…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.
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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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Bumped into my friend, Tobe Correal, about 2 months ago.
She’s the author of the book, Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa. If you haven’t read her work yet, check it out. You might enjoy it like I did. Here’s the link: Finding Soul On The Path of Orisa
Anyway, Tobe was at my neighbor’s 40th birthday party. Turns out they’re cousins.
It was great to see Tobe and to catch up again. She’s very philosophical.
We spoke about the wisdom of going slow. Not being in such a rush all the time, having the understanding that things happen in divine ways and in divine timing. Nature, for sure, is not in a rush.
Love it…
I love it because American culture seems to hate the word slow. Every Everything in this culture is expected to happen fast. So naturally, folks are on a fast track even though things that are meaningful and lasting and powerful rarely happen fast.
Everyone thinks they should be somewhere else, that life somehow is passing them by.
Hey, I understand. I really do.
But I’ve learned to appreciate going slow. I had no choice. One of the biggest challenges for me over the years has been delays with the funding of my film, Across The King’s River.
On the other hand, the biggest blessing has been the very same thing: delays with funding for my film. Did I like it at the time? No! Hell No!
I am grateful for the delays because I know for a fact that if my film had been funded years ago, I couldn’t have made the best possible film. Sure, I could have made a film, ut not the best one.
The delays worked in my favor because I have more insights now, more wisdom, and more clarity about what the film should be. I know what I want. I know who I want; I know what to do.
Armed with these insights, we are planning a major shoot for the film in early 2017. Looking back at all the ups and downs over the years, going slow was the best thing that could have happened for me.
What about you?
Are things moving along the way you like? If so great. If not, maybe it’s a blessing. You cannot miss what has been destined for you. It is written by Spirit, sanctioned by the ancestors.
Either way, I would love to hear what you’ve been up to and/or what you’re working on these days. Would also like to hear what you’ve been struggling with and/or what you need help with.
I miss you. I think of you, and I truly wish you peace and success in all that you do.
Let’s talk soon!
Blessings,
James Weeks
Producer, Across The King’s River
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“Wisdom comes from the sea,” says famous South African spiritual leader, Credo Mutwa, in the film, Dolphins.
“The Zulu people of South Africa believe that centuries ago, a race of intelligent creatures chaperoned humans into this world. Members of this race returned to the sea to become dolphins. Over the centuries, dolphins and whales sent knowledge via dreams to human beings. The whales told us all about God. The dolphins told us about wisdom and art and other forms of positive creativity,” Mutwa says.
“We black people believe that dolphins are not fish. They are people. They are saviors. They have kingdoms under the sea. They have stories that they tell their children. They have hopes for the future, ” says Credo Mutwa.
I love what Credo Mutwa is saying; I love the image of him strolling along the beach, and I am moved by the Zulu notion that dolphins tell stories to their children and have hopes for the future.
What are your thoughts and hopes for the future? I really would like to know…
For me, this clip stirs up memories of my home, St. Croix, Virgin Islands and the close connection my ancestors had to the sea.
But it makes me think about other things as well:
How African spirituality revolves around the reverence of nature.
How much we can learn from indigenous wisdom.
How disconnected we have become from nature.
How dolphins are held in captivity in amusement parks.
How we must become better stewards of both land and sea.
Credo Mutwa says the killing of these holy creatures must stop…
Our powerful stories must continue: “Many are the mysteries of Africa,” says Credo Mutwa. “Many are the mysteries of my country. Many are the stories that have yet to be told. Many are the stories that will never be told.”
Dolphins, Credo Mutwa Speaks, is a film by Indrid Pendris, and you can order the DVD here: Dolphins
Let me know what you think of this clip, and let me know if you’ve had any moving experiences in the past with dolphins or other beings. I’ll be sure to write you back.
Until then, may the ancestors guide and protect you and your family.
Blessings,
P.S. If you’ve enjoyed this article, sign up for my weekly inspirational newsletters below.
“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,
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