TO SEE AND TO BE SEEN IS UBUNTU

TO SEE AND TO BE SEEN IS UBUNTU

 

In the movie AVATAR the Pandorains greeted each other with the phrase, “I see you.” I felt that resonate deeply within me and wondered why that might be. Then one day, many months later, I came across what I feel may be an explanation for it.

 

The Zulu People of Africa use this same greeting. The article broke the meaning down into 4 parts and I will examine them here. The first part of the greeting is for the people to look deeply into the eyes of the other. This is a difficult thing for us in the west to do because we seem to avoid eye contact as often as we can. Looking directly into the eyes of another creates a very deep and intimate contact, closer to a contact between souls than just between the surface of two people. Because of this, the deeper, clearer and more honest the communication will be.

 

The second part is the response to the initial greeting, it is “I am here to be seen”. This is a calling for the inner spirit of the person, the bare “I am” of the individual to come forward and be in the moment. To take an active and responsible part in the verbal exchange. Not on the surface but deep down inside, where it truly matters. Sort of a statement of intent to be honest, naked before you, nothing between us, no judgment.

 

To announce that you actually see the other person is deeply powerful for both parties, It allows and offers the ability to see the other person as they are, as they were intended to be, as the Creator made them, that they exist in a world that is usually rather narrowly focused on the self rather than on those around us. This simple statement: “I see you” denotes respect and equality; authenticity and dare I say it? Love. Love and acceptance that they too belong on the earth with us and have the right to voice their truths too? It also seems to invite us, all of us, to be here now, to be present in our lives with conscious awareness and honest, open, clear intent.

 

Here is where ubuntu comes into play. It is a Zulu word that speaks to the Zulu doctrine of belief. The word ubuntu closely means “humanity toward all.” this includes a support system that edifies everyone, that creates a coming together of people as equals and important in their own right. It bestows value and worth of everyone, it requires that each truly see the best in both themselves and in the other. This is true unconditional love. Love is, after all, the driving force of the universe. It also invites us to be. To be in our own lives, the lives of others and to participate in all that entails. You can't live your life if you aren't in it and now, right now because “I see you”, step up and “see” those around you and live.

 

Love, Light, Laughter, Bright Blessings and Ubuntu Chessie

© Chessie Roberts 2011, all rights reserved.

ONE OF OUR MOST ENDURING LESSONS WE LEARN IN KINDERGARTEN

ONE OF OUR MOST ENDURING LESSONS WE LEARN IN KINDERGARTEN

 

“Come on Honey, it's time to go to Big Boy/Girl school.”

“I don't want to go! I want to stay home with you!”

“Come on sweetheart you will have a good time and meet all kinds of new friends and play new games! You'll love it!!”

Sullenly, “OK.”

 

AT THE SCHOOL:

 

“Here we are, hop put and let’s meet your teacher.”

The water works start and then the screaming, “NNNNNOOOO! MMMOOOMMMYYY! You are terrified of the unknown and don't want your comfort, your known quantity to leave.

 

The teacher gently but firmly takes you back into the school while Mom quickly walks away with a big smile and promises to come back after school is over.

 

As you become interested and then engrossed in the day’s lessons and play, Mommy fades to the back of your mind and you begin having a wonderful time. Soon the bell rings and Teacher says, “It's time to go home.” and Mommy appears at the door.

 

The waterworks start in reverse, this time not from fear but frustration. The fear you felt earlier has been replaced by fun and new things, you will learn quickly the coming and going of school and you move on.

 

This is a conversation I had with a friend of mine several mornings ago.

 

Friend: “Why do we hang onto the very things we know we must let go of?”

 

Me; “Comfort zone stuff. We get comfortable with the situation and change is scary. Knowing something and acting on that knowledge are entirely two different things,

F: “So I guess we will ultimately change when the push to change becomes less uncomfortable than the draw of staying the same?

M; “Bingo! When we can “act in” and “do courage”, then we grow. Courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway.”

F; “Excellent point! It is a choice after all.”

M: “It is and always has been a choice.”

F; “It's the kindergarten thing again then Hun?”

M; “Yes, who knew THAT would follow us so far?”

