“I am for the truth no matter who tells it…I am for justice no matter who it is for” 

                   Malcolm X

There are times in our lives when we are given a valuable truth…the only question remaining is will you be willing to receive it?

As children, most of us would willingly accept any information as the divine truth, from our parents. However as life would have it we would begin to learn that often our parents intentions would never be mirrored in our lives again. As we grew older, we learned that some people may not have our best interest at heart. We became suspicious of others. Somehow along the path of our lives we started to correlate what was said with who was saying it…this in itself is a powerful lesson.

We can often confuse the message and the messenger; the two may not be related. As people with our own concepts or those which have been instilled in us…be it directly or indirectly, we often have fallen into the trap that the most important messages come in the most beautifully wrapped packages. How many times have you encountered a person on the street and because they had a certain look, or lack thereof, you only half listened to the words being spoken? There will be messages that come to us…important vital messages. If we are not receptive to the message because we have a preconceived notion about the messenger…we will lose that blessing.

This will be why you will see me write about being accepting of others. We have no way to foresee into the future and know all that we should pay attention to now. Often the most important message will come from the most unlikely source.

When we close off our hearts and minds to specific people or groups of people…we are limiting our ability to receive messages or lessons sent by our Creator. We have missed out on the true concept of our existence when we pigeon hole or get caught up in stereo types. There had to have been a clear cut reason why it is that we all look so different and sound different. We are actually the different perspectives that we were all supposed to have…but they were all supposed to lead us back to the arms of our Father. Instead, we have isolated ourselves behind ideas and images of hate and destruction. Again, we must focus on the significance of what is being communicated and not in the orator.

Sometimes the message isn’t about our well being, but that of others. We are given insight to situations, it is up to us to either react or do nothing; but in the end we are always going to be held accountable for those decisions. We must make the assumption that every time something is brought to our attention, directly or indirectly, it is meant for us. I mean, if we are walking down the street and we find a bag of money laying there with no one else around…don’t we think that it was God helping us out with some financial problem? Wouldn’t we think that it was the answer to our prayers? With that same mentality, how can we watch children dying from starvation in Africa or children dying due to homelessness on the news…and think that it wasn’t a message intended for us? How will we explain to our Creator, on our day of judgment, why we did nothing? If we only respond to the issues in our world when we have something to gain from it…we are NOT doing the will of God. Our path is not one of self righteousness. We are supposed to seek the greater good for mankind…not ourselves.

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life we come into contact with many people, both physically and verbally; when you think of how many people you came into contact with today…I must ask one question…How many messages did you miss?

Tagged: accountability, divine truth, God, humanity, judgment, life, messages, preconceived notion, prejudice, self righteousness, stereo types, truth ]]> http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/missed-messages/feed/ 0 myraysoflight http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/the-wings-of-angels/ http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/the-wings-of-angels/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:51:29 +0000 my rays of light http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/?p=385 ]]> The Wings of Angels

