It seems at times that the best praise is to simply stare into God's creation in silent wonder. Yesterday was such a day.
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...so I went home and spun
round and around until everything was
gone. Falling to the ground, twisting,
contorting, holding my breath. Only
in those brief moments was I free of
pain...
Strangling upon words which
would not come, I gasped for my
Salvation,
reclaiming my pain.
From eyes just open
a world in motion,
while I Lie here
...so I went home and spun
round and around until everything was
gone. Falling to the ground, twisting,
contorting, holding my breath. Only
in those brief moments was I free of
pain...
Strangling upon words which
would not come, I gasped for my
Salvation,
reclaiming my pain.
From eyes just open
a world in motion,
while I Lie here
still
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Happy Birthday
Today is my mother's birthday. And although she passed away 25 years ago tomorrow, still I celebrate her life today.
Fire Wolves:
Despair looks for you,
But you aren’t there.
So very hard to find
A purring wolf in a cove.
Without reason, mystically
A fire burns in the bay.
Her flares reaching for
The falling snow.
But always does it melt
Beyond her passion.
Not knowing dreams only touch
And cannot be touched,
The flames struggle painfully,
Vainly.
And there, the Fire Wolf
Cries a silent howl heard by none,
Save the gale.
Relentlessly she stalks the shore,
Below a broken one.
How strange, the darkness around him
Enhances this child’s vision.
And though not whole,
This one is content.
For, from here, in the rocks
I can see.
See the unfeeling sand
Turn to crystal beneath her feet.
But you aren’t there.
So very hard to find
A purring wolf in a cove.
Without reason, mystically
A fire burns in the bay.
Her flares reaching for
The falling snow.
But always does it melt
Beyond her passion.
Not knowing dreams only touch
And cannot be touched,
The flames struggle painfully,
Vainly.
And there, the Fire Wolf
Cries a silent howl heard by none,
Save the gale.
Relentlessly she stalks the shore,
Below a broken one.
How strange, the darkness around him
Enhances this child’s vision.
And though not whole,
This one is content.
For, from here, in the rocks
I can see.
See the unfeeling sand
Turn to crystal beneath her feet.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Where would I go?
Where would I go, that does not bring me back to you?
I look at you, and I am struck blind by what I cannot see. And yet, I seek.
I listen to you, and I am left deaf by what I cannot hear. And yet, I harken to your call.
I speak with you, and I am dumb for what I cannot say. And yet, I converse with angels.
You give everything and still I am empty.
Wanting.
The curse of every man. A void that this world cannot fill.
Longing.
For what I do not know. The impenetrable depths of this riddle called my life confound me.
Choosing.
Faith over Despair, I take another breath and live.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Listen...
I've spoken too much without listening. A product and prisoner of western thought, I've focused too much on changing things, rather being changed.
Even if I know the utter truth, it matters not, given that I am not pure and taint every word that proceeds from my lips. The love I want to share is held captive to my own imperfections.
And if by some divine intercession, I find an unfiltered moment of light, what then?
How do I survive this world so, in such a state of being?
How do I hold on, and yet let go, that I might become?
I Listen.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
A Call to Write
I've noticed since the inauguration of President Obama an uptick in the
rhetoric and not so veiled threats to the president and our country.
Fueled by talking heads like like Sean Hannity, Alan Keys and Rush
Limbaugh, as they argued that President Obama must be stopped at any
cost, it has progressed into the formation of a political party (the
Tea Party), who's sole purpose seems to be to "take our country back",
which sounds more like rallying cry for a coup than a tag line for a
political movement. Many in this movement are quick to associate any
humility or deference to the needs of the world at large, as treasonous
or at a minimum unpatriotic. Those who have lit this fuse appear willing
to say anything, to keep their ratings up and their pockets lined on
the pretext of preserving the American way.
First, let me say
that I do not wish to exists at any cost. If I must cast off all that I
am, and myself become an abomination to myself and others, I would
rather that I not have been born at all. And likewise for this country,
if we yield to the vulgar nature of fear and loathing to continue our
existence then we have already forsaken all those things we claim to
be, and we make a mockery of the creed "One Nation Under God".
