Beautiful October

calendula-officinalis

I decided to come back to blogging on this month of October because, not only is it my birthday month, but it is also the month of change and new beginnings.  This month embodies many things.  It’s the month that Mother Nature chose to let us know that winter is upon us, the leaves continue to change, the weather begins to get a little cooler and the holiday season goes into full throttle mode.  It’s also a time when  most of us begin to reflect on the changes that we may want to make in our own lives.  As I look at the social climate of today, the one thing that I wish everyone would embody more of is Love.

Love is a powerful entity…THE most powerful in my opinion.  Love is what this world needs more of, and with so much devastation going on in the world right now, empathetic hearts and souls are needed in multitude.  We have to cease hating ourselves, our lives, our choices, and our environment.  Ceasing in projecting that hate onto others is needed as well.  Hate, like fear, is a powerful thing; but nothing and I mean nothing is more powerful than Love.  If you believe that God is Love, then you should understand just how powerful and merciful Love is.  The more we stray away from God, the more we stray away from Love.  I hear people say all the time, ‘I’m not into religion’ and I can understand that.  However, we must remember that God and religion are not the same, so never confuse the two.  Therefore, don’t hesitate to get in (or back in) touch with your spiritual selves and become more Loving today than you were yesterday.  When you Love yourself, you Love others…and you begin to show Love toward others.  Giving someone a smile, a polite compliment, a nice gesture or any act of kindness doesn’t cost a thing, but you will be surprised how it can make such a difference.  We use the word Love all the time, but how many of us consistently  live in Love, think in Love and act in Love?  I can honestly say that I am not one who does it consistently and for that I am ashamed, but I do it more than I use to.  I often smile at strangers (an unusual thing when living in New York),  assist a multi-tasking mother with her stroller and I think the best act of Love I am beginning to show on a daily basis is patience.  That is challenging to do when living in this fast pace society, but having patience is a beautiful thing.  I wish that I could exercise patience in other facets of my life, because if I did maybe I wouldn’t feel as unaccomplished as I sometimes do.  But I do understand the importance of patience and how it can be life changing.

I challenge all of you to become more conscious on your thoughts, words and actions.  Put Love in your heart and watch it manifest in your life!

Published in: on October 2, 2017 at 4:44 pm  Leave a Comment  

Guess Who’s Back?!

It’s been a long time coming, but I’m back and better than ever!  I’ve taken a necessary hiatus from this blog, but due to the current social climate I’ve decided to relaunch this blog.  Starting in October, I will go back to writing articles based on that Third Eye Point of View.  I have so much to say and so much to share.  So stay tuned and go tell your friends about it because things around here are about to go galactic!

Published in: on September 3, 2017 at 8:04 am  Comments (2)  

Who Would Have Thought?!

Kwame

The government isn’t playing with these corrupted politicians any longer.  No mercy was shown to former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick today.  For he was sentenced to 28 years behind bars for his conviction on corruption charges, in which he schemed the city of Detroit out of an estimate $4.6 million.  Good Lord, 28 years for taking cream off the top of the pie?!

Well Judge Nancy Edmunds, felt as though the sentence fit the crime due to the fact that Kilpatrick and his longtime friend, and contractor for the city, Bobby Ferguson defrauded Detroit with their kick-back schemes which included racketeering conspiracy, fraud, extortion and tax crimes.  Edmunds stated that It was the citizens of Detroit who suffered,  which is why she handed down the 28 year sentenced that was requested by the prosecution.  Kilpatrick attorneys argued that he should be shown some leniency based on the good deeds he did do while being the mayor of Detroit.  Kilpatrick’s attorneys reminded that Judge, that it was during his years in office that the city prospered, due in part to the fact that the 2005 baseball All-Star game and 2006 Super Bowl was held there, in addition to the fact that he passed small business bills which allowed the growth of 75 new small businesses to open within the city.  Edmunds however, retorted and stated that he should not be given a pat on the back for doing the job that he was elected to do (tell that to Congress).   As we know, the city of Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy back in July, so I do believe that he should have been given more than a slap on the wrist, but 28 years to a former Mayor who’s been out of office for over 5 years?    Kilpatrick resigned as mayor back in 2008 over a sex scandal involving explicit text messages as well as having an extra marital affair.   Now please understand that in no way do I condone any corrupted politician, but let’s face it, Kilpatrick is not the sole culprit of Detroit’s historic bankruptcy.  I think Harold Gurewitz and Margaret Raben summed it up best when they stated, The government’s attempt to roll the city of Detroit’s 2013 bankruptcy filing into the … case oversimplifies the complex problems that Detroit has faced for more than five decades. 