F; “It is interesting how we speak(think) our lives into existence! ...When we see that...oh boy! Life is getting fun!”

And there it is, The Kindergarten Thing. It isn't just an event in our lives, It is something that we go through over and over again as we live our lives. Elementary school, entering high school, dating, doctors/dentist appointments, speeches, marriage/divorce, new jobs, childbirth, a death in the family and, maybe the most frightening of all spiritual growth. We face changes all of our lives. Most of the time we breeze right through them but there are the ones that take us right back to kindergarten.

The more personal these things are the more we resist them and hang onto the very thing(s) we KNOW we need to let go of. The fear of the unknown will sometimes stop us cold. Now here is the problem with that; most will stay where they are not happy and complain, worry and internalize their fear and frustration, putting themselves in the roll of “victim”. All the while blaming the boss or the situation when all they have to do is decide to make a change for the better. While they are feeling stuck and spinning themselves up into a frenzy over their “bad luck” and being the victim, they are making themselves sick. Then, when their bodies succumb to the eternal stuff that they are CHOOSING to put themselves through they can cry victim once again because they are now very sick. Here is where you face the choice to stay feeling sorry for yourself or deciding you don't want to play anymore.

 

When you face your fear of change and step out in courage and trust that you can help yourself, your life begins to change in wonderful and unexpected ways. The next time you have to go back to kindergarten remember this and you will do well. Bright Blessings and Happy First Day of School!

 

© Chessie Roberts 2011 all rights reserved

 

ABOUT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

 ALL ABOUT LOVE

© Rev. C.S. Roberts 2011, all rights reserved

 

I officiate a lot of weddings and usually write a ceremony that reflects what the couple is focused on for their life together. I get all kinds of topic requests for this focus; family, children, blended families, ancestors, people and pets joining, two becoming one...the list is long. Recently I was asked to write a wedding ceremony that was all and only about love.

This was new and I 'love' the idea. As I began to consider the couple’s request I was pleasantly surprised at the resulting creation...but why should it be anything but wonderful with love as its focus? After reading it I decided to take out all of the directions and the family names and share it with you.

As we anticipate the upcoming shift, change, whatever you wish to call it; because it fits so well in all aspects of life, what better topic to embrace than love? I share now with you the dissertation on love, the most important emotion you can embrace. (the words in parenthesis are add ins for this blog)

 

We are gathered this day to celebrate love in all its forms but especially the love that makes a life commitment between two people (humans, God and the planet).

This type of love is not afraid to make promises and work to keep them. It seeks not only to be, but to continue. It is based as much, if not more, on the hopes for the future as on the pleasures of the present.

 

This unconditional love does not manipulate or try to change, it allows both (all things) to be who (and what) they were; growing into who (and what) they are, all the while encouraging them to rise into who (and what) they will become. It is a letting go of all expectations and is an embracing with full acceptance, trust and celebration of your mortal person-hood (and its connection to source and your home planet).

Unconditional love in its mature state understands and realizes the joy that comes from knowing that each of you is happy; both in the others company and out of it; it is to give fully with no expectation of return but receiving anyway, and it is trusting completely. Love, true unconditional love, needs no reason for its existence, it just is.

 

Knowing what love, in its purest state, is only half of this equation. The other half is to understand that marriage (whether between people or you with yourself or with your life in general) is not just a simple love affair but it is a bit of an ordeal; an ordeal of the sacrifice of your ego to this new relationship (whatever that may be). The relationship of two becoming one while keeping your individual centers; of creating another family within families requires such a sacrifice. Therefore, sacrifice not one to the other but to your relationship.

 

We as humans are born of stardust and deepest oceans, of erupting volcanoes and the bones of the earth. In creating and celebrating this union you are celebrating the heritage of all of these things and the love of all humans from the dawn of time. In making this commitment to love, honor and respect each other, you share that which is best in all of us and give a moment of light to the world. (The more we connect through love, the better off everyone/thing will be)

 

Do you now commit to each other in love, honor and respect?

 

Do you now promise to communicate in love and kindness with each other even when you fear you may distress the other?