Secondly, it seems equally clear to me that "we" must push against the
current of hate and rage, with all the vigor of our beings, that all
that we have worked for may not perish from the face of the earth. Yes,
this country is at great risk right now, but not from anything President
Obama has done, but rather from the lips of those who oppose
freedom when the candidate of their choice is not elected. Where were
these voices the previous eight years? With very few exceptions, those
clamoring the loudest to that we are on the wrong track, are the very
same ones who sold and embarrassed themselves for the previous
administration. Where was their outrage then?
Thirdly, we must
confess that we are a country of morally dishonest people when it comes
to politics. We take up truths that line up with our predetermined
position or affiliation. Many know the truth but they are too afraid to
say it. The truth is, that President George H Bush (the father) was a
good president. He corrected the fiscal policies for President Reagan,
that led to the last major recession. President Reagan was a great
leader, but his policies were very flawed. President Clinton benefited
from President Bush's fiscal policy, but had the good sense to build
upon them. And as the years pass and the media spin wears off,
President Carter will look better and better. While not right on
everything, he was right on so much, that we as a nation were just not
ready to hear (he called for energy independence before it was a cool
thing to do).
So, the question in my mind is just how do we
change the conversation? How do we affect change, such that we speak
and act upon real issues and not rhetoric and blind ideology born out
of fear of those different from ourselves?
We write.
We write upon this gigantic blackboard called the Internet. We write to
newspapers large and small. We write to the radio stations that
broadcast programs that prey upon our fears and promote incivility. We
write to our legislators and congress persons. We write articles,
opinion pieces and letters to national and local magazines. We write
anywhere where we have the right to express ourselves and our shared
belief of a better existence here in this life. We write the truth, no
matter how painful it may be, whether it benefits us personally or not,
and whether it offends or not. We must have faith in the truth, and
that by its inherent power; we will be delivered from this current
climate of bitterness and deceit.
Lastly, let us remember that
nothing is impossible for those who have faith in what is good and
just. Whether we see the harvest in our generation, does not matter in
comparison to the preservation of the process, built upon the belief
that all men are created equal, and that we might pass this hope along
to future generations, granting them the faith to continue on...
Sincerely,
Alan Jones
rhetoric and not so veiled threats to the president and our country.
Fueled by talking heads like like Sean Hannity, Alan Keys and Rush
Limbaugh, as they argued that President Obama must be stopped at any
cost, it has progressed into the formation of a political party (the
Tea Party), who's sole purpose seems to be to "take our country back",
which sounds more like rallying cry for a coup than a tag line for a
political movement. Many in this movement are quick to associate any
humility or deference to the needs of the world at large, as treasonous
or at a minimum unpatriotic. Those who have lit this fuse appear willing
to say anything, to keep their ratings up and their pockets lined on
the pretext of preserving the American way.
First, let me say
that I do not wish to exists at any cost. If I must cast off all that I
am, and myself become an abomination to myself and others, I would
rather that I not have been born at all. And likewise for this country,
if we yield to the vulgar nature of fear and loathing to continue our
existence then we have already forsaken all those things we claim to
be, and we make a mockery of the creed "One Nation Under God".
Secondly, it seems equally clear to me that "we" must push against the
current of hate and rage, with all the vigor of our beings, that all
that we have worked for may not perish from the face of the earth. Yes,
this country is at great risk right now, but not from anything President
Obama has done, but rather from the lips of those who oppose
freedom when the candidate of their choice is not elected. Where were
these voices the previous eight years? With very few exceptions, those
clamoring the loudest to that we are on the wrong track, are the very
same ones who sold and embarrassed themselves for the previous
administration. Where was their outrage then?
Thirdly, we must
confess that we are a country of morally dishonest people when it comes
to politics. We take up truths that line up with our predetermined
position or affiliation. Many know the truth but they are too afraid to
say it. The truth is, that President George H Bush (the father) was a
good president. He corrected the fiscal policies for President Reagan,
that led to the last major recession. President Reagan was a great
leader, but his policies were very flawed. President Clinton benefited
from President Bush's fiscal policy, but had the good sense to build
upon them. And as the years pass and the media spin wears off,
President Carter will look better and better. While not right on
everything, he was right on so much, that we as a nation were just not
ready to hear (he called for energy independence before it was a cool
thing to do).
