Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa begins: Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Kwanzaa ends: Monday, January 01, 2018

• The Nguzo Saba (7 Principles of Kwanzaa)

• Day 1. Umoja means unity.
• Day 2. Kujichagulia means self-determination.
• Day 3. Ujima means working together.
• Day 4. Ujamaa means supporting each other.
• Day 5. Nia means purpose.
• Day 6. Kuumba means creativity.
• Day 7. Imani means faith, especially faith in ourselves.

I tried to choose one principle that stood out more than the rest, but decided that they all are needed.   It is a combination of all 7 principles that leads to the results we need to seek to accomplish our goals.  I personally believe that for us to benefit collectively and function as community, we especially need unity.   We need to work together, and we need to support each other.  I think that is what we lack.  It is hard to support one another monetarily, when we, ourselves are struggling to survive, but support does not just mean monetary support.  We also need to support each other emotionally.  Instead of being jealous of our brother's success, we need to congratulate him on his accomplishments.  We have to seek more to work together, stop being critical of our black businesses and support them.  Then, business owners, you have to provide service with excellence.   This means, you go the extra mile for your customers.

It is clear that Blacks in America will always have to struggle, but we are not quitters.  We have to continue to fight to get what as Americans, we should have.  There is wealth among us, but we need a commitment from those who are able to pour into programs that will enable us to progress.  There are many who already do this, but not enough.

Then, churches have to set aside their individual agendas and come together as one, regardless of denomination.  I know they can have more influence within the community if they worked together.  Public schools are failing our children, and that needs to be addressed along with many other issues.

I read an article that criticized the celebration of Kwanzaa and it's founder.  I believe that truth can be found in many forms and from many individuals.  Just because you don't approve of the founder or the celebration, does not mean it is not valid.  It is valid to whoever sees it as truth.  So, to those, who accept Kwanzaa and believe in it's principle, I say Happy Kwanzaa.

Let Your Heart Follow that Star

One night,

One star shining bright

Showed the way

To the manger where he lay.

The same star shines bright today

Lighting our way.

When you are feeling lost,

Let your heart follow that star

And he will be where you are.

He knows exactly where you are.

He sees you in that cold prison cell.

He knows your story well.

He doesn’t care

How you got there

He loves you just as you are.

Just let your heart follow, follow,

Follow that star,

And he will be where you are.

To those spending Christmas alone.

If you make your heart his home,

You will never be alone.

Young mother, don’t despair.

Your heart will soon repair.

He knows you are feeling broken and unloved,

But his signature is love.

If you let him sign his name on your heart,

He will never ever part.

His love for us goes beyond Christmas Day.

It is ours to have and hold

Each and every day.

You don’t have to worry about being played.

He will never break the vow he made.

Young soldier stationed far from home.

No matter how far you roam,

You are never too far from home.

I hope you know

He will follow you wherever you go.

When you are out on a deserted hill,

He is with you still.

When you lose your way,

The light of his star

Will show you the way.

To that pilot who can’t see where to fly

On the darkest night,

His star will brighten the sky

Just let your heart follow, follow,

Follow, that star

And he will be wherever you are.

He will show you the way.

This Christmas day,

No matter what you are going through,

He will be there for you.

If you believe.

Believe and let your heart follow,

Follow, follow,

Follow that star

He will be where ever you are.

2014 Patricia Newman-Harris

Happy Holidays to All

Wishing everyone who has listened to what I have shared through the written word, a very special holiday season.    I hope this year that I, in some way, have offered inspiration where it was need. I hope thoughts were provoked and lives were changed.  I am not a preacher or a teacher, just someone who wishes to inspire by sharing my thoughts.  I am far from perfect, and a lot of what I write also helps me to continue striving for that mark.  For me, writing  heals the wounds that life inflicts.  I hope and pray it does the same for you.

