Sistah Selah's Survival Guide

THE BP OIL SPILL – GOD HELP US!!!

Bella — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:31:00 GMT

Hello Everyone:

It’s been several months since I’ve updated my blog. Truthfully, I’ve been somewhat preoccupied with other matters and now, I have more time.

I’ve been monitoring some of the reports concerning this catastrophe and as a former resident of Louisiana I’m very concerned about the long-term impact it will have on its’ future and that of the entire world. Preliminary investigations have been made and a high level government official has resigned but it has been well over a month and crude oil is still gushing into the Gulf of Mexico which poses a significant environmental threat to all of us. You don’t have to a doctorate degree in the sciences to understand that realistically the world has only “one” ocean and if enough chemical pollutants are pumped into it, it will die.

From a legal and ethical standpoint, I understand the Obama Administration’s frustration because this is a “man-made” disaster – not a natural one. In all fairness, the parties who created this mess should “clean it up” and “reasonably compensate” those individuals whose livelihoods and way of life have been directly impacted by their negligence. I’m very sympathetic with the desire of BP executives to privately manage the spill containment and clean up efforts. However, if this was only a leaking oil tanker with a finite amount of oil; I’m sure they would be able to handle it but we’re talking about an enormous amount of oil gushing out of the ocean floor which may be well beyond their capabilities to contain.

Considering the magnitude of what’s at stake, BP should formally ask the U.S. government and possibly NATO for assistance with the understanding that government involvement does not “lessen” or “terminate” their financial responsibility in this disaster. Time is not on our side and BP should be willing to acknowledge this reality. The future of our world’s precious oceans is at stake. The United States' federal government lacks the solid expertise to deal with this ecological nightmare on its’ own; however, a combined effort composed of BP and governmental logistical support may be exactly what’s needed to quickly contain this spill and minimize the ecological damage to our planet.

I sincerely pray that an effective solution will be implemented as soon as possible. If BP can successfully deploy it by themselves, that would be wonderful; however, if this is not the case, please ask for assistance. There’s just too much at stake.

May Peace Be With All of You,

Sistah Selah

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS -- A DREAM COME TRUE -- SUPER BOWL XLIV

Bella — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:14:00 GMT

GO SAINTS

SPIRITUAL TRUTHS ARE SPIRITUAL TRUTHS -- LET’S KEEP IT REAL!

Bella — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:46:00 GMT

Hello Everyone:

May all of you have a most blessed week!

This weekend, I went to see Denzel Washington’s new movie, The Book of Eli. This movie is an action adventure that is as entertaining as it is spiritual. I was glued to my seat from the beginning to the end. Mr. Washington is one of the best actors in the business and he did not fail to deliver a stellar performance along with his first rate cast members. I wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

When I reviewed some of the comments on the Internet, I was surprised to discover that some individuals had an issue with the version of the Bible that was used in the movie. I’m a Roman Catholic who was raised as a Baptist and I’m familiar with various versions of the Bible; however, the message is essentially the same whether you’re Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Roman Catholic or any other Christian denomination. We believe in and acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. His ministry and teachings were “real” 2,000 years ago, are “real” today, and will be “real” tomorrow. The path each Christian chooses to worship him and his Father in Heaven is an individual choice, not a preordained societal mandate. As far as I know, no one denomination has “cornered the market” on this truth. Jesus chose to conduct his ministry with caring, truth and simplicity. Too often, mankind has chosen to convolute and misrepresent his legacy based upon our own worldly agendas and prejudices which is an absolute shame!

The Book of Eli is more about the importance of being connected to a much more powerful intelligence than one’s self. Faith, religion or a system of beliefs have always been utilized by civilizations to build and stabilize them by establishing a code of ethics that encourages the development of healthy societal institutions that foster a sense of community among its’ members. This film does a wonderful job of illustrating this point without being “preachy”, “elitist” or “bigoted”. It also challenges the movie audience to look at ourselves as we are and what we might become, if things were really to “go to hell in a hand basket”. The distinction between civilization and anarchy is a very thin one and it’s only by the “Grace of GOD” through the development of spiritual values that societies evolve in a caring, humanitarian direction. This movie’s message transcends our Western Judeo-Christian religious concepts and can also be appreciated by non Christians. I really enjoy movies that make a lasting impression on my thoughts such as this one. I only pray that Hollywood will produce more of them! Be sure to enjoy your Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, tomorrow.

May Peace Be With All of You,

Sistah Selah

GOOD BYE 2009, HELLO 2010! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bella — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:02:00 GMT

Hello Everyone:

I know it’s been awhile since my last blog entry but I’ve been preoccupied with other matters. I’m going to have to make a much more concerted effort to blog more often in the upcoming year.

During the holidays, I usually travel to New Orleans, Louisiana; however, I decided to postpone my annual trip until the Mardi Gras season in February and I just can’t wait. When I don’t make my annual pilgrimage to ”the Crescent City”, it makes me moody and this is probably why I have not felt like writing blog entries. It’s always nice to reconnect with a place in which you felt so comfortable. There is something about this city that resonates deeply within my soul as “laughter and mother wit”. New Orleans is truly a very interesting city to visit. My life has been greatly enriched by living there.

My memories of New Orleans served me well during this past year. 2009 has not been one of my best years and I thank GOD that “I made it through” with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. With the Great Recession causing so much havoc in 2009, many Americans on all socio-economic levels experienced substantial financial difficulties and disillusionment. The level of intense negativity on the Internet as a whole surprised me. Even when individuals were acknowledged for performing worthwhile acts that benefited others, people had nothing better to do than “sling mud”. It seemed as though the devil, himself, had hijacked the Net. Considering the overwhelming emphasis on our sluggish economy and high profile scandals, I’ll take “good news” over “bad news”, any day of the week!

I’ve had my trying times this year too, but I have always given individuals their credit when they deserved it. The true test of maturity is being able to maintain your objectivity and fairness when your own reality is not all you would like it to be. Being gracious is not always easy when you’re disappointed and stressed out but it‘s doable. There were days in which I felt like a walking advertisement for Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “IF”. This poem is timeless and well worth reading. Realistically, adversity and opportunity are “the flip sides” of the same coin. By experiencing challenges and obstacles, we learn to appreciate opportunities much more fully when they present themselves. None of us enjoys navigating the rough seas of adversity but once the storm dissipates, we can see things much more clearly. There are times when “a wake up call” or “shakeup” is in order to “reset” our perception of reality.

In many ways the adversities and scandals of 2009, were a most appropriate way to close out this decade. Too many of us were walking around within our own self-absorbed bubbles and they were bound to burst. The more hypocritical and excessive, the louder the pop. Karma is “no respecter of persons”. Institutions and individuals who perceived themselves to be “untouchable” received a “rude awakening”. Many well respected businesses were driven into bankruptcy. Many high profile individuals were disgraced when their private excesses were exposed to the public. “You have to live your life within the laws of the universe”, as the hip hop music mogul, Jay-Z said in a Gotham magazine interview earlier this year. 2009 reinforced this reality with a vengeance. As a society, we’re “treading on thin ice” and if we are not careful, we just may fall through it!

The wonderful thing about a New Year is that it rekindles hope and the promise of a new beginning. With GOD all things are possible and with faith, we can accomplish the impossible!

May All of You Have a Blessed and Prosperous 2010!

Sistah Selah