 

Do you promise to commit to your own wellbeing, of body, mind and spirit so that you can relate to each other in a loving, positive and healthy way in order to provide a healthy home for each other?

 

Do you commit to support and comfort each other in times of illness and health as long as love shall last?

 

Look at the one you love and tell them what is in your heart.

 

Behold these rings those who witness; bind these children by their troth; let them grow in love together, love now joined is never lost.

 

Heart to thee, life to thee, now and forever so mote it be

 

It is done; two are one,

 

We, our planet, our Source are one. No ceremony is needed, only remembering and reconnecting on a conscious, aware level is required. Decide today to embrace unconditional love for yourself and all around you and grow in strength, peace and grace. Love, Light, Laughter and Bright Blessings, Reverend C. S. Roberts

How to Make the Whole World Come Together

                 The Whole World Came Together

A young mother was ready for a few minutes of relaxation after a long and demanding day. However, her young daughter had other plans for her mother's time.

'Read me a story, Mom,' the little girl requested.

'Give Mommy a few minutes to relax and unwind. Then I'll be happy to read you a story,' pleaded the mother.

The little girl was insistent that Mommy read to her now. With a stroke of genius, the mother tore off the back page of the magazine she was reading. It contained a full-page picture of the world.

As she tore it into several pieces, Mom asked her daughter to put the picture together and then she would read her a story. Surely this would buy her some relaxing moments.

A short time later, the little girl announced the completion of her puzzle project. To her mother's astonishment, the world picture was completely
assembled.

When she asked her daughter how she managed to do it so quickly, the little girl explained that on the reverse side of the page was the picture of a little girl.

'You see, Mommy!' she said, 'When I got the little girl together, the whole world came together!'(Author Unknown)

I challenge you to put yourself together; to find your balance and wholeness. As you do this you make an example of yourself to those around you and soon the ripple effect will circle the planet. Not possible you say? Why not I ask, how do you think change occurs in the first place, after all you are the change you want to see in the world, right? Remember that the only limits you have are the ones YOU place upon yourself. Growth and Bright Blessings to you all! C. S. Roberts

Religion VS Faith; What's Love Got To Do With It?

Religion VS Faith: What's Love Got To Do With It?

 

The dictionary definition of Religion is “a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and beliefs of the universe. Involving devotional and ritual observances, often containing a moral code for the conduct of human affairs.

 

About Faith, the dictionary says; it is a confidence or trust in a person or thing; a belief that is not based on proof.

 

Love has many definitions and none of them accurately describe the love I am speaking of here so I will come back to it in a minute.

 

Religion has seemingly evolved to be the structure and ritual of the thing. The basic tenets are mouthed and gone through weekly on the prescribed day and time in the prescribed order and with the appointed facial expression and body attitude. I remember watching the grownups coming and going to and from the altar on Sunday with the oddest look of piety on their faces, holding their hands in a prayerful attitude as they processed back to their seats. All of that only to be seen later acting in a manner unbecoming... I wondered then what was going on. They seemed to just be experiencing the “shell” of the experience. In conversations later I found out I was correct.

 

Faith, on the other hand, comes from a maturity of spirit that is not easily reached. It is a knowledge of the truth that comes from a place of knowing deep within oneself. A knowledge that does not require “proof”, one that doesn't look to pie charts and graphs for confirmation. It is a feeling of correctness that brooks definition or defiance. It comes from a connection with one’s true, higher Self. This connection comes with the love that I mentioned earlier.

 

This love is a direct link between our heart chakra (the energetic/spiritual heart area of our system) the love at this level is completely unconditional, meaning completely without conditions of any kind. It is all inclusive. It is the truest of loves. It does not wish to control or to judge. It just is and it allows everything else to just be.

 

When you reach this level of balance within yourself you vibrate at a higher level and because of that those around you will also. Your faith in your chosen religion becomes new, pure and sacred. You raise every thought, every word and every deed to a new level and growth, understanding and experience becomes a sacred and joyous exercise for you. I challenge you to examine your true, inner feelings in this area and decide where you truly are in your growth process, decide where you want to be and proceed accordingly.

