Photo courtesy of Jason McKim and is licensed under the Creative Commons 

I can be cold as the bluest, hottest ice
And hot as the bluest, fiercest fire. . .
I’m a false reflection of a conceptional misconception
Whatever your limited or infinite mind’s desire

You listen to my loud, yet gentle vibration
You believe me fully with no hesitation . . .
You see me with all colors of the beautiful rainbow
Is that really all the colors? Will you ever know?
Only if you can let me go. . .

I’m young and younger, black and blacker
Smart and wise. A genius. A true catalytic cracker
Beautiful, and most beautiful – is there really such a thing?
Breath in the melody that I most wonderfully sing!

I can be red, yellow, or indigo blue
Although I’m real in essence, I’m never the truth,
I’m at your worst, completely false;
Incomplete at your best; a simple impulse.

I can be joyfully sorrowful and sorrowfully glee, too.
But, whatever I am, I’m always completely real to you.
Do you feel me! Do you get my point!
Do you smell my noise? Can you hear my funk!
Can you see my darkness? Can you touch my light!
Can you smell my vision? Can you taste my sight!

Can you smell the painful pleasure, 
Can you taste the agony of the estasy?
No matter what, I’m always YOUR reality;
I am in you and you are in me.
If you change your perspective.
I’ll change mine– as your’s reflective.

I am oh so evil, and yet so kind
The world would be nothingness if I were blind.
But, maybe not-how dare I say?
And now I lay me down to pray . . .

I pray that you free me every then and now
From your dear self, for this I vow . . .
Will free you from hypocrisies
And all the false analogies. . .
From judgements, prejudices, anger and hatred …
These no longer exist, once I am emancipated.

My negation gives you insight, free and clear
Of a far away place that is yet so near
If you could release my blessed curse and damned grace
And move beyond object, time and space
For that brief moment in that sphere
You’ll sense a unity so crystal clear
Even beyond your limited, infinite imagination
Who am I, I am simply . . .

(click below for riddle answer)

YOUR PERCEPTION
By CordieB.

 
On perception, by Jason McKim . . .
. . .Our perceptions are not just sometimes incorrect, they are always incorrect.
For example, we have no ability to see color more than 10 degrees away from
the focal point of our eyes. That means that you can’t see any color in your
peripheral vision.

“Wait!” you say, “I can see color in my peripheral vision! You must be
wrong.” “But,” I reply, “I am not.” See, what happens is that your brain
makes its best guess and then presents that to you. For example, if you take
an apple and spray-paint it black and put it in someone’s peripheral vision,
their eyes will identify that it is an apple and the brain will realize that
apples are usually red, and the person will perceive that this object is the
color red. If they look at it and look away, however, the brain remembers it
as black and the person will perceive it as black.

So was the apple ever red? Despite our perceptions, no. Our brain constantly
alters our senses in ways even more fundamental than this. Our perceptions
are constantly, inescapably different from our sensations. Even if we decide
that there is no possibility for error in the eyes themselves, we still
cannot trust our vision.

And by what means your brain do this? It fits what information it does have
into your knowledge of the past and makes an educated guess. This has many
implications:

If someone looks like a dork or a punk or a slut, you will have incorrect
perceptions of them that confirm your assumptions.

If you expect someone to react in one way and are given ambiguous signals,
you will perceive the emotions that you expect.

If you think that a class will be boring, you will experience it as boring.

If you become consumed by fear of failure, there is no way that you will
think you succeeded, no matter how successful you actually are.

Stereotypes might be unavoidable. They are also fundamentally more powerful
than you imagine them to be.

So don’t trust your eyes. Don’t trust your ears. And above all, don’t trust
your thoughts.

Jason McKim

(then) College of William and Mary 

Excerpted from The Book of Secrets, Deepak Chopra.

