Thursday, April 21, 2011
Enjoy the Silence
To start off, yes, the title is from a Depeche Mode song. Here's why-it is VERY rare for people nowadays to actually enjoy a moment of silence. We're constantly bombarded with noise-television, computers, cell phones, and the like to the point where silence has actually become awkward. Everyday life has become a noise factory-in every sense of the word. Where has the silence gone?
My mom alluded to this one day recently when we were in the car together after having ridden for a while with the radio off and no word spoken. It wasn't an awkward silence. It was a nice, peaceful silence. She mentioned that she misses those days when she used to ride in the car with family with the radio off. Occasions like that can actually be quite pleasant. That occurence had me thinking about the oft missed opportunities to savor quiet and just be.
Contemporary Western lifestile rarely affords time to get away from the noise. However, there are ways to fit it in-namely in the form of using TV and radio commercial time to literally unplug. Though it may not be much in the short run, the minutes add up and you still have the chance to fit in all you have to (and want to) accomplish in a day. Even if you're one of those people that cannot bear the thought of being idle-ever- commercial breaks are ideal for getting things done such as prayer, journaling, meditation, and reading. Silence is even great to try when heading somewhere or hanging out with friends or loved ones. Times of tranquil quiet, in fact, is usally an indicator of great, long-lasting relationships.
Everyone has days where they want to shut everything out for a while and just be. With all of the demands placed on us as human beings in the 21st Century, such moments have become mandatory in order to function properly. In all honesty, there is no better way to chill than pure quiet time. Whoever coined the phrase "Silence is golden" knew what they were talking about.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
RIP House of Chants and Other Ferndale Icons
Despite the title, this entry is actually a celebration. It's a celebration of the best of the two block strip of 9 Mile west of Woodward that is no longer with us. First and foremost is House of Chants. There was literally nothing like it in south Oakland County. Once one set foot in the store with the orange awning, it was another world. It wasn't just a boutique, it was an experience. Great house music played on the speakears while one could peruse through a treasure trove of unique pieces from local designers like Wound and Eugenia Paul to national and international labels such as Kitchen Orange, Tulle, Runaway Pony, I Clothing, and BB Dakota.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Spotlight: JaDon Davis, Author-Poetry for the Planet
JaDon Davis has a poem for everyone on Earth-seriously. The 36-year-old Detroiter is currently in the publishing process for his first book, Poetry for the Planet. A product of almost two years’ worth of writings, Poetry depicts experiences primarily garnered from Davis
RI: What interested you in poetry?
JD: [Poetry is] one of the things I’ve been able to do since I’ve been able to write. God put it in me.
RI: What made you decide to publish a book of poetry?
JD: I’ve been writing poetry for a while and it stacked up. I like writing so I decided to try my hand at being an author. [A book] was already in the works but got confirmation at the poetry ministry in my church. I was in the pulpit and people heard me speak and they said I should write a book and put it in print.
RI: Why title the book Poetry for the Planet?
JD: There’s something for everybody around the world in this book. If you know how to read or want to read, this book is for you.
RI: What was the most challenging part of writing Poetry?
JD: The typing.
RI: There is a strong spiritual theme in Poetry. How do you feel spirituality has and will impact your writing?
JD: [Spirituality] actually makes the writing accessible to more demographics. It enhances the words that I choose. The God theme? That’s where I come from, that’s who I am.
RI: What do you want the reader to gain from reading Poetry?
JD: That’s a good question. I want [the reader] to be educated and entertained, uplifted and motivated, and I want them to be encouraged and empowered.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Food, Balance, and Lent
Through the wonders of the Internet, a quote from an article written by James McWilliams for The Atlantic happened to catch my eye today: "Although culinary abstinence might sound downright depressing, if not sanctimonious in its own way, it's actually profoundly empowering...". Interestingly enough, the piece is from March 1st, just before Lenten season got under way. For many, Lent means a time of fasting, sacrifice, and abstinence-mostly in terms of food. As McWilliams alludes to in the abovementioned quote, abstinence and sacrifice are concepts typically given a negative connotation. However, there are many aspects of these terms that aren't as bad as they seem.
