Sipping Ice Tea

Maya Angelou's Poem for Michael Jackson's Memorial Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:54:00 +0000

This poem was read by Queen Latifa at Michael Jackson's Memorial Celebration...

I was so touched by this poem. Thought I would share it.

We Had Him
by Maya Angelou

We Had Him:

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing

Now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace

Sing our songs among the stars and
walk our dances across the face of the moon

In the instant we learn that Michael is gone we know nothing
No clocks can tell our time and no oceans can rush our tides
With the abrupt absence of our treasure

Though we our many, each of us is achingly alone
Piercingly alone

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him

He came to us from the Creator, trailing creativity in abundance

Despite the anguish of life he was sheathed in mother love and family love and survived and did not more than that

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style

We had him
Whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his

We had him
Beautiful, delighting our eyes
He raked his hat slant over his brow and took a pose on his toes for all of us and we laughed and stomped our feet for him
We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing
He gave us all he had been given

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Blackstar Square, in Johannesburg, in Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama and Birmingham England, we are missing Michael Jackson
But we do know that we had him
And we are the world.

Progressive-ly Worst or It Is What It Is

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:31:00 +0000

It is what it is.

Lately that has become my new mantra. And it seems to be serving me well.

So this morning as I am eating my Heart to Heart Kashi cereal with banana, walnuts and rice milk added, I was thinking "it is what it is".

Of course you primarily need such a mantra when things are in array.

Today it was that Progressive Insurance company. You know the company that does all that advertising on TV. Well, I recently got an online quote from them for auto insurance, spoke with a representative, disclosed all the drivers and accident records, etc., and was given a quote. The rate was lower than my policy at the time with State Farm, so I decided to make the switch after being assured that this would be the rate.

Then several days later I get an email giving me my new payment schedule, and the rate had gone up more than 100%. It had more than doubled. I called Progressive to ask why. They said they added the second driver. I told them I had that driver added when I requested the original quote.

So, okay. The new rate is not acceptable so I go back to State Farm, get a rate that is manageable and get a new policy with them. Then I call Progressive to cancel the new policy which is now about 32 days old. They tell me I have to submit a cancellation request in writing.

So I send an email as instructed. Then I get 3 different emails from three different representatives telling me that they need additional info. I respond to one of them. While speaking with the Progressive rep about cancelling the policy, he tells me that I will be charged a $199.81 cancellation fee. So my blood pressure shoots up and I ask to speak to a supervisor.

Spoke to John at ext 712-5586. I ask Mr. John why the fee. He tells me that in the State of North Carolina that they are allowed to charge a percentage of the non-active period of my six-month policy period. I do not argue with John because that will make my blood pressure go up more. I ask John what is that percentage (so I can see if the calculation is correct). John tells me he doesn't have the percentage information. I tell him that is ok since I would not be paying it anyway. I tell him to be sure they send out that bill so that I can let my attorney handle the situation.

I suspect he thought I was bluffing. But after hanging up the phone, about one minute later I get a call from Supervisor John to tell me that I needed to submit my request for cancellation in writing. Hmmmm. Interesting that he neglected to mention that before. In fact, he had said that the policy was cancelled before I got off the phone the first time.

It is what it is.

And I thought to myself, "Those PrePaid Legal attorneys probably get a lot of Progressive work, being the scammers that they are." And I love to keep those attorneys busy. After all they do work for me. Now mind you, this was just a thought. It will not be reality till I get that bill in the mail.

So this is how Progressive can afford all those commercials. How many others have been shafted like that? Given an initial rate and then a new rate within days? How many others would just throw in the towel and accept the rate and keep their new policy just to keep from paying the cancellation fee? How many others?

And, of course, it is what it is.

Knowing what kind of company I was dealing with, I decided I would call Progressive today to be sure the policy had been cancelled so that they don't hit my checking account automatically since today was the due date. Of course I learn that Progressive has not cancelled the policy. The first thing out of the customer service agent's mouth was "it needs to be in writing." Told her it had been done. She does a check and Cynthia at extension 25693 tells me she has cancelled the policy effective 1/27.

