The heart that matters

I just listened to my pastor speak about the “heart that matters.” I’m still getting used to this softer approach to Jesus, instead of the condemnation I was raised listening to in sermons.

The gist of the sermon was not to continually contemplate our faults, imperfections, failures and “lack off’s”. It’s the heart behind the faults, imperfections, and failures that matters. This is the main ingredient to the Christian faith; we are not perfect and fall many times, it’s the heart that matters and how we get back up.

An unusual topic for me to hear with love and in love esp. by a pastor. However, it’s true. I’ve hurt many people and acted outside of my character. Having a mental illness I am different and I process life differently. I never intend to hurt a soul. It hurts me when I find out I hurt someone. It hurts because I know the feeling of rejection, self-hate, judgment; feelings of projected anger and just ugliness. I know these feelings all too well. Knowing I inflicted this hurt onto another soul I resent, reject. self-loathe and I become bitter towards myself. Then it becomes a cycle!

My heart is always in the right place. This is the story with most of us. We don’t want to hurt other people, let alone neglect our various religious beliefs maybe even our family values. It’s the heart that matters. When we evaluate ourselves we should inspect our intent and the execution of what happened. Be honest with ourselves. Genuinely make amends if possible. If not we need to forgive ourselves. The “move on”.

I know as a Christian God doesn’t remember every act that’s negative we commit. He looks at the heart behind the action. I bet Allah and Buddha do too. We need to realize every person born and even animal will make mistakes, it’s getting back up that counts. It’s the heart of getting up and moving on; allowing each incident to be a teacher so that we grow into the beautiful people we are.

We grow from glory to glory. God already is in love with us. God already adores us, we have his personal stamp of approval. God smiles reign on us daily. We are his children and creation. He cheers for us as we play the game of life and even if we miss the mark he is the coach encouraging us to get up and keep playing.

Friends, you may not believe in the God I do. I respect you. You are validated in my heart! You may be Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddist, even Atheist but when we fall to the source of our creation who just wants us to win the fight of life. Life’s short and we are to keep getting up, fighting, and making a difference for others. It’s the “heart that matters”. We will not be perfect. I will never be perfect. However, I will commit to being the best version of myself I can be.

What’s great about that is no one can be you but “you”. You’re a unique and divine creation. You’re the only you. I’m the only me. But that doesn’t mean we cannot be happy, nor does it entail that we don’t deserve happiness. We deserve all the blessings, favor, joy, contentment with all of creation and from our creators.

So please, smile today. Let tomorrow be tomorrow. Know you’re the best “you” today. Let tomorrow be a mystery and embrace it when we face it.

Blessings,

Domenia Zih

Kwanzaa: Nia (Purpose): WE are MORE!

• Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

 

Knowing one’s purpose is the greatest gift God could give an individual. It means fewer years being lost. No matter what your purpose is, no matter the size of one’s calling we should use it to build each other up. Not for wealth. But for legacy and unto our culture, to start the healing process of us as a people/nation.

The Black Voice has been strong in some areas and weak in other areas. I pray this year we are overcome with strength and are granted insight to our purpose.

Lets just make it a great year, 2018.!

Not talking about hatters, or hating our child parents, not fighting each other, eating junk, lets eat healthy and defeat the disease that plagues our race, let seeks healing and wholeness naturally, investing in one another, worshiping in churches, mosques, and temples where everyone is welcomed, seeking mental health support (Proudly and Unashamed) Lets make a change within ourselves. Let us end the lingering behaviors and mindset that has plagued us as a people since slavery.

We are more than the fixed income the gov’t thinks we are allotted. We are more than gov’t cheese. We are more. I believe this is my heart. Let us not settle for less, while making corporation richer. Let’s not settle at all.  work fucking hard, dammit!

It’s going to be uncomfortable, and going to be scary at times and it’s going to be different, but we a have a serve a great God! A god who created the world. We are blessed. Get it together, party less and study more. Hang out less and parent more. Let’s make a change, and change our futures for GOOD! Our future is Good! If we want. It’s a choice! We can repeat every year, or live out our purpose!

