As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     I once wrote about the idea of the public purse. These words were related to the idea of Government allocating monetary resources. These could be for Government funded projects, or for the purpose of social financial assistance. Whilst financial assistance for those who are in need is beneficial, the public who is receiving these often find themselves in a place where there are implicit obligations, even when in a place of vulnerability. This refers to the idea of possessing public money for the purposes of survival. Diverse individuals live within a nation, who possess a variety of skills, beliefs, and also political affiliations. But what happens when ones beliefs, political affiliations, or sense of patriotism are not aligned with those of the host country? Should the individuals be considered treacherous, evil, villainous, or even someone who should be despised?  When we think within this line of thought, we can also question an individuals human rights, and being able to access public funds during harsh times. 

     However, its not just about political affiliation, or patriotism - what are we to expect from the tons of migrants and refugees who seek a safe haven, from a nation that they are forced to escape from? Should these individuals be obligated in any sense?  This is where as humans I think we have lost our sense of compassion and empathy, towards our fellow human beings. I say fellow human beings, because this is a term that identifies everyone within a common ground. But then I thought about the public purse, the implicit obligations, and wondered about the idea of a love purse. 

     What if the love we received from our particular affiliations, relationships was then passed on to loved ones living in the host nation? Should this love be viewed as treacherous, evil, villainous, or should the love be despised? Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. But the fact of the matter is, love itself can be thought of as a currency. Love received enables the giver, to give. To maintain relations, inevitably creating a domino effect. To serve and strengthen those around you. So I continue to wonder as I think about the implicit obligations that are present. Even in a position of vulnerability. From the lens of the public purse, as compared to love that is given or received, that is essentially building the host nations population. Yet, somehow the love that is given and reiceved even from the place of vulnerability, is never thought of valuable, or even a form of currency.

To give love even from a place of vulnerability is especially of value, because it allows you to invest in the relationships around you even from a place of vulnerabilty, which the public purse does not recognize. 
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My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

​Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on November 19th, 2018.
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As we take the time to think about the suffering around the world, and within a nation, from the Whoolsey wild fires, to the recent mass shootings in Thousand Oaks, California, lets reflect and once again pray and pause for peace. Our thoughts remain with the injured, suffering, and healing. Healing of individuals, communities, and the wounds a nation bears. Pray and pause for peace. 

​Image Source  

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

    I was taking the time to think about the Jamal Khashoggi murder case, whilst we are sympathetic and want concrete answers to the questions surrounding this murder, I wondered why the story of one man, would be receive so much attention, as compared to the dire situation in Yemen, which also includes Saudi involvement. Thousands / millions are on the brink of famine, starvation and Mal-nutrition.  

"Yemen Girl Who Turned World’s Eyes to Famine Is Dead"
The New York Times 

Amal Hussain - Who has now passed away.

     The situation is now starting to recieve some attention. We can think of the silence of some stories as opposed to others. What is heard, un-heard, important or less important. Of course in the west there are relational ties to maintain with international partners and leaders, but where do these relations stand when we think from a lens of economic vs. humanitarian? 

     As I have always said wealthy nations do possess an implicit obligation to assist those who are less-fortunate, in need, or in times of crisis. However, we can't always put a blame on western nations. Sometimes it is the nation themselves, who does not want international or foreign intervention, from the level of thier Government or leadership. 

    We can think about Yemen, where Houthi rebels have blocked aid previously, and to the present day. Its not the civilians who are saying no to the aid, it is the groups and conflicts between the leaders that are making the situations worse in this region. Whilst the Saudi-led coalition might have served a purpose to constrain the actions of the Houthi group, the devastating war has caused a massive strain on Yemen's population. 

     It is with these thoughts the I also join the the USA efforts to force an end to the bloodshed in Yemen, additionally call upon the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nation (UN), to conduct an assessment of the situation in Yemen, and officially declare a famine. This strategy will put pressure on the the creators of the war, to somehow stop fighting from your differences, sectarianism, or religious conflict, and think from the lens of a humanitarian. International aid and relief is needed even if the Yemeni leaders or Government don't want this.

    How can, or should nations stand by and watch millions suffer? There is plenty of food in the world for all, if only the nations leaders involved in the disputes would put the suffering first, rather than their own conflict. Lack of attention, interventions, sways our thoughts to think of the situation in Yemen as a famine on the brink of a modern day genocide. 

Thank you to recent The New York Times articles of the situation in Yemen. Whilst of course we would wish the situation away, your use of images, has really revealed the power an image and the effect of an emotional appeal, thank you.