In life there are a few things which remain

Through Our Creator we know this is true

That while we may try to demean others

The only loser will always be you

We may convince ourselves of victory

And celebrate the defeat

Of tearing down the hearts of others

Some of whom we have yet to meet

We may say they are less than us

Or maybe that we are more

And we may have lots of fame

Money and friends galore

I suppose it just depends

On how we measure our wealth

I mean is it weighed by our check book

Or by our spiritual health

One day we must realize

Sooner or later we must admit

That true worth is not counting

The diamonds on our wrist

You cannot purchase value

And what’s valuable cannot be bought

Greatness can only be achieved

When the divine truth is sought

And seek it I implore you

Know that in which you sow

Will not produce fruit in His garden

Vanity isn’t supposed to grow

I understand your struggle

I know it can seem you’ve won

But like Icarus and his fake wings

You will never rise up to the sun

It’s sad…you’ve been done a disservice

We told you that fame is great

But the price of fame will only

Keep you outside of the Holy Gates

When we look down upon others

As if we created anything at all

Just like the mighty giants

We have so much further to fall

Find a way to love your brothers

And give that which is not yours

And be not amazed when God

Opens closed windows and doors

In closing I will add this

A truth I hope you never deny

Anytime you try to clip the wings of angels

It is you who will fail to fly

My Father who lives in Heaven

As I bend my knees to declare my love

My heart feels so heavy

This will be this which I speak of

When I was a girl I used to dream

Of flying a rocket to the moon

Not about million dollar contracts

Or growing up too soon

I only thought about laughter

And having fun with friends

Not about drinking or drugs

Or fights that no one wins

I never debated religion

Or what our Creator should be called

Only that He was our source of love

The Father of us all

I could never find in any book

The intention of my heart

So I just loved peacefully

Never tearing others apart

I’m not sure when I first noticed

The condition of our world

Somewhere between adulthood

And that naïve little girl

Life began to be look grim

A sad and lonely place

With images so horrifying

They would never be erased

But once I saw a child killed

On a public street

And it wasn’t a movie

But the news on my TV

All of a sudden bloodshed

And violence was all around

And I so missed the days when

Our feet were planted on the ground

If I could have one wish

And have it immediately come true

It would be to have a clean slate

And to make everything brand new

There would be no separation

Or racial barrier lines

Or wars putting brother against brother

And no more picket lines

When our brother talked

We at least considered his stance

And we would give him an opportunity

At least give him a chance

We would be more kind and concerned

When our fellow man was attacked

No more talk about superiority

Or what another person lacked

There would be peace and prosperity

All across our great land

We would walk joyously together

Always reaching for each others hand

There would never come a moment

When any man could decide

That it was acceptable

It batter and abuse his wife

We wouldn’t hear about the terror

That children now do know

We would just plant our seeds of love

And watch them start to grow

Our forests would again flourish

Natural skyscrapers growing still

Animals could roam freely

As it was always your will

Our self destructive nature

Would come to a screeching end

And instead of making enemies

We created great new friends

Some may think this is foolish

That I dream too much

But I say it is never wrong

To expect better things and such

So every day when I close my eyes

Raising my thoughts for mankind to the sky

My wishes are never laughed at

My creator never wonders why

And while my thoughts my seem fruitless

To the ill will of my fellow man

I know my thoughts do please you

And that you understand

While our world is under attack

By its inhabitants each day

I ask for your guidance

And your help along the way

I pray one day what we say

And all the things we do

Will only show our gratitude

And how much that we love you

I lift my hands to Heaven

Knowing until then

You will be watching over us lovingly

Amen

Tagged: angels, brother against brother, Creator, dreams, Dverse poets, God, hope, Love, mankind, postaday, religion, violence ]]> http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/lifting-my-hands/feed/ 2 myraysoflight http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/for-all-eternity/ http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/for-all-eternity/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:52:44 +0000 my rays of light http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/?p=380 ]]> Why do we live as if tomorrow

