Ochun 2000

Orisa Ori with Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon 04/14 by Osaremi | Blog Talk Radio

Everything you could ever want to know about Ifa culture can be found on Omo Oduduwa Radio on blogtalk radio. Here is a like about Ori. What is Ori? Listen to find out. ;)

Orisa Ori with Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon 04/14 by Osaremi | Blog Talk Radio

Sango went to church yesterday...

When I go to church I often feel as if I am going against Orisa or just being plan old fake. Yesterday was different for me.

Yesterday, I was suddenly able to recognize the similarities between Sango and Christ. When they sang songs I recognized the story of Sango. Whey they talked about what Christ stood for, I hear the praise names and stories of Sango. Yesterday, as I sat on "the minister's row" taking pictures of children while wearing a red and white dashiki, it struggled to resist shouting "KAWOOOOOOOOO" at the top of my lungs. I met Sango on the front row yesterday. I suddenly felt sorry for the Christ figure. I suddenly realized how the European mindset has feminized what was probably once a very strong man.

I wandered why all day Saturday, I felt excited about my outfit for Sunday. I wondered why I couldn't stop thinking about draping myself in red and white (in Christian terms, the blood that was shed and the purity that comes from it). I wrapped my head in white, probably Obatala prepping me for a cool head in the midst of foolishness. I know now, that Sango wanted me draped in his energy to receive his energy. He wanted to bless me. He wanted to strengthen me. He wanted to dance with me, and I am humbled.

KAWOOOOOOOOOOO Kabiyesi!!!!!!!!!

Elders VS youth or elders AND youth

Nigerian Proverb:
Owo omode o to pepe, be t'agbalagbe o wo kengbe
Literal: A child's hands are too short to reach a high shelf, but the elder's hands too are too big to enter into a narrow gourd.


Real: Every member of society has his/her own roles to play to enable the society to operate in an orderly manner beneficial to all.

I'd heard this proverb before, but I wanted to talk about it today. Yesterday, we went to church and celebrated what I have dubbed "Bunny Sunday". I don't call it this in disrespect to the practice of the belief of the resurrection of Christ, but in acknowledgement of the lie it has become. Ase. I went to the church I grew up in basically to spend time with my family at dinner afterward. While at church I noticed something in a very different way.

The proverb above came into play because I saw how ignoring such an idea can cause dysfunction and imbalance. I am somewhere in a limbo between child and elder. At 33, I am really beginning to understand how much I DON'T know. When I think of elders, they are people full of wisdom, but wise enough to know that their wisdom is limited. They are willing to readily share what wisdom they have with others to ensure the transmission of knowledge. Old and elder, at least in my mind, are two completely different things. When I looked around I saw a lot of old people, but very few elders. Very few who have been formed by learning from their experiences. I have always said that I don't want my gray hair to come upon my head without the wisdom to go with it. I don't want to be a gray haired fool. Yesterday, made me realize that time is short and I need to strive even harder to reach my goal.

As for the youth, while they are responsible for their behavior, I have to admit that I believe that ball of wisdom transmission was dropped somewhere along the way. How do we expect to have reverent, intelligent, conscious youth and we are not willing to cut past all of the foolishness learned from this society? Our children want to be saved, but like anything else that has been allowed to get out of hand, finding the starting point for such an endeavor can SEEM to be quite the daunting task. At the end of the day, we just have to start somewhere. Begin by speaking to them. Spend time with them. Feed them if they are hungry. Go eat lunch with them. Hell, do something. Anything.

Basically, we all need to get on our jobs wherever we are in our journeys. We have to realize and acknowledge the value of the youth and the elder. Both are needed and they balance one another. We have forgotten our ways and we must remember them if we have any intentions of surviving. We cannot hold hands and sing Kum ba ya with other nations and people until we get ourselves repaired and built back up. We shouldn't even strive for such things.

Self preservation is the first law of survival. (a lesson I was taught and am still struggling to learn.)

Zeitgeist (Religion) The Greatest Story Ever Told

I'm here to make you think. I'm not here to ruin your life.