But that Progressive story is just a distraction. What I really wanted to share with you is this poem by Rumi which was sent to me by Doreen Banaszak today. It speaks to my new mantra that "It is what it is." See how things synchronize? See how what you tell yourself manifests into reality. This poem came from my new mantra. Hope you enjoy.

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness
Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever
comes, because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

- Jelaluddin Rumi (Sufi poet, 1207-1273)

On the election of Barack Obama (V2) ... Prose

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:03:00 +0000

On the Election of Barack Obama (or Yes I forgive You)

Not even the newscasters
Reporting the results
Had the right words.
Nor the professional commentators.

No one seemed to know
What it all meant.

Still there was emotion.
Bishop T.D. Jakes tried to explain.
Representative John Lewis gave it a shot.
And Vernon Jordan got a word in.

But those of us who knew --- knew.

It was the light in Jessie Jackson’s and my mother’s tears,
It was all welled up in Oprah’s eyes
behind the green she wore at Chicago’s Grant Park.
America had finally had the fortitude
To say “I’m sorry!”
In a way that was unique,
Unexpected, unrehearsed.

And we accepted in a 13 minute speech
Given by our own African son of many soils.
And because of this
We can move on.

We can now rekindle the dream…
(or dig it up if it has been buried too deep)
For our excuses no longer carry validity.
They have been caught up,
Wiped away in a hurricane of change.
(Who was it that said “The revolution will not be televised…”. It was!)

And this morning, just one day out
I awakened to the sound of
Birds chirping, humming a melody.
I thought I heard …
“Yes we can. Yes we can!”

The door to service now opened wide
Grab your share of this “magnet“
Leading to the confirmations
And blessings of the Holy One.

The door, the window,
the possibility,
the hope,
the dream,
the inspiration.

America, if you did not know before
Now you have a glimpse of why immigrants
Flock to your borders, your shores.
They have all seen the potential
You have for greatness.
And everyone wants a slice.

And the pie is huge…
Still those who are deprived of entrance into this oasis,
This melting pot of possibility
Sometimes turn around disappointed,
While others become filled with anger, rage,
Wanting revenge for denied access.

America,
On the morning after the apology we say
“I accept!”…

We accept your apology
Your call for service, for shared sacrifice,
Promising the greater good.

And we watch in wonderment
As you position yourself to receive
Your gift of divine destiny
Allowing you to humbly lead
All nations spiritually, just
As you have dominated the world materially.

We accept
The anointing you have placed on our co-religionist—
The Jews, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians, Zoroastrians, the Baha’is and all those who profess to know and love and honor God.

We accept
Those who meekly come to your grace,
Seeking love, shelter, guidance and a better way.

Poet Robert Hayden once wrote
“In that great getting up morning…”
In that great gettin’ up mornin’
And surely he intimated this very day
Or at least that is what this feels like to me.
A Great, Great Gettin’ Up Mornin’!

So yes, we celebrate
The unshackling of the chains,
The unraveling of the semi-invisible walls of hate,
Radicalism, diversion and division,
And instead we bathe in this new day
“Immersed in a sea of purification” as we
Let the calming waters of tolerance,
Mutual respect, unity, love and fellowship
Embrace our brown, black, white, yellow and red skins.

So–
As one
We move on …
We serve on …
We unite on …
And yes we can …
We love on…

Finally allowed to get back to the dream … of a King.

2008 © Loretta Crosby. All Rights Reserved.

Note: This is version 2, revised. Formatting lost.

On the Election of Barack Obama ... A Poem

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:09:00 +0000

On the election of Barack Obama or Yes I forgive You

Not even the newscasters
Reporting the results
Had the right words.

Nor the commentators.
No one seemed to know
What it all meant.

Still there was emotion.
   Bishop T.D. Jakes tried to explain.
   Representative John Lewis
   Gave it a shot.

But those of us who knew --- knew.

It was in Jessie Jackson’s and my mother’s tears,
   It was all swelled up in Oprah’s eyes
   behind the green she wore at Chicago's Grant Park.

America had finally had the fortitude
   To say “I’m sorry!”
   In a way that was unique
   Unexpected, unrehearsed.

And we accepted in a 13 minute speech by our own native son.
   And because of this
   We can move on.

