zaji

• 

• moments in time…

  • bio
  • contact
  • creation
    • books
    • freelance
    • stories
    • writings
  • creative ankh
  • photos
  • reciprocity
    • authors
    • credits
    • friends
    • spots
  • seek
    • sitemap
  • short stories
  • subscribe
  • the zaji
• 

• norman rockwell

  Norman Rockwell is a famous artist known by only a special group of people. We are the unique few who appreciate his down home images. Always funny, and mostly comprised of children, family and community situations, Norman Rockwell is in the ranks as one of the great artists of our time.

  I would recommend that any art lover examine his works. He is suprisingly amusing and has a way of capturing history on the canvas. His paintings and general works are often displayed on calendars, mugs and as figurines, to name a few places.

  

  my hair has walked thousands of miles through time

   

  Today I looked at my hair and felt the soul of my ancestors flow through me.  I could hear them speak to me, admonishing me to move forward, be the great and shining star in the sky, amongst the many millions of stars, all of us together, lighting the universe and paving the way for something incredible and beautiful.

  Some spoke like thunder, others in whispers, but each ancestor reassured me that if I follow my path, greatness was not far off.  And my grand crown was only the beginning of a life journey that would unfold, like a lotus flower.

  My hair…my locs…it houses centuries of my history. It has traversed time and traveled over thousands of miles of land.  It has lived many lives and experienced many things. And now, it finds me here, in this land, on a new journey.

  I welcome the voyage. And my hair, my locs, will continue to leave the oral history of my lineage, for as long as it is nappy and natural, and filled with the soul of my ancestry.

  

  chasing words

  Words are the saviors and destroyers of many nations. They creep into our psyche, giving us a perspective of the world that could be true or false, good or bad. Words are used as the reasons for many things. One wrong comment could yield a windfall of destructive behavior never anticipated by the commenter. Yet, we continue to use words, often carelessly, to express ourselves, never considering the potential outcome.

  Still, there is so much beauty in words. Some of the greatest love stories have been penned and even greater discoveries shared through words. And no matter the language, the impact of words is universal.

  Words are our worst nightmare and the answer to our wildest dreams. We chase them, good and bad, with the fervor of a child chasing a butterfly. And they elude us, many times, just as easily. But we remain diligent in our desire to capture them, manipulate them and use them for our pleasure. And, for the most part, our intentions are worthy. We ultimately succeed in sharing with the world those things that plague us or leave us curious.

  I follow the path of words, because they are the path to understanding. And it is through knowing them, living with them, breaking bread with them, that we become better communicators and understand the power inherent.

  

  the writing life and my mac

  
  I’m listening to the hum of my MacIntosh Quicksilver tower. It’s old as computer years go, seven years as of March and counting. I suppose in human years that is somewhere around seventy. My Mac is now considered a senior citizen. It hums low and patient, giving me the best years of its life. As I write this, I am reminded of the many experiences we’ve had together.

  On her I’ve written to friends and family; posted blogs, edited manuscripts, created websites and logos by moonlight for extra cash. But the most important days we’ve spent together were the days spent writing for my novels. Sharing the voices that begged to get on the page delighted Wisdom. She saved within the dark reaches of her memories everything I’ve ever imagined.

  Her name has always been Wisdom and was given to her to honor her precious gift. It is through her many wisdom filled parts that I have the opportunity to sit here today and write this. She’s never gotten sick and never complained. She’s been sluggish at times, but those were the days I would load her down with the worries of my life. Aware of her weariness, I would carefully and meticulously go through her and unload some of her burdens. Some of my burdens, actually.

  She sits on the floor to the right of me. She is strong and proud and knows that I am always there if she were to ever even so much as have a hiccup. She shares the space with a friend, my monitor, which is her eyes and ears.

  Writing would never have been possible without my Mac. And today, I am thankful that she houses every bit of who I am, my voice, essence and pieces of my soul. Without my Mac, the writing life would have been far more challenging. So much could have been lost forever. But she’s never failed me yet. I will keep writing, even as I know her life is short.

  My memories are safe within her womb…hanging on for life and for love.