Further Reading:

*The New York Times -
THE TRAGEDY OF SAUDI ARABIA’S WAR

*The New York Times
Yemen Girl Who Turned World’s Eyes to Famine Is Dead

My thoughts to share with love & kindness.

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on November 13th, 2018.
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Related Reading:
Election Day Cake
Majority + Minority

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

   The other day I wrote about the idea of the majority populations aiming to work and live alongside each other, trying to solve the issue of in-equity together. When I say majority this word pertains to the largest population segment which is, European Americans. Although there are also anglo Americans, this category has been downplayed. Anglo American, or European American settlers are segments whose ancestry is derived from Europe which was largely Spaniards, and the British. However, at present day any one who lives in America with European or Anglo ancestry is called American. 

   I thought about this history, the majority populations, and how these ideas intersect with the formation of America as a nation, indigenous histories, along with Spanish, French colonization, and the minority segments such as: African Americans, present day Hispanic / Latino migrants, which could also include refugees from other war- torn countries as: Syria or Palestine. We can actually think of every other minority population segment. How can majority and minority work / live alongside each other so that brutal histories are not repeated? Or vulnerable individuals who have escaped harsh circumstances to find a haven in America? How could they feel safe, without feeling a sense of displacement? For this to be achieved, it really means to go beyond what is expected, to form a welcoming stance for all. Of course these rhetorics have to dwindle from top down, such as leadership at the macro level; from the national level, to organizations and systems, and eventually to the micro of the home. But it also takes a willingness, a willingness to learn, live, and also trust.

     Sometimes trust between population segments or "race" is broken. This could be due to harsh histories, or even present day events. We can think of topics such as: police brutality, where there have been incidences of intentional harm, but we've also seen police who risk their lives to serve and protect. We've also seen the racialized often attacking those from majority populations. We've heard of systemic discriminations where racialized students, or students with a particular ethnicity, or even if the skin is white are moulded into failures. Sometimes denied the opportunity, because professionals did not inform them, or abused their professional position.

     There are many examples that we can think about. But I think that we have reached a time in history to realize that populations of minority and majority are better together. Just as the minority populations, immigrant, or refugees came to America to seek a better future, so did the europeans, and the anglo's. Whilst there are instances of brutal history, we cannot ignore that European Americans were integral to the formation of America. 

    America as a nation has its own identity and history, just like other nations do. Whilst diversity, minority, harsh histories have to be embraced by both minorities and majorities, the distinct identity of America should not be mantianed through divisions and divides. Or using policy to create divisions. Policy and power should be harnessed in such a way, so that the identity of America as a nation can be maintained and where divides are lessened or even diminished. Sometimes this does mean to go back to the table, or have some reflective discussion about what the identity of America is. What is important to America? How are the objectives of a nation going to be strategically achieved, to serve the changing dynamics of the population / nation? 

     We could think of a recent example such as elected officials to demonstrate these thoughts. The election of diverse candidates to congress, and governors, the rise of women in leadership roles, and within the political arena. These are a macro-reflection of shifts pertaining to changing population demographics. Whilst these are important milestones to recognize within Americas development, I once again say that to achieve a seamless nation, pluralism, and cohesion, even where we don't have to use the dichotomy of majority and minority, there has to be a willingness to build trust, repair what might be viewed as broken, and invest with engaging with individuals of difference, with a genuine common best interest for the nation of America.  

Further Reading:

*The Founding Mothers of The United States of America 

*Women's Museum of California: 8 Founding Mothers of The United States.

​*These are the women who made history in this year's midterm elections

​*2018 Midterm Elections Results: 6 Latinos Who Made History

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on November 9th, 2018. Image 1 - Web Link  

I was really excited with all the buzz of the midterm elections 2018. While this was not a presidential election, it was great to hear about all of the participation, and everyone who came out to vote. I also learned that colonial women from New England would make a yeasted coffee cake for all of the voters. So I decided to make it as well, and can certainly understand why it was handed out. While I didn't have a bundt pan, I found that the circle pans also filled the purpose  The cake is very filling and is definitely good sustenance for the long journey back home after voting!! I think women throughout history were quite smart, don't you? 

Congratulations for a great voter turnout, and successful Election Day 2018!! Enjoy!! 

Cake History and Recipe 

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     I have often written about the idea of self-care. Maybe many who have read my ideas pertaining to self-care though that these ideas are driven from a selfish perspective of human nature? Or maybe it is because I know what the effects or consequence is of not taking care of the self? Nevertheless, I continue to value the idea, and place importance on this. Because regardless of who is surrounding you, or even if you are blessed with companions or friends, ultimately you, are the care taker of you. You know your self the best from within.

