I attended church today and it was quite uplifting. Perhaps it maybe due to the fact that Easter was celebrated during the same week as the Spring Equinox this year. Regardless of the reason, for me, personally, the overall vibe today was very inspiring. Well before the Christian Era, Spring time has always been a season of renewal for humanity. Before the widespread influence of Christianity, pagan societies honored the change of seasons with great reverence.

Long before the advancement of science/technology, communal societies acknowledged their great dependence upon the "Bounty of Mother Earth" and man's relationship to her.  Not until recently has modern civilization began to initiate a more "wholistic" approach to our understanding of life. This approach acknowledges that systems, especially organic ones, are much more than the sum of their individual physical components. For example, in treating illnesses, it advises that the emotional, mental and spiritual components should not be ignored because they contribute significantly to a person's overall well being.

My own experience has taught me that suppressed negative emotions will always spill over into other aspects of your life when you least expect them. If there is something that's really bothering me, it won't take much to trigger a bad mood. I never pretend to be happy when I'm not. I'm simply not wired like that. Of course, I try my best not to abuse innocent people when I'm in a bad mood. I let them know how I feel and I simply work through it. If at all possible, I try to confront the source of my irritation and deal with it in a constructive manner. This is not always easy in regards to the people closest to you because they may not want to confront the realization that something is broken and should be fixed. All you can do is pray for them and move forward. People, especially, African Americans don't always take criticism well. We always feel like we're being "put down"or "belittled" which doesn't help enhance anyone's self-esteem. I've always found that it's much easier to address your own issues rather than expecting others to change. We're all different and not necessarily looking for the same things from life. I've learned how to agree to disagree and move on!!!

In times of trouble and emotional unrest, repeating a personal mantra is so invaluable. It could be one word, a phrase or even a song lyric. What's important is how it uplifts your spirit and focuses your attention on what you can obtain in the present moment. African Americans have always been attuned to music with rhythms. Rappers have made billions just by understanding how to rhyme effectively. Why not do the same to tame your troubles?

Peace Be With You,


Sistah Selah