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Showing posts from January, 2015

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The Trap of the "Self-Made" Myth

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  The Trap of the "Self-Made" Myth https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-power-of-umoja-breaking-the-illusion-of-isolation--70376622 We’ve all heard it: “I got it out the mud all by myself.” It sounds good on a track or in a motivational speech, but is it the truth? For too long, our community has been sold a lie that glorifies extreme individualism. We are conditioned to grind alone and suffer in silence, believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But this mindset is exactly what feeds the heavy, quiet burdens of blame, shame, and guilt. When you isolate yourself, your struggles feel insurmountable. The reality is, our ancestors never survived by acting as islands. Their superpower was the collective. The deep, intentional work of true unity requires us to look in the mirror and then look at our community. What happens when we stop competing with our brothers and sisters and start combining our strength? The answer just might change how you approach your entire lif...

Not Versus but And

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One day I went to learn from one of my elders. This was over 20 years ago, but I still hold onto this memory, this was a critical shift in my life. This elder was very wise, and he proved it by his work in the community. Let's just say he was an alchemist. Long before people were talking about juice diets he had developed a line of juice and smoothies that could improve your health. I was blessed to receive an invitation from him to sit and conversate with him often. The idea that I wanted to share was brought to mind during a meeting that I was involved in.  I threw out a symbolic idea, that could not be grasped. Not that it did not make sense, but because the images I used were offensive and scary to some.  I dared to discuss a myth that I learned about Satan. I simply stated that in some cultures "Satan is known as the whisperer, and he or it had no power other than being able to present ideas (whisper) to the listener." Now to many of you out there that might throw y...

Curse of Fortuna part 1- short fictional tale

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My father was a different type of dude. He often referred to stories to teach me important life lessons, many of them I didn't understand until after he passed away. This story is one of those, and has proven to be the best so far. On my 18th birthday my father did not show up for my birthday party, but instead asked me to meet him at a coffee shop the day after. Being upset about him missing another major event in my life I showed up with an attitude. When I entered the coffee shop he was sitting at a table alone drinking and reading a book. I approached the table and took a seat, but he didn't immediately notice me. I sat quietly brooding, planning my verbal assault on this man that I felt never really paid any attention to me. Finally looking up at me, and smiling. " I'm glad you came, happy belated birthday." He said reaching his hand out in a gesture of peace. I shook his hand and for some reason my anger subsided, and he began to giggle. "Your 18 y...