Greetings brothers and sisters
If you would allow an old man the opportunity to pass on the single most important piece of knowledge I have acquired in my life, that which is the bedrock for everything I am and everything I have fought for. It seems that you are truly here to learn. And of course for you to be reading my entry you have accepted my gift of knowledge and I man praise your courage because you are exhibiting, some of the very same principles I want to talk to you about.
Know thy self.
Scholars have attributed this saying to a few ancient Greek luminaries but it seemed to have stuck to one of the giants of classical Greek philosophy, the one Socrates. And he may not have known it at the time but the significance of those words has resounded throughout history, striking a chord with great men and women everywhere. And believe me when I say for you to truly fulfil your potential, you have to know who you are and with that knowledge take complete responsibility for who you are.
This is not easy.
 In today's modern world of fast change and advancement we are shown everyday supposed reasons why the responsibility of our own lives lies elsewhere. We blame or schools, our governments, our parents, the media, the weather, our friends because it is acceptable and the majority believe it to be true. While all along the problem rested on our shoulders.
But you may be asking yourself that these things are outside my sphere of influence. And yes of course they are influencing my life and the reality is I can't do anything about it. Ultimately the only thing you have complete control of is your mind and how you think. Every situation no matter how dire can be considered in a beneficial light or a hindrance, as an advantage or a disadvantage but that choice is yours to make. And they have been made many times before in the past.
Can you consider a worst set of circumstances than being ripped from your home and family then bungled like sardines on a sea journey for thousands of miles under the most appalling conditions, threatened with death through disease and intimidation and then forced to work in a foreign land. The ones who viewed this atrocity as an opportunity or an adventure had the greatest likelihood of survival. And for some of the 10,000,000 slaves taken from Africa that was the case.
They survived because they knew it was up to them.
They knew who they were.
Some people reading this will be the descendents of these slaves others can cite parts of history that too challenged there people but you are here now because they knew who they were.
And it is our responsibility to know who we are and take responsibility for that. Only then can you make good decisions and stick by them without being influenced by your peers or the media.
The real you is not reflected in what others think of you. The real you is locked in your heart and spirit. And it will take strength to show that true spirit no matter what Babylon may say. Let me start you on the path of self knowledge by posing some questions that will begin to scratch the surface of who you really are. Answer all the questions and explain why you answered the way you did. Be as succinct or elaborate as you feel.
The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.
Chinese Proverb
Jah Guidance.
Joshua |