  

  the bear dream

  In December 2006 I shared a dream I had about a bear with a long time friend, writer and dream intepreter who has been a great mentor to me over the years. This was the essence of my dream:

  I dreamt there was a bear in a house, maybe my house, don’t know. But there were a lot of us in the house; it felt like family. The bear was going from room to room, looking around, sniffing and such. Although we were frightened, the bear didn’t seem to be doing any harm.

  I locked myself in a room with either my sister or my daughters, can’t figure which, and it turns out the bear wanted to come into that room. It visited all the other rooms except the room we were in. It was like it needed to be present in every room or it wouldn’t be satisfied. It clawed under the door as I pushed and held it shut. Even though there was plenty of house for the bear to walk around, it insisted on coming into the one room it didn’t walk into yet.

  After reading the details of my dream above, this is what my friend shared:

  You think, “I am Pittershawn. I have a name full of texture and richness. I am this and I am that. I know what I am.”

  The dream says, “You are the Bear Princess. You are of our clan. You have an ancient lineage. You have American Indian blood in your veins. You come down a long line of women who know how to heal, who work with herbs, who have power. The bear is your nature. The bear is large, powerful, strong, fearsome. You yourself are afraid of your own nature. That nature needs to enter into all areas of your life. You need to be brave enough to let it into your most intimate place.”

  Its method is your method. To look around, to sniff. The method of a writer. The sniff is the intuition, not the mind. Write about things that have no substance but are the most important, most essential to write about. And then you enter the ranks of the great writers. By writing you discover that which you couldn’t know otherwise. If there is a river with fish, the bear can find it. If there is a bush with berries, the bear can find it. Bears are amazing like this. Be the bear.

  The bear wants you. The bear is your life trying to find its way to you. The bear is your nature, tracking you down. You can’t deny it. It’s stronger than you. You can’t hide where you think you’ll be safe because that’s just where it wants to be, where you are. It’s you.

  What does the dream mean? The time has come for you to own your power. The time has come for you to be big. The time has come for you to sweep aside lesser things, find those things that are hiding from your eyes. The message: you are too big to be afraid, even of yourself, because your self is what’s big.

  This is a religious dream, but not in the way of the White man’s religion, Christianity. It is a religious dream in the way of the Ainu of Japan, who worship the cave bear, as the Neanderthal did, and primitive man almost everywhere does, even primitive white man in Europe before civilization. You have to go back to your root, and this is the religion of that root. The bible is in the language of the lamb and the shepard, it has in it the lion, etc. Mark, Matthew, Luke and John are each represented by animals, I forgot which is which. But this bear dream stems from a deeper source. In the end only you can know what it means. Only you can find out, by becoming that which you most truly are.

  Vist Bill @ his website.

  I’ve spent many days soaking in his words. I will soon share my first reaction. I need to once again meditate on it.

  

  after glow

  Joy can be an elusive thing. So when we see it, we should grab it and hold on for dear life. The last thing we want is to let it slip away. There are many pleasures in life, but sometimes only available to an elite few. I have learned how to tap into the joy that spills from the universe.

  Over the years I have experienced a whirlwind of emotions, each one teaching me something new about myself, and the world around me. Each time, I was drawn one step closer to understanding how to attain true peace in my life. Now, after a not so short time, I have settled into a relative state of peace. This is not to say that there are never times of tension. But these moments are now far and few between.

  I’ve also realized that we are the masters of what changes our mood. There are times when it seems almost expected that we should act a certain way under certain conditions. But I have come to learn that no matter what is expected or is our right to exercise, doesn’t always equal the right thing to do. Further, it doesn’t always produce the long-term effect we so desperately need. Opting to seek joy far outweighs the temporary pleasure of exercising anger.

  When I meet various people, one of the things they say is that I look happy, almost glowing. That is mostly because I have opted for joy and peace, and have decided that I will seek it and hold on to it by any means necessary. My emotional destiny is in my hands. I will steer it down the road that is most scenic. And as I travel, the after glow of my joy will light my way.