The downfall of Detroit occurred long before Kilpatrick, and unfortunately, he made a big mistake by being part of the problem instead of being part of the solution.  Someone has to pay the piper, and Kilpatrick was handed a stiff sentence for a stupid mistake.

Published in: on October 10, 2013 at 3:50 pm  Leave a Comment  

Are You Ready?

JCConstruction

Behind closed doors, many people have always claimed that Christianity was a ‘man-made’ religion.  but on October 19, 2013 some of the world’s leading Biblical scholars will state (and try to convince all) on an open forum in London that the myth is real.  So are you ready to have an open mind to the possibility of this?  If you are, how many people do you know who are not ready?  Click here to read the article.

It’s a very interesting article, but I thought that Bill Maher proved this theory in his 2008 documentary Religulous.  Did people not pay attention because he’s a brilliant comedian?  Also, he’s not the first person to bring this issue to the forefront.  I just wonder how many times this subject matter will be discussed before it is understood that people will believe what they want to believe.

Regardless of what is ‘proven’ I know many people who will still flock to Cathedrals during Mass.  Many people who will continue to light a candle for his or her patron Saint.  Many people who will be in Churches this Sunday to receive the “word”.  When something is deeply rooted into your consciousness and the very fabric of your everyday life, it’s very difficult to break away from it, much less believe that it was never true.  It’s hard to convince people that Global Warming exist, so how are scholars going to convince them that Jesus doesn’t exist?  Read the article and tell me what you think.

 

 

Published in: on October 9, 2013 at 11:41 am  Leave a Comment  

What Should I Eat?

 I ask this question because with so many foods now containing GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), I may have to go on a peppermint diet.  With GMO’s actually being put in animal feed, crop seeds being genetically altered, and no labels to warn us, we could be eating foods containing GMO’s and not even know it. 

I personally don’t like anything going into my body, not knowing exactly how it could affect me.  I am by no means a health fanatic; I eat red meat, drink alcohol and I love bread and real butter, but I try to consume it all in moderation because I know too much of any of it, isn’t good for me.  But what about almonds, spinach, apples and other various foods that are supposed to be good for me?  Due to genetically altering seeds, even if I decide to grow my own fruits and vegetables, I need to be careful to not order my seeds from a company who invests in, and/or is for, genetically modified foods.

In various animals that were tested, studies have shown that foods containing GMO’s have caused birth defects as well as severe hormonal changes.  Severe hormonal changes?!  I don’t want to say the wrong thing, but I would hate to go on a “health diet” only to end up with facial hair and a penis.  But the biggest problem is that these foods could literally be the beginning of the end for the human race.  Many studies have shown that foods containing GMO’s have led to infertility and other reproductive problems among other things.For example:

·         A 2009 Brazilian study found that female rats fed GM soy for 15 months showed significant changes in their uterus and reproductive cycle, compared to rats fed organic soy or those raised without soy. The glyphosate in the soybeans is believed to be the cause of the problem as it throws off the delicate hormonal balance that governs the whole reproductive cycle.

·         In a 2009 French study , scientists discovered that glyphosate can kill the cells in the outer layer of the human placenta (the trophoblast membrane), which in turn can kill the placenta. Only 1/500th the amount needed to kill weeds was able to kill the cells. The amount is so small, according to the study authors, the “residual levels to be expected, especially in food and feed derived from [Roundup] formulation-treated crops” could be enough to “cause cell damage and even [cell] death.”

·         A Canadian epidemiological study, which looked at nearly 4,000 pregnancies in 1,898 couples, women exposed to glyphosate during the three months before getting pregnant had a significantly higher risk of miscarriages, especially for those above 34 years of age. Fathers who were exposed to glyphosate before their wives got pregnant showed an increase in early delivery and spontaneous abortions.

·         A study on male rabbits showed that glyphosate can cause a reduction in sexual activity and sperm concentration, and an increase in dead or abnormal sperm.

