Monday, November 3, 2008

Obama looses Grandma Toot

A bitter Sweet Day for Senator Obama & Family.
On the eve before this historic election that is leaning towards Obama,
the Senator lost his dear Grandma "Toot" to Cancer.

If we could ask for more, it would have been for one exta day for Grandma "Toot"
to witness the victorious election of her only Grandson!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Senator Obama.

And for Grandma Toot, May Your Soul Rest In Perfect Peace!
You did a fine job. You raised a great family. And today, the world
remembers you for your herioc service!

Will a Black President Change the Black Man's Image?

We are 75% certain that Obama will win his race to the White House!
But that 25% is the kind of unpredictability factor that we simply can't rule out.

But if in fact, Obama does win, will that reinforce the positive reflection of our black men?
I speak not of any particular man, but simply of the perception of the black male in America!
Will the black feel more secure in his ventures and dreams?
Just how will it impact the image of the Black Male?
Will the son's we are raising today be reassured that the system will work in their
favor if only they did their part?
So many questions to be answered.
But one thing is certain. Either way, Obama has opened a new door of possibilities
to all those who just BELIEVE that any dream is possible if they stay the course!

Our We Finally Ushering In Obama??

It's now down to the hours. After almost two years of the Audacity to Hope
and dream for more than meets the eye, we can finally see the finish line.
And what a journey it has been been! We have dreamt along, even though
there were nights when we more consumed by the fear of losing, or simply
the uncertainties of the race than we were of our candidate's faith and
steadfastness in his course!

But in the end, Hope, Change, Fearlessness and Courage will triumph. The virtues
that we rarely find in our everyday politicians that has been so dexteriously
demonstated by Senator Obama....may I say President Obama.
Helas, we live to see this day! The day that will change this Nation and the
World at large.

We will be witnessing the historical election of the First Black President in
the next few hours! WAOH~~~
Given this nation's history, this is simply MONUMENTAL.

The world will be glued to their TVs tomorrow! The anxiety is too high!

PLEASE, GO OUT & VOTE for your candidate of choice.
It's your civic duty and you owe it to yourself and your fellow citizens.
It's the least you can do!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Are relationships overrated?

Are relationships overrated?
State of mind when written: I listened to a few friends over the weekend who were retrospecting about how far off they were from their original goals because of relationship constraints. A couple of them actually felt more accomplished because of it. Ironically, they all still claimed to be happy even though a lesser majority were full of regret and slight remorse towards their partners.

Sometimes I believe as a society we have managed to overrate our self expectations and those of our partners when in a romantic relationship or marriage. Well, I’m in no clear authority to speak about marriage since I haven’t lived it, but I have had the luxury of living it through my friends and family.

Averagely, most relationships or unions are progressive and somewhat supportive and encouraging of the growth of each other. Or maybe this is largely due to the fact that the fear of what others might say actually forces them to encourage the other in their carrier and personal growth? Most people seem to want an already successful partner, but can’t seem to handle what it takes to either see them remain successful or become better. Sometimes the prize to be paid is directly tied in to the quality of time to be spent in that relationship. And for most people, that prize just seems too high to pay because the emotions begin to surpass reason over time.

Before you know it, couples stifle each other’s dreams. Maybe because they can’t even dream it for themselves and the fear that their partners could fail or become extremely successful overwhelms them. Even though most people dream of the luxuries and lifestyle changes that come with success, they are in reality more content with the mundane and will sometimes unknowing!

Of course, that is not to say that some people have gained stability and success in life largely because of the influence of a positive relationship.

Over all, I sometimes question what we actually expect of people when we elect to conjoin our destinies. Are people getting what they truly bargained for? Does agreeing to be with someone give us the right to influence or avert their path in life? Or perhaps it’s the discipline that someone else can actually influence our lives in one way or the other that allows us to willingly go into such relationships.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Walking for the Cause not Against the Cause

Today, myself and a few others, will be Walking in support of the "Walk from Obesity". A walk put together by the ASMBS (America Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery).

I believe in fighting for the Cause and Solution rather than Against a Cause.
There's power in the positive.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Oh people of the modern world! People of my generation.
Frustrate not those who are already silently oppressed!
May those who feel the wind when it blows be
reassured that indeed there will come a time when
this same wind will blow past you unnoticed.
Your day of victory is neigh….

