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. Today the NBA world, the sports world, and the world at large heard about the death of Craig Sager. As first when I saw the #CraigSager trending, I thought to myself - I know this name. Then it finally hit me. This is Craig Sager. I was in an utter moment of shock and took the time to pause for a while. To the world and the loved ones, friends, and family that have surrounded Craig Sager through his battle of Leukemia, thank you. The battle ended. With love, respect, and honor, a hero is laid to rest. He may be gone in body, but his spirit will always remain. The beautiful colors, adorned he, brightening up the sports world. As he rests, he will rest in a power, knowing that his memory will always remain strong. He is and will always be Sager Strong. At this moment I want to thank Craig Sager, and the Sager Strong foundation, for the Sager Strong hashtag. It is on days where I felt a weakness, I remembered the Sager Strong hashtag, and the meaning of this movement. Sager Strong, Sager Strong, Sager Strong. I will keep these words close to my heart, as I continue this journey of life. “Time is something that cannot be bought, it cannot be wagered with God, and it is not in endless supply. Time is simply how you live your life.” Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to Craig Sager - Rest in power, your memories, and life are a tribute to us all. Thank you for your being, Rest in love & peace. Carl Sager, you are loved.
0 Comments
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 truth is that I was thinking about the new initiative from the United Nations. This is called - For Every Child #ForEveryChild. Through this initiative, the organization has claimed that it will support: Peace, Justice, Respect, Human Rights, Tolerance and Solidarity for all. These are the values that were enshrined in the United Nations charter address by Antonio Gutterras, the New Secretary General for the United Nations. I was very pleased that these values were enshrined right from the first day of a new beginning. To be able to say that this organization supports these values is a huge step for nations, and also at the global level. However, just because they are values that the organization upholds, it does not mean that these values will be automatically met by each and every human being, These values must be maintained every single day. Sometimes to achieve a certain value, for example: Respect - We may have to unsettle those around us to come in to an awareness. Sometimes it will be an unsettling of others and sometimes the self. Was I respectful? Or how could I have done or said this better? Values need to be constantly thought about and maintained. Values such as these can be taken to the classroom level, and even be enshrined on a wall or a poster (Some classrooms already do this). Even within a classroom there are discussions, debates, etc. Everyone has an opinion, sometimes it will not be the same as yours, and everyone has the right to a safe space to share their opinions. This is where tolerance comes in. How are we cultivating relationships that include tolerance, and at the same time are being respectful to one another? When a space is violated - the human being will automatically feel threatened. It is automatic. From the perspective of evolutionary psychology, we can think about the fight and flight mechanisms. These are built within us. If our survival is threatened, we automatically react. As much as we try to remain calm and patient, it is within these spheres these mechanisms are alerted. Sometimes we have no power over our reactions, because these instincts are taking over. I Think that it is over time and experience that we learn how to handle our reactions, to the best of our ability. Maybe it is just a matter of saying that human beings are not perfect. It does not matter - the amount of wealth, status or education one acquires, the ability to hand primordial instincts is a challenge. This is why as humans, we engage in activity, such as running, fitness, exercise, or mediation. These activities help to channel the emotions, and calm the nerves. My first semester as a Masters of Education student was quite challenging. Simply because I cannot ignore the worldly events that are taking place. Sometimes, it feels like the world has come against me. Every time I write sometimes, and post it out to share with the world, there is someone killed, an earthquake, a plane crash, ir a bombing. This is the modern warfare that the innovators, musicians, artists, poets, writers, people of minority, and individuals who are interested in social justice are facing. There are also intellectuals, or students in academia, who are challenging ideas. It is the political structures, and monarchies that are stifling creativity. It is like the Game of Thrones.
