Miss Red....dear Miss Red

You are awesome as are many who choose to stay silent and many a time I wonder why I don't take a leaf out of your book or others.

Simple.

Because I work with people who are challenged .

Children who are bullied as was my daughter and look at the ripple effect on them.

We are all different and thank the Almighty for that.

Your kindness and consideration does its thing like it should as much as I hope my loudmouth out spokenness does its.

May all the good people do their thing in their way.

Together things can only get better and give courage to those picked on that they are NOT alone.

The world is a better place because of choice.....May the good prevail.

RB.

Lost in our singularity

When two worlds collide
trying very hard to acknowledge the rules and abide,
by principles questionable yet meaningful
and at times seriously challenging, a proper handful.

To not be selfish in the care of oneself in a dynamic mix,
looking always situations worrisome to fix...
forgetting one is but a single entity
against a global profanity.

Should one step back and allow atrocities to happen,
be blind and selfish, in others feelings not caring to tap-in?
and, even though one is a mere mortal among the worldly billion...
why not take a stand and be vocal, ones right as Mother Earths civilian.

I suppose the problem becomes as to who is wrong and right,
and on what side of the fence one must stand and be prepared to fight...
but, isn't there a universal understanding and basic law
all humans know to adhere to? or, is there in our DNA a Armageddon flaw...?

We have forgotten that we are made of matter from a universe,
who knows , the make-up of each ones of us so diverse,
could it be that the creation of each one of us perverse?
success not featured in the formula but rather for us to be adverse?

And, if that not be the case and we aware of success,
then, why the buttons of our extinction do we press?
are we so lost in our singularity
that we don't care about the death of humanity.

RB.

"Envy is the art of counting anothers blessing, instead of your own" - Harold Coffin.

The question

...what is it to be jealous?

...what is it to be envious?

Are those feelings synonymous.... feelings and emotions overlapping with respect to people, situations, belongings?

Can one be envious without being jealous... a pang, sore, wishing one were blessed with the accolades, successes, materialism witnessed around one.

To be jealous, be that a monster green eating away at the fibre of ones well-being, a feeling of entitlement, a possessiveness...sickly without reason or logic?

Be envy less dangerous and less destroying, more easily laughed off and understood for it not deep rooted and destroying of relationships?
Much easily mentioned and spoken of, for some peoples luck be based on being in the right place and at the right time or being born to a life much easier than anothers. Possibly the know how of these people to apply themselves, seek to better themselves with diligent application, their reward being fruition's and growth and progression.
And in that same instant, here be another, slogging just as hard, neither recognised nor acknowledged, same old same old, day in and day out....a resentment setting in....the green eyed monster begins to surface....jealousy....jealousy of anothers success, jealous at how easy they seem to be floating through life when it should belong to oneself, jealous at the looks of admiration an compliments bestowed on the other. Ones behaviour being influenced by the green-eyed monster...lashing out, being unreasonable and critical.
Can a human be without being envious or jealous? Are humans saintly enough to know to experience neither and if that were not possible...then which one be the better of two evils and less soul destroying and an easier burden to carry?

To be jealous be based on lack of self worth and self love...to be envious be based on self pity ...?
...a topic deep a topic worthy of much philosophising.


".....subsequent jealousy of Othello, Roderigo readily decides to help Lago bring down Othello..." Shakespeare


RB.

AFFECTATION...CAN U TELL ME WHAT IT IS?

"Affectation proceeds from one of these two causes, -- vanity or hypocrisy; for as vanity puts us on affecting false characters, in order to purchase applause; so hypocrisy sets us on an endeavor to avoid censure, by concealing our vices under an appearance of their opposite virtues."

---Henry Fielding


...........



Would it be right to say that most people have an affectation of some sort.
The need to resort to a means assisting one in leaving some sort of impression, be it in a social or professional environment.
A facade required to maybe fit in with ones peers... ever judging and analysing the trend and adapting to it.
Appearances carrying much weight that one begins to lose oneself in the falsities of ones surroundings...feeling this heavy burden of constantly having to keep up with the artificial self.
Maybe, it be a front for different levels of insecurity, judging oneself not fit or good enough to simply be.
Then be the space professional, where certain 'affectations' may be required or are simply associated with such spaces.
The need to resort to measured speech, behaviour appropriate at all times, airs and graces adopted .
All of a sudden it becomes a way of life, adopted as part of ones persona...does that then mean, it no longer be an affectation but, rather , a natural change or growth of self or be it a degeneration into pretentious living that comes with the flashy car and house and bank account...even if it mean all credit cards be maxed?
What is it about certain areas that bring with it accents unidentified, behavioural patterns of a society judged by the garb worn and the badge of the car.
Women aspiring to ballooned breasts, faces starched with botox, pulled into place by their plastic surgeons, limbs so tight that their body feels like steel, tanned orange by the false indoor sun, long locks that were once another's.
And men....more feminine than the women themselves....so beautifully manicured, waxed, gelled, tanned, seeking that trophy female....and this whole package leads to something insanely abnormal and unreal in the portrayal of self through aspiration and behaviour....
Are these affectations or are these just signs of the new world, new society? And should that be the case, then what would affectations be?