My client list consist of all types of people and I love it. Some are thinkers, while some are regurgitaters. Some are leaders, while some are followers. That being said, I have one that is a die hard Christian, but has no world view whatsoever. She doesn't realize that there were MANY other cultures and religions prior to what we call Christianity.

While we were talking on day, she went in for the kill with me with what she thought was a MAJOR point. She said with much confidence and conviction, "Well Jesus said something that NOBODY else in history every said." I literally moved to the edge of my seat. I really believed that she was about to change my entire life with whatever this mysterious thing was. What did he say? "He said that he is the son of God." *whomp whomp whomp* Man I was so disappointed. I am ever the learner and always am listening for something that I didn't know before. I told her, "Um, no. Not so much. There are like at least 25 historical/religious figures that claim, not only that, but they also claim many of the other things that set him apart from mere mortals." She was stunned. "WHAT? Are you serious?" When I told her that I was indeed serious and that this information could be easily found, she looked deflated and defeated.

I felt really bad. I didn't tell her the truth to ruin her life. I just didn't want her to continue to believe a lie. Although she went on to her next point, I could see that her mind was still trying to process what I'd just said. I felt bad, because I remember that feeling. The feeling of wanting to undo what I just heard and the eventual feeling of holding on to my belief just because I was scared of hell. I personally don't care what people believe if it makes them better, but I do believe that we should know the truth. Afterall, John 8:32.

Pay it Forward and Piss Somebody Off. Huh?

Last week I went to the grocery store. When I paid, I left my change (a couple of dollars) for the person behind me. It's not unusual. I do it pretty often. Today, I went back to the store and the cashier started to weave a tale that I simply couldn't believe. 

Cashier: Do you remember last week when you came to the store and told me to put your change on that man's bill? Me: Yea.
Cashier: Do you know that man got all pissed off and offended behind that? He went off!!! Talkin' 'bout, "I got money! I don't need her money!" I told him that you didn't think he needed the money, that you just do that, but he was still mad. Shoot I wish I'd been behind you in line. I just put it in the till.
Me: Shoot, I don't have any money myself. I was trying to be nice. Why did you do that? You shoulda kept it. If that happens again, you keep it.
Cashier: Hmph. Don't make no sense. Can't even be nice to people these days. It don't make no sense.


I really found it strange that in this economy someone would reject someone being nice, or at least trying to. I'm not that best at receiving and I must admit that giving is my strength. Hell, it's damn near my super power. It makes me happy. I am having to learn to receive, but I have NEVER been offended. I may never know that brothas personal story, but I pray that his heart is healed and his apparent pride is broken so that he doesn't miss small blessings.

Lesson for the day: You can't give OR receive with a closed hand or a prideful heart.  

Heeeeeelllllllll Naaaaaaawwwwww!!!!!!

Hell naw. That's what I wanted to saw to this lady that wants me to do her hair. I wanted to say it because she doesn't comprehend "no". Here's the background:

She knows somebody who knows my aunt. The somebody told her about my aunts hair and she wants me to do hers. For various reasons, I'm not taking anyone right now, but am still willing to consult and teach as needed. I told her this very clearly. She kept giving me her sob story and I kept saying no. There a million natural hairstylist and I'm not arrogant enough to think that she couldn't go anywhere else, which is what I suggested to her. Anyhoo, I scheduled a consultation for tomorrow. She wanted to know if I could do it last Friday or Saturday. RED FLAG She thought she was going to be slick and get her hair done. NOT. I have been through this before when I was less aware and I would cave and be sorry later. She called today while I was out and talked to my husband like she really knew me so he gave her the cell number. She called to "confirm" our appointment. Nah, that just what she said. I knew what she was up to and she got around to it. Retelling the story that I've heard a million times from her. At this point it's a pissing contest. Can she come early. Can she stay late. Can she schedule for another time. NO.NO.NO. I already know that tomorrow will be her first and last time seeing my face. I am also fairly certain that she is going to meet the straight forward no BSing version of myself because she is aggravating me.