Friday, January 25, 2008

When Love Is Empty

State of Mind When Written: Conversations with a friend trying to determine if the hurt resulting from affections of love is still worth the trouble. My take on this!
dDaiga 1/25/08


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When love is not sustained, it hurts.
When love feels empty and devoid of passion, it hurts.
When love leaves you questioning its existence, it hurts.
When love doesn’t reassure you while in doubt, it hurts.
When love is not your place of refuge from the world, it hurts.

When loving someone brings more pain than joy,
You must let it go.
When loving someone feels like you are in it by yourself,
You must let it go.
When loving someone feels like you are trying to hard,
You must let it go.

You must let it go because the timing is not right for you!
You must let it go because that is not the kind of love you need!
You must let it go because that is not nourishing for your soul!

And even though you must let it go, reassure yourself you didn’t fail.
Even though you must let it go, part in good faith.
Even though you must let it go, believe that a newer love awaits you ahead.

A love that will uphold and reassure you.
A love that will embrace and comfort you.
A love that will ensure you have no doubts.
A love that will be longing for you as much as you do for it.
A love that will equal or surpass your feelings.
A love that will bring enough joy to erase all your pain.
A love that will be truer and more sincere.

So let it go if it hurts or feels empty. Just let it go!
You will be okay!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Dream lives on for MLK

State of Mind When Written: Just appreciating the milestones since the deliverance of the "I have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.

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Thank You Dr. King

Yesterday, America and the World Celebrated your birthday as a National Holiday.
Something we couldn’t fathom less than 50yrs ago. But because you believed and dreamed bigger than most could permit themselves to, the rest of us are benefiting.

Your dream has lived on and continues to do so.
Today, that dream speech has become one the most talked about speeches in world.
But what good would that popularity be if it had no actual impact?
I dare say, the impact today is starting to match the magnitude of the dream.
Although we have still a long way to go, we have made milestones.
I’m sure you would be proud today.

Your fight in daring us to dream along with you has not gone in vain Dr. King.
Our promise to uphold the pledge you requested during your speech lives on.
We will not forget to stop halfway because we will only be satisfied when Blacks will no longer be victims of the unspeakable horrors of injustice in this society and around the world. We will continue to fight “…until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”.

That was our pledge then, and it is still our pledge today and will be ours tomorrow.
Until justice and equality declares a surplus, the dream will live on.

Oh Dr. King, Thank You!

If the end was now

State of Mind When Written: Reflecting on the senselessness of untimely deaths that I’ve been reading about from my homeland. Plus a conversation about my late Mum a couple of days ago triggered these thoughts even further. My Mother (Mama as we lovingly called her) lost her life to a fatal car accident over 2 decades ago. And then the same scene was repeated again, except this time it was multiplied by 3 when My Late Aunt and 2 Cousins crossed over as a result of another reckless driver. It’s hard to imagine I’m alluding to a few years now. But I’ve always wondered, what they or I would have done differently, if they had even remotely imagined that the end was so neigh! Herewith My endless thinking….
By dDaiga -1/18/08


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If the end was now?
Well, I’d say the end of what? The end of everything is in essence the beginning of something else. The end of a childhood is the beginning of an adulthood. The end of one relationship is the beginning of a single life …(or maybe not)! It could be the beginning of another one ….(yeah!)! The end of one job could mean the search of new one. Or better yet, a switch in careers. And then there’s the end of life….well, the end of life is the end of life! But it may very well mark a new beginning for the people you leave behind, except that it may be sad, empty or ironically happy without you in it. So in reality, the key is to eternalize the notion that an end may or will come. And when it does, see it as a chance to jump into a new beginning.

So if you were told this morning when you woke up that today will mark your final hours of life, or maybe they gave you a week, a month or even a year more to go! What would you do differently? Most people never get that notice.

So would you at least feel lucky that you were given a chance to fix all your loose ends?
Would you confident about having accomplished your purpose here on earth? What is your purpose anyway? Would you feel like you left a good legacy behind or you’d use those final hours to create one? Would you think about all the things you should have done yesterday that you are still procrastinating today?

Just what would you do to prepare yourself for those final hours?
Who would you call to forgive or ask for forgiveness?
Who would you call to say goodbye to or heck, curse out?
Who do you think would miss you the most?

What in your opinion would really matter if the end was now?
Would it be that job that you neglected your family and loved ones for?
Would it be the church that you are so committed with?
Would it be the organizations that you are so passionate about?
Would it be all the money you saved or never saved?
Or would it simply be the quality of your relationships with your family and friends?
Hopefully, you wouldn’t be consumed by regrets.