·         In 2005, Irina Ermakova with the Russian National Academy of Sciences reported that more than half the babies from mother rats fed GM soy died within three weeks. This was also five times higher than the 10 percent death rate of the non-GMO soy group. The babies in the GM group were also smaller and could not reproduce. When Ermakova fed male rats GM soy, their testicles changed from the normal pink to dark blue.

·         Italian scientists similarly found changes in mice testes (PDF), including damaged young sperm cells. Furthermore, the DNA of embryos from parent mice fed GM soy functioned differently.

So now that I have your attention, you may be asking yourself, how do I know if the food I purchase contain GMO’s?  Well you don’t know because right now legislation is trying to pass a bill as to whether or not foods should be labeled as having GMO’s (go figure).  But until then, the best way to try to not consume hormone contaminated food is to purchase food with the 100% USDA Organic label.  Foods that are 100% organic must meet the following criteria via the USDA to be in the “100 percent organic” category: All ingredients must be certified organic. Any processing aids must be organic. Product labels must state the name of the certifying agent on the information panel. May include USDA organic seal and/or 100 percent organic claim. Must identify organic ingredients (e.g., organic dill) or via asterisk or other mark. Now we all know that the organic foods are more expensive, but either you pay now or pay later.  In this case, I’ll pay the money the up front, because I don’t think that ObamaCare covers surgery for penis removal.

To learn more about GMO’s please visit this website.

 

 

Published in: on September 27, 2013 at 2:25 pm  Comments (4)  

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

After George Zimmerman was found not guilty of the murder of Trayvon Martin, a dear friend of mine, said that famous phrase to me.  A phrase penned by the late Gil Scott-Heron.   A phrase  that many have heard growing up, a phrase that faded, but a phrase that has now been brought back to the forefront. In the aftermath of the verdict, a spark of demonstrations and conversations about gun control, race relations and societal obligation have ensued all over the world.  But now that the dialogue has begun, I will not ask anyone how they feel about race relations in America. I will not ask anyone what they think about race relations in America.  I will not ask anyone about gun laws in America.  I will only ask everyone, what will you do to change race relations in America?  What role will you play in the  solution to help stop the killing of innocent children and young Black men in America?  What changes will you make in the way you treat your fellow-man?  These are the questions that I too am trying to answer, because I know that unless I become a part of the  solution, I like many of you, will remain a part of the problem.

Dialogue is needed for action and action is needed for change.  One definition of a Revolution is:  A sudden or momentous change in a situation.  There are many situations in America where changes are needed for the betterment of this country.  And not all revolutions are violent, not all revolutions are peaceful, but all revolutions are needed for momentous change to occur.  As I stated before, I have started to ask myself what part shall I play in the revolution that’s now needed.  Maybe, writing this article is my first step.   But now I ask you, what will be yours?  If you don’t know, figure it out because as the phrase states, The Revolution will not be televised…The Revolution will be live. 

Published in: on July 15, 2013 at 4:53 pm  Comments (2)  

A Change Gone Come….

As artists, we have the platform to bring awareness to the masses.  It is a position that should be taken seriously by those who deem themselves as artists.  Anything less is unforgivable.

In the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, Sinead O’Connor wrote a prolific letter.  I want to Thank Ms. O’Connor for her words of truth and wisdom.   Click here to read.

Published in: on March 29, 2012 at 1:52 pm  Leave a Comment  

For more information click here.

Published in: on March 9, 2012 at 12:36 pm  Leave a Comment  

The London Bridge is Falling Down….

Not literally falling down, but with 3+ days of rioting, London is falling apart.

Some people are still wondering what sparked the riots in the first place.  Riots erupted following peaceful protests over, what some say, was an unjustified deadly shooting death by police of a local man, Mark Duggan.  The rioting which began in London’s Tottenham neighborhood, has now spread to other major British cities.  It has gotten so bad that the British police are considering the use of rubber bullets to bring calm to the mayhem that has unfolded.  So far 525 people have been arrested.  Let’s just hope that calmness and restoration occurs soon.  For more information, click here.

Published in: on August 9, 2011 at 11:15 am  Leave a Comment  

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet!

In celebration of Bastille Week taking place in NYC, I wanted to wish all of my French patrons a grand and marvelous celebration.  Click here for more info.

Published in: on July 15, 2011 at 4:04 pm  Leave a Comment  
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