The object of fasting and abstinence isn't deprivation for it's own sake-it is to bring a balance to one's lifestyle. According to McWilliams, "for most people food is just food", which is a concept lost on "foodies", whom he depicts as seeing food as more than what it is. Looking from a different perspective, food is BOTH "just food" as well as something beyond. It not only sustains our bodies, but reflect how people live. In many respects, one's personal life and culture can be summed up on a plate. How people prepare food and what they prepare is influenced by their personal and cultural background. Case in point: pizza:-what began as a tradition brought from Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries has become, to use the old cliche, "As American as Apple Pie". It thus is not only food, but a mini history lesson on the impact of Italians in American culture. Many other examples abound that go without saying. While it's importantant to appreciate the value of food, that appreciation must be tempered with a more practical perspective.
Food is sustenance. It also speaks to where our priorities lie. As my father used to ask me when I was younger, "Do you eat to live or live to eat"? The problem lies when one leans towards one side or the other. That's where fasting and abstinence comes in. In limiting the amount of food taken in and staying away from certian foods for a specific period of time, one gains a new appreciation for the other aspects of life, such as the plight of those less well of than oneself or one's connection with their family and friends. Most importantly, it teaches us about self-control, a value that permeates all areas of human existence. This is the "empowering" that McWilliams alludes to and what Lent hopes to achieve.
It's very easy to think of food as "just food". However, food also speaks to the comprehensive nature of biology, emotion, culture, and spirit in human existence. While it is ok to enjoy food, it is in limiting its intake through fasting and abstinence where the importance of banance in life is truly learned.
Resource:
James McWilliams, "B.R. Myers and the Myth of 'Sustainable' Food" http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/03/b-r-myers-and-the-myth-of-sustainable-food/71894/
The object of fasting and abstinence isn't deprivation for it's own sake-it is to bring a balance to one's lifestyle. According to McWilliams, "for most people food is just food", which is a concept lost on "foodies", whom he depicts as seeing food as more than what it is. Looking from a different perspective, food is BOTH "just food" as well as something beyond. It not only sustains our bodies, but reflect how people live. In many respects, one's personal life and culture can be summed up on a plate. How people prepare food and what they prepare is influenced by their personal and cultural background. Case in point: pizza:-what began as a tradition brought from Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries has become, to use the old cliche, "As American as Apple Pie". It thus is not only food, but a mini history lesson on the impact of Italians in American culture. Many other examples abound that go without saying. While it's importantant to appreciate the value of food, that appreciation must be tempered with a more practical perspective.
Food is sustenance. It also speaks to where our priorities lie. As my father used to ask me when I was younger, "Do you eat to live or live to eat"? The problem lies when one leans towards one side or the other. That's where fasting and abstinence comes in. In limiting the amount of food taken in and staying away from certian foods for a specific period of time, one gains a new appreciation for the other aspects of life, such as the plight of those less well of than oneself or one's connection with their family and friends. Most importantly, it teaches us about self-control, a value that permeates all areas of human existence. This is the "empowering" that McWilliams alludes to and what Lent hopes to achieve.
It's very easy to think of food as "just food". However, food also speaks to the comprehensive nature of biology, emotion, culture, and spirit in human existence. While it is ok to enjoy food, it is in limiting its intake through fasting and abstinence where the importance of banance in life is truly learned.
Resource:
James McWilliams, "B.R. Myers and the Myth of 'Sustainable' Food" http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/03/b-r-myers-and-the-myth-of-sustainable-food/71894/
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thrivals and Dr. King's Dream
Unfortunately, I was too lazy to participate in my local Martin Luther King Day celebration like I wanted to. However, as of late, the concept of "thrivals" in relation to Dr. King's dream have been on my mind. In contribution to acknowledging this day, here's a thought I wanted to share: In looking at Dr. King's views, I see similarities with the principles behind "thrivals". Even more so, I see a responsibility for thrivals to carry on Dr. King's legacy.
By now you're probably wondering who are thrivals. Janelle Monae puts it best by describing them as people who "don't see race and gender as an obstacle" to their goals (Dr. Nat Irvin II, the man behind the term, elaborates on the subject here: http://www.mba.wfu.edu/download.aspx?id=351). As the many boundaries that have divided us as a nation and world decrease in significance, it's becoming increasingly inportant-if not necessary-to have a willingness to work with people of diverse backgrounds for the ultimate good. With such an understanding, as one of my friends recently tweeted, "thrivals will change the world".
So what does this have to do with Dr. King's dream? As he says in the speech, "...we cannot walk alone". This is especially true in our current society. In many ways, the issue of who gets affected by various policies, technologies, and innovations is becoming less affected by race, gender, and nationality. Addressing the problems that accompany this reality requires the recognition that, to quote King's speech again: "freedom...is inexorably linked".
