“I write exactly what comes into my head,” my friend, Keisha, tells me. “I honor whatever comes. When I’m writing the poems, I’m listening. I go into a different zone.”
Keisha is a poet and a rising force in the literary world. She “wields her pen like a Samurai swordsman,” says master poet, Abiodun Oyewole, a founding member of the legendary group, The Last Poets. “Her poetry deals with the personal us, the intimate us, and the history of us.”
Her latest book is entitled, Gathering The Waters, and you can order it by clicking here.
Being creative, says Keisha, means: “listening well. To yourself. To the world you can see and the world you can’t see. It means being open enough to translate and transcribe the information that comes to you without judgment or censorship. Being a conduit for inspired words is not to be taken lightly.”
I hope you’re paying close attention…
You might not be a poet but what Keisha is saying can help you on your path of self development.
We’re all connected to Spirit, and something sacred is trying to flow through you, too. Don’t judge it! Don’t censor it! Just let it flow, like Keisha does.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Rosedale, Queens, Keisha currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children. Her first love has always been writing.
“The only thing that has ever moved me on a really deep level is art, and the particular art form of literature and poetry. It’s a place where I can feel completely myself,” says Keisha.
“My job is to be the best at my craft as possible,” she says. “Not being in competition with anyone else. Not preaching a particular idea. You can believe whatever you want to believe. That’s my road of development.”
Keisha’s advice to aspiring writers is profound and can be useful to anyone who’s soul searching. “It’s so important to know what you want,” she says. “Why do you want to do what you want to do? It’s hard to know what you want to do because when you’re born, you are told what to want.”
“There comes a time in your life when you have to ask, ‘Why do I want what I want?’ Then you must reprogram yourself so you know what you should want authentically.”
For more information about Keisha visit: Keishagaye.com, and you can connect with her on FB and Twitter at the following links: FacebookTwitter.
But back to you. What moves you on a deep level? Or, who moves you on a deep level? Are you committed to being the best you can be with your talents? I really want to know, so reply to this email and I’ll be sure to send you a personal response.
Until I hear from you, may the ancestors bless you from the north, the south, the east and the west.
Blessings,
P.S. Sign up for my inspirational newsletters to have them delivered directly to you by email.
And I hope you’re ready to take massive action to achieve your personal and spiritual goals!
There’s no time to lose if you’re serious about making 2016 your best year ever. You’ve got to be laser-focused.
My goal is to complete my book by end of year. It’s called “Meditations Across The River: African-inspired Wisdom for Life’s Journey.” And I’m also working diligently on my film.
I only have 15 seconds for foolishness in my day…
What about you? What are you working on? What sacrifices are you willing to make? Do you have a good mentor to show you the way and to help keep you accountable?
Do you have a good diet? A daily spiritual routine? Are you getting adequate rest? Are you open to opportunities the ancestors are sending your way?
How are you feeling? Mostly positive or mostly negative? So So?
These are important questions. Feel free to answer them and send me your response. I would love to hear what’s on your agenda for 2016. I’ll help to keep you on track.
Here’s what I know for sure! Most people give up way too soon, sometimes when they’re on the brink of success, when the door of opportunity is about to swing wide open.
Sometimes all that’s needed is one more phone call, knocking on one more door, sending one more email, writing one more poem, taking one more class, taking one more chance.
Give yourself time to succeed in 2016! No looking back! No more excuses!
Blessings
P.S. Don’t forget to reply to this email to share your dreams for 2016.
“We all know when we are not following our calling,” says the late Zulu healer P.H. Mntshali.
P.H. Mtshali
“We are unhappy,” he says. “It’s as simple as that. We are restless. We do not like the people we work with. We do not like our work.”
“We must move on. This work, these people. It is not their fault. We are in the wrong place. It’s so important to take responsibility for our own healing.”
I love P.H. Mntshali; he was an amazing man!
Mntshali was one of several African healers featured in the book, “Called to Heal: African Shamanic Healers.”
Great book! Love it!
But back to what Mntshali is saying.
Are you in the wrong place? If so, what are you going to do about it?
If you’re in the wrong place I totally get it. I was in the wrong place at my last job in Corporate America.
I ended up leaving that job to work on my calling as a filmmaker and spiritual counselor.
Though my path is not easy, I’ve learned that things have a way of working out for you once you listen to your heart and the guidance from your ancestors.
Sure, it’s tough sometimes, but somehow, my ancestors provide for me month after month; I am here to tell you that your ancestors can provide for you too.
But you’ve got to develop the courage to step out on faith…
And you must have patience and discipline and a strong work ethic.
The support from the unseen world can be amazing at times!
Here’s how Mntshali describes the magic…
“As for financial security, it all depends on how you obey orders. If you obey exactly as the ancestors direct, your practice, your life, will not fail,” he says.
“The ancestors will provide. At first you may worry. How will you pay your bills? The children’s school fees? Then you become so caught up in your calling, your true work, your love for it grows.”
“Soon you are only serving and not worrying so much about the bills. When you need it most, money or goods arrive. Your calling is God’s work. God does not call us then leave us to drown in hardship,” says Mntshali.
The day you stop doubting the guidance of your ancestors is the day your life will start to improve dramatically.
I’ve got to run, but I would love to hear what you think, so feel free to leave a comment.
Also, if you’ve enjoyed reading this article, then sign up for my inspirational newsletters at the link below.
My body is in Cuba, but my soul is in Africa. It is the African soul that nurtures my body here in Cuba. Our people who were taken away have found their home again.”
– They Are We, a documentary film by Emma Christopher
I first learned about the film They Are We during a recent trip home to St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
They Are We resonates with me for several reasons and each one leads me back to my ancestors. The quest to learn more about them and myself while embracing the notion and/or the reality that the ancient ones still live through me.
My body is in Oakland, C.A, yet my soul also dwells in the Caribbean and in West Africa.
Where does your soul dwell? Why?
Despite centuries of oppression and cultural devastation, They Are We is a compelling reminder that profound connections can still be made to the Motherland in our times.
James Weeks
Producer, Across The King’s River.
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2016 is here…