The Gift

There is a gift that is yours for free
It is ours for eternity.
It comforts the wounded and heals the
brokenhearted.  It removes boundaries
and causes walls to fall.
It's not something you have to buy or win.
It forms marriages that never end.
It is stronger than any glue you can find.
It endures a life time.
It carries us from trials and tragedies
to marvelous victories.
It brings hope to the hopeless.
In times of despair it continues to bless.
When our knees get weak,
It helps us to stay on our feet.
It teaches those who have received no mercy
to embrace their enemies with grace and mercy.
It circumvents station, reaching down from
the highest of places.
It enables us to grow,
and teaches us all we need to know.
It is the answer to every question;
the solution to every problem.
If we accept the gift,
we can unlock the doors to the universe.
All of our problems can be reversed.
Can't you see?
We already have the key
The answers we seek are easy to find
They have been written across the pages of time
in verse and line.
It is the writer's story and the poet's rhyme.
Listen.
Do you hear the universe speaking?
There is no problem you can't solve.
There is no big mystery here
Listen and you will hear
The universe speaking
I have all you are seeking.
I have the answer
I have the key
It goes back to the beginning,
back to the eve of our Savior's birth.
Think of the gift he brought for you and me.
When will you see?
You have the key
Listen and you will hear him speaking
I am the answer
I am the key
Accept my gift
and I will set you free.


P. Newman-Harris
copyright 2017

Honor Among Men

It is uncanny how you can write something in the past and find that it is still relevant.
I don't remember when I wrote this.  I know it was sometime prior to the election of President Obama.    I feel it is even more relevant today.          

When I think of this country’s history

I think of words like honesty, loyalty and integrity.

Our forefather’s stood on a declaration and decree

That no man should be denied the inalienable right to be free.

Because of their integrity, they set about abolishing slavery.

That was only the beginning for our country.

Our word carried great value among men,

But that was then.

Somewhere, somehow, something happened to us.

Our word is no longer our bond and our trust.

There is no honor among men

Who continually lie and pretend.

There’s more than a blemish on this country’s face.

In many parts of the world, we have become a disgrace.

We have lost the reverence and respect great men died to achieve.

Because they believed in the integrity

Of this great country,

They were willing to die for country and state.

That’s what made them great.

America has all but burned the bridges that were once built.

There is no shame or guilt.

I love my country, but I can see it’s faults
as clearly as if I were looking through glass.

It hurts to see us losing ground so fast.

When there is no honor between us,

Who can we trust?

What do you do when there is no loyalty?

Where do you go when there is no integrity

In your own home?

When respect is gone,

Each man stands alone.

When there is a loss of respect,

Everyone becomes suspect.

In the history of this land

There was once a pride that came with being called an American.

How can we get back to that place if we can’t trust, honor and respect

Those we elect?

We need someone we can look to with pride as our leader and our guide.

One whose word is his bond and his trust

Or God help us

A Story of Christmas Past

When I was a little girl, Christmas was a special time for me.  I loved the excitement, the Christmas carols and the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree.  What child would not be intrigued by the imagery?  I cannot tell you how many times we waited up just to sneak a peek of Santa placing gifts around the tree.  To me, Santa was such a mystery.  He did more than pique my curiosity, there were definite things I needed to know.  Like,  who was this Santa, where did he really come from, and how did he know so much about me?  It seemed as if he could keep track of all my shenanigans better than me.  The other amazing thing about him was that he had an unusual effect on children's behavior.  He had the uncanny ability to keep children in check from afar.  One thing was for certain, the pressure to behave couldn't be ignored.  All of my friends knew that if they wanted Christmas toys, they had to be good little girls and boys.  

A couple of times, I came pretty close to catching Santa in the act.  I pretended to be asleep. because I didn't want to risk his taking any of my toys back.  My Mother had told me that Santa was funny about things like that.  She said, he didn't want anyone to see him taking the toys from his great big sack.  I often wondered if she was making that stuff up, but Mothers don't make stuff up, right?  It did kind of puzzle me as to how she knew so much about Santa.  Especially, if, as she said, he wanted to keep a "low profile."  Yet strangely, he and my Mother seemed to have a special connection.   I puzzled over so much about the Santa mystery, but hey, what did know?  I was only a kid.  I learned to put all my questions aside, because as long as Santa made sure the things I wanted were under the tree. I was good.