Inspired...

Inspired by a poem written by Arnaldo Antunes, a writer and composer from Brazil.

I wrote in response to his poem, posted by Borbuletas no Estomago.

It's written in Portuguese, but I will translate it, afterward.


O Que Me Faz Feliz

O que me faz feliz?
O que me faz feliz?
Faz-me feliz, os que bem me quer.
Sou feliz por ter a bençao de Deus; o amor da minha familia, a simpatia dos meus amigos.
Faz-me feliz a vida,
o meu bem estar,
a paz do meu espirito.
Sou feliz por ser feliz.
Feliz por ter-te na minha vida.
Feliz por dizer Amen! qdo todos gritam PAZ NA TERRA A TODOS OS HOMENS!
Sou feliz pela minha respiraçao,
o meu coraçao que bate,
o sangue que corre nas minhas veias...
Sou feliz!
Pelas coisas mais simples e pequenas que possam exister.
Faz-me feliz, um sorriso espontaneo e cheia de graça.
Faz-me feliz, a minha saude.
O meu amor a musica, a arte...a vida.

E ainda me pergunto,
o que me faz feliz?
Porque sou feliz?

E te respondo com toda a sinceridade,
que sou feliz, porque sou um ser Humano,
mais vivo do que nunca.

Sou feliz.

Words of Reality

"You may think I'm a small person here, I'm 28 years old, for the record. Just for those who are saying, who is this small person telling us or teaching us... I'm not teaching anybody, I'm just sharing my experiences. That's what we call O.D.D at home [Nigeria] ... What I'm trying to say is...I take everything so serious, I find myself taking everything so serious (this year), like, it's good to be focused, is good to be serious, but it's also important not to forget, to feel, to really feel. And i decided to take a break [...] I went back home, and so many things happened within that one month in Lagos (Nigeria)...so many serious, like...accidents, I see people dying, I go to the general hospital, and I see how people are packed, together in one room, with all sorts of sickness and stuff like that...and I'm like...Nneka, your life is good, and God is good, and I'm not saying that if one is going through hardship, that God is not good...God is always good. Important is that we live life to the fullest, that we love. The only thing, that is important in life is to love, and that's the healing to every thing, to every sickness, to every whatsoever. The answer is LOVE, begin, end, middle...so that's my own. [...]"

These words of reality, were spoken by Nneka, live in Philly, before singing Heartbeat.
Her words, speak to me, as I live my everyday life.
The link is as follow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_FRY0Ypik8

Power on the Rise

Nneka was born in Nigeria, and at the age of 19 she emigrated to Hamburg, Germany, to follow her singing career while she was at a local university pursuing her BA in Anthropology. After meeting DJ & Beatboxer Dj Farhot. her secret to success, she has risen.
Her music reflects her life in Nigeria, but also the time period, lived in Europe. The distance from her homeland to her current city reflects in her voice, as well as her music influences. As key references, her compatriot Fela Kuti, Bob Marley the Reggae lend, and recent rappers such as Miss Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, Mobb Deep and Mos Def.

I was introduced to Nneka in late 2006, by a friend who lives in Germany. Since then I've researched about Nneka, about her life, her story and her music. I've found myself, listening to her music non-stop. I've learned to embrace her lyrics as part of my reality. Her voice is so angelic and rustic, that I've recommended her music to other people.
Before, she became well known in the US, she had fans all over Europe, and her mother country Nigeria.

Ye Yo

Ye Yo means "Mother" in Swahili.
I heard this song for the first time, less than 7 minutes ago. I immediately fell in love with it. Erykah Badu's voice is so powerful and pure. I respect her for who she is.

She begins by saying:
"I'd like to thank the Creator, for giving me this gift, and I'd like to thank you for being the reflection of this gift. 'Cause sometimes, you feel like you are by yourself and hmmm...no matter what anybody ever thinks...no matter what anybody EVER thinks, I still get cold when it's cold, hunger when I'm hungry, miss my mama when I'm away...get tired... I'm a person and I represent you."

Lyrics and the video to this beautiful song:

Ye yo, ye yo, ye yo, ye yo
(Help me)
Ye yo, ye yo, ye yo, ye yo...