In 1971, students at Stanford University were asked to volunteer for an unusual experiment in role playing. One group of students was to pretend they were prison guards in charge of another group who pretended to be prisoners.  Although it was understood that this was make-believe, a jail setting was provided, and the two groups lived together for the duration of the experiment.  According to the plan, everyone would play their roles for two weeks, but after only six days the prison experiment had to be terminated. The reason? The boys, chosen for their mental health and moral values turned into sadistic, out-of-control guards on the one hand and depressed victims of exorbitant stress on the other. The professors conducting the experiment were shocked but couldn’t deny what had occurred. The lead researcher, Philip Zimbardo, wrote: "My guards repeatedly stripped their prisoners naked, hooded them, chained them, denied them food or bedding privileges, put them into solitary confinement, and made them clean toilet bowls with their bare hands." Those who didn’t descend to such atrocious behavior did nothing to stop the ones who did. (The parallel with infamous acts by American prison guards in Iraq in 2004 prompted Zimbardo to bring the Stanford experiment back to light after more than thirty years.) There was no extreme to which the student guards would not resort short of outright physical torture, Zimbardo mournful recalls, "As the boredom of their job increased, they began using the prisoners as their playthings, devising ever more humiliating and degrading games for them to play. Over time, these amusements took a sexual turn, such as having the prisoners simulate sodomy on each other. Once aware of such deviant behavior, I closed down the Stanford prision."

Where did this runaway abuse come from? For comforts sake, we usually say that it exists in a few "bad" apples," but the Stanford experiment suggests something more disturbing: Evil exists in everyone as a shadow, for the person is a counter to the shadow of evil, of course, and if we return to our list of shaping forces on consciousness, each person would exhibit a different map of influences. But if you are fortunate enough to have made choices on the good side of the equation, you must still acknowledge that the shadow exist in you somewhere.

The shadow was formed by the same everyday situations that shape our consciousness, and it is released by new situations that parallel them. If you were abused as a child, being around children can bring up those old memories. The Stanford experimenters devised a list of conditions that cause people to do things we’d call evil, or at the very least alien to our true selves.

For further reading, go to  Evil is Not your Enemy, Part I or Evil is not your Enemy Part II

Have a super weekened!

Troy Anthony Davis, Execution Stayed on Tuesday by U. S. Supreme Court, Let Us Pray Justice Prevails!

Sweet Revenge Turned to Eternal Regret

~By CordieB

Fellow writer, Paisly has taken on a brave effort to bring our attention to the many executions that have taken place and continues to take place in the United States in which the evidence is based soley on eyewitness testimony, cohersed testimony, and false evidence; many, many of which are later proven by DNA evidence to have been wrongly accused.  The statistics are staggering.  Statistics show for every seven executions, one Death Row inmate has been exonerated.   Although guilty individuals may receive stays; it takes extreme evidence to the contrary to be "exonerated."  This figure will increase, as more and more people are convicted of capital crimes, proponents push for speedier executions, and legal help becomes less and less available for those who are accused of committing capital crimes.

Like Paisley, I have been quiet to this complicated issue we face; as it has never really effected me personally.  However, as a human being; a person who speaks and writes of unity, love, and freedom; I can no longer sit still without speaking out.   As a free nation, I feel it is barbaric that we, the Home of the Brave, Land of the Free, could actually be putting innocent men to death.   Also, like Paisley: 

"i believe the only real entitlement we as humans can lay claim to at birth,, is a little something called common sense..  and as i employ mine,,  it becomes increasingly impossible for me not to realize that given the right set of circumstances,,  it could (and very well might some day) be me,, for which they come….."

Vivian Deborah Stephens is a bad, blessed and highly favored mother, wife, educator, and author.   Below is a sample of her beautiful poetry taken from her latest book, "Deep Water in a Shallow Well."  

The central thing

You need to understand is

That God sees you—right now.

In all the beauty and splendor

That He created in you…

And not through some haze

Or smoke and mirrors

Which distort and diminish

The value of your being!  

Stop measuring yourself

by man’s perverted standards

Of beauty, brains and worth.

Man only manufactures scales by which

He can benefit himself…

T he measures he employs

are vain and superficial.

No wise man can

Accurately access the value of another.

A person’s true worth isn’t gauged

By external valuations.  

Neither can the shepherding of souls

nor the donation of goods,

alter your stature and importance in God’s eyes…

To Him, you’ll never be any greater

than you are at this very moment!

Learn to see yourself as God sees you— A reflection of himself . 

You were not created to be a carbon copy of the world—

But, you were endowed with qualities

Crafted and uniquely suited for your divine purpose.

And if that’s not

What you see

When you’re looking at yourself…

Then, you are looking in the wrong mirror.

 Vivian Deborah Stephens

India Arie’s “There’s Hope is most befitting for today, Easter Sunday and every day of the year.  So listen to the music, read the lyrics, sing along, snap your fingers, clap your hands, smile, and remember, There’s Hope!

Peace, Light and Love, CordieB.