In figuring out those answers, you may actually find yourself on a new journey to a meaningful and purposeful life. Make right of today what you wronged yesterday.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

The Unexpected Crush from a "Senior"

State of Mind When Written: Being a Black African Female, I’ve grown to become accustomed to expecting and without taking it for granted, male attention from my counterparts of similar origins. Perhaps so because that’s been my biggest circle of influence as far as my mundane activities are concerned. So when I experienced this unprecedented attention, I just wanted to capture it here.

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Imagine yourself descending into what I’d call the couloirs of a hotel flowing into a grand reception area with a body of diplomats and well dressed professionals and guests each looking up intermittently as you make your descent. Leaning on escalator bars for support almost becomes a reflex act. Even though my friend and I were both looking really good, I assure you for a few seconds, my stomach pinched with slight nervousness. But that quickly changed once we mingled into the crowd. This was the Haitian Independence Day Celebration I talked about last week. I bring it up again because of a fond memory that emerged and carried through the week.

So while at that event, before I could settle in with the French atmosphere in the air, this gentleman, tall and suave walked right up to me with a broad smile and purposefully uttered these words, as I translate for the benefit of non-French speakers: “You are the most outstanding and distinguishing lady of the night”. A few more things were said which simply sound juicier in French. Now guess what? I don’t even care if the guy was lying through his teeth, that was almost like an espresso shot of tequila to jumpstart my evening. That’s like starting a car and going from 0-100miles in 60 secs! Naturally he got my attention. You can certainly say that experience played in his favor that evening. But as our little chat grew into a conversation, he kept saying all the right things. Complimenting big and voluptuous chicks (which by the way is where I fall), and comparing them to thinner women as “match sticks”. No offense here, but if you live in a world where 95% of everything on TV and Print is a favor of the slimmer woman, what’s 10mins of blasting them? I was on sky 9!

Needless to say, I got the first dance from him and we literarily owned the dance floor. What I haven’t mentioned so far is that this fine gentleman was a white elderly male. Listen, I’m trying to be politically correct here you know. But the guy simply had lots of personality and charm to his credit and was by far, the man of the night in my little world that night. For me, this was a totally different kind of attention. I’ve had a couple of young Caucasians males give me some attention in that past. For the Latinos, I’m getting used to it now. As for my Mandingo or Black brothers, I expect it okay! But if an Asian were to give me that kind of attention today, I might be a little shocked…no pun intended here. However, I’d equally and pleasantly so, be as surprised as I was when it came from my French Sr. – (a more endearing way of referring to him). My rationale on this in the next blog.

So to my blog readers, I’m sharing this because it was a totally new experience for me. It was fascinating and priceless to watch as Mr. French Sr. was blushing, smiling, flirting, complimenting, pulling wild cards on the dance floor with interesting moves and emitting everything that simply said, “I have a crush on you and I don’t care what anybody thinks”. It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen in a long time and a true confirmation of the fact that the heart never really grows old. People, I basked in the moment and I can assure you, the memories of that evening will last a while.

Mr. French Sr. and I will remain friends! Naturally….

Friday, January 11, 2008

Double Dose on Resolutions: My Birthday Weekend

State of Mind When Written: It’s my birthday weekend and I’m simply feeling really good about all the birthday greetings coming my way. And it’s only Friday! Plus I had been reflecting all week about what I really wanted for myself with this upcoming birthday. Here are some of the thoughts that arose from that exercise.

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First, let me just say TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday)! Overall, it’s been a phenomenal week as far as I’m concerned. Although Sen. Obama conceded to Sen. Clinton last Tuesday, I say the race just began. I’m more focused on the historical elements that are resulting from this whole process. All said and done, the week is ending really well. I feel great!

Okay, back to this birthday weekend of mine. On Monday, I’ll be hitting another personal milestone in my life as I will be tearing off the pages of another entire calendar. Because my birthday is so early in the year, I always get a double dose of all my resolutions. I get to make them by the 1st, and then have to revisit them again by the 14th. So throughout the first two weeks of the year, I tend to be in a constant state of examining and re-strategizing my goals for the year.

