I can't pretend to be the most knowledgeable on wars, especially of the religious kind, however I can't stand by any aggressor occupying land and oppressing and killing the original inhabitants. Doesn't matter if it's Tibet, Palestine, or the United States of America... it's just not right. The death toll in the Gaza Strip is up nearly 300 and counting, not to mention the impending crisis... According to CNN:
"Gaza is headed for "a major humanitarian disaster" unless the
fighting ends soon, said Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj, a psychiatrist who runs
Gaza's mental health program.
He described people huddling in their basements for safety as bombs fell.
"The children are terrified," he said. "Adults are unable to provide
them with security or warmth. Hospitals are stretched out of the
limits. We need blood and medicine and surgical equipment."
Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the U.N.
Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), said the
agency has been unable to get needed medical supplies into Gaza for
more than a year, because of Israel's blockade of border crossings."
It's a new year... Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and everyone else... can't we all just get along. Live and let live.
2008 is just about over and I had to take a little time to reflect.
The year 2008 marked my 'official' entry into single motherhood and it all
hasn't been all sad and scary like I may have imagined. Quite the
contrary, I have to say that the calm, drama free, simple year I
experienced was far better than feeling trapped and unhappy in a roller
coaster ride situation. In 2008, I learned I do have the strength and
ability to hold it down all on my own. In 2008, we elected a Black
president who represents I think for most of us what we would like to
see not only in a leader, but a partner as well: a global perspective,
power without abuse, genuine participation, love and respect for his
wife and kids, sensitivity, intelligence, responsibility, stability and
on and on. In 2008, we saw one of the worst economic crisis in US
history. Sadly most people will probably be feeling the fallout in the
years to come, however many of us have been living pretty bare bones
lately so sometimes it doesn't feel like it makes that much of a
difference.
In 2008, my son Bo made the milestones of talking, going to school full time and finally weaning. Today, in fact, on Xmas Day, he gave me a hug, a kiss and a big 'bye,' as he went off with his daddy without a fuss. I
thought to myself 'wow he's really a boy now, not a baby.' It left me
to a day of my own reflection, taking back in some quiet, alone time to
myself. I admit, I felt a little lost without my routine with Bo, but
I think it's always necessary for us mamas to be able to function
independently, as much as it is for them to do as well. When he came
home, he was excited to see his mommy again, and ran right in without
saying so much as goodbye to his daddy. (lol...he's still MY baby). I
finally feel as if I'm no longer an overwhelmed, sleep deprived, new
mother and have moved into a more mature, steady phase. It's also
feeling like the right time to give birth to my new baby, my
business(es). I've been holding out for this moment when Bo doesn't
need me as much and I can devote a little more time and energy
towards new ventures. So I'm doing interviews, writing and organizing
my thoughts so they all can become a reality rather than just ideas
I've been incubating for the last year and a half. Achieving motherhood has turned my
biological time clock off so that I can put my attention back towards a
career in something I'm passionate about. Single motherhood also means that I am
required to value and love myself and in turn attract more healthy
people and situations than I have in the past. It also
provides immediate motivation to strive for something better because
you want to be able to
offer your child a richness in experience and opportunity. Knowing you
are solely responsible for that happening really lights a fire under
your ass, so to speak.
On another note, I saw a great movie today at the Angelika (also
showing at BAM) which I think y'all should catch if u can: "Slumdog
Millionaire." It's set in India and is an entertaining story of love,
truth, integrity and triumph over poverty and corruption. I enjoyed it
so much because these are the principles I want to embody in 2009 and
beyond and I love when you see a movie with a message at the right
time. I am also reading Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth" and soaking up his lessons of moving away from an
ego-centered life to one of higher conscience and purpose. I know a
lot of us who are no longer with our child's father suffer from a
multitude of issues that led to dysfunctional relationships and/or
situations, but I'm really holding on to the belief that we can heal,
move past it and succeed greater than we ever imagined. It's really
just about doing the work, the knowledge, letting go of
the past and claiming your dreams. It's also about enjoying the
present moment regardless of what you have or don't have, because no
matter what, you are blessed with necessities, health, and the love of
your
child. Imagine yourself without those things and you'll know what I
mean. I'm also re-training my thought, that the answer to all my
problems isn't just money, a new car, a better apartment or a new man
for that matter. My major goals this year are to stop obsessing about
money, focusing on doing things I love and am good at,
as well as maintaining the belief that as long as we have a roof over
our heads,
clothes on our backs, food on the table, the ability to roll with
change, along with love and courage in our hearts, we have everything
we need and then some. I feel like whatever else will follow. In 2008,
I have officially surrendered to the Universe, and am opening up to my
destiny.
I hope this holiday season is a great one for you and yours. And here's to '09... when everything will be just fine :).
My totally awesome, super dope tattoo artist, Marco Serio created this artwork for for a benefit for his friend's son who was
diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The medallion around her neck
says "Golden", his son's name, and she is a goddess that in Japanese
mythology looks after children.
If you are ever in the NYC market for tattoos, please don't go to any cheezy or sleazy spot.... check out Invisible NYC in the Lower East side: and ask for Marco!
