“The whole secret to life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.”

Horace Walpole

There are so many things in life that are competing for our attention; our families, our jobs, our relationships and life in general. With so many things pulling at us, how do we make everything work? The answer isn’t simple, but it is something we have our whole life to work on. What one thing is important in your life; what makes your heart “sing”? Find out what you do well and perfect it; day after day, year after year.

Once you have identified your primary interest or field of study you will be amazed that you can actually get paid for what you would do for free. You feel fulfilled, and miraculously everything else in your life can fall into place. Your family and your relationships will benefit from this. The more you perfect your art, the more you develop ways of dealing with everything else; the more things you will do well.

The last part of this secret, and I believe the most important one, is to live fully in each moment. Each moment lends itself to growth, joy, wisdom, adventure, and freedom. Take these opportunities and stay tuned into that which makes your heart “sing” and watch how profoundly your life can be.

Namaste’

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t beat myself up with woulda, shoulda, coulda. I should have zigged when I zagged. I take my inventory on a daily basis and the outcome isn’t pretty. I’ve sinned; sin meaning ‘to miss the mark’, and I feel that I have sinned every time I wasn’t thoughtful, compassionate, honest, considerate…the list can go on endlessly.

What I realize is I don’t give myself the love and support I would normally give a complete stranger. I set a standard that no human can possibly live up to. So what is the answer? Do I keep on adding to the limitless list of infractions I’m accumulating, or do I give myself permission to be human? What would I tell someone who has come to me for spiritual counseling? I would say. “Forgive yourself for being human!”

 We are human and as such we are guaranteed to have missed steps. The issue isn’t if we make mistakes, but when and how many. Some believe we are humans having a spiritual experience, while others believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience. I believe the latter, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. I believe without a doubt that we spiritual beings come to this Earth School to learn by experience. When you come from a place where there is only the light how can you compare or enjoy the complete experience if you have nothing to compare it to? Everything that happens to us is for the lesson. We can’t grow, mature, and learn if mistakes aren’t made.

It’s all well and good to say we are here to meet this lofty goal of learning, but what do we do in the meantime? What do we do with the guilt, anger, frustration and fear?  What do we do with all that weighs heavy on our heart? I believe the answer is to ‘speak out’  or purge all that ails us. Instead of holding on to all that pain we need to let it go. You can tell someone. Some believe confession is good for the soul and I would agree. If you’re a recovering Catholic, you may  feel a  confession to a priest isn’t the way to go, but you really don’t have to ‘confess’ to anyone but yourself. Get it out of your heart, your mind, and your soul. It can be as simple as writing it out. Sit down with pen and paper and pour it out. Take the paper put it in an envelope and seal it. In seven days take the envelope and decide if you’ve said all you need to say without opening it. If there is still anger, hurt, hostility, write it out and seal it in a new envelope for seven days. At the end of this seven, if you feel purged take both envelopes and burn them. That’s it. You may consider mailing your letters, but I would wager that would just add fuel to the fire. It’s not about anyone else but you. Stay away from the drama, because that usually breeds more drama. Again, this exercise is for your healing, everyone else has to handle their own stuff.

This human experience is filled with ups and downs, the good, the bad, and the ugly, but it’s what we’ve got and it’s up to us to make the experience the ride of your life or hell on earth. What does your life look like? Why not make it the time of your life?

Namaste

As a two decade fan of Oprah, I have anticipated the beginning of her new season. This week  Mike Tyson spent a full hour with Oprah. The interview covered a new documentary that was out, I remember seeing it at my local Blockbusters. I was only mildly interested because I had a very negative opinion of Mike, yet I turned it on to watch during my afternoon respite.

What struck me about the interview was Mike’s intelligence, composure, emotion and peace. I think the inner peace and wisdom I felt from him was most unexpected. I have casually followed Mike’s career over the years, although I find boxing barbaric. Yes it’s categorized as a sport, some say an art form, but beating the hell out of each other is difficult for me to understand. 

Do you remember the fight Mike had some years ago which ended before the snacks were in place and your beverage of choice was sitting next to you. I don’t remember who he was fighting, doesn’t really matter, but I know those that  got pay-per-view weren’t happy, it ended in minutes, a knockout in the first round. You had to admit he was a bad man!