Back when I had a little
I thought that I needed a lot
A little was over rated,
But a lot was a little too complicated
You see-Zero didn’t satisfy me
A million didn’t make me happy
That’s when I learned a lesson
That it’s all about your perception
Hey-are you a papa or a superstar
So you act, so you feel, so you are
It ain’t about the size of your car
It’s about the size of the faith in your heart

There’s hope
It doesn’t cost a thing to smile
You don’t have to pay to laugh
You better thank God for that

Off in the back country of Brazil
A met a young brotha that made me feel
That I could accomplish anything.
You see just like me he wanted to sing
He had no windows and no doors
He lived a simple life and was extremely poor
On top of all of that he had no eye sight,
But that didn’t keep him from seein’ the light
He said, what’s it like in the USA,
And all I did was complain
He said-living here is Paradise
He taught me paradise in in your mind
You know that

There’s hope
It doesn’t cost a thing to smile
You don’t have to pay to laugh
You better thank God for that

Every time I turn on the T.V.
Somebody’s acting crazy
If you let it, it will drive you crazy
But I’m takin’ back my power today
Gas prices they just keep on rising
The government they keep on lying
But we gotta keep on surviving
Keep living our truth and do the best we can do

Stand up for your rights
Keep shining your light
And show the world your smile

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?
~Langston Hughes

The poem questions the position of oppressed people and the subject has remained topical ever since the 1930s when Hughes wrote the poem.  The poem does not define what exactly the “dream” is:  is it economic equality, respect, dignity or forty acres and a mule?  Normally one would expect a grape to be left in the sun in order to produce a raisin.  Here the raisin, an object already drained, is left in the sun.

It’s 2008, and now we are beginning to see the results of a raisin left in the sun.  Our streets are plagued with violence at record breaking numbers.   There is increased homelessness, child abuse, substance abuse–have we exploded! 

Those fathers with deferred dreams gave up a very long time ago, and their sons, and their son’s sons have no father role models, because of far too many dreams deferred. 

The welfare system of the late 60′s until 80′s took the responsibility from our men and gave it to the government.   No longer did our men need to be responsible for our children.  The best way to make a man a midget, is to have someone else  provide for his family’s basic needs, and to ensure that he cannot.  

So, I ask you, what happens to dreams deferred? 

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied, so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.
(Written by Maya Angelou)

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This poem was inspired by Paul Lawrence Dunbar’s poem entitled, Sympathy.   In Maya’s autobiography, I know why the Caged Bird Sings, she writes about sexual abuse she suffered as a girl and about prejudices of society.  Maya, who we know to be so rich in speach and intellect, actually stopped speaking for years following the abuse.  Through the miracle of God and his hands (other people) Maya was able to move out of her shell and become the outspoken, free as a bird Maya we now know and love.  We as humans need to ensure that we help those who are abused and are in a shell.  We should not sit by idly and watch others whom we know suffer.  We should offer gentle encouragement and our love, if nothing more.  In the case of children, we should take steps to protect the children at all costs.  I personally know why the caged bird sings and what it feels; I truly appreciate the love and support that was shown to me to help me regain my freedom years ago, while living as a battered spouse.

I often wonder why humans have such a need to control and hurt other humans, especially children.  I know of no other species that feels the need of such control.  I have found through my experiences that those who desire to control, have very low self images of themselves.  They feel that being in control of others gives them power; or being in control simply makes them feel good about themselves.  They are often so afraid of losing that which they control so tightly, that the end result is abuse.  Victims of spouse abuse often feel sorry for those who hurt them, and therefore stay in unloving relationships out of duty, obligation or sympathy.   Adult victims feel they can handle the abuse, and truly believe the abuser will change.  Abusers can change, but the change must come from them, not the victim.  If this message applies to you, my advice to you is to run away as far as you can, and do not look back.  Do not go back unless you are 100 percent sure that the person has truly changed–this seldom ever happens. (you’ll know in your heart).   Once you leave, get some type of counseling, because so often there is somethng about victims that attract abusive people.  Don’t make excuses for an abuser.  An abuser gains control by manipulating others to feel sympathy for him or her.   

I feel that although people may have bad days, bad years, or even bad childhoods, it gives them no excuse for abusing others (mentally, emotionally, or physically).    I believe that freedom is everyone’s God given right.  It’s so sad that so many people still live in in physical bondage each day; and far more remain in mental bondage. 