Is an unspoken promise…a given as it were

Something we will always have

A thing which is definite…something for sure

Have we not learned by now

That every day is a gift not yet received

And no matter what we think

Or have been led to believe

We are all undeserving

Of the blessings we have now

Yet we live our lives

As if somehow

We have endless time

Moments left to spare

As if they are kept in a bank

Or safe vault somewhere

We can pray tomorrow

We can give thanks then

I’ll call my mom in a few days

I’ll touch base with a friend

But what happens when tomorrow

Just doesn’t arrive

And all we are left with

Are the memories in our life

What happens when there is no possibility

Of getting a call

Because the loves of our life have left us

After all

We are only human

And our sand slips away

Through the hour glass of life

And no matter what we say

We can not turn back

The ticking clock of fate

Because it’s run out of time

And it’s too late

There will be no new memories

And no new stories to tell

No familiar voice of concern

Wishing you well

So while you are busy

And can’t find the time for a call

Remember that time

Still ticks for us all

Appreciate what you have

And live in this way

Like this moment is the first

Your very first day

And tell the people in your life

You love them very much

And try not to make…things

More important than your touch

There will be other jobs

And objectives you can find

The rewards of these things

Are all in your mind

But we can not replace

True love’s kiss

And if you are not careful

You might miss

Out on what is intended for your life

The greatest and truest love

That which comes from our Father

Gazing from above

Call your family today

Laugh with your child

Be rest assured

Life is worthwhile

But it is what you make it

And I pray that you see

You are leaving footprints on their hearts

For all eternity

See past my accent

Look past the tone of my skin

Forget what people tell you

Seek the person within

I am more than just an area

Of our great world at large

I am the color of God

Seeing it shouldn’t be hard

I am the sound of peace

I am the look of love

I can soar with the grace of an eagle

Yet the beauty of a dove

I can lead you with my voice of love

You will notice my pitch and tones

Listen with an open heart

Set aside your judgment stop casting stones

I am more than a woman

More than you may want to know

If you plant your love with me

You will watch it start to grow

I will only give you a smile

When you may only expect a frown

And if you are looking for the love of God

I will never let you down

For I walk only due to His grace

I am here due to his will

And no matter what you think of me

I will keep loving you still

No matter the hue of my skin

I am only of your race

Made of the likeness of Him

With divinity you cannot erase

So when you are judging

The worthiness of man

Remember our Creator

And the object of His plan

For His plan for Creation

Was forgiveness, love and peace

No matter from which location

Be it North, South, West, or East

And as long as your life

Is being lived as God would have it be

You have nothing to fear

For all eternity

However my dear love

If your heart is filled with hate

I suggest you rethink it

Before the time becomes too late

No matter what your reasoning

For judging another being

It will bring out God’s anger

More so than you have ever seen

Dig deep and find compassion

For your brothers great and small

So you may reap the rewards

Of paradise meant for us all

Before I leave you this morning

I have only one more thing to say

Don’t put off on tomorrow

What you should do today

Tomorrow is not a promise

That anyone can give

The only truth that remains

Is you have only one life to live

So make the most of this minute

And set aside your hate

So we can walk up the golden stairs together

And enter Heaven’s gate

Tagged: bias, casting stones, color of god, Creator, forgiveness, God, heaven, judgment, life, Love, mankind, postaday, prejudice ]]> http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/heavens-gate/feed/ 0 myraysoflight http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/hate-ends-here/ http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/hate-ends-here/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:29:13 +0000 my rays of light http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/hate-ends-here/ ]]> Hate Ends Here

  February is Black History Month; and while I do intend on writing some pieces on the fabulous people of color in our great world, today I am choosing to write on something which I consider to be an epidemic…Indifference.

  Now many will say, and recently I have read the disgruntled statements made about specific groups having holidays, websites, awards shows, television channels etc. And while these statements were made to create hate and chaos amongst the masses…I found it to be a perfect platform for what I know to be true about the world that we live in and the capability of mankind.

  As human beings we waste so much precious time. We waste time separating ourselves from other human beings. Perhaps we do it because we have some need to want to feel more important; as children we all know how much better we feel if people are making a fuss over us. And it is only unfortunate that over the years we have come to realize that often when we are degrading or demoralizing another person…it is meant only to make us look shiny and new. Here in lies the problem, we aren’t shiny and new.

  When we are attacking and trying to lessen the significance of another person or being…we are only fueling an old fire. Racial bias, prejudice, misanthropy, religious persecutions…are real problems that we have been facing for centuries. Isn’t it sad to know that for hundreds of years we have been stuck in the same place? We have been fighting a tog of war against ourselves and wondering why we aren’t advancing. When we set aside the hearts and souls of those around us…we become indifferent to the plight of mankind.

  When we have to set a side a specific month to bring the focus on a particular group of people…it is only due to the fact that they have been overlooked in the world, at large. We should never have to search for how much a certain race or culture has added to our existence…as long as we include those beings in our daily acknowledgements of who brought us to where we are today. For example if all cultures of this country were equally represented in out public school curriculum then we may feel more balanced, over all.

  But the painful truth is…we do segregate ourselves from those not exactly like us. We will find reasons to diminish the contributions that people of other races…religions…sexes or cultures have brought to our daily lives. We have gotten so frigid and cold that we don’t realize that we are doing it; until someone from a minority group points it out. Then we will use our only defense and say…he/she is an angry man/woman. That is when the gloves come on and it becomes a slapping contest. We will all try and diminish the accomplishments of one another in an attempt to make us feel better about ourselves.

  We are ALL human beings…of one race. And given the way our paths are going we are not far from extinction. We have become destructive to each other and to ourselves. We find reasons to declare war on each other…as if we are the voice of truth and reason.

  Our Creator has high expectations of us all. I know, at times, it can seem difficult to fulfill such a tall order and we can become overwhelmed. But we need not feel that it is out of the realm of what we are capable of. We are supposed to be able to love and lean on one another. And if it feels strange and unusual to love so easily…it is only because we may be out of practice and quite possibly we are in worse shape than I am even relaying to you now.

  Let us show our children the way to God. They are depending on us to lead by example…so they can do the same for their children. Lift up one another. When we do that instead of tearing down one another, you can feel the change in the air. We start transferring good loving thoughts and energy to those around us. Let the cycle of life be a productive and prosperous one. Plant a seed of hope for someone who has feels lost…it’s like giving a road map of life to a person who has been driving around in circles.

  Search deep within you for the compliment that you are hoping someone will say to you…and give it to someone else. Transfer sunshine through your smile; show the world that starting with you…the hate ends here.