Maybe it is a way of controlling the race for the "race". Maybe these structures are deciding who's voice gets to be heard, and who's should not. So you can imagine the anxiety that has come through during my studies. So the other day my son noticed that I was having trouble thinking about my paper that I was to write. So he offered me some orange peel oil. I placed a few drops on my temples. Immediately the smell sparked an energy within that inspired creativity. I was grateful that he share this with me. I also shed a tear. There was a time in son's life, where I was told by the School Psychologist that he would not make it through school, and here I am today with a son who has graduated and giving me advice about how to do well in school. Dedication: The word of this being are dedicated to all beings, thank you for listening, and reading my thoughts, And to those who have felt pain, anger or any hateful thoughts towards my thoughts, I sincerely apologize, we are all learning together. With love & kindness! :) Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on December 12th and December 14th. Image 1 Web Link Image 2 Web Link Image 3 Web Link Image 4 Web Link 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 truth is that it was the 75th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7th 2016. I wanted to learn more about what this day commemorated, and realized the enormity, and historic magnitude of this day. This was the day that the United States of America entered into World War II. I began to think about the people that were attacked, these were American's including the indigenous people of Hawaii. I was very touched , and moved whilst watching this ceremony. I felt a sense of peacefulness, as people from all walks of life came together for the this commemoration. There were prayers offered by the US officials, as well as the leaders from the indigenous community, who offered a special prayer, a prayer for peace. I felt a great sense of hope within, knowing that peace was also a calling from the elders. Wars have happened. Maybe these were intentional, or maybe they were not. But the truth is that we have a chance, a chance to re-build and re-new. This is what the survivors are asking for. This is what people want. They recognize the past hurts, but they are also pleading for peace. As I saw the salute to one of the longest living survivors it made me question and think. As much as we want to build a brighter peaceful hope for the children of the world. This does not mean that we ignore the histories, or the stories that are shared by veterans, and the hero's that gave their life to serve their country. A move forward, for the purposes of nation building, is a successful integration of the past, present to project a future. It is important that nation building take this into account, that future generations are much more integrated and diverse. We have to also remember that senior citizens offer so much value for younger generations. I like to think of senior / veterans citizens as treasure troves. Their life experiences are treasures. If we ever had access to a senior citizen, I would encourage the development of a good relationship, because they are so valuable and precious. This commemoration was deeply touching, but it also encapsulated with another hear break. It took place on the same day of the Pakistani plane crash, and the night before was the earthquake in Indonesia. So many lives were lost in an instant. An instant genocide. Individuals, families gone. What is going to happen is that these families will also have to find ways to cope, to heal, and repair their families. We have to remain strong. I did by reminding myself that these individuals were brought to death in the name of their country, but were they? How could these instant genocides have been prevented? These thoughts were accompanied with solid tears. I didn't have the heart to tell daughter, who just told me the night before that she felt so good because she made friends from Syria, India and Bangladesh. Millennial's are actually fed - up with the tactics that are used by those in power, that create divides. In a sense this is why they are not interested in politics. They are certainly aware of the atrocities, but don't want to take part. In a sense have lost faith in political structures. (I speak from a general sense). These thoughts can be related to Merkle's call for the ban of the full face veil covering. These are other ways that leaders in power use a macro stereotype to impinge on the rights of others, and invoke fear. Historically speaking, the Veil, (Burka) is a cultural creation, not religious. Another example is when U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral Harris decided to slip in a jab relating to Colin Kaepernick. This was unnecessary because Kapernick's kneeling of the flag was much more to do with a rebellion of the disgrace that was caused during the run - up to the election day, which is now over. This was another example of a tension used to instill more divides. As a nations we should all be thinking of how we can use collective gatherings to unite, now that we have a President - Elect. And if that was not enough to hear. There was an earthquake in California and Hawaii, just a day after these commemorations. To me it is a simple. These earthquakes or attacks are not taking place randomly. They are a creation of world leaders. Believe me. Climate change is not real. Climate change is the biggest farce that I have ever heard about. The biggest ploy to fool the public. What is real is the side effects of the destruction's that are caused by world leaders that are having a cumulative effect on the environment. Did anyone think how much pollution is caused by wars? Mother nature replenishes the earth. The earth is not destroying itself. World leaders are, This includes the ones at the forefront of claiming they are against climate change. They are also responsible for the fires, floods, earthquakes, and much more As life long learners, we must never take topical issue at face value. We must never stop questions about what is. We can also question - What evoked the Peal Harbor Attack, was this just another creation of a ploy?
Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to all beings. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on December 9th 2016. Please note that I have been having many technical issues with my website, please excuse any errors. Thank you. Image 1 - Web Link Image 2 - Web Link Image 3 - Web Link 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 truth is that I have been taking the time to think about the proposal by Dr. Jill Stein. Dr. Jill Stein has vowed for a re-count of votes. Alleging that there is type of miscount. We did hear that she has dropped the re-count for Pennsylvania, and also Michigan, but she later changed her mind about the Michigan re-count. So I wanted to learn more about why she keeps doing so. Through the interview that took place yesterday, I learned that Dr. Jill Stein and the Green party are insisting on voter re-counts to ensure that the election outcome is trust worthy, and the democratic process is upheld. They are alleging that the machinery that counted the votes was probably out - dated and made mistakes. I began to take the time to think about this point. If there was a failure in any of the machinery then why was this not spotted at the time of the re - count? Also why was the idea of a re - count not asked for straight away after the election results? If you ask me: I think that the idea of a re - count is simply creating more societal dis - trust. There are already so many divides and divisions, yet party leaders are creating