So, the question in my mind is just how do we
change the conversation? How do we affect change, such that we speak
and act upon real issues and not rhetoric and blind ideology born out
of fear of those different from ourselves?
We write.
We write upon this gigantic blackboard called the Internet. We write to
newspapers large and small. We write to the radio stations that
broadcast programs that prey upon our fears and promote incivility. We
write to our legislators and congress persons. We write articles,
opinion pieces and letters to national and local magazines. We write
anywhere where we have the right to express ourselves and our shared
belief of a better existence here in this life. We write the truth, no
matter how painful it may be, whether it benefits us personally or not,
and whether it offends or not. We must have faith in the truth, and
that by its inherent power; we will be delivered from this current
climate of bitterness and deceit.
Lastly, let us remember that
nothing is impossible for those who have faith in what is good and
just. Whether we see the harvest in our generation, does not matter in
comparison to the preservation of the process, built upon the belief
that all men are created equal, and that we might pass this hope along
to future generations, granting them the faith to continue on...
Sincerely,
Alan Jones
Monday, February 9, 2009
Agrhhh!!!
I've never been one to give much credence to whole full moon and people acting crazy correlation. Sure, the closer proximity of that minor planetoid, might cause some ripple in gravitation, encourage some infinitesimal movement towards lunacy. I concede that perhaps there is some vestige in the root of our brains that is still crazy enough to run to dry land, when all we breathed was water. Perhaps, if this evolution thing is true, then only the crazy moved on to walk on all fours, and eventually just two. Given this line of thought, perhaps we are the craziest species of them all?
So, what has triggered this clearly lunar l tirade of mine? Well, I just came home from a networking event where there was very little networking, and not by accident it seems. The event, per the invitation I received, was scheduled to run from 6 to 9, depending on which schedule one received (see my note below) and was advertised as a "Speed Networking Event". Well, if you work and you live in Atlanta, you know that you're not going to get to anywhere on the north side of town by 6:00 pm, unless you work nearby your destination or you leave work early. Still, you get there while people are gathering, and you happen to be blessed with the ability to see the future (or you don't plan to stay for the whole event), you're working the room with a passion. I would think that if I didn't have a job, I would have that person. But being employed (for now) and simply looking to expand my network, I waste precious moments chatting with the organizers.
Once we get started in earnest, the speaker comes up front to share some very useful information about self-branding and how to engage others in the workplace. I already knew 90-plus percent of what she said, so I didn't gain a lot from it. And while I know some of the greenhorns in the room really ate it up, many of us who've been in the game for about as long as the speaker were watching our watches (if you've survived, or even dared to achieve in corporate america over any extneded duration of time, then you already embodied her message into your way of doing business). Again, she did a nice job. So much so, that the greenhornes in room felt the need to ask another 15 minutes of questions. Most of the questions came from guys, who I strongly suspect were single, and looking to impress the ladies in the room with their intellect. I know, becuase, sadly, I used to do it too.
Finally, shortly after 8:00 pm, we get to the speed networking. We are given instructions, and the instructor does a mock interview with one of the attendees to show us how it's done. There are roughly 10 tables in the room, with 4 people per table. Our encounters are timed, and at the end of the allotted time, we are asked to rotate. Okay this goes on for about 10 minutes. Then some of us are asked to get up and move (we've spent the fist 10 minutes cross pollinating with the table behind us) and that's fine. Okay, I've moved to my second table (only my 4th person since table was a person short), when the instructor calls time. It's nearly 8:25, and she takes the 5 or 6 minutes to tell us about upcoming (paid) networking events this month. At first, I'm thinking that perhaps she just wants to get this out there before folks start leaving, but once she's done, I realize, that we're done. The event was scheduled to run from 6 to 8:30 pm, not 9:00 pm. I look back at my invitation and it says 6 to 9, but apparently there's been some miscommunication between the team hosting the event.
