HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!

~Jonathan-Lockwood Huie



GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!

Kwanzaa begins today and ends Tuesday, January 1, 2013. For those who don't know what kwanzaa is, it was established in 1966 by Ron Karenga.

Kwanzaa aims to reconnect black Americans to their African roots and recognize their struggles as a people by building community. It is observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 annually.

Derived from the Swahili term, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first-fruits,” Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations such as the seven-day Umkhost of Zululand. Kwanzaa was created out of the philosophy of Kawaida, which is a cultural nationalist philosophy that argues that the key challenge in black people’s lives is the challenge of culture, and that what Africans must do is to discover and bring forth the best of their culture, both ancient and current, and use it as a foundation to bring into being models of human excellence and possibilities to enrich and expand our lives.”

Just as many African harvest celebrations run for seven days, Kwanzaa has seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba. They are: umoja (unity); kujichagulia (self-determina tion); ujima (collective work and responsibility) ; ujamaa (cooperative economics); nia (purpose); kuumba (creativity); and imani (faith). During Kwanzaa celebrations,a mkeka (straw mat) rests ona table covered by kente cloth, or another African fabric. On top of the mkeka sits a kinara (candleholder) in which the mishumaa saba (seven candles) go. The colors of Kwanzaa are black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. “The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans must speak, not just to ourselves,but to the world.

Now to be honest, I've NEVER celebrated kwanzaa in my life, and most black people I know have never celebrated it either. However, if you want to know more what Kwanzaa is about, I've posted 2 You Tube videos below which covers that subject in a pretty thoroughly.

PART 1

PART 2

They judge you now, but they will need you someday. They ignore you now, but they will chase you someday. That’s life. Sometimes you don’t give someone a reason to dislike you; they just do it out of pure insecurities. You can’t share your blessings with everyone because a lot of people just hate to see you doing better than them. If they talk bad about you, make sure your smile is bigger and brighter when they’re around

Now, it's time for another episode of Angel Academy. This episode is about overcoming sickness:



If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths. Our limitations and joys begin in our hearts. We can always replace negative with positive. ~ Bettie Eadie (from 'Embraced By the Light') ~

Everyone just needs ONE day. One day to let go. A day to not worry. One day to be creative. A day to be sad, and a day to be happy. Everyone just needs one day to put that smile on their face and let their dreams come true. Its funny how one day can do so much...





You are alive, you are free, and you are powerful. You are not a victim of your beliefs, your desires, your society, or your circumstance.
~don Miguel Ruiz