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The "Self-Made" Lie: Why You’re Waiting for Chickens to Grow Teeth

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  The "Self-Made" Lie: Why You’re Waiting for Chickens to Grow Teeth Listen, family—the Ancestors didn’t leave us myths; they left us an algorithm . Right now, we are in a fractal convergence that only happens once every seven years. We are in the year, cycle, week, and day of Ujima . The vibration is Blue—deep, steady, and inescapable. We’ve been sold a colonizer’s dream: the "Self-Made" man. We’ve been coached to carry the world on our own shoulders until our spines snap, calling it "hustle." But that "I got this" mask is actually a coffin. In the Wolof tradition, when someone makes excuses for not showing up for the Tribe, they say: "Wait until the chicken grows teeth." Stop waiting for the impossible "perfect moment" to be responsible for your brother. If his house is flooding, your floor is already wet. Ujima—Collective Work and Responsibility—isn't a chore; it’s the key to your own survival. On this Total Ujima Day,...

The Legend of the Leaf

 This is for those that are looking for a challenge. This legend was created during the UGRR days and has persisted throughout all of the incarnations of the family. It was designed to help the members stay in shape, and also develop their focus.
In the early days the family would go to the woods at least 4 times a year and walk through them. We would admire the changing quality of nature. The four times would be during the beginning of each season. We would walk until we hit our tribal center at the banks of Nile (OlentanGYE river). On the way back this exercise was developed.
This particular exercise was done best in fall. During this seasons leaves fall at random and if you paid attention you would be able to catch one. In this simple exercise you would have to be open and aware of your environment. As a leaf started falling toward the earth you would to have to focus on the one you were going to catch and pursue it. Don't be fooled catching a falling leaf is not as easy as it sounds. Also you could not make it fall you had to wait for it to natural come across your path. When you notice it falling you must pursue and if your skill is up to par the leaf will drift into your hand. If not you would leave the woods empty handed.
The legend of this exercise is that the one who caught a leaf would be pursued by fortune. Now the reason that I am writing this blog about it is because I was thinking about the two brothers a have witnessed catching a leaf. That is right I said 2 out of all the people I have worked with. Both of these individuals have lived a life of fortune. One of these individuals can fall into a sewer and come back up with 2 solid gold watches, and the other one can get robbed and end up receiving $50,000 in cash. I can not connect this two unnamed individuals fortune with a falling leaf, but I guess if I could it would not be a legend, it would be a fact. So those of you on the Journey get out and catch your leaf.

Next: The Legend of the Stone

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