As much as he was untouchable in the ring he was a mess in his life. Money, lots of money, can be the root of all evil, if your head isn’t on right. I don’t have any real money, but I’m just saying.

Remember the alledged rape, prison time,  and the infamous bite seen around the world when he took a plug out of Evander Holyfield’s ear. Oprah covered all of this, including the death of Mike’s baby girl earlier this year. Mike had become a punch line for so many comedians over the years and I will admit I was one of those laughing, loudly.

Mike displayed a depth that I didn’t know existed.  I imagine there were millions of us impacted by his honesty and purity of his words. Apparently Oprah did as well to have Mike return to the show a few days later. The  interview generated  many comments and questions. Oprah asked Mike if he felt the public’s heart opening up to him. He realizes he’s a work in progress, but found him to be a humble man looking for his place in the fabric of humanity.

Evander Holyfield was one of the millions watching that show and called asking Oprah if he could meet with Mike on her show. They had not spoken since that infamous fight. Mike said his apology wasn’t sincere at the time it was given, and I belive most of us “got” that too.

When Mike and Evander met, extended their hands and shook I felt a powerful, beautiful healing moment. Mike said what he needed to say for closure and Evander spoke of forgiveness he carried in his heart for Mike all this time. You heard the mutual respect of these two “iron men”. The words they spoke where not many, but the power and the scope of them was tremendous. Both men, warriors in their own right, found peace. Their peace was beautiful as well as heart warming, an experience shared by all of us. I was pleased beyond measure to know that each in their own way wanted to take this experience to our youth and stand as examples for working through conflict and coming out better for it. I don’t know about the rest of you, but this spark can do nothing less that trigger more peace as found by these Iron Men.

Namaste’

Conflict comes to all of us at one time or another; it’s a fact of being human. Conflict is a natural disagreement resulting from people that differ in understanding of their needs, values, beliefs, and attitudes.

Needs are things that are perceived as essential to our well-being. Conflicts arise when we ignore our needs, the need of others’, or a group’s needs. “I need a certain amount of income to sustain me in the manner to which I have become accustomed.”

 Values are priorities or standards, or the misperceptions of what is of priority to our well-being. “There is value in earning an honest dollar.”

 Beliefs are firm opinions; trust or confidence of something beneficial to our well-being. “I believe my God is better than your God.”

 Attitudes are opinions, a way of thinking or behavior reflecting this opinion. “She walked into the room with the attitude she was far superior to anyone else in the room.”

 Power is another important influence on the number and types of conflicts that occur. This also influences how conflict is managed. Conflicts can arise when people try to make others change their actions or to gain an unfair advantage.

Serious conflicts arise when people hold incompatible values or when values are not clear or one party refuses to accept the fact that the other party holds something as a value rather than a preference.

 Many people let their feelings and emotions become a major influence over how they deal with conflict. Conflicts can also occur because people ignore their own or others’ feelings and emotions. Other conflicts occur when feelings and emotions differ over a particular issue.

So, what do we do with conflict? How does a Lightworker handle conflict? Ignoring the situation won’t work, because we know sooner or later the issue must be dealt with or it will keep showing up until we find a remedy. So, one of the first steps is to get honest. I mean really getting honest with ourselves and that honesty enables us to ‘clean up our side of the street’. Once we are able to identify our crap, then it’s time to start cleaning up our side of the street, and that ain’t easy, but it is necessary.

 I was introduced to the twelve steps by my Cowboy. He came to Harmony looking for answers, which he found after a divine intervention, most likely orchestrated by his deceased spouse, the compulsion to drink was removed. He began to download metaphysical information and was led to join AA to maintain his sobriety and fulfill the calling to helping others toward recovery using both metaphysics and the twelve step program.

 The following are the steps that are outlined in Alcohols Anonymous’ “Big Book”. The subject is alcohol, but we can substitute alcohol for drugs, food, all addiction, fear, anger, hostility, the list is endless. Here are those steps toward recovery as provided by Bill W. and tweaked just a little to work for all of us:

      I.        We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (fill in the blank) that our lives had been unmanageable.