THE LESSON:  These kinds of people come into my life because of the residual energy that I have lingering that says that I can easily manipulated and made to change my mind. See, I used to always allow people to talk me into things that I didn't want to do. I used allow people into my cipher that shouldn't be there, and I knew they should have never entered in the first place. Those days are gone. That chic is dead. My no means no and my yes is yes. I have also learned that part of the reason I must be so careful about the company I keep is because of my Ori. It seems to be a lil sensitive to carrying other people's crap. I tend to carry other people's weight on my head. Now, I look back and can understand why I wrapped my head faithfully during certain periods in my life. It was self preservation. I was protecting my head. Gotta get more white cloth because my head is calling for it...

Soulflower Amn @ Happily Natural Day

My heart is so full...

I went to a wedding today and my heart is so full. I am so happy for this sista because she has found someone to spend the rest of her life with. I have seen her go through some major hurts and a lot of pain at times, but now her healer has come and I am so happy. It rained and rained and then the sun began to shine. Although she is Christian, I explained to her that Iya Osun was simply blessing her day with her sweet water raining down. I knew it to be true because I prayed for them at my shrine this morning. I wish that everyone in the world could feel the depth of love that is shared between a committed couple. To be able to look in someone else's eyes and see the depths of your very own soul reflected there.

Ore Yeye Mi OOOOOOOO!!!!!

Grateful? Not this time.

Background story. I had a client that was scheduled for 8am. She called and said that she was going to be late. She was late due to circumstances that could have been avoided. SN, being late is a MAJOR pet peeve. She said she would be there at 8:30am. Okay fine. She arrived at 8:41am with coffee in hand--coffee from the gas station. I was a little pissed, but I figured that I'd make up the time if I hurried. Well, as hard as I tried it didn't happen. My next person came and had to wait about 20 minutes, and I was not happy. I apologized and called my third client to let her know I was running late. When the first client was done, she stood up and announced that she needed to go to the ATM because she didn't want to stop that morning because she was already late. Remember the coffee she had? She stopped for coffee, but not for my money? She asked if I had paypal. I said yes and that it was fine if she used that method instead. This is where my trusting people kicked me square in the ass AGAIN. I was thinking that she would pay via paypal when she got home. I've done that plenty of times with clients and it has never been a problem. I finished her hair at 11am and sent her money request via paypal. I texted about 3 or 4 pm to see if she had gotten the email because it wasn't in my account. I called about 7pm and it went straight to voicemail. Really? I went to bed. No money. Woke up. No money At this point it's not even about the money anymore, it's the principle of the thing. She called me 1pm (next day), but I was with someone and didn't answer the phone. I checked the account and it was there. She didn't leave a voicemail and didn't even tip me. Now to the reason for the title of the post...

So of course I'd talked to my Mom about what happened. She gave me the business-woman-you-can-do-this-don't-put-up-with-that pep talk. When she came over today, I gave her the update about the fact that I'd just received my money about 30minute prior to her arrival. This is where my Father jumped in.

F:  You should be grateful.
M: For what?
F: That you got your money. (matter of fact tone)
M: I should be grateful that I got my money? Are you serious?
F: I mean, she could've not even paid you. 
M: Wait. So you want me to be grateful that I did a service and got paid for it? You want me to be grateful that I utilized a skill and expected to be compensated due to the fact that payment was a part of the deal?
F: Yep.
M: I ain't budging on this one. You can't forget it. I refuse to be grateful. She should be grateful that I even fooled with her behind if somebody gone be grateful for anything. (arrogant, I know, but I was mad by then)
F: Well, you should be grateful that you got you money at all. 
M: No (I started talking to my mother)

I realized after that foolish conversation where some of my imbalance comes from. He has the "turn the other cheek" mentality. There are times in life when that is the best thing to do. This is NOT one of them. How do I feed my children if I just let people decide whether they pay? Seriously? I don't even know how he could possibly validate this when he is self employed. I've seen him get pissed about money a lot over the years, so is it just that I don't deserve to be treated with respect?