  

  yellow stickies

  I have a load of yellow stickies on my desk and a few stuck to my computer. I’ve made a bunch of notes to myself, things to do, appointments, reminders in general. While writing, I’ll look up at them and moan over something that I must stop to take care of.

  I’m starting to wonder if it is possible to have a fear of yellow stickies. They are like rabbits that multiply when you are not looking. The phone rings, you grab a yellow sticky to make a note. You forgot to do something, you grab a yellow sticky to make a note. By day’s end, you are bombarded with stickies on every corner of your computer monitor. They are sometimes distracting, as they constantly remind me that there is something else that needs to be done, which will inevitably take me away from my writing for hours.

  But as much as these stickies drive me crazy, I continue to use them. The only consolation is that I have the option to use other colors, to spice things up a bit. Sick, I know. But what else is there? A Blackberry? I don’t think so. My feeling is that will make my life even more hectic. More memoryy, more space for things to do. I’ve got enough. Thanks.

  

  the pot roast

  There was once a little girl who was in the kitchen with her mother and she was observing her mother prepare a pot roast. She looked on as the mother carefully seasoned the pot roast. When it was time to place the roast in the oven the mother cut off pieces from both sides of the roast, put them aside, placed the roast in the pot, and put it in the oven. The little girl asked her mother, “Why did you cut off the sides of the pot roast.” Her mother said “That is the way my mother always prepared it, I don’t know why she did it, but I do it too. If you want to know why, then you have to ask your grandmother.” The little girl went to her grandmother and asked her why she cut off both ends of the pot roast. Her grandmother said “That is the way my mother always prepared it, I don’t know why she did it, but I do it. If you want to know why, then you have to ask your great grandmother.” The child then went to her great grandmother and asked her why she cut off both ends of the pot roast. Her great grandmother said, “I don’t know why your grandmother did it, or why your mother does it, but I did it because my pot was too small for the pot roast.” – Origin Unknown

  “When the purpose of a thing is not known abuse is inevitable.” – Miles Monroe

  

  accountable spirit

  When will we begin to hold people accountable for their spirit and not just their words? When will we begin to say to folks, your spirit is oozing disease, and you need to see that? We play into so many conversations in this world, never realizing that we are attempting to battle with negative spirit addicts.

  Addicts are the most clever negotiators. They will find inventive ways to make their addiction seem alright to them. At times, they will even convince others that they are not really addicted, but have chosen their way of life and are perfectly normal and reasonable in their behavior, and in the ways they act out against others. It is them, not me, they say. They are the ones who can’t see that I am perfectly ok. This is the talk of addicts. It has always been their way of speaking and communicating–their way of maintaining their lifestyle.

  The new addicts are those who hurl derogatory words or terms at others; their spirit is addicted to certain negative beliefs. They spew these things with the same precision and level of seemingly intelligent reasoning that all other addicts do. They are clever in their dance and spin on their actions, all in an attempt to dodge their real problem. And like most addicts, they may even make feeble attempts at apologizing, sidestepping the fact that their addiction has taken hold of them, and focusing only on making better the words they’ve venomously spit and they skillfully fool us into believing that that is all they need to make good on all they need to fix. We take their apology, or not, and vow to get them back if they say another bad thing to us. We become accomplices in their addiction.

  Some of us will attempt to tell them they are sick. The typical response is offense. But this is the way of addicts. They cannot have their intelligence or integrity or sanity questioned. Because if it is called into question, then they cannot maintain their addiction with dignity, they will be forced to face their problem head on, forced to admit that they are sick. And for some, that is worse than the addiction itself. That is because we generally want people to see us as good. But in their eyes, a certain level of respect will be lost for them if they admit to their addiction. They will have, they believe, no dignity.

  We must, however, hold these destructive spirit addicts accountable for their behavior, and especially their thoughts. It is the only way for all to heal. We cannot allow them to explain away or give simple apologies for their problems, which ultimately affect others around them. To apologize for a word spoken or an action taken does not address the addiction. It only addresses the outcome of the addiction.
  I believe that until we hold people accountable for their way of thinking and believing, we will continue to battle a problem that runs deeper than all the surface discussions we continue to have, in an effort to tip-toe around telling an abusive addict that they are an abusive addict.