I pray today that all who read this and those who don’t–and especially those who can’t– will open there mind’s up to freedom, and not let anything or anyone take away their dreams and aspirations.  I pray that these people will overcome all fears and start living the life God intended for us all.  ~Amen

 Peace, Love and Light to all, CordieB.

Ten years after the genocide in Rwanda, another tragic story of inhumanity is unfolding in another African nation.  As a bloody byproduct of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, hundreds of thousands of native Sudanese have died, while millions more have been forcibly displaced from their homes and land in the western region of Darfur by their own government. Executive produced and narrated by George Clooney, and directed by Peabody Award winner Paul Freedman, SAND AND SORROW journeys into the heart of the crisis in Darfur. Read more.

Who are the Saartjie Baartman’s of Today?
Poem written by Cordieb on November 8th, 2007

Who are the Saaartjie Baartman’s of Today?
Young woman and girls thinking it’s all o.k.;
To shake, break, and use there bodies to “make a way.”

Before they know it, they’re all used up;
There mind and spirit are all abused up;
They are tossed aside like last night’s trash;
Completely burned up like a cigarette ash;

We must reach out to the Sarah wannabee’s;
Before it’s too late and destiny seizes;
Their brilliant smiles and will to live;
We must teach to them, preach to them, reach out to them;
….and be willing to give.

We must give them our time, our love and support;
We must give them our trust, and yield not to fall short;
We must tell them true beauty lies not in there asses;
Because they are genuine gems like true diamond facets.

Remind them to think like royalty and reach for a star;
To carry themselves like the queens that they are.
We must protect our young women and girls from the evil and wrath;
That can steal their hearts, body, and soul, and leave hollow carcasses in death.

Don’t Let Ms. Baartman’s life and death be all in vain
Remember the story and tell it again and again…….

For more information on the life and death of Sarah Baartman, please visit my other blog page at http://cordieb.wordpress.com/2007/10/30/who-is-saartjie-sarah-baartman/

Don’t get me wrong, Faith and Hope are good in there own rights . However, oftentimes Faith gives way to nothing other than Faith, faith and drizzled out fai…, and sometimes, Hope only lengthens the misery of man.   (I hope I could, I Hope I would, bla bla bla.) There is nothing more pitiful as a man or woman who hopes for a better day without enough sense of passion to help themselves attain there dream. And there are countless of us out there without a dream (Hope). But, guess what? Somebody loves us!

I say this to say, don’t put all your eggs in Faith and Hope, without facing what is truth. Truth can only be only found in Love. You can say, “I have Faith in that or this, or I believe that I can be a helper,  or I have faith in my fellow man” or “I Hope people would…..,”or “I have Faith or Hope that he/she would ……… or “I have Faith or Hope that I could …………………….,

Whatever your Faith is or Hopes are, back them in Love, and only then will the Faith and Hope continue to endure and keep you and your ideals afloat……..

Your ideals are truly only for a season if there is not Love to boot!.

Always remember, when your Faith is questionable and you doubt yourself or God or both, and all Hope is gone, there is always Love to sustain You!

Consider these scenarios ,and put yourself in them for a time and space:

You have put your faith in someone that you dearly love, perhaps a child or dear friend, although he or she has constantly gone the wrong way, made bad choices, and made things hard for you and him/her self. But still you kept the faith that everything would be ok. You have the kept the Faith. And, that is all I have to say about that.

Soon, we realize, that all the Faith in others, other than God doing things in his own time and space gives us hope….

You Hope that he/she will be ok. You have put whatever efforts you knew how to put in, felt was ok to put in, or simply hoped and prayed each night that all would be fine. Your faith was there, and of course your hope was there

Suddenly, and I say suddingy only in the exaggerative way. Because, you’ve already gone though Faith and Hope. But now through all the disappointments, all the toil and termoil; Your love one may even be dead and gone from your world, but there remains Love. Love will keep you from making the mistakes of your past, love will show you that sometimes love is truly hard to deal with, but still it lasts; Love will keep you telling the story about the one (s) or ideas your love ones visioned, and the story will be passed on. Pass love on from the start, and perhaps, we can as Humans eliminate the stages of Faith and Hope. For we will truly need no Faith if we truly love; and there is no need for Hope, if we truly have Love. Because in love there is a knowing that whaever will be will be, and we will still Love, regardless. . . . And what begins with Love will be protected (a form of love) and also set free (another form of love), in its own given time.

You will feel it, whether giving or receiving, if it is real!

Think about it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

Peace always to all ones. And I truly, Love you all too.!

CordieB