Trust

Hi, my name is Morenike and I trust people. I, however, am dying a slow painful death due to people not keeping their word. I am so disappointed right now. Not in people, but in myself. It is beginning to feel as if trust is a personality flaw more than anything else. Trust is beginning to feel like a defect. This does not feel good. I feel conflicted. I feel as if I am having to change who I am at the core to protect myself. I have always hated to experience being around suspicious jaded people. I don't want to be one of them. It took years to get my vengeful side under control and now, due to various events, I am struggling with it again. I have even begun to validate the behaviors that I am considering. I'm just tired of this. I need to find the balance so that I can adjust my behavior and views accordingly. Sorry this wasn't written with a nice flow, but this just me...in my feelins.

I'd like to share a blog I follow...

This link is from a blog called River of Honey. The writer is a prietess of Osun and I believe celebrates the Santeria culture which is an offshoot of the original Yoruba culture. They were one of the keepers of the culture when we were stolen from Mama Africa. Anyway, here is the link. I really enjoy reading her blog and I hope you will too.

http://riverofhoney.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/living-spirituality-does-atr-measure-up/#comment-211

Roller Coaster Emotions...

I just need to write this. I don't feel balanced today. I want to laugh. I want to cry, as I allow Yemoja's waters to leave a salty streaks on my cheeks. I want to lay close to my husband as he prays over my Ori in offering to Obatala and have him reach deep into my center and help me release with the fire of Sango. I want to scream all of my pissed off-ness at the top of my lungs as an offering to Oya and then whisper encouragement to my children from the  honey coated lips of Osun. I want to crawl back in bed, turn my fan on, pull the covers up around my face, and pretend to be asleep while I listen to the birds chant Ifa.

Alas my apparent imbalance is so balanced, just so unfamiliar. Modupe gbogbo Orisa.

"Chile, marriage is work!!!" Really?

I went to a bridal shower today. A friend of mine had a lil stash in the care as a coping mechanism for those of us that aren't deep. We went out to the car, cups in hand, came in the house dipped crackers in, called it communion and had a ball. The first thing we did was go around the circle, introduce ourselves, and give our words of love/wisdom/encouragement. Everybody sad something funny, sexual, or encouraging...except one person.

I realize that it is human nature to project our issues and experiences on to other people. Especially if we are not spiritually grounded this will more than likely be the case. Anyhoo, when it was this particular person's turn, the first thing she said with total exhaustion was, "Marriage is work. It's a loooooooot of work." I just looked at her. I waited for some of these other people to say something. I wanted these happily married women to speak up on the blessings of marriage. *crickets* So I told her that yes, it is work, the same as any relationship worth having. The difference is that it doesn't FEEL like work to me. I looked at the exhausted woman who seemed to be challenging me and told her that I chose well. If you chose well you won't feel like a tortured scorned soul. It's like when people are at baby showers and they tell the mother-to-be every pregnancy  horror story ever know to woman-kind.

If you marriage is jacked up, the first and most productive thing to do is to take a really deep thoughtful look at yourself and your choices. I chose badly the first time. I mean I totally screwed up. There was no reason whatsoever for us to be together. This is not looking at the marriage retrospectively. I knew I was wrong when I married him. I know, you are wondering why I married him to start with. The same reason you have chosen mates that you thought you could fix, heal, love through their pain, etc. When I met my husband, even when I knew he was a good choice, I was still very conscious of my choice. I still paid close attention. Now when I think of my marriage, "work" is not the first thing that comes to mind. Do we work at it? Yes. Do we argue? Yes. Would I marry over and over? I have for all my previous life times and I will continue to do so for as many life times as possible. Why? Because I chose well.

My Jewelry

I wanted to share a slide show of my jewelry. The majority of what I create is one of a kind and intended to be as unique as you are. If you like what you see and would like to purchase some piece visit me at http://www.etsy.com/shop/abenaevolving?ref=si_shop

The Ten Commandments of the Native American Indians

Interesting concept...being told what to do rather than what not to do...

