My Grammy Experience 2011

What a lovely night! The stars came out to play and I couldn't wait to watch. Even though I forgot it was on and  I missed first beginning (I always loved that wrong grammar, "first beginning," teehee!) I have learned to love what I love the first time and let it be what it is. Because it, like hip-hop, can start off as a stain in my African American closet of goods, and the next thing I know, the whole world will be in love with the very things I/we spent a whole lifetime hating and trying to hide. Pop culture will have our catchy lingo and Ebonic cultural expressions silk-screened on a T-shirt or watered down and used for profit before any of us can explain where it really came from ... humph ...but I digress.

I missed the first few minutes of the show but really I got everything I came for. There were many outstanding moments but I will just list the ones that touched me deeply.

I will begin with the talented Miss Esperanza Spaulding, the lovely jazz musician that walked away with Best New Artist. I have been listening to her for some time now, and for the most part she was under the radar to most. She more than deserves her time in the popular shine. Congrats, sister.

Eminem and Rhianna were literally explosive with a flaming backdrop. Rhianna was the ethereal mermaid, and Eminem brought heat from his soul with his solid, dynamic lyrics that spoke of some of the very stuff we are taught to stay away from. But then again, if it is taboo to have your guy or girl express anger physically, then why did the records sell so well? 'Cause we love the way our loved ones lie, don't we?

Rhianna followed that performance up with her duet with Drake. In her red fringe, overlapping some briefs that reminded me of a jeweled chastity belt, and looking like sexual pleasure itself reminiscent of her "Rude Boy" video, she complemented Drake (this time with an almost primitive fire-pit theme) as he pulled off some coolness in his stage presence. Loved it! They did their thing, and that's whats up.

I love the Lady Gaga; she is a true beast. I can't say I was deeply impressed by that performance, but I will give her the due that she is always worth because of her effort to express and entertain the way she does. I mean, who arrives in an egg? Thank you, Gaga.

Then, finally, there was Mick Jagger in a teal fitted blazer, commanding the audience and the stage. I just watched with reverence and stated out loud: "What a professional!"

I give thanks to ALL of the artists that allow us to know their work!

I think that is really my whole point here: my thanksgiving for the privilege of watching several unique performances. I enjoyed the opportunity to fall in love with Lady Antebellum after hearing their music as background and stating to myself, "Hey, I know that song; I like it! That's the group? Ok, cool! Gotta get that." Being appreciative for what another person does for us seems like a given in this context. But is it? We focus on what the stars are wearing, how they wear their hair, and who they arrive with. But do we really find the thanksgiving within ourselves, for their talent, as we watch? The arts exist as eternal expressions of humankind.

We all can find the exact form or forms of beauty disguised as art to set our souls free for the moment. When we look upon someone in the midst of expression, let us hold a space that is so pure, we assist in the birth. Whatever comes through is for you, or else you would not be there to perceive it; moreover, our ENTIRE world, as we know, is a reflection of ourselves ... even at the Grammys.

I am growing up in my art in such a wonderful way. I never knew I was an artist. I'm practical and I love tradition, so I thought my place in conservatism and repression was something I would grow into. Gotta do stuff right ... right? So there I was, trying that whole acting-right thing; but again and again I would find myself wanting to draw, paint, dance or sing or whatever. I went through a ten-year period where I would visually scour the garbage piles in front of people's homes for something I could take home and refinish, repaint, re-something. I was trying to create.

Now I understand more than ever how important it is to give love and thanks to anyone offering performance to me. I just adore fresh exhibitions of beauty, unfolding with passion right in front of me. Since it is such a profound process, I promise to show up in the highest and best way that I can, showing reverence as a responsible and supportive audience member; or I will simply walk away, leaving good thoughts and blessings to the artist if the performance does not suit me.

However we choose to respond to the next artistic performance given to us is an indication of who we are, and where we are in our lives at that moment. Let's consider both what our reaction might mean to the artist, and also ourselves.
                       
The beauty or the flaw is in the eye of the beholder.

Roaches

Nobody likes roaches; no one wants them around. Do you think they care? No! Actually, I take that back. They are probably unaware. But then, the question is: Is it possible for any living thing to truly be unaware of another?

I think roaches are completely unaffected by any of our hatred. They have ALWAYS been here. That's a legacy like a muthapluckah!