So, bottomline, in an event promoted as a speed networking session, in two and one half hours there was only about 20 minutes of speed networking.
Agrhhh!!!!!
At first you think, "oh well, things happen". But after I thought about it for a moment, and looked again at the list of 7 to 8 upcoming events listed on the board, I realized this was merely a promotional for the other events. The seemly, misplayed, random twists and turns of the evening where not so crazy after all. Simply put, I got played. They got my money & my time. In these current economic times, this will not be the last time someone tries to play for sure, but I am determined to take what has been given and return back love with an open hand, as crazy as that might sound. For to pass along negative actions only breeds more negative action. Or maybe that's just the full moon talking to me again.
Peace....
p.s. I don't think the organizers meant it for bad. In fact, I think the for profit (instructive entity) and Alumni Association (non-profit entity) both felt it could be a win/win. But I can say personally, it didn't quite work out that way
So, what has triggered this clearly lunar l tirade of mine? Well, I just came home from a networking event where there was very little networking, and not by accident it seems. The event, per the invitation I received, was scheduled to run from 6 to 9, depending on which schedule one received (see my note below) and was advertised as a "Speed Networking Event". Well, if you work and you live in Atlanta, you know that you're not going to get to anywhere on the north side of town by 6:00 pm, unless you work nearby your destination or you leave work early. Still, you get there while people are gathering, and you happen to be blessed with the ability to see the future (or you don't plan to stay for the whole event), you're working the room with a passion. I would think that if I didn't have a job, I would have that person. But being employed (for now) and simply looking to expand my network, I waste precious moments chatting with the organizers.
Once we get started in earnest, the speaker comes up front to share some very useful information about self-branding and how to engage others in the workplace. I already knew 90-plus percent of what she said, so I didn't gain a lot from it. And while I know some of the greenhorns in the room really ate it up, many of us who've been in the game for about as long as the speaker were watching our watches (if you've survived, or even dared to achieve in corporate america over any extneded duration of time, then you already embodied her message into your way of doing business). Again, she did a nice job. So much so, that the greenhornes in room felt the need to ask another 15 minutes of questions. Most of the questions came from guys, who I strongly suspect were single, and looking to impress the ladies in the room with their intellect. I know, becuase, sadly, I used to do it too.
Finally, shortly after 8:00 pm, we get to the speed networking. We are given instructions, and the instructor does a mock interview with one of the attendees to show us how it's done. There are roughly 10 tables in the room, with 4 people per table. Our encounters are timed, and at the end of the allotted time, we are asked to rotate. Okay this goes on for about 10 minutes. Then some of us are asked to get up and move (we've spent the fist 10 minutes cross pollinating with the table behind us) and that's fine. Okay, I've moved to my second table (only my 4th person since table was a person short), when the instructor calls time. It's nearly 8:25, and she takes the 5 or 6 minutes to tell us about upcoming (paid) networking events this month. At first, I'm thinking that perhaps she just wants to get this out there before folks start leaving, but once she's done, I realize, that we're done. The event was scheduled to run from 6 to 8:30 pm, not 9:00 pm. I look back at my invitation and it says 6 to 9, but apparently there's been some miscommunication between the team hosting the event.
So, bottomline, in an event promoted as a speed networking session, in two and one half hours there was only about 20 minutes of speed networking.
Agrhhh!!!!!
At first you think, "oh well, things happen". But after I thought about it for a moment, and looked again at the list of 7 to 8 upcoming events listed on the board, I realized this was merely a promotional for the other events. The seemly, misplayed, random twists and turns of the evening where not so crazy after all. Simply put, I got played. They got my money & my time. In these current economic times, this will not be the last time someone tries to play for sure, but I am determined to take what has been given and return back love with an open hand, as crazy as that might sound. For to pass along negative actions only breeds more negative action. Or maybe that's just the full moon talking to me again.
Peace....
p.s. I don't think the organizers meant it for bad. In fact, I think the for profit (instructive entity) and Alumni Association (non-profit entity) both felt it could be a win/win. But I can say personally, it didn't quite work out that way
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