We can now dare to dream…
   Our excuses no longer carry validity.
   They have been caught up and
   wiped away in that “wind of change”.

And this morning, just one day out
   I awakened to the sound of
   Birds chirping, humming a melody.
   “Yes we can. Yes we can!”

The door to service now opened wide
Grab your share of this “magnet"
Leading to the confirmation
And blessings of the Holy One.

The door, the window,
   the possibility,
   the hope,
   the dream,
   the inspiration.

America, if you did not know before
Now you have a glimpse of why immigrants
flock to your borders, your shores.

They have all seen the potential
you have for greatness
and everyone wants a slice.

And the pie is huge
   and those who are denied entrance to this oasis,
   this melting pot of possibility
   sometimes turn around disappointed,
but sometimes they become filled with hate,
   wanting revenge for denied access.

America,
On the morning after the apology we say
“I accept!”…
   Your apology
   Your call for service, for shared sacrifice,
   promising the greater good.
   Your divine destiny to lead
   All nations spiritually just
   As you have dominated the world materially.

We accept
The anointing you have placed on our coreligionist—
The Jews, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians, Zoroastrians, the Baha’is
and all those who profess to know and love and honor God.

We accept those who humbly come to your grace,
   seeking love, shelter, guidance and a better way.
   The words of poet Robert Hayden come to mind.
   He wrote, “In that great getting up morning…”
   and that is what this feels like to me.

So yes, we celebrate

   the unshackling of the chains,
   the unraveling of the semi-invisible walls of hate,
   radicalism, diversion and division,
And instead we bathe in this new day
   letting the calming waters of tolerance,
   mutual respect, unity, love and fellowship
   embrace our brown, black, white, yellow and red skins.

So–
   We move on …
   We serve on …
   We unite on …

And yes we can …
We love on…

Finally allowed to get back ... to the dream of a King.

© Loretta Crosby. All Rights Reserved.
05 November 2008 10:01 a.m.

So, do you have any reflections / comments to share on this event? Post them here!

Buying Into Other People's Philosophies and Ideologies

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:46:00 +0000

Take What You Need and Leave the Rest

While sipping (hot) ice tea, I started the day with a short prayer. Actually it was one of the Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah that I memorized many years ago.

O Son of Light
Forget all save Me and commune with My spirit.
This is the essence of My command, therefore, turn unto it.

Then I decided to fire up the computer and listen to what Marianne Williamson had to say for today in her online A Course in Miracles program which is featured at Oprah.com. Each day she gives a rendition of the workbook exercises for the 365 day course which she started on 1 January.

Today she spoke of calling on God’s name throughout the day as a sort of mantra that would dissolve problems away by forcing you to focus on just God and his goodness.

The other thought that came was from a tape I had heard of Stephen Pierce when he talks about how he gets rid of the “noise” that make up our non-productive thoughts everyday. Pierce says he just says, “Stop!” or “Delete!”. Other gurus say things like “Next” to quiet the constant flow of negativity that our minds have been programmed to fed us everyday like clockwork.

In thinking of these different approaches, I decided that the ideas are good ones to calm the noise, but of course, as a child of God, there appeared to me to be something extra--and perhaps more potent--that we can use as children of the Father.

So I would suggest that instead of just saying “Stop” or “Next”at the appearance of a negative thought, why don’t we use more powerful words, holy words that have power inherent in them.

Some say the most powerful words are Hallelujah and the Names of the Prophets.

So today I started using “God is Most Glorious” which is the translation for the Arabic “Allah-u-Abha”. And, at first I thought I would be able to think other “constructive” thoughts in-between my “God is Most Glorious”, but my mind started playing tricks on me by telling me that these other thoughts were urgent things that I needed to take care of before I said the next “God is Most Glorious.”

The solution: delete all other thoughts besides your mantra until your brain starts to understand that you are serious about keeping negative thoughts out of your mind.

So far it has been a good day and I have experienced great piece while those around me have been coming apart with unruly and irate customers.
Anyway that is the thought for the day. Repeat the Holy Words whenever you can and let it sink in, because truly, God is Most Glorious. Greater is God than every great one and He can solve all problems with out missing a beat.