RB.

And in light of knowing there are many who understand that all things are possible. That working toward something where another less fortunate shall reap the benefit

Thus

LET US BE SUCCESSFUL

...to be envious, to covet that which one so deeply fantasises about
how sinful it sounds of all decent things a potential blackout,
to know the meaning of words and them use wisely
unless one has a black humour and uses words dryly.

the emancipation of constricted thought
rather progressive successful liberation be bought,
the climb up the ladder does not get easier
the need to maintain the pace makes ones mind wheezier.

a goal set, the need to get there
disbelievers will watch and wonder ones goal be where...?
does it really matter what others think
for in ones resilience and growth not even a kink.

it be not in the possessions as much as the dream live
to attain whatever it is and thus rewards it will give,
for rightfully so one should pamper oneself
if all those fantasies become a reality because in hard work one did delve.

to care not that the challenges be backbreaking
for the faith in the attainment ones core be shaking,
and eventually to breathe at all that has past
looking back, the battle field does look vast.

to stir that yearning deep within
to not feed it with ones best attempt be a sin,
no chance to let a good thing by
thus the success, because the faith... to try.


RB.

What does heritage mean ?

Is it a straightforward answer?

Or

Can one delve deeper into the meaning of the word "Heritage ", giving it even more substance than one could have imagined.


The world being as "small" as it is and places more accessible through travel and the net, ancestry taking on a new look , pronouns being challenged...and so much more.

Does heritage mean the same thing as it did a century ago, even a decade ago?


Just a few definitions quoted -


"...A heritage is something that is possessed by one person and passed on to someone else who follows after."




"...That which is allotted, possession, property, portion, share, peculiar right, inheritance"



"...Spiritual heritage in the Bible
orients us to the God who has sovereignly shaped our past, present, and future"



"...Heritage is something that is handed down from the past. A heritage may be a reputation, traditions, or a position in life."


Heritage.




A new world order changing values leading to identity crisis, loss of roots , becoming an "it" with no sense of value or allegiance.


To take in internationally...


"What is the meaning of World Heritage Day?

World Heritage Day, also monikered as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), is observed on April 18 every year tohonor and protect cultural legacy. Historic structures and monuments are global treasures, hence, they need to be nurtured to last for years.." - quoted

Really?...

Historical respect?

It seems heritage is about it being a day of no work with very little understanding what it might mean in ones own life and household.

Anything of "Old school" value watered down to insipid nothingness.


Shall heritage matter anymore in the future?


RB.

I am not even sure how to write what I feel.
The overwhelming feeling of wanting to do something yet, one of helplessness.
The plight of refugees, people who have no identity and no country really wants them.
To crime sparked by economic struggles affecting socio-infrastructure leading to lawlessness tacitly approved by the "blind eye" of the officials in law.

One can argue the obvious .

But this one is from an emotional deep gnaw in the pit of my tummy.

Drugs and drug lords.
Dagga / weed and communities.

Senseless killings and innocent lives lost due to territorial claim.

On this last visit to Durban, like many prior, to go to Chatsworth, Phoenix and meet up with the people I had made strong "trusted" acquaintanceships with, talking about the plight of the community ( service non delivery) and the latest news. Much to be found on my live broadcasts and posts.

I cannot explain why "C" had such an affect on me. Maybe because he was so open about his life as a single dad, explaining to me that laying ones hands on any drug is like walking into a spaza shop and getting it across the counter, that if you ain't approved as a dealer , you get taken out....ones life as cheap as R5k.
Dagga /weed a drive to make an extra buck or two to put food on the table, keep a roof over ones head....keep ones kids in school....and also, to get killed.

I wanted to vomit. I tried hard to keep my tears back and kept my mouth shut because there was nothing but nothing clever to say.

We walked in one of the streets where everybody knew everybody and a sincere friendliness was felt. Greetings. Laughs...of course a curiosity but, at no point did I feel scared nor threatened.
Good people.
People making the most of a nightmare thrust upon them by corrupt officials, a government keen on lining their own pockets municipalities glaring inefficiencies, practices of nepotism and the fight to ensure lawlessness remains the mains source of income in kzn.

I think that is why Durban has a special place in my heart.

I talk about community and family and there I am, always welcomed by the warmth of what humanness and humaneness is.

It pulls hard at the heart. It makes me realise again and again.....how blessed I am.

...and then hearing in the news.
11 ELEVEN DRUG MULES....caught at OR Thambo airport last few days.

