Imani

Recently, I have had to face all that was not right in my life. Why things happened the way they did... why I am not living my fairytale and most recently, trying to rectify wrongs caused by my behalf. I am not perfect... nor have I ever claimed to be. I cannot point the finger at anyone else for much of how the last couple years of my life played out... for I do believe everything happens for a reason... and every person serves a purpose... if only for a season.

The fact is, I did not take heed at many of the Creator's signs, lessons, prohibitions ... I witnessed myself transform into a different person for someone else. I could not part my lips and speak on stepping out on faith because I wasn't prepared to deal with what I had to tell him... what I wanted to tell him.... needed to tell him.

(Imani (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.)

Then I felt respect and admiration from a friend whose feelings and words moved me in a way that I hadn't felt in so long. And it reignited me. Made me realize I was worthy, to be loved by a man who appreciated me and let me know that life is only what we make it and with whom. And I use today, the day of faith, to look forward with a different perspective. I miss my daddy, yes. But I still have my mother and we have grown so close. I have a sun, whose smile lights up my life. I have a sister, a niece and nephews who think I am sooo cool. And I know I am loveable... so my King is coming.

There are so many that I have learned from as I make mistakes in this life, trying to stake my claim in my next. I've been schooled about compassion, patience and opening my heart. I am grateful to those who taught me how to be understanding... and step out on faith and get myself together... and the lessons who have taught me that in order to properly be able to receive someone, the right way, is only when I have my shit together, myself together.

I have so many elders that I have listened to, taken lessons from through my nearing 29 years on this earth. I've looked up to them for their leadership and guidance, and I will take heed.

I'm going to lead by example for my seed... for since his birth he has taught me about my spirit and provided me with a loving template to show me that I can have a loving relationship with someone not based on confusing factors, sex, looks, money, stature, fame, or any of that bullshit.... but real, true, L-O-V-E.

As I continue to rebuild my family, my faith in FAMILY and us as a people overcoming the struggle grows stronger and my responsibilities to the people become more defined. I believe in my lifetime that we will see small victories that will eventually lead to the triumph over all that oppresses us (Obama, anyone?). I completely respect The Movement, but am grounded enough to respect reality and commitment to time and development of self to prosper and make change. Now if only I can get others to see that the self process is not only for ME, but for each of us. I thank the Creator daily on the paths I've crossed... even if those paths didn't lead to where I thought they might.

I draw heavily on the principle Imani to live, let go, and let God in the hustle and bustle of life, relationships and all its various journeys.

Peace be unto each of us... let's stake claim of our destiny in 2009 and every year hereafter... let nothing, or no one, hold you back. Fate is real.

Now, who wants to party and welcome the New Year with open arms? :)

Kuumba

I always consider myself an out of the box thinker... I like my creative side. I've even created cyber aliases that depict me as Kuumba (creativity). I like doing different and creative things making people know that I am one of a kind. I take time to invest myself in projects (care packages, thank you cards, letters, poems, spoken word etc.) but I have not been putting as much time into it as I should.

I just sent a good friend of mine a package overseas... I think he will like it. I hope so... I put a lot of thought into it.

In the spirit of Kuumba (using creativity to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it), I will rededicate myself to my crafts. Resurrecting my blog was a big step. It's more than bringing beautiful children in this world... especially if you can't afford them and/or don't plan to raise them right... it's about planting the SEEDS that will grow into beautiful doctors, lawyers, scientists, (wo)men of God, architects and neighbors.

As for me, I pledge to represent self from this day forward as a woman of God, a sister of community service, a lady of soul, a provider and believer of family values and someone worthy of all blessings and wonderful things that life has to offer. I pledge to let my true spirit shine and live in the moments of light. Because I AM a woman worthy of all the respect and love and partnership that a black man can give me... when I am ready to receive it. I have right to do things in my own time... make sure I am making well thought-out decisions.

A wise man once told me: "In order to be of service and do all of the things you do for your immediate and extended family as well as yourself, one must have the eye and mind to expound on simple ideas in order to make them much greater. In order to have the flavor, soul and style that you have, you gotta have a rhythmic and original process of thought. You exemplify all that is sexy, flavorful and uniquely and undeniably Afrocentric."

SO that is how I will pledge Kuumba. By simply being who I am, no one else. Not tryin to please others by making decisions not my own. I can't be rushed. I can't be provoked. I can't be intimidated. Instead, I make use of my creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant family and hopefully community of people around me who respect my decision making, my strength and me, 360..

I am glad I am me... and no one else.

Nia

Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

In 2005 I went on a "pilgrimage" to Washington D.C. to the Millions More Movement ... I need to remember why so many of us traveled so far to see, hear and experience what we waited so long and planned so intently for. Nia.

Since... what has happened in the black community as far as positive changes that were discussed that day so powerfully? Not much.

Millions of us had the same sense of purpose and duty enough to go to our nation's capitol and be a part of something greater than ourselves. We chose to become a part of a day that gave us a historical event of change that sparked millions of black minds to have purpose to gain better a better standard of life for our people. But how many of us have acted on our purposes discussed that day. I humble myself to admit that I have not... as much. And I just started proving my seriousness in March when I got my new job.