  Today, I hold myself accountable. I will take responsibility for telling the negative spirit addicts in my life what they are. It is expected that they will fall into denial. But if everyone around them disallows them from swimming in their sea of oblivion and denial, they will have nowhere to hide from themselves. I will equally hold them accountable for their addiction in every respect.

  I believe if we take these steps, change, however slow, will eventually occur. As it stands, we have taken virtually no steps forward because of our continued resistance to telling people of their sickness. I will not share in the shame of addicts any longer. It is not my addiction. I will not cover for them.

  

  into the future

  This is a piece I wrote some time ago. I’ve decided to share it here…

  I was walking down a long road not long ago. As I approached the fork, I was at odds as to which way I should go. Each path looked equally passable, with nothing significant to distinguish the right way from the wrong way.

  I stood staring for the better part of twenty minutes, wondering what my next move should be-where should I go? Which is the easier road?As I stood there, another person came along, walking swiftly by me as I stood dumbfounded trying to assess my future. I called out to the person, who was moving ahead at a harried pace.

  “Which way is the right way?” I called out exasperated.

  “The right way to where?” the person responded.

  “The best path out of here,” I answered.

  “Pick a road and make the best of it, they both lead to the same end,” the person shouted, still shuffling along quickly.

  “What?” I queried once again.

  “It’s what you make of it; the journey. See you at the other end,” the person waved and smiled, while turning off to the left. 

  The response of this stranger, who so eagerly plowed forward into an unknown future, was baffling at first. I watched as the slim frame slowly faded into the distance. I stood pondering what seemed like trickery to get me to make the wrong decision. 

  Dusk began to settle in as I stood wondering on this comment, this idea that both roads could yield the same end. It was as the sun neared the horizon, and the shadows began to creep in that I realized it was not that both roads would be easy to pass, but that each would lead me to my destiny (chosen or happenstance). What I made of the Journey was up to me, and what was most important.

  If I took the left road, it could be smooth and scenic, yielding all the pleasures life has to offer as I pass. The right road could be rocky and cold, laden with obstacles meant to deter me. But the right road, the more difficult to pass, hindered me only by the way I perceived the journey. What would be an obstacle for some, could be seen as a challenge, and a chance to put forth the very best of myself. The right road (pun intended) could be all the left road is, based on my perception. 

  Our future is limited only by how we view it. We are the most impossible miracle the universe has ever created; this knowledge allows us to see that nothing is truly impossible, because we are here; and all we want and need resides in the limitless universe, in an uncharted and waiting journey-with a limitless future.

  Perception is key. Don’t let the sunset of your life arrive with you still waiting at the crossroads. Take a chance. Whatever road you take will be great. All you need do is change your outlook on life, and step into the future-your future.

  

  eating sunshine

  Nectarines just might be nectar from the gods. Their potent red skin conceals the bright yellow flesh that is a twin to the sun. The sun, with its powerful rays, maintains and sustains life, just as the nectarine maintains and sustains the body.

  It illuminates the cells as the sun illuminates the very core of our existence. We are the sun, the sun is us. Each tender bite of that gentle fruit is a reminder of the power of the sun. It is through the ever present rays that life is brought forth in the form we now know.

  A nectarine is amongst the many sensual fruits. It engages the spirit with invisible fingers that tenderly caress every part of the body. Its sweetness is sexy, and its scent is like pheromones. Once eaten, the nectarine and my body become one, a symbiotic existence that can never be broken.

  Eating a nectarine is like eating sunshine. And in turn, translating into an orgasmic experience that defies even the great power of nirvana.

  

  in reciprocity

  A little over a week ago, I shared a gift. This gift was/is in the spirit of reciprocity and in honor of the ancestors. I gave away more than 20 free simple website designs to those who were the first to contact me. To date, two of those sites are up and running. The others are in the works.

