I Can't Imagine

I am writing this without any attempt to
edit this piece, because if my emotion caused
an error, for now, I want it to be shown...as
this is my expression towards the tragedy that
has occurred in Haiti.

I can't imagine coping with such loss,
Separation through devastation for lack of
a better phrase, a Horrible price...
Images, video and Stories weaken the heart,
Realizing that Reality is Too Real to be True,
Hoping that for once, time Eludes us,
So that we can look back, instead of living
through the Nightmares of others...

A coward's words? Not quite...
an Empathetic Heart's Cry is more accurate;
Accepting what is real...Must be done,
so this is more of a vision of what we hope to be.

I can't imagine what Fills the mind
of those feeling Chosen to be left Behind,
Twisted Confused Hearts aching while
Hope resides in the souls of All,
The Spirit of Man, Woman, and Child
reaches out through song, speeches and
Bright Watered Eyes...
there is so much to do...
there are many ways to help...
there will be opportunities to lift others...

I can't imagine Not Helping...
I can't imagine Hearing Cries for help...
I can't imagine seeing someone being saved,
knowing there are countless numbers of others
that may not...I can't imagine Not Being Able to Do
Anything, But Wait...and Wait...and Wait...
And Scream...and Scream...and Scream...
I can't imagine....

I can't imagine what is in front of my eyes,
these Images on the screen, this Entire travesty...
I can't imagine what is real, from so far away...
in what is in front of Everyone...
I Can't Imagine...

Have You Ever?

This was written in the aftermath of a very turbulent year. This was
my first reflection upon how great things can go horribly wrong.
There are many lessons that a man may learn...this is just one of them.

Have you ever did so much, or said so little,
That the dream you wanted seemed to be out of touch?
Never mind true intentions cause reality sucks,
And those intentions could change the life of the very ones you love.

No hugs, no kisses or well wishes can solve,
Or resolve the pain inflicted if you chose to speak...
Clearly divulging transgressions make you afraid to speak the truth
But do you really want a lie as the foundation of what you want so much?
That you need so much? That's so real you can touch?

Have you ever wanted a dream that seemed out of touch?
Never mind true intentions cause reality sucks…
Have you ever wanted a dream that seemed so real,
You could finally have something real and give something you can feel?

Has it ever been a time where you went too far?
Not knowing how to make right what you've done for so long;
Late nights, phone calls, efforts being misplaced,
The one you needed to be with was standing right in your face,
Now you long for the love that you pushed away.

You began hoping...now praying for those rainy days,
Because your new sunny days are not shining as bright--
Itching from your greener grass you can't sleep at night;
It looked good from where you stood, all pretty and tamed,
Until you got it for yourself and found out it just wasn't the same...

Now you're staying up late
Gotta work twice as hard,
Just to maintain and manage your newly acquired yard.
Hind sight is 20/20...you made your life hard;
Hind sight is 20/20...now look at your life.

Have you ever wanted a dream that seemed out of touch,
Never mind true intentions cause reality sucks?
Have you ever wanted a dream that seemed so real;
You could have something real and give something you can feel?

Desires of Your Heart

This is something I wrote about 3 years ago
and it seems to fit situations in my life right now.
I dare not say that I know all the answers,
but this was definitely a moment of clarity
that I can appreciate and I hope my readers will too.

In my years on earth, I have experienced more than what some will ever know and few can fully understand. Yet, when I look at my life presently, I have found myself wondering what to do next. So, in my quest to find my place in the world, my heart's desire, my purpose...the little voice in my head revealed that a closer walk with God is necessary in this search. A very close friend of mine sent me a scripture via text that confirmed some thoughts of mine.Psalms 37:3-8 pretty much sums up what Christians need to do to find your heart's true desire, thus revealing the purpose of your life.

"Trust in the Lord and do good, Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires." I stop there, not because that is the most important part but to call attention to "your heart's desires". Our minds and emotions can become tangled up at times. This makes it fairly difficult to make sound choices and decisions. But, we have the Word of God that speaks directly to this. We must be mindful and trusting in God that His Will is the truth and our Light to shine our path out of any darkness that we may encounter.

Also, for those who seek, desire, make or need confirmation (I suppose I'm one because I found this scripture after reading this first one), John 1:3 basically says that everything is created through Him, so I suppose it only makes sense that when we feel lost, worried or may have important decisions to make, we should seek God with all of our heart.

One of my best friends told me that even though he is a Man of the Cloth, he is still a man. He told me that he still makes mistakes, he still falls short but his faith is with God. Now, this is not an excuse for anyone to do wrong…it is, however, an example of the reality of man. We are not perfect, but God's Grace & Mercy is everlasting.

I chose to share this because someone may need a little push or some confirmation with things that are going on in your life. I hope this helps…maybe I'll write more later…

Steadfast in My Position

Another day is gone, another impact attempt made.
It's all for the good of the world and my world is
brighter because I'm making an effort. There are
times where I take "nothing" and make it into
"something"...this is called a "teachable moment". In
order to do such a miraculous feat, I had to pay
attention and be aware of the opportunity. And I
do this everyday I enter my workplace...

I am a soldier on the front line of a war between

the minds of the youth and the cold, heartless

world in which they will be propelled...hopefully

after they earn a high school diploma. Please do not

confuse this statement with an assumption that I

believe that a high school diploma is all the education

that is needed. I am a supporter of higher learning.