And really, don't WE bow down to them? Hmmm?

I don't care to live in the same house with you, roaches, and I am glad I never have. Let's keep it that way.

I do respect you. You matter, too.

Thank you ... for whatever your contribution to this world is!

Having a Human Experience, Part Two...No! Part Deux :p

So, the bottom line is, at least in my view, that we are here to be human. And humans do a lot of different things...and all of them are exactly as they should be. Go ahead and work that out for a minute.

There is no good or bad; there are only generic experiences. Free will? Means YOU get to name it.

So, what you may think is good, bad, fat, ugly, or whatever...has its roots in you. There is no "out there." We are built in such a way that we like, and are attracted to, what we are. Your disdain or even hatred for a thing has nothing to do with the thing in question.

What is more harmonious is to accept life as it is, but put your focus on what you really like; in this way, you will be experiencing more of what you want.

We cannot control this world.  Nor should we judge it based on what we call correct. If a certain behavior is not for you, then don't do that.

We are here in this world to learn from it and to be seasoned by it. If you notice, people that have lived the "scandalous" or "out there"  type of lifestyles are always more interesting and fun to be around.

We are all aware of, and sometimes saddened by, what occurs in the world. It leaves many—no—most asking the question, "WHY?!"

You can be sure that what occurs in this world is for the benefit of those who experience it, no matter how you/they/we experience it.

It is at this juncture that you can decide to accept this dark side of human existence, and with that acceptance begin to find reasons to be thankful and move forward without bitterness or hatred for that which we are.

The pedophile is attracted to new humans with strong sexual energy AND desire ... mostly unconscious but many times VERY conscious.

The murderer is attracted to people with a level of "death wish" energy and a belief  in violence. Or even people with a strong "victim" mentality that has finally permeated their experience. I say this very gently ... some warriors such as gang members and military men and women, would have their death occur no other way, going out in a "blaze of glory."

The dope dealer exists because people are in pain and also not fully grounded in their humanness, and  want to take a break from this journey.

Acceptance of our humanness does not mean we condone what we call negative behavior; it simply means that we refuse to suffer over that which we cannot control.

What is controllable in life is the way we think and the way we feel. Choosing the highest thoughts you can reach and the best feelings you can conjure up within yourself is really all that is needed to experience the best life you can imagine. As a matter of fact, the best lives that we know of HAVE been imagined before coming into manifestation!!

What's Super SUPER about the Super Bowl?

I love holidays, not so much because of gifts or food—okay maybe it is the food. But the number one reason I love the holidays is this: For one day, several times throughout the year, most Americans are in agreement. The major holidays are especially important because families come from miles around to be together; and almost every house or apartment on every block is filled with groups of people practicing conscious love and harmony with one another.

The Super Bowl, although not a true holiday, is no different. Right now, those groups have formed in homes, apartments, backyards, and bars to practice being together to enjoy "the game," and to be good to each other while doing so. A bad attitude is frowned upon on Super Bowl Sunday.

Along with deep family ties being tightened, this faux holiday belongs to our men and their buddies, the neighbors and folks from work. These, too, are family.

The vibe in the air is what I like to experience. Days like this bring out the best in us. Even though I must admit that I dont care much for the game, I like to see who sings the National Anthem and how the players respond to it. Next, I look forward to the halftime show, and later, finally knowing who won so that I can be "in the know." Oh, and the commercials! How could I forget the commercials?!

Though the game isn't "my thing," I appreciate what it does for others, and that makes me happy.

I made some Super Bowl nachos for my family; and I loved the fact that I could hear the television from my office. I heard my family; I heard the crowd and commentators. Life was good!!

Happy Super Bowl!

Spiritual Beings Having a Human Experience

I was enjoying Kanye West's song "Monster" on the way to work this morning. "Monster" is one of his many achievements in music and entertainment, and I am greatly inspired by him. This rap song is also very dark, and it's performed with profanity and controversial views on an ego-based narrative.

Kanye is infamous for his ability to express himself without filters; you can expect a shock. But those who appreciate his work find it incredibly refreshing. I feel good after listening to his music. Huh? How do I find dark and profane work inspiring? How can it possibly make me feel good? Because in this human space, it is enjoyable to me for various reasons, one of them being that I get his music. But most of all, I accept that I like it, which makes me enjoy it even more. I care to produce music for the same reason. The way a person is affected by music is profound to me. I have been moved on numerous occasions by music, and I think this feeling is part of the gifting of the human experience.