Sipping Ice Tea

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:31:00 +0000

Sipping Ice Tea on Hwy 29/74
An Inaugural Poem Launching New Sipping Ice Tea Blog

Don’t know if you can hear the jazz in the background
But right now I’m headed to Kings Mountain, sipping ice tea
At 8 am in the morning
Just because that’s what I do.

Yeah, headed to a nine to five
Which is just barely keeping me alive
And I love this music,
Horns blowing out words
That need no interpretation.

Sipping ice tea
Cause the less I do
The more I be.

Coffee beans got no hold on me.
Piano jingling behind that horn
Is much more pleasing to me.

When this 29/74 road gets
too familiar for comfort
that’s when I’ll make my move.
When the ice is all melted down
is when I’ll walk into that call center door
and declare my freedom
to be an
EXPLO-RAN-AIRE!

No, not a millionaire, but an explo-ran-aire
cause I don’t really need the money
and its pursuit would only clip my wings,
hold me back.

I want the freedom
Of breathing new air,
Meeting new trees in the wind.

24 June 2008 (c) Loretta Crosby. All Rights Reserved.

HS Graduations... New Beginnings...New Challenges

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:38:00 +0000

Hey,

Wow, an online journal. Maybe I'll get it done now.

Today in Gaston County, NC my niece is graduating high school. The sun was beaming down in the bleachers at the small Bessemer City High School. The graduating class was under 90 students. My niece graduated with honors and some scholarships. She plans to attend UNC at Greensboro in the fall.

Later today we will have a cookout celebration at my sister's home in her honor. She deserves it. Cousins from surrounding counties and states have already showed up to be a part. Coming from a family of eight siblings, graduations have always been a big deal in our family and we continue the tradition of acknowledging the graduate with a special gathering each time.

I've decided to give the graduate a gift cash card and a book. The book I'm giving is titled, The Automatic Millionaire : A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich by David Bach. Of course financial riches aren't all there is but it helps one to sail thru life a bit more comfortably. I'm hoping she will use this book to engage some of the principles while she is yet young because it is much easier to amass a fortune starting young utilizing the power of compound interest. We shall see what her outcome will be.

All my life I've struggled with only two things more challenging than people's acceptance of the color of my skin, and that has been my being a woman and the constant threat of poverty. I'd venture to say some of the challenges have led to others on the same list, but I have no time to go deeper into any specifics of that here. I've a celebration to join.

Anyway,

Life is … because it is.

Till next time

Lo the Nightingale Still Sings

Lo the Nightingale ... Health, Spirituality and Wellness Blog

noreply@blogger.com (OnePupil9) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:07:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

Lo, here, alias “Lo the Nightingale”.

This year I’ve decided to try to “be more and do less”, so I’m looking to consolidate most of my blogs into this one source. And that only makes sense because--by not feeling so overwhelmed--I can possibly post something every week that may be of value to someone.

So, just a little about me as a way of introduction. I recently crossed the half century mark on my journey in this life, and most of the things I think about and write about have something to do with health and wellness and spirituality, and/or reaching that elusive state which Eckhart Tolle calls “acceptance, joy and enthusiasm”.

Still I am in a funky place right now, with things not exactly in sync in my life, as related to finding balance in my work, family and career path. I’m trying hard to release some attachments as I create a new perspective of the world and determine what is real and what is a pigment of my overactive imagination.

Earlier this year I started Marianne Williamson’s “A Course in Miracles” as found on the Oprah.com website, and have found it particularly useful on my journey to wholeness. You might want to take a look at it yourself if you are seeking self improvement, enlightenment or just a better way to view the world. It has helped me to clear some limiting beliefs which I believe have been the source of the current imbalance that I feel.

I’m also working on updating my social security disability site and other health information sites I manage. The upgrade promises to be a long and tedious project, primarily caused by my losing access to my computer and files after visiting with friends on the west Coast. But that is another story entirely.

Ok--well I need to wrap this up for now. I do after all have to get up in the morning and go to my SSDJ. (You’ll need to ask MeMe what that means as she just shared it with me the other day. She’s a co-worker of mine in a call center where we handle customer service for several affiliated companies that provide nutritional supplements and financial newsletters.)

Anyway…

Life is … because it is.

Till next time

Lo the Nightingale Still Sings