A few days ago, I blogged about our need as a people to strive for excellence! As I reflected even further on that subject, I realized that to be a great advocate of this kind of excellence I needed to shoot for more in all areas of my own life as well. I realized that I needed to have the mental, physical and spiritual all synchronized. So what do I really mean by that? For the Mental, it applies to my thought process, readiness and endurance to pursue this cause. For the Physical, it means I need to transform my physical self to reflect the story of excellence. I swear this is going to take some kind of miraculous intervention to achieve but I’ll keep trying. Like they say, you can’t be faulted for trying, but you can certainly be faulted for no effort. And as for the last aspect, the Spiritual, it would mean shooting for spiritual growth and manifesting it in my daily actions. Is that being too ambitious? I say its just part of the whole process. I will be reporting back more often on how I fair on this journey.

So in this reflection, “I listened to my thoughts and found my wish for this birthday” - in the pseudo paraphrased words of Hillary. Well, that’s what I want a double dose for myself on this birthday and New Year. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be accepting all the gifts you have for me u know…..!(*_*)! Hey, U can’t blame as Sista for trying right?!

Alright, before I go, thanks to all those who’ve already started pouring in their birthday wishes. I luv y’all and appreciate u.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

*What Kind of Leaders Will Our Generation Offer?

State of Mind When Written: Simply reflecting. Now that we are being called to the table of leadership, what do we bring to that table?

by dDaiga -1/8/08
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A friend & I were bonding over some good coffee at Starbucks when we delved into some serious discussion. We talked about everything and nothing. We could have gone on and on but there were other activities to catch up with. It was a great morning as far as I was concerned. Anything that engages my mind always catches my attention.

The topic that stayed with me was that of leadership. I always questioned the type of leadership that my generation and those behind me will establish. I speak particularly to those of us from African descent, who've only had a handful of genuine leaders to emulate. During that conversation, my friend alluded to the fact that our parents had been fortunate when they were growing up because their nations, after having gained their independence were calling on them as young graduates with some decent level of education to assume key positions very early on in their carriers. Many of them made history and built a name for themselves in their thirties. While this was good for them, they suddenly felt too attached and jealously possessive of the children they nursed as a nation. Because of this, most of them have consistently been reluctant or have outrightly refused to pass on the baton of power and leadership to the generation they were “supposedly” grooming for replacement. Perhaps I’ve been too naïve?

Now due to this so called “love” and greed, they are self-destroying everything that they fought for and worked so hard to attain. They have even destroyed the good names they earned along the way. You see, our parents had the opportunity to shape our nations in any which way they wanted to. They were responsible for creating a legacy that we would inherit. Some of them probably didn’t even realize how big of a crown they were carrying. The question that begs is what did they do with their chance at leadership? Sadly most of them are leaving us with an Africa that is unbearable, almost inheritable, corrupted, indebted, decayed, porous and polluted. It wasn’t supposed to be so. You would have thought that after decades of colonization, they would have wanted more for themselves and their children’s children.

So what are we going to do differently now that our inheritance has been marred and tainted? Are we just going to continue in their footsteps or are we going to stick out our necks for change and progress? Are we going to aim at reversing these damages if at all possible? There must be a way out, and it has to begin from somewhere. Thankfully, we have positive and forward thinking groups and individuals emerging and vying for change. If everyone remains consistent in their respective areas, it would be a simple matter of time. One thing is certain, change will come. For it to be for the better, we must be involved in the process now.

Today, our generation is being called to partake in decision making for our countries and continent. Our continent is relying on all the education and experience we have acquired and the new vision we have. Yet, most of us are still thinking we are too young or simply scared to fill those shoes because it means forcing our parents to handover when they should have done so willingly. But don’t get me wrong, we will always need their wisdom to advance. There must be effective continuity, not an abrupt disconnection. I therefore plead with my generation - let’s not wake up and realize we missed our chance to make that difference. Let’s challenge ourselves and answer the call to leadership. Our opinion matters. But remember that we must go to the table with a plan and good strategy. We must have a big goal:
One that will be focused on rebuilding and restoring our nations.
One that will be aimed at reconnecting all of Africa’s sons and daughters.
One that will teach us to co-exist amicably and learn from one another.
One that would allow easy access and flow of resources; human, natural and artificial from the North to the South and from the East to the West.
One that will seek to maximize its resources first before looking elsewhere.
One that will ensure that our intra-continental communications surpasses our inter-continentals counterparts.
One that will see to it that travel, cross learning, investment and employment is facilitated to make living and intra-continental migration position.
I could go and on. All I say is, remember we just need to have a goal that is bigger than us. A goal that thinks way ahead of the game. A goal that is not frozen in time but is timeless.