 

Bright Blessings C. S. Roberts

 

© 2011 Chessie Roberts all rights reserved

 

STANDING IN YOUR OWN POWER

             STANDING IN YOUR OWN POWER

How does one stand in their own power? First thing you need to do is to determine who is holding your power right now. We are taught to give it away at an early age. We learn quickly to live our lives by committee and not make any decisions without the approval of those around us. Secondly you need to decide if you want to stay in that situation or do you want to take back what is yours; whether you gave it willingly, grudgingly or unknowingly it is still your power.

We have to give over our power to those who raise us in order to survive but when we reach a certain maturity level, we should learn to take it back. Instead, we trust others with our opinions and feelings. Every time we look to them for approval for any decision we may make, we give them some of our power. The medical profession has done a stellar job of convincing us that we should listen only to them when it comes to our physicality. When we allow someone to anger us, hurt us or make us sad, we give away some more of our power. The list of others we look to for approval is rather large when you count it up; friends, relatives, agencies, and other well-meaning people who seem to know more about what we require than we do. Pretty soon, we have no power of our own and we wonder why we feel so helpless.

 

The truth of the matter is that we are only as helpless as we think we are. Others control us only as much as we allow them to. Think about exactly where your power is leaking, who/what do you go to for validation and acceptance? How angry do you get in any particular circumstance or around certain people? Who do you allow to make you sad?

 

Dr Wayne Dyer says,” Release the need to be upset with others. Remember that any time you are filled with resentment you are turning the controls of your emotional life over to others to manipulate.” When you are strong in your own power, no one and nothing can deter you from your path. So, the next time you feel an emotion about something, or someone ask yourself if you really want to give that thing or person the ability to manipulate you. If you do, then go ahead but don't whine about it later. If you do not, good for you , you have taken the first step in taking back and standing in your own power.

Bright Blessings, C. S. Roberts

 

© Chessie Roberts 2011, all rights reserved

 

WHERE IS GOD?

WHERE IS GOD?

“God” or the idea of it, as a force, is an extremely interesting concept to a large number of people. They talk about it (the subject/idea) they look for it/Him/ Her, they fight over it, they hold grudges and do any number of asinine things to prove their side is right and any other is wrong, and are easily offended by the fact that others do not hold the same ideas on the subject as they do.

The truth of the matter is that the thing, the concept, the energy that we call God, belongs to….EVERYONE!  the Hindus call Him Rama, the Christians call Him God, the Muslims call Him Allah, the Zoroastrians call Him Zarathustra…there many names for this but truth is He (using the generic “he” here) is one. What color do you think He is? What does that matter? He just Is. All countries, all religions, all races, all languages are His.  He exists in all of them.

Take a religion, any one you wish. What is it really? It is a creation of man to help him understand something he feels is complex. God did not create religions; God did not make up the rules imposed by man. If he had we would call him a politician instead of God, it is we who have drawn the lines and made the rules and it is we who fight over them.

Story: there were four men from different countries who were traveling together on a quest for enlightenment. One morning they woke up and decided what they wanted to eat for breakfast. The Croatian wanted narance, the Norwegian wanted appelsiner, the Welshman argued for orennau while the Spaniard demanded they should have naranjas.

Their argument was growing ugly when a wise man stopped to listen. After a moment the wise man raised his hand and said in a commanding voice, “SILENCE!!” the four companions stopped their fighting to hear what the wise man had to say. “Give me your money and I will bring all of you what you desire.” The travelers decided to do this and gave the wise man their coins and, as he walked away, the men turned their backs on each other to wait in angry silence for the old one to return.  Soon they saw him coming back with a sack which he handed them. They opened it anxiously and each triumphantly pulled out their chosen fruit. Each man was holding an orange. Each had been fighting over a difference in language. Pretty silly don’t you think?

That is just what we do over religion. Rather than having a blind faith in a certain religion, we need to embrace the truth that God is in ALL religions, ALL things and ALL people and use this information to foster love , affection and understanding for each other; to embrace our likenesses rather than our differences. See, every day, that God is EVERYWHERE and in ALL OF US with NO restrictions NO conditions and NO exceptions. Bright Blessings

 

© C. S. Roberts 2011, all rights reserved