Sometimes,
Sometimes I get so lonely, lonely, lonely
I feel all by myself up here
That's when I take a minute
To re-evaluate things
All of the things I think are special
Oooh like
When you wake up in the morning
And you see the morning sun
And you need to know the world is on your side
Who do you run to?
Who can you turn to?
Come on
Then the evening comes to greet you
You need someone to hold you close
And you feel the need to rest your aching mind
Who can you run to?
Who can you turn to?
Well see the sun's in the east and the moon reflects
Like the knowledge and wisdom I manifest
If you wanna go to heaven lay up on my breast
I'm ye yo, your ye yo
I say the sun's in the east and the moon reflects
Like the knowledge and wisdom I manifest
If you wanna go to heaven lay up on my breast
I'm ye yo, your ye yo
Ye yo, ye yo, ye yo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXyKgoptqBg

Mediation-Veil

Yesterday,
I went to the weekly Binghamton Sitting club aka Meditation club meeting.
For the first time, since the beginning of the semester, I was able to truly concentrate and just feel as if I was in a different world. For the first time, my state of mind was free.
Subsequently, our first "exercise" was to sing...different hymns and beats, all at once; different melodies and sounds, all in different tempo. I felt such a good vibe coming from it. I felt lighter.
Secondly, we had to introduce ourselves and say a word that describes who we are and that starts with the letter of our first name. Mine was Sunshine...This word describes me almost perfectly*.Then, we did the "veil meditation".
.... The instructor, told us to close our eyes, and think of veils that covered our faces/our body. Each veil had it's meaning and a different color.
I'd like to tell you, about my experience, while doing this meditation.
Before I begin, I just would like to point out that I was able to concentrate knowing that none of my friends had gone that day, and that I had to do this, in order to really feel how it is to be a meditative state of being. All of my veils were see-through and light.
The first veil, was colored blue, it represented me being a student. I had to take it off and put it down. I felt as if I had lost a part of me.
Green colored veil meant family, I took it off and I missed my family so much. I wanted to cry; and all the good/bad memories rushed into to my mind. I missed those who have departed from this world more than ever. I wish I could see them for a last time.
Next, we had to take the veil that represented friends, for me that was a red color. I felt so relieved, liberated; I felt as if I don't to prove anything to anyone.
My future was colored white, I was happy to know I have plans for the future, for my tomorrow. Plans of being a greater person, of walking my talk, of going places, meeting people, achieving peace where there's war.....of meditating at a Buddhist monastery in Tibet. All of these plans, and many others are part of my dreams, my future.
Second to last, I had to take the veil of self, off. I did it, I put it down carefully. I promised myself that I would take care of myself more, that I would enrich myself with positivism and realism.
Lastly, I had to let my body go...I felt as if I was dissolving. That's when I started dancing, my body started to wiggle, All in all, I felt freer than ever before.
Meditation veil: I did it, I like it, and I recommend it.







If you would like to know more information about different types of meditation. I recommend this site. It is great. http://www.spiritualnow.com/articles/20/1/The-Different-Types-of-Meditation/Page1.html

Imbroglio*

Relief, shelter, fear, all of these words create moods that you learned to accept without ever questioning their values.

QUESTION!

*a confused heap

World Travel...

These pictures, are from places I've mentioned below!

World Travel

It is not hard to imagine myself, embarking on a world journey.
It is not hard to dream about emerging myself, on a culture and tradition different than my own.
It is hard to be in two places at once; therefore taking one step at a time, is my best bet.
India, Indonesia, Italy....these three countries call my attention. I don't know if it's because of the book "Love, Eat and Pray" by Elizabeth Gilbert, I recently read.
But either way it's something about them...Or could it be Egypt, Kenya, and Israel?
Opportunities and more opportunities!
Places, people, food, language, culture...etc these amongst many other "interests" calls my name.
I wish, I could be at not only two but three, four, five...places...or as many as I could imagine, and dream about.
Something about the world really fascinates me.
I don't know what exactly is it, but I do know that it changes me for the better each and everyday.
It makes me want IT, more than ever, with all my positive thoughts and with all my soul.
I want to embark in this world journey, which began since I opened my eyes for the first time.
I want to be part of this world, today, more than ever before.
I want IT.
I really do.
Questioning myself is out of the question.
I dream with my eyes wide open, and I can feel my soul vibrate...
It's my five senses working at their best.
It's me embarking in this world journey, that I imagined myself in.
It's me in India, Indonesia and Italy...It's me in Egypt, Kenya and Israel...
It's me and the reality of this world.
World travel, is what I call IT.
IT starts...NOW!