1 Corinthians 13

I realize that this is full of sarcasm, which I personally view as an art form, but please try to listen even if you are sarcasm-sensitive. I would love to know your thoughts. When I was considered myself a Christian, I thought of lots of contradictions, but not in this way. Please let your responses be intelligent and well thought out, not based in anger. Thanks and enjoy. BTW, this was and still is one of my favorite scriptures.

How to Become a Fruitarian

I found this interesting. I would love to know what you think after watching the video.

Fier d'etre Africain,fier d'etre Noir by intchejeans

BLACK & PROUD NO APOLOGY! LIkemba22

THOSE WHO PRAY ALLAH OR JESUS ARE ANTI TRUE AFRIKAN LIBERATION! by Likemba22

Question...

I was talking with my husband and had a thought. Well, it morphed into a question.

If my husband had a history of beating. Supposed he started beating me shortly after we'd started dating. Would you consider me a fool or at the very least weak minded for staying with him? What about if he cheated from the beginning of our relationship? Y'all would be talking straight trash to my face and behind my back about how dumb I am for staying with him right?

Why then do we continue to trust our enemy? Why are we so blind to the fact that from our first encounter they have beat and cheated us? I realize that periodically somebody will have some "testimony" of how God delivered their husband/wife from some lude lascivious behavior. Does that mean that we should all stay in bad situations and wait for the same turn around? Hell no. Even then if you take that person back, shouldn't you make them work their ass of to prove that things have changed?

All I'm saying is that I'm not going to put myself, my family, etc purposely in a situation to trust a proven enemy. I believe that I can forgive you, interact with you, but still not trust you as far as I can throw you all while keeping my character in tact. I won't come to your house if you don't like me, nor will I welcome you into mine. I won't cook for you or eat your food if we are angry whether overtly or covertly.

I am unapologetically Afrikan and as such I will not expose myself willingly to anything that has been given to me by my enemy.

Police Brutality

Part 1 of 5


Part 2 of 5


Part 3 of 5


Part 4 of 5


Part 5 of 5

How to begin our healing...one...step...at...a...time.

This story begins in the grocery store. I went major food shopping this morning about 8am. Of course that means that I was in the crowd with those that are grabbing snacks for work and only one register was open. As I filled the belt with all my goodies and sale items I noticed a sista walk up with one item. "Go ahead Sis." "You sure?" I nodded. "Oh, thank you so much." "You're welcome." (insert I-love-you-and-feel-your-heart smile here) I kept loading and noticed a sista in scrubs with a couple of items. So, the first conversation repeated itself. Why did I do that? Didn't I have things to do? Sure. I'm a homeschooin-jewelry making-natural hair carin'-wife-mama. I always have something to do. What's the difference then? I feel that it's my duty to make my people feel loved in whatever ways I can.

You see too often we treat each other with subtle hate and scorn. A lil eye roll here, a lil head to toe glare there. All of these things have a cummulative effect. I've often been accused of believing that I could "save the world". I know now that I can't save the world. I mean, I am a lot of woman, but not that much woman...yet. I do know, however, that I am suppose to heal all the hearts I can while I'm here even if it means that I get hurt, disappointed, or used periodically. Yes, I love my people that much.

What about my white brothers and sisters? I've been asked this a time or two. To be honest, I just ain't even there yet. I don't see the point in extending myself in the same way. The investment is not the same and the return certainly has NEVER proven to be the same to this southern girl. Even on a world scale at any chosen point in history the track record just doesn't look too good. Remember what happened the last time we tried to teach and heal the Eurpean with love? Remember what happened the last time the Native American tried to teach and heal the European with love? Remember what happened the last time the Asian tried to teach and heal the European with love? Um...yea, didn't go so well and for most of us and it still isn't going to well. I'll leave that meanding in the "you show me and I'll believe it" category.

Anyhoo, just thought I'd share. Some other things I suggest are. Leaving your change for the Sista behind you with all them kids. Off the buy a child a piece of tasty fruit with the mother/father's permission. When you are at these festivals this spring/summer and have extra tickets left over, find a single mother to give them to. Find a cypher to give your gently used hand-me-downs to and make sure they understand the pay-it-forward concept.