  Many have asked me why I would give away my graphic design services for free. My question to them is, why not? In this infinite universe, there are infinite possibilities and an infinite amount of positive energy that flows through everything. There is something intrinsically degenerate about a culture that enslaves through a system that nature did not create. Nature gives everything for free. But humans have decided to enslave others to a point where only those in power can utilize the freedoms of nature, while everyone else must be enslaved to those who hold the power and succumb to their system in order to survive.

  Although I am forced to live in this type of culture, I believe there are ways to give back to that which gave to me freely. Everything around us is a gift; a gift we are meant to share with each other freely, with no one person or group controlling the whys or hows of utilizing our mutual natural gifts.

  I have chosen to work in accordance with universal law in some small way. I would have shared many more free website designs. But as a slave to this culture, I am forced to participate in this monetary system. The last vestige of freedom has been stripped from us. So now, if I even wanted to live on a piece of land and denounce my participation in this culture, I cannot. Because we are now, by law, bullied into paying land taxes. Our last stronghold of freedom is gone in most places. Land must now be procured and kept via taxes. We have no choice but to participate. It is now participate, or be bullied off the land the universe gave us for free. So sadly, I must do what I do at times for money.

  Had this culture been different, I would have given away many more free sites.  There would never be a charge for sharing my gift with those within my village. In truth, the word free most likely would not have been a part of my vocabulary.  That which is understood by all and lived naturally by all requires no word.  All in reciprocity. I hope those sites I’ve completed are enjoyed by the authors who received their gift. In honor of the ancestors.

  Namaste.

  Two completed gratis sites (18 to go as of today):  jacquelinedmoore.com &  millerscribes.com

  
  

  

  < |||| > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
• 
• 

• subscribe to zaji's journal

  Your email:
  

   

• 

• my debut novel

  

• folks are commenting on…

  • sexuality: does spirit wear clothes? (79)
  • authors beware (21)
  • songs: mizz aviance (15)
  • cell phones (14)
  • why i write (11)

• my livelihood

  

• things to read…

  Select Category amazing  (17) audio  (4) book  (10) definition  (1) experiences  (61) family  (14) fiction  (7) friends  (3) funny  (7) intellectual  (8) introspection  (12) knowledge  (9) life  (45) love  (15) memories  (22) moments  (23) music  (12) musings  (62) nature  (14) non-fiction  (3) on writing  (19) photo  (28) podcast  (2) poetry  (14) quote  (14) reading  (9) sensual  (9) sexy  (14) spirit  (4) story  (13) thoughts  (61) video  (5) wisdom  (10) writing  (12)

• echoes

  everything we do in life will echo throughout eternity
• 
• 

• her-story

  Select Month August 2010  (1) June 2010  (4) May 2010  (5) April 2010  (4) March 2010  (6) February 2010  (7) January 2010  (12) December 2009  (9) November 2009  (7) October 2009  (29) September 2009  (26) August 2009  (86) July 2009  (2) June 2009  (1) May 2009  (2) April 2009  (4) March 2009  (1) February 2009  (5) January 2009  (1) December 2008  (1) October 2008  (1) September 2008  (1) August 2008  (1) May 2008  (1) March 2008  (1) January 2008  (1) May 2007  (1) April 2007  (3) March 2007  (11) February 2007  (5) January 2007  (1) December 2006  (1) October 2006  (1) September 2006  (1) July 2006  (1) June 2006  (6) April 2006  (1) March 2006  (2) February 2006  (1) January 2006  (1) December 2005  (2) September 2005  (2) August 2005  (6) July 2005  (2)
• 

• in the clouds

  alive awake aware book different earth family fiction freedom fun joy knowing knowledge learn learning life listen live look love memories moment moments music nature now peace photo poetry quote read reading see sensual sexy soul spirit stories story think thinking thoughts wisdom write writing
• 

• send to a friend

  enjoyed the read?
  share this page...

  Friend's Email

  Enter your message

  Enter security code

  

• footprints

  footprints today: 2
  total footprints: 265
  online: 1
  
  since:
  February 21, 2010

(om) omniversal rights 2010 zaji. all omniversal or universal natural rights reserved.
designed and customized by creative-ankh.com