A Lesson from King Mockingbird

I decided to sit outside awhile and listen to Mother Nature. Today is a warm, sunny day with a cool, gentle breeze and as expected my little songbird was up to his usual. I nick-named him "King Mockingbird" because his presence is likewise of a tiny King; and the cutest personality to witness. Seemingly, his kingdom is my backyard. And His Majesty's throne is the awesome telephone pole just above my picnic tables. Like clockwork, every morning he is perched upon the same telephone pole. No, he's not making a phone call but has a message just the same.

Embrace, defend, be proud of who are, and give life your best.
His "Most High" [lol] twirls a few times, takes a bow, and lifts his tiny frame; with breast out and head held high he begins to sing the morning's praises! As king of the lot, no other bird dare out sing him. No crow chases him. No rain, sleet, or snow cancels the show. It's as if that corner of the yard on that lone telephone pole belongs to him and only he. From sunup to sundown...he sings.

Intermission. Something required his attention and he flew away. For a while, it was awkwardly silent, save the echo of other birds chirping in the distance. Moments later I saw him flying overhead out of the woods. Indeed, he came back to the same spot on the same telephone pole, lands, twirls, pokes his breast out, turns his head toward the sky, and commences chirping. Chuckling with delight I watched in amusement. Suddenly, I found myself in awe as I began to see my tiny friend in a different light. As I, (human) sat outside with Mother Nature contemplating future plans, life, and my greater purpose within it.  There was King Mockingbird, singing his heart out without a flinch. This tiny creature exuded more matter-of-fact confidence than I could seem to muster. I was not envious but curious as my worries began to seem trivial. Did he know something I didn't? Perhaps, a certain "knowing" I'd forgotten?

As he sang, and sang, and sang incessantly I realized... he does not care about the "what ifs" because he knows what is. It's none the matter who's listening. He sings for the sake of his song. His cares, not his song-sheet is comprised of the musical notes of other birds. He just cares to sing. That is his talent, his purpose and he is not only content with - but proud of himself. He does not allow other birds to frighten or fool him out of his lot in life. He knows he is the king of his domain, the master of his destiny, and one of a kind in his own right. Each and every morning he rises with the sun. Sometimes he cannot wait 'til morning and you can hear him singing into the night. He never ceases because he knows his contribution in life may be humble but it is great. And without it the voice of Mother Nature wouldn't be quite the same.  Ultimately, he knows his passion is his purpose and it is a purpose greater than his own. Our purpose is not outside of I and I (us). In other words, you and your purpose in life are one yet interdependent with the Great Spirit. It is innate and defines you. Nothing or no one can undermine or take it away from you.


Lesson: 
Embrace, defend, be proud of who are, and give life your best. Most importantly, never give up on yourself. No matter how modest or extravagant, like the mockingbird your presence and purpose are unique. And without you, life wouldn't be quite the same.

Northern Mockingbird - Virginia 7.14.2011
 l

The Audacity of Hope

Palestinians being oppressed by the Israeli government is old news (but no less important). As the saga continues U.S. officials are passive.  Word of the Palestinian plight echoes across foreign seas and activists from different countries have organized to orchestrate relief efforts. Unfortunately, bringing aid such as "medicine and construction equipment" to Gaza Strip are continually thwarted. Earlier boats from the international flotilla (fleet) were sabotaged while docked at port off the coast of Greece.  Currently, the latest relief effort involves organized activists on U.S. boat poignantly named "The Audacity to Hope", which was allegedly stalled by the Israel Law Center on an unfounded complaint. Greek authorities inspected the U.S. boat which was soon released but sabotaged at gunpoint by the Hellenic Coast Guard five days later. Its captain, John Klusmire was arrested on  suspicious maritime charges and taken prisoner by Greek authorities.

According to the USTOGAZA website,
" The Hellenic Coast Guard intercepted the ship and ordered that the ship stop. This order was obeyed. Commandos with drawn rifles ordered the ship to return. It is now impounded at a military dock in Athens and the captain has ben arrested.

