THE GATEWAY BEYOND BLACK DESPAIR
I’m not always sure about the world. I say this after spending my entire life in community, helping many to prosper beyond their limitations of mind.
During times where everything appears as “futile,” not much seems to bend: neither the contrariness of flawed human reasoning, the inadequacy of social aid response, nor even what should more readily be accessed as what repairs our often flawed social condition. And while some may call this stagnancy, “the will of God,” I’ve learned to at least view it more as, a massive ship turning toward a path or direction, different, or otherwise, which simply cannot ever be all at once, or else it would leave all in peril, by the laws and force that govern its ability to be navigated: a much fiercer energy than its own — called the ocean, seas, wind and physics, realizing that, MANY have certainly fallen to this greatness of power, by negligence, by circumstance, by misunderstanding, ignorance, and even by way of will.
Life simply isn’t ours to figure out by human intellect. Neither is it subject to mental reasoning. And while we can certainly say, “I’m going here or there, or when I awaken tomorrow, I’ll accomplish this or that,” there truly isn’t any guarantee we will, except in the quiet space of unfolding, where each moment reveals the next; and if we are equipped, it will utilize what it’s placed within us, as our talents, our mysteries, our strength, courage, adaptations, and yes, even our failures.
If there are any assurances to be had, it will most inevitably, come in the wake of experience, good or bad. And depending upon how you’ve prepared yourself to view said circumstances, will most certainly dictate the outcome of how you either thrive or survive any chosen event or occurrences. THIS will always be the case. What I mostly know about life, is sadly, loss — as I’ve had much of its kind. But too, in the immortal words of Charles Dickens, I have as well, experienced gain. And yes, BOTH can exist together, right alongside of each other — as truth:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way–in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
— A Tale of Two Cities
7 I make light and create darkness.
I make blessings and create evil.
I, Yahweh, do all these things.
In the experience of living extremely well, or even moderately so, there has also come homelessness, inability to work, bouts of affliction, great health, sickness, despair, uncertainty, disparagement, hope, faith, courage and too, RESILIENCE. And if the last is any indication of what the world truly inspires, I wish for others, the latter rescue of becoming resilient. For in IT, is truly the mastery of being divinely human. And while the moment can certainly turn sour, the sweetness has always been within the same dish, eventually served to all. It is simply our appetite that, either lessens, or increases, based on how we are enticed by the meal.
These days, I just do not any longer choose, or engage, in mental acrobatics, theater, or Olympics. There’s no reward in any of it. I rather, conclude very quickly, what I am to do with what I’ve got, while awaiting the next phase, direction, or participation. And in THAT, my life has been absolutely wonderful. For if I had something to lose, it was also once gain. And its departure is only a reminder that nothing lasts forever. And if so, what am I really complaining about?
I now see clearly, the forest and the trees, the good and the bad, the holy and unholy, the evil and the divine rescue that follows. For it is ALL under the same sun, existing among the stars and galaxies of our inspirational purpose. And if I am inspired to say, or do anything, it will ALWAYS be in the midst of what can be described as acceptable, and unacceptable, where my true power is not to judge, or add condemnation — knowing that all churns under divine authority and will. And while I may undoubtedly, see the decline of Black community, youth in particular, with breeding of disruptive behaviors, there is too, what acts in realms of amazing grace.
We are simply to be patient with ourselves, others, and with all of what will soon to come as peace. And in THAT, all will eventually be saved, which is why I’ve learned to premise that, “power is principled, and decree that there is none greater than what is above. To THIS, will always be our greatest glory and IMAGO DEI.”
S’agir KHȂLIL, founder, CCLO, Creative Director, SFTP
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