    II.        Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

   III.        Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understand Him.

    IV.        Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

     V.        Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

    VI.        Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

  VII.        Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

  VIII.      Made a list of all persons we have harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

    IX.        Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

    X.        Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

    XI.        Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him,   praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

  XII.        Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics (and any others that can benefit from these steps), and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

 Now I image that anyone facing these twelve steps would be overwhelmed at the prospect. So don’t look at the twelve steps as one, but look at each step as just that, one step at a time. With time, and patience, we can work toward our spiritual growth. We are the authors of our own story, therefore, we can write a different ending.  One thing to keep in mind is the actor, which is you, can be self-centered, ego-centric, mean spirited, self-pitied, self-deluding and retaliatory, so let’s claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. Life doesn’t stay put, life is fluid, always moving, so there is always change and that change must be factored into your plan of recovery.

We have to quit playing God, it doesn’t work; only God can play God and that’s alright. We are the actors of our story and God is the director. With our connection to the God of our understanding, we can find the power, and wisdom and the will to walk these steps. As metaphysicians we know that the road may be rocky, but we are equipped to take on all the challenges that may be further down the road.

 Action is the last character to our story. Without action, we are no further along than sitting back and looking at a post card. We see paradise but have no way to get there, and we want to get there and bask in the light of Mother/Father God, or the God of your understanding. We want to see and experience it all for ourselves.

Once we walk through all the steps, when we have taken our own inventory; when we have connected with the God of our understanding then I believe we have cleaned our side of the street; after that we can sit back and see what new adventure life has in store for us.

Namaste’

I love jokes. I love to laugh; therefore laughing at jokes is like a healing tonic for me. I have several joke sources; some are the cutesy ones, with butterflies and puppies. Then there are the ones with a spiritual message from the angels or often God himself. These come with a warning that God may smite you if you don’t forward it to 25 of your closest love ones in the next 3.5 seconds. Then there are those that are for adults only. There are times when these seen to be the most outrages, and wrong on so many levels, but still funny as hell. If you have jokes I’d say, send them to me, via text message or email, just keep them coming, until this week.

The first “joke” was an email which directed me to YouTube. There I found a little African American boy, probably around the age of five, talking to a young Asian woman in a store, or more like a bodega. The tirade that came out of this little boy’s mouth would astound, even for those of us who have perfected the art of swearing. “You Chinese bitch this” and ‘you motherfucka” that. What was so amazing to me was his command of the words, the ease in which these words flowed out of his mouth, and it seemed he was so accustomed to speaking in this manner. Yes, I must confess I did laugh, mainly out of surprise. Wow, I know a lot of adults that would be at a loss for words if they found themselves in a predicament where loud profanity was necessary. Well actually the language was really uncalled for regardless of age or circumstance. I imagine some of you have seen or heard about this little boy. I was told by someone that this scene was staged, even so…

The second “joke” I received was sent via text message. I have to open the messages from this particular sender with care, and be mindful of where I’m at because I never know what sights or sounds may come out of the messages upon opening them. The subject of this message was listed as “Baby Girl, Talkin’ Shit”; I know this because I haven’t deleted it yet, but you better believe I will not be forwarding these to others. When I opened the text here sat a cute little African American baby girl, still mostly baby but able to talk, putting words together to form small sentences, or so I thought. Well after you received this adorable baby girl’s picture you’re assaulted with this child’s rant; yes rant is the only way I can describe it. “Matha fucka, I’ll fuck you up matha fucka, you ain’t gonna hang up on me you bitch, I hate you fucka. You hear me bitch? Fuck you bitch I’ll fuck your ass up…”It goes on for a few too many motha fucka’s from there. 

I know that was foul, but I just had to give you an idea of what I’m talking about. This is mind blowing, and this comes from me, someone who had perfected cussin’. My parents never said “hell” or “damn” until I was 13, and I could hold my own with any sailor at the age of 13. Over the last few years I have curtailed my profanity usage in favor of a more respectful tone. So for those of you who may have known me in my younger years, I’m not being a hypocrite, just more enlightened.