Captain Klusmire faces two charges: disturbing sea traffic and endangering passengers; and moving away from the dock in violation of an order not to do so. He is being held in a cell without a bed and does not have access to toilet facilities. The only food and water he has had has been brought in by visitors. He has not been visited by anyone from the U.S. Embassy even though he is entitled to such a visit by international law."
The USTOGAZA campaign is literally sending out a virtual S.O.S, pleading with citizens to support the initiative and pressure Congress to take action and rightfully represent Klusmire so Greece will drop the charges, release him and The Audacity of Hope. "The U.S. Embassy provided standard consular services to the American citizens in the flotilla "before and after" the interception of their vessel", spokesman Stuart Smith said..and the Obama administration warned American activist against getting involved in the first place. Yet, activists are adamant and intend to continue fighting on behalf of humanity.
*Update 8/2011: 
Former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern tells his story about 
being aboard the Audacity of Hope flotilla to Gaza.

The Realest Shit I Ever Wrote

Hot, cold, wise, dumb, piss poor or set, been up and down, here there all around lost in time. Been so real, so fake, so scared still, so mad enuf to kill, so weak, so strong, i win, i lose pity the fool. some love, some hate, some don't giva fuck if i make or break. so hurt i'm numb sometimes wanna feel sum... hard to cry out to anyone about anything not even God himself. If i do the pain hard to maintain or just a wack PETA commercial, that's 2 tears in a bucket and u know the rest but i digress. U know me my friend like we luv everybody but don't get to close cause i die hard for few heck loving myself ain't always easy to do. cried long and hard and though i am tired of bn alone its kept me strong so i go along tryna do the math and no ph call cause err i dont know what to say no mo. how u been? oh good got plans to build a spaceship but im no rocket scientist like kanye so still fucked up in the game trying to free my mind and soul in jesus name.... see i'm not depressed well hmm maybe a lil but more pressed to find the reasons for this season and the next clue cuz the shit out order out here...it don't add up...love is down and hate is up but we dividing by probability. Nah, im calm... just tryna howl at a new moon. The daze is crazy. Ever wish u could hear God's voice without dying? I do. Like, at the stroke of midnight drama but (and you crying) mama said there'll be days like this. I miss my heart and everyone and everything buried in it. Gone to soon most of u and you, I didnt getta chance to say goodbye, and you, you shoulda told us you were dying inside...sigh...and you...ahhh Grandma, i shoulda spent more ticks but i wont make the same mistake with your daughter this time and oh yea I hate that she sick. I aint lyin...Lord, one real hug from u whilst I'm, we all here on earth would hold us down for years like a rebirth cause sometimes prayers feel like an echo. Where they going? And can souls hear us? Dear you, down here or up here (depending on where u at) is organized chaos with a beautiful back drop, the good are dying, the evil are multiplying and ppl walking around asking the wrong questions. Sincerely, Somebody. I love and hate this shit all at the same time and oddly enough that's enough balance to keep me sane. psshh i'm rambling and i prolly need to but then again who's listening? Fuck the writings on the wall. That's always a gamble and whoever turns up i don't care cuz cest la vie. I'm me. 

Amazing Grace


~R.I.P JeRon A. Hackett~
 I love his family; therefore loved him. Never close friends but over the years we made amends... 
I'd always admired JeRon for who he was. Even though I didn't always understand him, he always stood for what he believed in. Clever and courageous. Right or wrong. He made no apologies. A born leader who lived his life with more confidence than most; reminding everyone around how standing up and speaking your truth is what it is to be free -- and to never cower in the face of adversity.  Tough yet kind; loyal to family and friends he was...would give the shirt off his back to a stranger as if that weren't enough. JeRon was a diamond in the rough whose light now shines in heaven.


Lord, how does one convey the emotion words have no equal surrender for? I guess it is in this prayer GOD will lay this unsung hero so peace be still and rooted. Let sorrow yield in the light of tomorrow, let us heal and as our hearts bleed so blessed be who mourns. At peace you are with GOD in a better place. It is in this we are to embrace.  God Bless the Hackett Family.  Shalom.  Amen.

12-Year-Old Genius Goes to Morehouse College!