     Whilst of course I think that having a support system, or network is a blessing, we do have to realize that networks and support systems can truly be healthy if those that make up the systems are also healthy, mind and body. We could think about the consequence of burn out, feeling overwhelmed, the loss of hope, anguish, despair, all emotional labels that cannot be viewed externally (depending on severity), but can be felt internally. 

    Whilst I do place high value on these ideas, individuals and groups from various cultures might not understand this, especially where there are collectives, groups or support systems that have been depending on each other from generation to generation. We can think about eastern civilizations, or tribal groups in Africa or Latin America, but there are also collectives that are from within individualistic societies. These systems can and do offer support to each other. However, bearing the burden of another often arrives with a cost, such as health risks. 

     So in a sense, whilst one who is  orientated within a group, receive love, support, validation, and a sense of belonging, because of sharing burdens or grief, ultimately there are risks and health factors involved. Essentially where there is give there is take. Where there is take, there is give. Now I'm not saying that theres anything wrong with belonging within a system of any kind. What I am saying is that if one is participating actively within these circles, one must also realize the need to take the time to care for the self. Often when individuals belonging to a group do decide to care for the self, they will more likely be viewed as selfish.

​Its not just me saying this. Psychological studies predict lower levels of well-bing in collectivist cultures and higher in individualistic cultures (Triandis, 2010). However, I am not advocating for either. Having support, finding someone who really does care about you, networks, or support systems offer value. They are an investment. But it is the piece of loving, care for the self, that must also be placed within the systems to continue to offer the full value. Which often means an understanding from the group, rather than judgments.

Quotes:
​
"...understanding collective consciousness, just as cognition, feeling, and will are significant for understanding individual consciousness"
(Triandis, 2010, p. 61).

"...Culture is shared understandings" (2010, p. 62).

"...humans are an expression of thier culture" (p. 64).


My Thoughts to Share with Love & Kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on November 6th, 2018.

Reference:
Triandis, H.C. (2010). Culture and psychology: A history of the study of their relationship. In S. Kitayama & D. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of cultural psychology, (pp.59-76). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
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Related Reading:
A Public Inquiry? Puerto Rico.
The Migrant Caravan
Chief's Kingdom!!
The Hispanic / Latino Student
A Destiny Shared
Shared Aspirations
Bridges: Shared Spaces

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     I think that the work of equity, social inclusion is always progressing. We can think about previous revolutions in history, major historical, and present day movements, and how these were established to assist with the creating of inclusion, equity, and also raising awareness. Of course we can add a few examples such as: race, ethnicity, (dis) abilities, gender identification, or colonial and slavery histories. Whilst sometimes the work of raising these awarenesses' does create tensions, maybe some dis-comforts, but without the creation of the awareness, there would be no progress or betterment.

   These ideas got me thinking about majority populations, or what we could call European Americans, who are residing in America, present day. Can we put a blame on them for silencing histories? Such as those pertaining to Spanish America, Indigenous America, or Slavery? Whilst I do think that past histories should be known, I also believe that we cannot blame, but only create awareness, so that harsh histories don't repeat. This thought doesn't take the slave masters, or the colonizers off the hook, but these words do offer an avenue of trying to heal from harsh pasts with the idea of inclusion, and growth of present day populations to create shared futures.

     This entails for the allowance of the majority to work and live alongside minority populations. We have seen the damages that black against white, or white against black has done. Which is why I also previously wrote that, there must be a new way to view race, not from the lens of superior or inferior. To carry on, or continue with this way of thinking is to carry forward with ignorance.

     Human beings are human beings of nobility, and should view each other as superior as each other. The lens of ignorance demeans what it means to be human. Whilst no nation is perfect, history has forged to tell us, that our ancestors were also not perfect. To grow and prosper means to acknowledge these, and move towards assimilation. This means to find effective solutions. For Governments to be open to listening to what the researchers, specialists, or organizations have to say. Which also includes politicians, policy makers, creating spaces for dialogue, and discussions, to find recommendations that will also allow to build the vision of a shared future. 

     The creation of a shared future does not mean that there will never be discomfort or tensions, but it does mean to remind each other of our common human elements, that should always remain the common principles for the founding of a shared future. Any leaders who are working or striving to create divisions are not looking out for the best interest of the nation, but only themselves and what is important to them. Leadership is always about putting those that you serve in front. From the rich to the poor, the uneducated to the educated. Often this means putting public and national interests before those who are closest to you.   

We are from God
We are born from God
We live for God
We die for God
and we return to God.
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My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

These thoughts were originally hand written on November 5th, 2018.
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Image of The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, named for the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano.

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