2018- Should be about change.

Remember that Senator from Illinois lets march on his words,

YES, WE CAN! This is our lives. This is our future. This is our PURPOSE!!!!!!

My quote for this year: “WE (I) am MORE!

This is our lives. This is our future. This is our PURPOSE!!!!!!

Joyous Kwanzaa

God Bless!

 

Kwanzaa: Ujima: Black lives do matter!

• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together (wiki..)

 

I’d like to highlight the #blacklivesmatter movement for holding the sacred truths of Kwanzaa (deliberate or not). In reality, we are not far from the African American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968). Our fight as black people may have transition but it has not changed.

2017 saw too much black death, by a fellow brother or sister, by a cop, by leaders who abuse their power, and citizens whom are quick to pick up a pistol before having that same quickness to listen. Sometimes I think we want to see hate, and violence, and discrimination as it’s a mask energy source. As if we as a country do not know how to live in harmony and peace. Or maybe we are afraid of it

Children are not born hateful, it is taught! Allow our children dear universe, equal opportunity to play and scrap their knees with one another. For our daughters not to be discouraged because their isn’t foundation to match their skin tone. For our sons to be known for their character and to not be known for the quality of his sneakers. For our children, dear universe, to aspire to be doctors, lawyers, construction owners, business owners, chefs, inventors, cosmetologist, teachers, and preachers as well. For them, limitless is their only option.  We went to be equally recognized in the media, movies, politics, and music; equally paid not based on gender or skin tone, but on hard work.

Many are threatened by the black lives matter movement/ civil rights movement just like they were in the 50’s and 60’s. There’s not a reason for fear. We black people, minorities, and women are the ones who live in fear. We come in peace. We demand respect, do not apologize for our integrity, we do not apologize for our kinky hair, dark skin, and broad backs. We are made in the image of our father, the creator of the universe. We don’t want our children to fear going to school for the fear of being killed is so surreal. Or fathers in the morning says goodbye to his children, but in his mind, he questions “will this be my final goodbye?”

I don’t want to read about another Trans/Queer/LGBTQIA person being killed, and never given their day of justice in front of blind lady liberty. I don’t want another brother or sister who is Trans/Queer/LGBTQIA and them not be recognized as human beings with a soul and as an equal creation from our creator.

I pray that in 2018 there are no more deaths plagued by the disease or prejudice, racism, and hate. I pray that in 2018 everyone has insurance. I pray that in 2018 no one goes to bed hungry, and no one is sleeping in the winter or summer, under a bridge or on the sidewalks. I pray for change!

I also understand that those who fought and continue to fight the good fight would want us in 2018 to keep fighting, but not just for us. For anyone without a voice. I pray eventually we birth a generation that is moved past race and gender and seen as a human. I pray that our society stops viewing individuals who are not white skin, or blue eyes as different. For we are a people, with a soul, with a story, and a child of the universe; just like them.

It’s our responsibility to our fellow brothers and sisters of the good fight. to build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together

 

Kwanzaa: Umoja: Unity:

Umoja- Unity

When I think of unity I think of “wholeness” this year I’ve been made whole in many areas of my life. I’m not as sick as I have been, no longer homeless and no longer alone. Unity was a choice I had to make; a goal I set and one I conquered. I’m grateful! Is all I can say. There’s something and someone bigger than me and kept me company. I cried much, but my tears never fell on empty grounds.

I am whole

I think about all the trials and tribulations we as African Americans have overcome and still face, while death is outside our door, we still sing “we shall overcome” I have never been as proud as I have as an African American until we came together, made our voices heard, and are still demanding justice and equality.

We are whole

United we stand Divided we shall fall. God is with us. Our ancestors march within us from the heavens, opening doors, and blasting with trumpets. We are not alone. History can’t forget our marks that we are leaving on this earth. And the future will not ignore us.

We are ONE!

Joyous Kwanzaa, everyone.