Is this what the younglings are resorting to, to earn a keep?

Is this what the fight for equality and democracy was about?

A lawless society in the grip of crimes headed by the most corrupt in government, law and private sector...?

RB.

It takes time, quite a bit of time, to get to that space where ones word is understood as amen.
Ones name ....priceless, an asset , the "goodwill" unquestionable.
No quibbling, no agenda, no twists and "curves"....no excuses.
No cloak and Dagger,no games.
The unwavering faith of the benefits of revealing the self to a point of possible abuse by those whose sole, or could one say soul purpose, is one of destruction degradation and "spirit reaping".

But....to get naked was the first step to be comfortable with....with a total stranger, a stranger seeking something.

And that "something" unique, like a fingerprint , to each .

First the focus to understand the psychology, the pitfalls never worrying about the benefits...why even to consider such an intimate engagement if there would be no benefits...and not only of the monetary sort.

To not only acknowledge the satisfaction of the other but, make sure to "self satisfy".

Boundaries set and adhered making every surrender, every reveal, every indulgence no less passionate and intimate...for both parties.

When a kiss is soulful, engaging...understood as a calling card to enter another space ....like that hug, warm and sincere.

When a look is not guarded and a smile is broad and a laugh hearty.

When one cares less about being "too perfect"...an impossibility without fear of not being impressive enough.

When one knows no matter what , one shall be recognised and seen for who one is.


To stand before him...and him...and, another ....him.

Naked.

Revealed....in shape and spirit.

And many a time knocking on one's door the need for advise....sound balanced advise, assistance and guidance requested, from both sides asked...honoured and, respected ....going further than just the "space" one got to meet and share of self.

The integrity of self...even when the rest of society deems themselves more worthy than that of a person in the Adult World. Is there not more to one than that escape into a fantasy of mind and body release?...a person with a life.

Who one is , is not defined by the label that only speaks to the expectation of the "role" .

Who one is ...is ones success no matter space or place or time one may find oneself in.



RB.

So listening to the CNN reporting on the Middle East crisis...

America says to Israel.

Its attack, response to Iran must be proportional to the attack from Iran.

WTF?????


And the world still believes USA cares to arbitrate some sort of peace deal???...in any warzone torn, destroyed , traumatised area, one can call it genocide...past , forgotten wars eg. Afgahanistan for one and all present wars....
The biggest warmongers whose economy relies on selling arms to whoever needs them.....left, middle or right.

There is no such thing as applying International law when it comes to USA....nor does the Hague feature in any wrong USA may be part of.

NATO....paid and bought with the blood of innocent people.


Nauseating.

RB.

An anomoly undaunting.


The only time my Sunday morn is out of routine is when I am in CT due to logistics.

But.

When here, home or, in Durban, Sundays ALWAYS but, always start with that spiritual soulful recognition that , actually ,lives in all of us. Maybe dormant but, definitely there.

It is astounding how much emphasis and time we spend on that which we can see...the physical.

Yet, it is THAT which we cannot touch nor see that defines our inner core that we abuse, starve and ignore.

We read and hear "guru's" sharing life's skills, sharing words of wisdom, that touch our heart or we feel an affiliation to, only to forget and continue on the path of self destruction and become a physical entity judged and moulded by the fickleness and ever changing views , fads and trends...and that which gnaws away , that unseen, unexplained ....intangible, once again neither nurtured to heal or respected.

As much as the heart and brain are organs, so too, it is the unexplainable...the spiritual self, the consciousness of being.

The self acknowledgement and realization of ones values and morals .

Today was a day , once again, like every Sunday where a full stop is put to a week past and energies harnessed from the best of the best , for the upcoming week.

One never ceases to learn.

When ones ears know to listen and hear, ones eyes see with vision, ones word spoken be another person's hope...every heartbeat be a gift given and meant to be lived, a progression of self no matter the imperfections one was birthed with.

To have society leave an imprint on ones being will always happen but, in return, what an achievement when one knows to leave an imprint on society. On a single entity is all that it takes

An imprint that lifts the spirit, deepens faith and begins to awaken the best of self dwelling deep within, unshakeable and steadfast in whatever may lay ahead.

To hear the Good Word. To give of self to those who need it most.

To know the self and never forget, at the end of everyday one has to know to live with who one is and that which one chooses to be.

It is the settled inner being that will rock the foundation of those spirits unsettled and in that lays a strength no living creature can take away from one.

And thus a day ended. The self invigorated and a strength once again proudly embraced and ever thankful to respect the best and worst that makes the person I am.

To be unashamedly a soul spiritual , steadfast and unwavering in faith of all things positive ....even though a life lived with many anomalies.


May we be kind to ourselves yet, have the courage to be critical and honest where it is needed and challenge the spiritual suppression that breaks the best in one.


Happy Sunday eve to all!

"RB".