So, what are we teaching our children? Is this what we have to look forward to? How can we turn our world over to the next generation when we think it’s funny to see children degrading themselves and others? When Barack Obama was elected president I cried because I realized my grandson could realistically aspire to the presidency of our country; we have a role model in the White House who looks like me, like us. He gave school age children a pep talk about finding your gifts and working hard for your dreams. It seems we are moving further away from these dreams instead of toward them and I’m not laughing.

 I believe “political correctness” can go too far. We just all need to take a chill pill, relax and handle our business. Can’t we all laugh at ourselves and move forward. We are more alike than different, and some stereotypes are true, I’m just sayin’. We all walk different paths, but are headed to the same destination. To call a young Asian woman a Chinese bitch, and tell her she needs to go back where she came from isn’t cute. Women are degraded when we’re called bitches and ho’s, too often from men as well as other women. Where is our integrity, our grace, our divinity? What can we do to change this trend? I have many more questions and very few answers, but there is urgency for us to find solutions to build us up instead of tearing us down. I belief Bill Cosby said it best, “Come on People”. We are the ones to set the examples in our families, our schools, and our communities, because if not us, who? There is one thing I know for sure and that’s I’m not laughing anymore!

Namaste’

I said my last goodbye to my mentor on Saturday, August 15, 2009.. It was a day like no other. We prepared a memorial service for the Reverend Donna Jeanne Guerra, or “Rev” as I called her. The last six days had been a whirlwind of preparation. This was the last act we could carry out to honor this gifted, funny, vivacious and sometimes tough task master. As a metaphysician, I believe she is “just” on the other side of “The Veil”, in a different space, in a different body. Knowing this however, does not lessen the pain of her transition.  

 The memorial service and the love within were extraordinary, I truly felt blessed to work and pray with so many people who loved and appreciated her. She touched so many people, in so many ways, over so many years.  Rev. DeeJay wasn’t just my mentor, or your mentor; she was the beating heart of Harmony Metaphysical Church. In the 20+ years she was Pastor of Harmony, she audaciously continued the legacy of the very powerful women who came before her. Rev took what was given to her, protected it, nurtured it, and expanded its scope in the Tampa Bay area.

 Since her death, I have begun to feel empowered in a way that I cannot totally grasp. I feel a peace in my heart and soul that is new. I not only see my journey, I also see the path in which I must take. Over the last four decades I have asked the Creator what is my purpose, what am I to do with my life? The answer to that question is now quite clear. I am to follow in the footsteps of my mentor, to learn and teach; to listen and grow; to pray and laugh. I am to take what the Rev saw in me, nurtured in me, and do the same for the new wave of Lightworkers as they are called to Harmony. 

 The torch has been passed, and it’s up to all of us to continue her legacy, and the legacy of those who have gone before her. This torch has been passed to the gifted hands of Rev. Sheila Blanco-Pedrosa, AND the rest of us. Rev. DeeJay knew who we were before we did. She welcomed us home, to this Mystery School called Harmony. Many of us crawling in the door sick, broken, and lost, but we are now healed, whole and ready to soar. Thank you Rev. DeeJay, your love and memory will never die!

Namaste’

When I decided to create my own blog I had the lofty idea that I’d write every day with witty, insightful and cutting edge ideas. The only problem with that is I’m a terrible procrastinator. The blog, like so many other things in my life got put on the back burner. Five months later, and a host of missed opportunities to comment on as they happen, I have decided to give my blog the attention I began it with.

The one change is I am writing it for no one else other than myself. I believe if the messages are relevant and of interest, they will find their way to those who need my brand of love, support, humor, insight and understanding. I don’t have to stick to just things metaphysical, but to all things in life.

If you have found my blog, I hope you have found what you need at this particular time. I send you love and light, and a heartfelt thank you for taking the time to read Mystic Makeda, Lightworker.

If you have read any of Louise Hay’s books you would know that she believes that emotional/mental pain translated to physical dis-ease. I know that she is absolutely right from personal experience. Stress, unhappiness, disappointment, fear, and regret are just some of the things that cause dis-ease. Mine was not living an authentic life. I had a job I hated and a marriage that was over before it had begun. I knew it was doomed by the end of the first year, but I stayed in it for five years. I hated myself and I hated my life. I had no creative outlet and it felt as if my soul was dying.