What kind of leaders are we going to be? We are already becoming those leaders. So what are going to leave behind as legacy? Hopefully not the same thing we inherited. But I blame them not, those who erred before for they didn’t know any better. To those who err today, I can still find room to give them a chance to right their wrongs. For those who actively plan to err tomorrow, I urge you to change your course of direction and do the right thing for the people you are obligated to.

Remember, Only a few will have the honor to lead on our behalves. May they have the wisdom and foresight to know right from wrong and do right by us!

Haiti celebrates 204 yrs!

State of Mind: What does independence really mean as far as a country's stability is concerned? After attending Haiti's Independence day celebration, a few thoughts came to mind.

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Last Saturday, I accompanied my friend Abi to a celebration of Haiti's 204 years of Independence. Congratulations to Haiti and my new Haitian connections. It was quite an enjoyable event. The people, the hospitality, the food and the music ofcourse. I learned alot about the country from the Ambassador, their Honorees of the evening and even Ambassador Andrew Young of NCC & Goodworks International in the few hours we were there.

Somehow, I had forgotten from the History I learned years ago that Haiti had it's independence more than 200 yrs ago! Waoh! That was a surprise to me given all the crisis that country continues to face in recent times. For the record, Haiti was also the first free black republic in the world to proclaim it's independence on the 1st of Jan. 1804. Although young in democracy, the Ambassador had some good things to say about his country.

We were shown some slideshows of philanthropic work by one of Haiti's big investors and honoree of the evening, Brad Horwitz , President of Comcel -"Voila", a telecommunications company! Vivid images of underdevelopment. Although it was nothing new, it evoked raw emotions and got my mind spinning. You would think that after 200yrs of Independence a country like that would have emancipated to be categorized and seen differently by the rest of the world. I hope Haiti wakes and changes the situation for themselves sooner than later. Perhaps its times to follow the wave of change that is being echoed all over the world today.

Let me go back to Africa for a second. And so I ask you, what is the significance of celebrating X number of years of independence if our countries don't reflect it in terms of economic, political and social stability? Are we more intrigued by the number of years we've gained our various independence than we are by our actual accomplishments? I'm wondering what Africa would look and feel like when most of it's countries start celebrating over a hundred years of independence? With most of them just past midpoint or close, their current vision and structures leaves you with lots of questions. All I can say is, my people, we can start reshaping our countries and continent today if we permit ourselves to plan and put solid infrastructures in place for the generations that we will never encounter. Not just the type of structures that will be around for the next 5, 10, 15 or 20 simply because our greed only allows us to plan for what we can directly benefit from.

Lord I pray that my people may have foresight and vision!

Monday, January 7, 2008

Join the Change Movement

It's now or never! Obama wins the nation's first primaries........

If this is not a phenomenon, I don't know what else is!

Friday, January 4, 2008

OBAMA’s victory: America’s hope for change indeed!

First and foremost! WAOH! Obama won the Iowa Caucus with an unquestionable majority! I have not been able to sleep and still have shivers of excitement! This must be the America that we all dreamed about. The one that MLK envisioned decades ago.

Congratulations Obama! Way to Go!

Last night, Jan 04, 2008 was and I date it for memory, what I would call historical and phenomenal. The “baddest” underdog in the house took the world by storm and had most of the analysts and reporters totally baffled and unprepared for what unfolded in the nations eyes. It was not only a monumental accomplishment for Senator Barrack Obama, but one for the nation, the blacks across the world and the Democratic party notwithstanding. Remember that Obama’s decision alone to run the race gave new live and bred hope in the party’s campaign future. Even though somewhere along the lines, we all feared it would be an election based on race or gender, but those lines were clearly defied yesterday. Is it possible that we are getting to a point where the divider is not our skin but our issues? For now, I’ll just let it sink and enjoy the moment.

And then there was Obama’s speech! My Goodness! I just feel like catching the next flight to New Hampshire to give the guy a big hug. The speech of “hope” in my opinion just swapped places with the famous “MLK- I have a Dream” speech. You would have thought Obama had private conversations with all the former presidents, dead or alive before taking the stage. With that kind of charisma and momentum, we can forge on and dream anything for our White House, knowing that it is Achievable. This was just the kind of energy we needed at the dawn of this new year to jumpstart our engines without fear or reservation.

It’s been a good race so far. Loving every bit of this…..

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR! BONNE ANNEE

May all that you wish yourselves come true this year.
Most importantly, May the Lord's will for you become
your reality and testimony.
This is a year of excellence and prosperity.
If we gravitate in that direction, we will eventually encounter it.

Remain abundantly blessed.
dD