Though, that moment and experience changed my life. It took me a moment to act but I gained a renewed sense of purpose. I carried that back to my home and basked in those moments with others who attended and shared that excitement and newfound knowledge with those that could not. We felt like changed people with our torches re-lit, knowing if darkness fell on us as a people, those of us who got the knowledge could light the torches again... so we will no longer stumble and lose direction.

I hope we never lose our senses of passion and faith in the movement. It gave us purpose and continues to help us find what individual responsibilities we need to create and accomplish for the betterment of our people and in the name of the movement. With a new president elect getting inaugurated in a matter of weeks... I hope to finally see things we discussed then and since then finally, finally come to fruition.

Seeing the beautiful face of the man we're putting in the White House backed by his family values and down-to-earth nature, educated and full of change... I have nothing but hope for Nia.

Ujamaa

I am supposed to be running my own business ... right now. But I am not... mostly because laze has a funny way of taking over situations that are pertinent and masking things that I probably should not have been directing so much energy to as important.

I pledge to fix that in 2009 and work only toward things that serve some sort of higher purpose and indeed building and positivity for the future, mine and that of my youth.

Perhaps the late Dr. Donda West had it right... bury yourself in the betterment, building and watering of your seed by making the most of your professional goals, family, personal growth and letting men fall where they may. If they fall...

Kanye West might be a spoiled brat, but he's a genius who knows the importance of family... and most importantly loved his mother unconditionally. I'll take that! :-)

Ujima

Since March, I have worked for a tutor/mentor organization that serves 7-12th grade at-risk youth. This is my first stint at trying to work for a non-profit and it truly fulfills me. Even on days where I am stressed beyond belief, just knowing that I am making an impact on my community makes it that much more tolerable.

We have a social responsibility, in my humble opinion, as Blacks to maintain our community. It is easy to sit by the wayside and complain about our youth, the crime, our politics, our PEOPLE as a whole, but it takes a lot more heart and consciousness to do something about it. Black studies professors, some politicians, non-profit organization CEOs, presidents and board members take the charge and hold the reigns tightly vowing for little to sometimes nothing wages to change the community. The time is always now to act... to make our brothers and sisters problems OUR problems. You don't have to be the org's CEO or even an EMPLOYEE to want to change the community around you, thereby changing the world our kids will grow up in. The more brains tryin to work through it, the sooner we get to the solution.

In a broader sense, a (wo)man is only as strong as the foundation he/she has built upon. How can we really provide for the community if you can not love and cater to your own blood, family, time, good true friendships? Collective work AND responsibility start at home. Remember that one can't TRULY represent The Movement without the love and support, the bond that comes from family. It's a collective circle that once made whole one can do all things in community and abound.

As you focus and strive this Kwanzaa season, when you are ready, it is time to volunteer to an organization helping a community you care about, want to build, want to change.

Kujichagulia

I am determined to get a daily agenda in order for self and sun...

I am always on a constant search for self-determination, so this is by far one of my favorite principles (and the most fun to say).

It is hard to define oneself in a day... it is a constant journey we need never forget or stray from the path. For once you truly find yourself it is a constant journey to keep her (or him) close. I always lose myself in my relationships. One who has truly found themselves wouldn't do this. You know who you are, you accept who you are and won't alter that for anyone...

But allow me to be clear. This means you are well-rounded. This means you are compromising. This means you are strong and smart enough to know that with unions come sacrifice and molding of clays and waxes that form one beautiful candle... if you are stubbornly set in your ways, and not the aforementioned you're probably hard to deal with and dealing with things by your own irresponsible, illogical and archaic rules... and that will fail too.

I speak for myself today... that I will find self, make a name for myself, define myself and continue to create for my child and I. He is my future.

Umoja

I pledge to Jah... to be a better person, inside and out. To begin to treat my body as the temple you designed it to be. I pledge to discuss my spirituality in a safe and guarded place. I pledge to pray daily, palms up to you and know your omnipotent power. I plan to love those closest to me as you love your children.

I pledge to The Sun, to be more understanding of your learning process and be patient with you as you grow to be the man your father couldn't be. I promise to instill the respect of Queens in you and show you that life IS sunflowers and rain dances. I pledge that you will be an extraordinary, strong individual with two parents, two homes and more than 10 hearts who love you so much, they'd LIVE and LOVE for you, or die trying.

I pledge to my future King all the respect and actions befitting a Queen. to a union that houses life and gives birth to our foundation to put Jah first and know that He is most high and head of household.

This symbolic day is to be used to pledge unity and love to our families, friends, communities and loved ones. So I pledge my unity to you, my secret king. I pray that our union, hidden in all it's glory, grows leaps and bounds through time and inspires our children to to cultivate bonds rich in blackness, wisdom, understanding, equality and freedom under the watchful eyes of our Creator.

In the spirit of Umoja, the first day of Kwanzaa, I prepare to unify Self so that I can be all I am required to be of the Man and people who need me most to be loyal, honest and trustworthy... strong daily, vulnerable when necessary, and spiritually ME all day long.