Yes, there are many examples of division throughout the U.S. and the world. However, on the whole, there are more features of contemporary civilization that are bringing us together than separating us. This doesn't negate issues of racism and other forms of discrimination as a thing of the past to be disregarded. They are the impetus in creating a better future. Dr. King recognized that in his lifetime, and thrivals recongize it now. It is thus crucial for thrivals to continue his legacy.
This is achieved, in all actuality, by thrivals being themselves. By becoming engaged in diverse arenas of study and profession, thrivals embody the future King envisioned in which people were "judged by the content of their character. Also key is informing others about the thrival philosophy. As the word spreads, the easier it is to create change.
Given we're in a new year, this is the perfect opportunity to consider ways in which to impact society for the better. As we all know, there's still work to be done. Considering the similarity between Dr. King's ideals and that of thrivals, thrivals are in a unique position to take on this challenge.
By now you're probably wondering who are thrivals. Janelle Monae puts it best by describing them as people who "don't see race and gender as an obstacle" to their goals (Dr. Nat Irvin II, the man behind the term, elaborates on the subject here: http://www.mba.wfu.edu/download.aspx?id=351). As the many boundaries that have divided us as a nation and world decrease in significance, it's becoming increasingly inportant-if not necessary-to have a willingness to work with people of diverse backgrounds for the ultimate good. With such an understanding, as one of my friends recently tweeted, "thrivals will change the world".
So what does this have to do with Dr. King's dream? As he says in the speech, "...we cannot walk alone". This is especially true in our current society. In many ways, the issue of who gets affected by various policies, technologies, and innovations is becoming less affected by race, gender, and nationality. Addressing the problems that accompany this reality requires the recognition that, to quote King's speech again: "freedom...is inexorably linked".
Yes, there are many examples of division throughout the U.S. and the world. However, on the whole, there are more features of contemporary civilization that are bringing us together than separating us. This doesn't negate issues of racism and other forms of discrimination as a thing of the past to be disregarded. They are the impetus in creating a better future. Dr. King recognized that in his lifetime, and thrivals recongize it now. It is thus crucial for thrivals to continue his legacy.
This is achieved, in all actuality, by thrivals being themselves. By becoming engaged in diverse arenas of study and profession, thrivals embody the future King envisioned in which people were "judged by the content of their character. Also key is informing others about the thrival philosophy. As the word spreads, the easier it is to create change.
Given we're in a new year, this is the perfect opportunity to consider ways in which to impact society for the better. As we all know, there's still work to be done. Considering the similarity between Dr. King's ideals and that of thrivals, thrivals are in a unique position to take on this challenge.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Feeling Addict
Among the many things that have been on my mind recently has been the idea that people can be addicted to feelings in the same fashion as drugs, food, alcohol, etc. In observing current trends in our culture, especially in terms of behavior (a prime example being that of politicians and pundits), it seems like people have a need to feel some kind of way on a level deserving of its own Intervention episode. The result of feeding into such needs, can be akin to the worst junkie stories imaginable.
These feeling addictions can be put into two categories-addiction to positivity and addiction to negativity. At its worst, the positivity addict can be blinded to actual problems that need to be addressed. This can basically be illustrated by many with the "Polyanna" mentality. We've all been around at least one person like that. On the other end of the spectrum is the negativity addict, always in need to feel anger, hatred, or see the bad side of everything. Case in point-most of the pundits of a certain cable news network named after an animal. This too results in disasterous consequences-namely stagnation in life, strife, and even violence. The common thread is that the overwhelming drive adapts the addict to the situation that they're in, leading to fear of any type of change.
Recent decades have seen an increase in people talking about how they feel. Feelings, after all, are part of what makes us human. However, there's a difference between feeling and NEEDING to feel. The question becomes, then, "Do I feel this way at this particular moment because I actually feel this way or do I feel this way because it makes me comfortable?". Ask yourself that sometime.
In many instances, it's necessary to get to the matter at hand, as opposed to focusing on how you feel about it.
These feeling addictions can be put into two categories-addiction to positivity and addiction to negativity. At its worst, the positivity addict can be blinded to actual problems that need to be addressed. This can basically be illustrated by many with the "Polyanna" mentality. We've all been around at least one person like that. On the other end of the spectrum is the negativity addict, always in need to feel anger, hatred, or see the bad side of everything. Case in point-most of the pundits of a certain cable news network named after an animal. This too results in disasterous consequences-namely stagnation in life, strife, and even violence. The common thread is that the overwhelming drive adapts the addict to the situation that they're in, leading to fear of any type of change.