Love is around us

Love is the way

It’s not a date on a calendar

Called Valentine’s Day

It’s a state of being

It’s a way to our Father

It’s not buying cards and flowers

Or reminding each other

Of what we should

Already know

About giving love away

So it finally can grow

We waste so much time

On petty little spats

That we forget where we are going

And where we are at

But if we cherish each moment

We are given on this earth

We would never need to remind

Our loved ones of their worth

It only takes a second

To reach out for her hand

A smile during hard times

Tells her you understand

These small gestures

To some may seem like a waste

But a simple I love you

Beats harsh words said in haste

Remind the people you adore

Their importance in your days

It can be done all the time

In so many ways

Take her hand while you are walking

Touch her cheek when she cries

Hold her close to your heart

To make her realize

That not a moment goes by

With your love so divine

That you need reminding

Of your true Valentine

Shouts made in anger

Threats creating fear

Made to be so much worse

When said by someone dear

His words tend to cut

Into the very heart of you

Were there good times…yes

But in comparison…very few

He needs to make you feel

Less than the woman that you are

But not what God wanted for you

As he peers down from the stars

You may want to give up

Just throw up your hands

But I’m telling you not to

Find strength…make a stand

His words while hurtful

Are still not true

He has yet to know

The real woman…which is you

The sad people who hurt us

Trying to cause us pain

Only bring out our inner warrior

Where only light remains

We cannot be defeated

By their negative tone

Because one fact remains true

You are not alone

Any effort which he has made

To break your tender heart

Is only made fruitless by

He who created us from the start

No matter what effects man

Chooses to impose

God knows the path which

Turns a seed into a rose

He knows what is best

For His children one and all

He gives us courage to walk

When we think we can only crawl

Stand up my dear sister

Hold your head high

For our Father walks with you

And while its okay to cry

Know that when your tears

Have dried in the light of His love

You will soar like God’s angels

On the wings of a snowy dove

You have strength and power

Not yet even tapped

It matters not where you have been

Only where you are at

And you are at the feet of God

He will help you rise

For when we submit to His will

Our limit is the sky

Tagged: abuse, adversity, Creator, Domestic Violence, God, Love, poetry, resilience, strength ]]> http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/our-limit-is-the-sky/feed/ 0 myraysoflight http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/words/ http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/words/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:16:42 +0000 my rays of light http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/?p=365 ]]> Words

Words can feel like moon beams

On a cloudy day

Or they can destroy the hopes of man

Depending on what we say

They can lift our hearts

Like balloons flying high

Or they can bury our dreams

While all we can do is cry

Words can start wars

Over a simple boundary line

Our give us peace and love

From our Creator so divine

They can tear at our souls

Like a rabid animal at war

Or they can remind us about

The reason we were created for

Words can make the difference

In whether we win or lose

They can be used for good or bad

On that we get to choose

Words can build mountains

Or they can tear them down

They can even make us glad

That we chose to stick around

Words give us communication

And a way to wash away angst

We can use them to emit love

We use them to give thanks

As long as we remember

The words we select to say

Can destroy someone’s hopes

Or brighten up their day

We should use our words as

Stepping stones for greater things

To remind those around us

Of the hope a word can bring

It isn’t just four lettered words

Which diminishes our light

But words like hatred…indifference

Which make our world less bright

So sing the praises of our ancestors

And other wise light seeking beings

To help us to stay focused

On the beauty of all living things

Sing about love and passion

Of the world above and right here

So when our children hear the melody

They will know God is near

Tagged: Creator, God, hope, joy, Love, peace, postaday, upliftment, war ]]> http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/words/feed/ 0 myraysoflight http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/he-gave-her-his-ring/ http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/he-gave-her-his-ring/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:24:32 +0000 my rays of light http://myraysoflight.wordpress.com/?p=362 ]]>  Love unrequited

Love so brand new

They knew it instantly

 When they came into view

Like a missing piece to a puzzle

And the magic it brings

 God joined them together

 When he gave her his ring

Two souls that needed

Only one heart

Where her sentence left off

His began to start

After sixty five years

Of wedded bliss

Only having an “US”

 Not hers…not his

 Walking through life together

 Happily as one

But before it was over

Said and done

As she slowly walked

Up Heavens golden stairs

He whispers softly

I will meet you there

And eighty eight minutes

 After his love passed that day

Her loyal soul mate

Faded away

This bittersweet moment

Life’s true tale

That love conquers all

Without fail

Their life was made full

By our Blessed King

 It goes to show

What true love means

They said he died

 From a broken heart

 But I think it was a beginning

A divine new start

 So rest in peace

And with the angels sing

 This love story that started

When he gave her his ring

***This was inspired completely by the story of Marjorie and James Landis a couple who were married for 65 years…who died 88 minutes apart. May God Bless Them