Vibes!

Sometimes I feel too much, at other times feel nothing and sometimes, I envision,
A tangle.
Stagnation.
I feel like I'm not part of here.
I feel as if I have to go home.
Renewal, indecision.

....
I look back and I see that a certain sweetness is gone.
I'm nostalgic.
My hands are tied.
Without the power for any resolution and action.
Powerless...
I feel a veil that falls on my face, on my shoulder.
I get on my knees.
There's a strange feeling that I have been here before.
I must be lost, walking in circles.

Signs ...
And the heat that warms my soul is gone.
Thinking about it, makes me miss it.
The reality is, it hurts my stomach.
I should see a doctor!
Not one, but two!
Take medications, do treatments, follows the instructions strictly.
And all this, accompanied by a hand to hold.

Power...
Don't trust it.
Forget that it can help you.
Forget about what it is.
Forget that you came from it.
Sweet are the dead, that pretends to be saints.
Sweet are the sordid pretending to be clean.
I forgot how life can have a sweet taste.
How could someone act like this? Poor thing...
Pitiable are the weak too.
Woe to those who deceive themselves.
But...what's the advantage of not being deceived?
What is it?
Aloof. Cold. Fearful. Sad. Disenchanted.
What a crestfallen look....it must be the lack of sun.
That's it, I'll go look for a doctor!
I promise to fix everything, the way it's supposed to be.
Ignorance.
My spirit is poor.
Lack of for an active voice and individualism.
Lack for a character.
I dream of a worthy,
living soul.
Magic!
Open sesame.
I dream of a rapprochement.
Disagreements haunt me...
They dreamed of me...
I want to dream the same dream as you.
I outburst.
I discharge.
I have the sensation of walking in circles, we must ask:
Where is the exit, please?
Where is the exit?

Missing the SUN!

Oh how I miss home, my real home!
Nothing like the beautiful summer of Cape Verde.
If you are tired of winter, if it makes you weary all day; than this goes out to you.
Sun, warmth, nights of "luar", friends, conversations, laughter, the sun. Tranquility, smoothness. A bath at the beach to refresh your body, spirit and mind. Kids playing,and families gathering. People jogging, and walking through the beautiful sand. My grandpa walking through the streets,talking to people he had known his entire life, my cousin riding his bicycle.
Oh, how I miss those times when all I knew was the warmth of the morabeza of my beautiful "Petit Pays". Asking a friend to pass the baby-oil in order to achieve the perfect tan, the color kissed by the sun; laughter for life's enjoyment, and the vast ocean to purify my mind; when day dreaming had an endless limitation...
Going outside to get wet when it's raining (which only happens during 3 months a year, if we are lucky!)....surfers at the beach (thank God, they invented this sport!) to appreciate, flirt and look at. Looking doesn't hurt, does it? An afternoon spent at my friends' house, and then walking home through the streets that I once knew so well. (It has changed since last time I was home.)
Summer is really astonishing! People get together, they reunite by the sunlight, the mysteries are discovered during the nights full of stars and the moon shines from a distance, to put your whole body in shape, with a good session of yoga for relaxation. Ah! and how about when women with cramps, reunite to refresh by the warm afternoon of summer, while waiting for the Doce de Papaya and Freskinha (papaya jam and ice cream)....their vision is usually fulfilled by the lady that walk long hours from street to street in order to sale the goodies everyone craves...but in between good laughter, when we less expect, the vision becomes reality and the desires are achieved. Happenings of the summer...
By the waters of March, we all wait to perpetuate this scenario, but while we don't live near the tropics, like Cape Verde, we can only enjoy every moment and change with the season, when it decides to change, because the pace of life, that, no one can stop!

A World Of Possibilities

The world:

Don't take everything so personal, nor dramatize what ever happens.
Certain things happen because of the relativity of possibilities.
Everything is possible. Therefore, open your mind.
Right now is chilly outside; later it will be windy; and then rain will come. This has nothing to do with you, it's just the way nature is and its vital cycles.
Whether you exist or not, the world will continue to go round and round without stopping...
Whether you smile or cry, nature will always be in its own way! So what's the point in fussing and complaining that the weather is not like you want it to be? And, inside of you, isn't it like this too??