If you check out her book, “You Can Heal Your Life”, you may have a better understanding of what is going on in your life. Take this time to learn from your body, listen to it, and then find a way to change your thinking which in turn will change your health. New ways of thinking CAN, without a doubt, change how you feel about yourself and your body. Allow any dis-ease you may be dealing with become your teacher. Learn the lessons before you and see yourself as whole, healed and healthy and your body will too.

Namaste

Valentine’s Day is perhaps one of the biggest industry-made holidays, in my humble opinion. Between the flower, candy, stuffed animal, and greeting card companies, February 14th has become a pretty big deal. This is a “holiday” that fall into two different camps, men who don’t understand what the big deal is, and women who feel that it is indeed a big deal and hope to be the recipient of cards, candy and flowers.

I am no exception, I love Valentine’s Day, with all its commercialism. What is wrong with an opportunity to tell people we love, they are loved? I’m not saying that this day isn’t commercialism at its best, but there are some who need a little push.

My beloved and I, fall into this category. He doesn’t get what the big deal is, since I know how he feels about me. I in fact do know how he feels about me, but a reminder doesn’t hurt anyone, especially when I’m the recipient of gifts.

For my beloved I gave him a replacement coffee pot, because he’s practical and I know he likes practical gifts. I on the other hand, do not want any kind of gift that is used for work. My mother taught me early on that a gift for housework is not a gift at all.

My beloved who is a hardworking, macho kind of guy bought me a wonderful gift. It is a beautiful ring, white gold with diamonds. I love the ring and I’m proud that he did so well by himself. But, the greatest gift was the fact that he understood and honored what Valentine’s Day meant to me. The bit of “bling” is beautiful and I will wear it in honor of our love. I will also cherish the idea and he went to a mall, shopped, and seems genuinely excited about giving me the gift.

So my message to all you macho types out there, if you want to make some serious points with your significant other, do what she wants, loves and enjoys, your won’t regret it.

Namaste’

Many years ago I was told a story of a heroic woman named Sojourner Truth. A black woman, born in 1797 as a slave in upstate New York, originally named Isabella changed the course of history. As I recall the story I find it remarkable on so many levels. Not only was she a slave who eventually found freedom, in later years she was both an abolitionist and a suffragist fighting for women’s rights.

As the story goes God would periodically speak to Isabella. One of the first things She told her was to change her name to Sojourner Truth. She traveling the Underground Railroad to the South leading runaway slaves to freedom. Every time she made another perilous trip she would pick up a new baby, raising it above her head to the heavens and ask, “Is you the one? Is you the one”…to lead us to freedom?

Well, it’s been one hundred twenty-six plus years since Sojourner’s death and in that time many African Americans have asked the question,  Who will lead us to the next chapter in our country’s history? When will we, as African Americans, be totally free in the eyes of this country and its citizens. We have had many, many civil rights, political, religious and spiritual leaders over the last century who helped us traverse the defeats, the challenges, the hatred, the discrimination, and the victories. There were the Martin Luther King’s and the Malcolm X’s, who had great exposure, and were well known for their contributions, but there were even more of the William Huffs who were little know, but made a big impact on many lives throughout the country in their own way. Each taking us a step forward in our quest for eqality.

Less than four years ago a young junior Senator for Illinois made a keynote speech for the Democratic National Convention and we all asked, “Who is this young man, Barack Obama?

Today Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th president of these United States. He “Is the One” we have been waiting for. The one person who could not only unify the races, but unified a nation. This nation has had a celebration like no other. We have been able to elect a man for the “content of his character rather that the color of his skin…”, as described in Martin Luther King’s historic “I Had a Dream” speech.

This dream was not reached by any one person, but all of us,back to Sojourner Truth. He is the one, but all of us can also be “the one.” There is so much work to be done, by all of us. but at the end of this night we can all take a collective sigh and bast in the knowledge that we have found “the one”.

Namaste’