a continuous frenzy. These thoughts are also connected to the money that is being raised for the voter re-count, about 4.8 million since I last read. I think that the people that are donating this money are actually wasting their money. This money could actually be put to good use. For example: Think about all of the Native Americans and the protestors who are protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. What if this money was invested in these people? Improving their living conditions, or causes such as: helping to eliminate poverty, or the homeless? Whilst I do understand that your party is the Green party, and respectfully understand your missions. I see a stark irony. The fact that the Dakota Access Pipeline is being protested. We all want clean water, through the Rivers and the Dams. But don't the Native American's also want fur that comes from animals? Do they not want to eat animal, or fish as well? We could easily raise these as animal rights issues and for some they are. But when it comes down to the pipeline there are massive protests. This is a classic example of how individuals and groups sway others into accepting their cause, without taking the time to think through the issue itself. Whilst I believe that the thousand of Native American's are deserving of clean water and foods that are respectful to their way of living and life. I am concerned about the economic impact. The building of new infrastructure can provide jobs and energy. It may even be more efficient. Maybe we need to think about alternative routes, or will the alternatives be worth it? Is it better to keep the routes that are already existing? Even when these protests are becoming violent, with weather that is worsening day by day. Rather than digging more holes, why not work with the people. Create a sense of shared story and shared vision. Could this pipeline be built safely whilst protecting the waters? With regards to the money that is being raised: We can ask: Is this money being raised to question trust, or is it a wager to defy and create distrust? Are these re-counts tactics to create fear for the people? Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to all beings. With Love & Kindness! :) Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on December 5th 206 Image 1 Web Link Dear Santa: Can I build a snowman with you? Thought composed December 22nd 2014 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. As my mind wonders to the time of wearing a blue kameez (shirt) a white salwaar (pants), with the red ribbons braided in my hair. The school uniform. Clutching a green book bag. As we walked a mile or so to the all girls school in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. I think I was about 9 or 10. I am trying to remember the specifics. I loved walking those paths, sun beaming, beautiful lush lands, blue skies, juxtaposed with the poor conditions of the living of others, seeing the poor, dire poverty. There was also a sense of joy of learning, and a sadness that seeing those who are less fortunate than others, yet still content, happy. Fast forward, as I write these thoughts, memory, lane. I have to say I am grateful for this experience, as it gave my eyes, eyes of learning. To be able to walk in the shoes of others. This is what sympathy and empathy are all about. There is so much value to the human experience. I am connecting my thoughts to those day as my parents (U.K) would cook a Christmas meal, and invite our family members over. Actually to this day, my parents cook meals for the family, sisters older now, who have their own little families. The tradition continues. This is also the beauty of being brought up in a family that embraces all. While my parents and family are Muslims, this does not mean that they don't believe that all should be loved. As I moved away, life happenings. I continue to share the teaching of love for all. It does not matter what faith you practice, if it does not include the love for all, then I ask: what is the founding principle of this faith? Religions, faiths ask us to love all. They do not teach, hate. They preach love. I'm not an extremist or Jihadist. I am totally against this movement. Actually all of my family is. Maybe these groups have a lack of education, or are they bribed, given money to carry out acts of terror? Or do they fall into the trap of wrong crowds? Or even misinterpreting the teachings of the Quran? Whatever it is my thoughts are not developed fully enough to talk about the Jihadist's movement. Yet, I will go back to the topic of inclusion. Once again: I ask: if religion, or any type of spiritual teaching does not include loving others, then what good is the teaching? For example: Any one, and all walks of life can walk into a Church. If someone is falling into bad habits, decides to go to church. It does not mean that religious leaders will be agreeable, it will mean that they are wanting to help and support these individuals. Everyone needs to feel loved and cared for. It is a necessity. These thoughts are nicely supported through Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Even the Atheist who does not believe in a God per say, has a belief. A belief that there is no God. And this does not mean that they do not need to feel loved and supported. These thoughts can also be transferred to the LGBTQ community as well. Everyone has a spiritual aspect to them. In the Western hemispheres we are conditioned as individualistic societies. Being independent is good. Yes it is good to be independent, feeling a sense of strength. But this does not mean that we don't need to feel loved and supported by others. A certain amount of interdependence is healthy. All humans no matter what we believe have the same basic needs. My thoughts are connected to the day of the Mawlid. This is a holy day where Muslims celebrate the birth of the Prophet. These celebrations last for 12 days., similar to the 12 days of Christmas. The holy night fell exactly upon the day of the Christmas tree lighting this year. My mind is always baffled when certain holidays, or different faiths fall upon the same days. This also happened on September 11 2016. When the world remembered the terrorist attack that took place in the USA. This was also the day of Eid Ul Adha. The sacrifice of Abraham is celebrated at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. We can never forget the atrocities and hurts of the families that were affected. It takes heart and courage to do so. Maybe it is not religion that is tearing us apart. Maybe these divine signs are telling us humans that it is not God, or a divine being that is the cause of these plots. It is human beings who have strayed. who have strayed to the paths of division, greed, hate. Another thought to consider is that Rosh Hashanah fell upon the same day as the 1st day of Ashura, which is the begining of the Islamic New Year. If we want to construct a brighter future, and a hope for the children of today and tomorrow, it is the duty of the world leaders, and the ones who possess the power to begin to think to work together. Rather that straying bonds, ripping hearts apart. We must begin to think: How can we work together? Live together safely? All faith based practices should be honored. We can do this from an internal or external intention. These are the very practices that keep tradition alive, that keep the practice of the faith's alive. Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to Fred Cuellar, thank you always for your Christmas countdowns. And to all beings, love united. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)
|
ShaziaOur thoughts, to invite and inspire. With Love & kindness. :) Archives
November 2019
|