Recent decades have seen an increase in people talking about how they feel. Feelings, after all, are part of what makes us human. However, there's a difference between feeling and NEEDING to feel. The question becomes, then, "Do I feel this way at this particular moment because I actually feel this way or do I feel this way because it makes me comfortable?". Ask yourself that sometime.
In many instances, it's necessary to get to the matter at hand, as opposed to focusing on how you feel about it.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
On Happiness and Choice
Let me begin this entry by noting the serendipitous nature of how various quotes or sayings come together to speak to a larger theme in life. In this case, it is the role of choice in happiness and its meaning. It began with a tweet I came across today (well, not exactly came across, but that's another story):
"wishing you more chances to chose(sp) happiness. You deserve it. We all do.:-)"
This tweet resonated with me for a multitude of reasons, including the fact that it made me think about what it meant to choose happiness and being deserving of happiness. With that, another quote stood out
to me in the midst of contemplation:
"...the secret of happiness lies in renouncing the right to be happy"
The abovementioned is from The Revolt of the Elites by Christopher Lasch. Though he makes the quote in the context of religion, it is very much salient to life as a whole. No matter what anyone's definition of happiness is, it can be agreed that things happen in life that evoke feelings of happiness or unhappiness. In illustrating the act of renunciation as part of being happy, Lacsh indicates that happiness involves choice. The same concept is more plainly stated in the aforementioned tweet. Considering the fact that much-if not all-of human existence is about choices, no area of life is exempt from making decisions. The question then becomes, what exactly is meant by choosing happiness?
As suggested by both the tweet and the book quote, it is using your creative abilities to foster a state of happiness. The individual, in these instances, utilizes their free will in how they react to life circumstances. This, it can be argued, has led to a sense of entitlement among people to be happy. Another question then arises: how can "deserving to be happy" be defined?
The tweet and the quote inherently acknowledge that life happens. They also allude to a significant aspect of reality-nothing in life is guaranteed. As Thomas a Kempis notes: "But never to feel any dsturbance at all, nor to suffer any grief of heart or body does not belong to this present life..". Therefore, it is in the letting go of the need for certainty in life and making use of the freedom that comes from it that we, as Lasch demonstrates, unlock "the secret of happiness". It is also here where that happiness becomes "deserved".
In sum, we have a substantial part to play in our happiness. It is fulfilled in our utilization of our free will and creative powers. As we recognize uncertainty as intrinsic to human existance and adjust ourselves accordingly that we find and, in turn, deserve, happiness.
May we bear this in mind as we wish each other a "Happy New Year"
"wishing you more chances to chose(sp) happiness. You deserve it. We all do.:-)"
This tweet resonated with me for a multitude of reasons, including the fact that it made me think about what it meant to choose happiness and being deserving of happiness. With that, another quote stood out
to me in the midst of contemplation:
"...the secret of happiness lies in renouncing the right to be happy"
The abovementioned is from The Revolt of the Elites by Christopher Lasch. Though he makes the quote in the context of religion, it is very much salient to life as a whole. No matter what anyone's definition of happiness is, it can be agreed that things happen in life that evoke feelings of happiness or unhappiness. In illustrating the act of renunciation as part of being happy, Lacsh indicates that happiness involves choice. The same concept is more plainly stated in the aforementioned tweet. Considering the fact that much-if not all-of human existence is about choices, no area of life is exempt from making decisions. The question then becomes, what exactly is meant by choosing happiness?
As suggested by both the tweet and the book quote, it is using your creative abilities to foster a state of happiness. The individual, in these instances, utilizes their free will in how they react to life circumstances. This, it can be argued, has led to a sense of entitlement among people to be happy. Another question then arises: how can "deserving to be happy" be defined?
The tweet and the quote inherently acknowledge that life happens. They also allude to a significant aspect of reality-nothing in life is guaranteed. As Thomas a Kempis notes: "But never to feel any dsturbance at all, nor to suffer any grief of heart or body does not belong to this present life..". Therefore, it is in the letting go of the need for certainty in life and making use of the freedom that comes from it that we, as Lasch demonstrates, unlock "the secret of happiness". It is also here where that happiness becomes "deserved".
In sum, we have a substantial part to play in our happiness. It is fulfilled in our utilization of our free will and creative powers. As we recognize uncertainty as intrinsic to human existance and adjust ourselves accordingly that we find and, in turn, deserve, happiness.
May we bear this in mind as we wish each other a "Happy New Year"
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