Moreover, what is really happening is that he and I are aligned in this expression. And this alignment is what occurs whenever we feel good about something and it matches some of the deeper aspects of ourselves. I have come to understand that it is the "feeling" we want to pay attention to in the process of creating and living well. What feels good to us is an indication of what is right for us; and for the most part, that can apply to anything. If you like it, you gotta follow it. The better it feels, the more you should do it. Unfortunately, we have been taught to ignore or even despise these feelings. The question that may follow such a statement is: "What if it is bad for you?" Well, things that don't work for us have a way of falling away from our lives; they only stay with our permission or our refusal to let go and move on. Although we have been taught otherwise, we are here to develop our unique expressions.

I hear a lot of people talk about Spirituality and how we are Spiritual beings having a human experience, which is true. But what is a larger truth is that we are indeed human. The answer to the question of why we are here may be (at least in part) to, in fact, be human—to explore all that interests us and to expand on those interests in our own unique way. That is very important as we view anything here on Earth. I get the feeling that people are under the impression that our goal is to deny our human self while attempting to live as Spirit on Earth, when, in fact, we are designed  "from" our Spiritual nature through kindness, love, and compassion.

Our understanding of our Spirituality is a tool in this human experience. Each person creates and develops the instruments necessary to carry forward as a resident "be-ing" here on Earth. Many may think that because they follow ideology or doctrine, that they are now more valuable, worthy, chosen, or even saved from impending doom because of such choices.

Others believe that quoting holy scripture or other Spiritual text verbatim clearly shows their closer connection with that which created us. Still others would do all of us a favor and warn that certain behavior or lack of belief in this or that will certainly lead to eternal punishment. That one was always pretty interesting to me.

From current knowledge obtained through my research over the years—which didn't feel like work or research and was really my unceasing desire to understand—I find that it doesn't matter what we believe. It doesn't really matter if a person is an atheist, claiming no Spiritual connection at all, or if a person is dedicated to the worship of a god we never even heard of. EVERY expression of our life here on Earth is valid and for reason and purpose. And all expression is Spirit based no matter what it looks like; therefore, there is no need to condemn or judge it. Acceptance and understanding makes everything interesting, and somehow everything fits.

Spirituality itself is less a discussion, more of an active experience and example in living. Less of a noun, more of a verb.

It is a long-held belief, and I agree, that we choose our circumstances for growth and development on Earth before we come to Earth. I invite you to explore what that idea might mean.

The whole point of being human is to be human in all its glory.

My version of human might look a little gritty compared to your version. As a matter of fact, I'm a little turned on by the possibility of that, of knowing that you may not get me because I'm a little too far "out there." I think I like it because I have always been very good at ushering out hidden human qualities in people that they might prefer stayed hidden. What I love is that once we fully look at and accept ourselves as we are, we enjoy this experience so deeply and so fully. It doesn't mean we cannot improve. We should absolutely reach for excellence. But the questions are: Who are we improving for? And why? Is it out of fear? This is a point where we can reflect on our true nature (spirit, light, love, etc.) and remember that there is nothing to fear.

Before we arrived on this plane, we were in Spirit form. When we leave this plane, we will return to our original state for the next assignment—better yet, our next project. For now, we are human. Laugh a little more. Joke—dirty joke if you like—a little more. Get your Kanye on a little more. Do whatever feels good to you, no matter what others say.

Generally, what we experience as other people's reactions to us is really about our own conscious or unconscious feelings, desires, and fears about who we are at any given time. As we grow and evolve, we may no longer recognize ourselves. We may be outlandish to ourselves. The only way to know if this is really "you" is to consider if you feel good. It may be an overwhelming realization, the discovery of Self. It takes courage to go with your own personal flow.

If your desires are harmful to you or others, seek the exact help you need to find your balance. And it does exist.

My offering here is simply this: Our purpose here is not to show others how much we know we are more than human. Our purpose here is to know this incredible secret of the ages and use it to live freely and experience freely. It is to "live" what it means to know we are more than human, while gracefully, lovingly projecting the Light of the higher realms, diffused in an array of soul-fulfilling colors through the human vessel, as a human. Whatever that may mean for you.