a reminder that each moment is precious and must not be taken for granted.
These hurricanes, in their own way, are also telling us that global warming is a very real, very dangerous and must be seriously addressed. The earth is rebelling, and world leaders ought to take heed because too many poor people are paying the cost.
Many organizations are helping hurricane victims in various islands. Here’s a list of a few of them, but I’ve also included a link for victims of the recent 7.1 earthquake in Mexico.
Thank you in advance for your support. A donation of any amount can help save lives.
Blessings
James
USVI Recovery: https://www.usvirecovery.org/
United For Puerto Rico: http://unidosporpuertorico.com/en/
…Because who knows what’s coming next? These are troubling times.
Just a little over one month ago, the nation’s attention was riveted on white supremacists marching through the streets of Charlottesville and President Trump’s unwillingness to condemn them.
And then Hurricane Irma suddenly appeared on the horizon this month with deadly 185 per hour winds that decimated several Caribbean Islands before creating even more damage in Florida.
….But wait, almost forgot to make mention of Hurricane Harvey’s unwelcome visit to Texas. At least 70 deaths so far. Forgive me. There’s so much mayhem to keep track of these days.
And right this minute, Hurricane Maria, another Category 5 super storm, is on the way…
…Is there no end to our trials?
Back home on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and elsewhere throughout the Caribbean, we’re praying for the best but bracing for the worse. Just this morning, my sister and I were trying to decide whether Mom will be better off at a hurricane shelter or whether she’ll be safer at home. Who knows? Trying to predict the path of a hurricane is sometimes a bit like rolling a dice.
It’s been a rough year for my people. It’s been a rough year for many people.
How do you stay grounded when so many things, so many forces are beyond your control? There’s no simple answer. But I know this. While you do what you can to help others and your community, you must also make self-care a priority.
You can’t be of much help to anyone or any cause if you’re depleted emotionally and spiritually. Rest when you can, eat a sensible diet, and make sure you maintain some kind of spiritual practice.
I practice meditation and made sure I did twenty minutes of meditation this morning before I got on the phone to figure out what to do about Mom as Hurricane Maria storms through the Caribbean.
…And last Sunday I spent all day in the hills of Oakland working with local filmmakers on my film, Across The King’s River. I intend to keep things moving forward no matter what. I suggest you do too.
Knowing I can guide and inspire others during this daunting time warms my heart. There’s too much on the line. The struggle continues. Lots of rebuilding to do. And we must be vigilant. We all need each other.
Would love to know what’s most on your mind these days and how you’re coping with all the challenges. Be sure to comment on this post and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
May the ancestors continue to guide and protect you.
P.S. Sign up for my monthly inspirational newsletters at the link below and I’ll send you updates about my upcoming book as well.
I had an amazing experience with an 82-year-old healer in Jamaica recently…
She’s a most unusual healer; she puts her hands gently on your body as if you were about to receive a massage, but then she starts removing objects from your body.
…Things you wouldn’t think could possibly be in your body.
She placed her hands on me and gently removed two small chains from my right torso. Then, she removed a stone and two nails from my stomach. And yes, I saw them with my own eyes.
I wasn’t the only one…
Ten people came with me, and she removed objects from each of us: a spark plug from the head of my client’s son, tobacco from the chests of a couple from the USA, a stone from the left foot of my client and a padlock from the chest of a construction worker.
And I’m 100% certain she would remove an object from you if you’re ever blessed with the opportunity to meet her in person.
But how is this even possible? How could such objects be inside one’s body?
Not sure. In my case, she said I’d been the target of a spiritual attack. I don’t doubt this. Spiritual attacks are prevalent in African culture. But surely everyone that sees her cannot possibly be the victim of a spiritual attack. At least, I really don’t think so.
So how does one explain this?
Could it be that some of these objects come from the negativity or envy of others or from our own fears or negative thoughts? I don’t know, and the healer was way too busy to entertain any questions.
My experience taught me that there are dimensions to healing that modern science may never understand. And while I cannot explain the miracle I experienced, surely there are many things we can all do to improve our physical, mental and spiritual health.
And letting go of anger and others things that are clearly beyond your control is one of them.
You’ve got to work at letting go of other things you’re attached to that are clearly not healthy for you: a job you hate falls in this category. Are you working yourself to death? What about toxic relationships? Sorry, it’s time to cut some folks loose. Are you battling addictions? If so, how long has that been going on? How long will you allow it to go on?
What about blame? Are you blaming someone for where find yourself in life right now? If so, you’ve given your power away and it’s time to take it back. You DO have a say in your future. Claim it!
Finally, a commitment to a daily spiritual routine will help you immensely along with a good diet, adequate rest and regular exercise.
Healing isn’t an event, it’s an ongoing journey.
What are your thoughts and what are your plans for healing?
Would love to hear from you, so just respond to this email and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Until then, may the ancestors guide and protect you always.
Stay Blessed
James Weeks
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…And their plan might not be the same as the plan you have for yourself – it might be better.
That’s why it’s important to pay attention to patterns that have been showing up in your life lately because I’ll bet your ancestors or trying to tell you something or want to send you somewhere.
Recently, Spirit has been sending me to different islands. First Guadeloupe last December, then Hawaii earlier this month, and now I’m on my way to Jamaica.
I’ve never been to three islands back-to-back in such a short period of time…
And I’m 100% sure these trips were planned by my ancestors and I’m supposed to share my experiences on each island in my upcoming book Meditations Across The King’s River, which will be available this fall. My book is a collection of original uplifting affirmations and short, insightful essays of my spiritual journey.
The ancestors have a lot to say….
But they often need to change your environment to make you more receptive to their messages and healing energies. In Jamaica, my host will be taking me to Maroon Country. The Maroons were escaped slaves who fought for freedom and created their own communities.
There’s always something worth fighting for and living for, my friend. Decide what battles are worth it for you.
I’m not sure what messages and experiences await me in Jamaica. But I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.
In the meantime, I would love to hear what you’ve been up to or what you’ve been experiencing lately, so hit reply to this blog and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
And if you’ve enjoyed reading this blog, sign up for my monthly inspirational newsletter at the link below:
…So learn how to say no and mean it. Focus on what will bring the most value to you and stick with it.
That’s what I’m doing. I’m saying no to some things because I’m working on my book and my film, Across The King’s River. I’m still doing spiritual readings, however, so call or write if you need one.
James Weeks
My book, Meditations Across The King’s River, will be available by October. The book is a collection of my original spiritual affirmations, but it also includes short, insightful essays of my spiritual journey.
I dedicate a few hours each day to write and to reflect…
It’s not easy but I had to make a decision about what I wanted to achieve in 2017 and getting my book published was high on my list.
…I’m sharing this with you because I’m sure you have goals you would like to accomplish in 2017. If you don’t, it’s not too late to get on track and to set goals that you can hit in the upcoming months.
I’ll admit it took a while for me to get into the habit and rhythm of writing every day but I am so used to it now that it’s easier for me to write, than to not write. Once you set some healthy habits, things will improve for you. I’m making progress and you can too.
Here are some tips to help keep you on track regardless of what your goal is.
Set a target date for when you want to achieve it.
Set time aside each day or each week to work on it.
Get a mentor or an accountability buddy to keep you on track.
Minimizing all possible distractions while you work.
Plan the night before so that you can execute your plan the next day. Decide what you will say NO to in order to say YES to your goals.
I would love to hear what you plan to achieve in the next 6 months and how you plan to get there. Let me know by replying to this email and I’ll write you back as soon as I can.
If I can help with anything, let me know that too…
