Of course we all know this, but we often forget — until something happens that snaps us back to this reality.
For me, that something happened recently while traveling.
I got a text from a dear friend from St. Croix. It wasn’t good news. Her son-in-law, a bright young man I had the pleasure of meeting during my last trip home to the Virgin Islands is no longer with us.
A car accident ended his life..
I’ve been thinking about him every day since then.
I liked his energy and admired his vision for the future. He had plans to build a home and raise a family.
One moment he was here and the next moment he was gone. Less than 45 days after we met.
Life is unpredictable. You know this and I know it. Yet we often act as though we have all the time in the world to do or say what really matters to us.
Each moment counts, each moment is precious, each moment is a rare gift.
I’m sharing this message because it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important and who’s important in our lives.
Life is a mystery and who knows how much time we have on this journey to earth. But we can decide to celebrate this gift we have been given, we can decide to live life to your fullest, we can decide to love.
We can decide to live our best life…
…That’s what I plan to do. I am praying you will too!
Would love to hear your thought so please reply, and I will respond as soon as I can. And if you’re struggling with anything please feel free to write as well.
Until then, all my love.
James Weeks
P.S. If you would like a signed copy of my book email me at james@acrossthekingsriver.com
P.P.S. Sign up for my newsletter at the link below if you would like inspirational messages delivered to your inbox every month.
I was a guest on the radio show, Broken Wings, last week…
This was the third interview since I launched my book in December. …Broken Wings is hosted by my friend Julie Macdonald; she’s a reverend and spiritual leader on the east coast.
You can download the interview here. (It might take a few minutes to download because it’s a large mp3 file). Here’s the link: Broken Wings Interview.
One of the first things Julie mentioned is how tough it is to deal with adversity, and how easy it is to forget that facing adversity is part of the challenge of following your purpose.
I talk about this in my book too…
While I think it’s true that the universe will support you as you speak your truth and attempt to live a life of meaning and purpose.
It’s also true that you will face opposition sooner or later. Not everyone will support who you are and what you’re about.
Sometimes the people you think you can count on the most, will let you down. Has this happened to me? Yes, of course. Will it happen to you? Count on it. (But remember that it’s normal).
So how do you get through what you’re going through right now, and stay on track withwhat at you feel called to do or what you promised you would do?
Here’s what works for me…
Focus on who you feel called to serve instead of yourself. The mission must be greater than yourself.
Take one step at at time and enjoy each step of the journey. You can’t do it all at once.
Understand that the people who won’t support you will help you understand and and appreciate who DOES support you.
Maintain a daily spiritual practice and eat a sensible diet. You can’t function with a broke down body or a broke down spirit.
Here’s what I want you get as you listen to the interview, Barbara. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Stay in the game. You can get through this.
Challenges will come and challenges will go. Haters will come and haters will go.
But you can get through this. Now is not the time to give up. Feel free to write to tell me what you’re going through and I will respond as soon as possible.
Talk soon! P.S. Don’t forget to download the interview. You’ll find it helpful. P.S. If you would like a signed copy of my book, email me at james@acrossthekingsriver.com, and let me know if you prefer to purchase a softcover cover or a hard cover.
All my love! James WeeksMeditations Across The King’s River
Three words came to me from my ancestors this morning, and I was told to share them with you.
…Focus, Faith @ Follow Through.
I hope you remember these words. I plan to remember them.
I believe that if you can remember these words on a daily basis for at least 90 days, amazing things can happen for you. There can be a tremendous shift not only in your life but in your lifestyle.
And some things you’re struggling with right now will become distant memories.
You can go from feeling stuck to feeling free…
And from feeling unsure to feeling empowered. And from barely surviving to thriving.
How does this sound to you? What would a more empowered life look like or feel like for you?
Focus, Faith and Follow Through is important to me right now because I’m on an international book tour to promote my book, Meditations Across The King’s River.
However, I’m still doing spiritual consultations for clients, and I’m still working on my film bit by bit.
This month, April, I’ll be doing book signings in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As I work with clients, sometimes it becomes clear that what’s holding them back is lack of focus. It’s not that they don’t have good ideas; sometime the real issue is that they are chasing too many good ideas.