In addition, I am an opponent of classroom disruptions--

anything that impedes the ability of anyone from

learning. Sadly there are too many to count or name or

to effectively work around or through in some learning

environments. Still, I am steadfast in my position and I

wear my uniform proudly...

I am a teacher.
I am a psychologist.
I am an investigator.
I am an interpreter.
I am a facilitator.
I am a hustler.
I am a teacher.

I am a realist.
I am a truth seeking, eyes wide open clean slate.

I am impressionable.

I am immovable.
I am determined.
I am a man with hope, desires and aspirations.
I am a dream come true for my ancestors.
I am remarkable.
I am a problem solver.
I am a mediator.
I am a poet, storyteller and comedian.
I am a teacher.

I am an iron fist.

I am a comforter.

I am a reluctant friend.
I am passionate.
I am fearless.
I am motivated.
I am reliable.
I am a motivator.
I am a fire starter.
I am a teacher.

I am angry.
I am sad.
I am disappointed.
I am loving.
I am caring.
I am daring.
I am the blame for things out of my control.
I am excited.
I am Fired Up! Ready to Go! (Thanks President Obama)
I am an observer.
I am a leader.
I am a lifetime learner.
I am an invaluable commodity.
I am more than I will ever know...
I am a teacher.

Free

The following expression of ideas is an interpretation of
what it feels like to live in the mind of a someone
who's thoughts race a thousand miles a minute.
What others would interpret as
chaotic, I experience as a state of peace in my mind.

Swimming in my frame of mind, my words align me,
Freeing up the space in my mind--
my mind being free; Living in this place and time,
the solitude of my mind, Freeing up my space--
I'm being me...

I created my creative creativeness,
Never the less, and least of all my living has never been limited,
Focused on what really didn't make sense
Like making sense out of what will wake you;
I began my adventures, I've invented different ways to venture through the waves--
I am a cruise ship.

Over paved roads, rocky, muddy, stormy or hazy,
Contemplating this emancipation, maybe I'm being too heavy--
I move steady,
Slow is just an opinion-an optimistic observation of ocular interpretation...
Playstations aren't the cause but effect of the box,
Not imitating art, not representing anything except what its not--reality.

My minds creating an abundance of what not to say;
Pull me back to the basic like patches on a quilt,
Place me to the side and see what my history built,
I'm looking to the side and see what I built--a legacy.

Maybe Not...

Is love at first sight actually possible? How can you be in tune with someone just by sight? One glance or extended gaze upon the physical attributes of a person and it's a done deal? Maybe not...

But what if you have had some of the most stimulating conversations, where there are jokes, laughs, and the exchange of ideas on topics such as politics, education, freedom, and ethnicity. Then, when you are finally able to be with that person, you look at them and find yourself
looking deep into his/her eyes and you are overwhelmed with emotion. Is that considered love
at first sight? Maybe not....

What if you've known a person for some time...not really known but have been acquainted. And one day you look at them and realize that they are the most beautifulest (my word, no applause please, thank u) person you have ever known, inside and out. Is that love at first sight? Maybe not...

Is it just some phrase that we use to describe a great hope of what we may want from that person or merely a misdiagnosis of human lust and illogical rationale as the result of the limitations of the human mind? Maybe not...

Preparation

As with any new endeavor, there is a consistent key element

that allows the margin for error to be reduced or eliminated.

This key element is preparation. Preparation (per my own

personal definition) is the behavior one exhibits before taking

on any task. No matter how large or small, with the right

preparation, a task can be completed with ease and most of

all, efficiency.


During these days and times where time is either elusive or

stagnant, it is clear that the more efficiently time is used the

better. When looking to accomplish a specific task, one that

is fueled by a great passion, preparation, in respect of time,

would seem to be an important aspect of insuring success.

In 1 Chronicles 22:5, we see these words recorded:

David said, My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced.

And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a

magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the

world, I will begin making preparations for it now." So David

collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.


In this text we see that before a greatness can be achieved,

preparation is needed. David decided to collect the materials

so that his son would be prepared for this privileged task.

As we aspire to achieve large or lofty goals,

as we aspire to do "the impossible", as we aspire to do something

amazing, as we aspire for greatness, we must understand and

accept that this reality: the greater the goal, the more time and

preparation is needed. David's vision of greatness would be

fulfilled not by him, but by his son. David's hard work, his fighting

of the wars, his direction and leadership which was governed

by the Will of God, was all in preparation for a task that would

not be completed until his son came to power. But David

proclaimed, "I will begin making preparations for it now".

David had a plan. David didn't want to procrastinate. He didn't

want to leave all of the work up to his son Solomon. He didn't

want to waste a second of "his time" in respect to getting this

task completed.

In conclusion, there is a quote in my classroom that reads,

"High Expectations Requires High Patience". At first, this was

meant to inspire the students but as the school year progressed,

I found myself referring to this message for my own encouragement.

When we aspire for greatness, whether within ourselves or others,

we must respect the fact that patience and time are key ingredients

in the recipe of preparation. Preparation is a key ingredient in the

recipe for success. So, if we are aspiring to achieve this year,

we must remember to prepare.