Dear Friends,
Happy New Year 2019!
A year is gone; another year is here. The year 2018 has been a great year in which I learned a great deal, traveled and grew.
I learned by watching the 2018 flow like a river through the days, weeks and months before emptying into a new year. I swam in it, and in some occasions, I stepped onshore to rest, meet people, explore countries, and reflect … on myself, and about the world.
Upon my first step onshore, I met Charlie Chaplin through the wonderful stories in his book entitled “My Autobiography.” I learned he was more than a comic, but a bright mind, who taught me that when you start loving yourself, you become a better swimmer and more comfortable in the open waters. You learn to control your breath and float at ease; despite the turbulence surrounding you and the world. Chaplin’s advice has been my sacred companion “Gris-Gris.” Therefore, I’ve decided to share this with my friends, before I go back to swimming in this vast ocean we call life.
As I began to love myself:
“As I began to love myself, I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY.”
As I began to love myself, I understood how much it could offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.
Today I call it “RESPECT.”
As I began to love myself, I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it “MATURITY.”
As I began to love myself, I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So, I could be calm.
Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.
As I began to love myself, I quit stealing my own time and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it “SIMPLICITY.”
As I began to love myself, I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health … food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF.”
As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right; and ever since, I have been wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.
As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening.
Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT.”
As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But, as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART.”
We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide … and out of their crashing, new worlds are born.
Today I know “THAT IS LIFE.” Charlie Chaplin
My travels this year took me for the second time on shore. On March 5, 2018, at 5:30 pm, I arrived for the first time in the Andes of a country called Colombia, South America. I started a three-week journey, beginning in Bogota, through Medellin, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cali, and into Salento. Along the way, I walked the streets of La Candelaria, climbed the mount of Cerro Monserrate, and visited the underground Salt Cathedral. I met people at the “City of Eternal Spring”, listened to their stories and enjoyed their foods. At Cali, I stepped on the dance floor and danced Salsa. I shared the little I have with Oscar, the artist from Santa Marta and visited the town of Aracataca, where the “One Hundred Years of Solitude” book was born. At the end of my journey, I accepted all the good and bad they had to offer, and called them, LIFE EXPERIENCE. On July 2018, I headed North to cross the border into Canada, I visited family, reconnected with friends, and spoke Quebecois. As Karamo Brown said “I always encourage people to get out there, travel the world, see new things, experience new people, experience new food, experience new culture. What happens is that helps you to grow and be your best self.”
Another way I learned and grew during 2018 was in my third step onshore. This time I grew by working hard to put food on the table, a roof over my head, and saving a little for dry seasons. I found a balance by serving my community through One Heart for Africa Organization, www.oneheartforafrica.org- and advocating Human Rights issues through Under the Human Rights Tree: https://underthehumanrightstree.blogspot.com-Because, I believe, service we must and the respect of human rights values can help us to build a better world. We are looking for volunteers to help us in our tutoring and mentoring programs. We also need help with jobs search, resume and grant-writings. One Heart for Africa is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your support is very much appreciated it.
The year 2018 is gone. Like a river, it will disappear underground with death or merge with another River, a Lake or an Ocean depending on the size of your new responsibilities and challenges in 2019. But, whatever the case, “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones … Happy New Year 2019!
Sincerely,
Alpha
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