Here’s the thing. If everything is your focus, then nothing is your focus. Narrow your goals down to one or two things.
And faith? Without faith it’s hard to stay energized, or draw the right resources or people to you. And without faith you’ll give up when you should keep going, even if you’re on the verge of success.
And follow through? Nothing can happen without it.
I hope you can remember these words — focus, faith and follow-through, for at least 90 days, my friend. I don’t know what your aspirations are but I know you deserve better. We all do.
What you envision for your life is possible.
I would love to know what you would like to achieve in the next 90 days. Feel free to write and I will respond as soon as possible.
Until then, may the ancestors continue to guide and protect you.
Ibjeji is the Yoruba word for twins, and this show is hosted by two, dynamic twin sisters, Melora ad Melonie Green.
Melora and Melonie are artists, visionaries, activists, business women. They are making a difference in the world. A HUGE difference!
It was an honor to be on their show.
We spoke about spiritual and emotional wellness — themes in my book, Meditations Across The King’s River.
I explained how a daily spiritual practice of prayer and meditation can help keep us more grounded. I also explained how many of us are struggling with loss.
Are you struggling with loss?
Loss of a friendship? Or a relationship? Or a loved one?
If so you are not alone. Dealing with loss is a spiritual lesson that we all go through at one point or another, for one reason or another.
But here’s what I’ve learned. When someone leaves, someone enters our life to bless us or to help us heal.
I’ve also learned that we can make a huge difference in the lives of others by doing simple things.
Yes. Simple things like returning a phone call, or responding to an email or a text. If you really love someone, check in on them — at least once in a while.
Some of the hurt people carry is from feeling ignored…
As you seek healing, try to bring healing to someone else.
Don’t miss this. We all have an important role to play in the healing of the earth and the healing of each other.
A few weeks ago I attended a workshop with one of my mentors…
He believes there are only nine things that could hold you back from rising to the top in 2019.
Well, I’ll be honest…
He said there are ten things that could hold you back, but I’ve decided to share nine of them.
Being paralyzed by fear is first on the list.
Thinking but not taking action.
Negative thinking.
Being too comfortable with your present situation.
Acting from a state of desperation instead of working from a plan.
Being too concerned with the opinions of others.
Being obsessed with results instead of taking action.
Short term thinking instead of long term thinking.
Lack of belief in yourself and your vision.
I love the framework of potential stumbling blocks my mentor provided, because it’s easy to grasp.
…And the beautiful thing is that if you are feeling stuck right now I challenge you to review this list to see if any of these nine items apply to you. If so, address it, deal with it. Don’t let 2019 end up being just like 2018 unless you’re happy with how 2018 turned out.
I review this list weekly as I plan my next steps for promoting my book and working on my film.
Would love to hear what you’re struggling with. So please comment on this blog, and I’ll be sure to respond with tips to help you out.
That’s what my mentor, Dr. Afolabi Epega used to say. His Spirit follows me around everywhere I go, and that’s why I had to share some of his wisdom in my book, Meditations Across The King’s River.
Some Spirits never leave you alone. LoL!
Baba Epega
The photo of Baba in this newsletter was taken when he was a very young man. Baba was a scientist as well as a fifth generation Ifa priest. He taught me the science and the art of Ifa divination.
And he died way too soon…
But his legacy and wisdom lives on. When Baba talks about keeping your doors open, he’s talking about relationships and friendships.
Pay close attention. His message applies to you — it applies to all of us.
Baba strongly felt we should not cling to people who want to leave us. “Never fight to stay in an unproductive relationship or friendship,” he said. If someone close to you wants to leave for any reason, by all means let her or him go. That’s right! Open your doors.
Here’s the thing.
By opening your doors, you make room for a new blessing, or a new relationship or friendship to enter your life. Blessings can’t enter a closed door.
Look! I know it’s not easy to let people go. But sometimes you have to, in order to grow. Like you, I’ve had to say goodbye to some folks. In many cases, I still love and miss them.
It’s painful at times, to be honest…
But then Baba’s words come back to me with clarity and warmth, and I realize that learning how to move on is one of the most important life lessons we all have to learn.
I would love to hear about your experiences in letting go…
So write me and I’ll be sure to write back as soon as time permits.
Until we talk again. All my love to you and your family!
