Worry
Worry is to feel or express great care and anxiety, to fret. To worry is to have something constantly on the mind and agonizing over it. It can give a sick feeling. It can also be expressed through speech and action. The mind is agitated and there are complaints, there is impatience and irritability. In other words, there is no peace.
Sometimes worry can consume hours, days even weeks out of your life. You try to throw it off, but it clings like static. It clings like a tick on an unsuspecting animal.
Then “What If” enters. When “What If” enters, peace leaves. You yearn for peace, but the “What Ifs” overpowers and takes control. It keeps a question on the mind. You’re constantly wondering, what if this, what if that. You want to stop worrying, but the mind seems to find comfort in it.
Has worry every visited so strongly that when the situation was resolved, you were angry for worrying about it? You worried for hours, days, weeks or even years. It consumed your time and energy. All wasted. You had sleepless nights. You suffered muscle tension, and stress you didn’t need; and all for what? It was for no reason at all. The situation came and went without incident. Your “What Ifs” never manifested and your fears never materialized.
You want to kick yourself for what worry put you through. You say within yourself, you’ll never do that again. But does it work?
Before you know it, there’s worry knocking at your door. It’s pleading to be let in again. It wants to be your buddy, your companion, your friend.
Worry takes up time, saps energy and replaces peaces. It leaves you with nothing in return. Nothing is gained. You are no better for it. You’re only left with less.
WORRY
We can all do without a companion like that.
Cast it down and cast it out.
YOU DON’T NEED IT!
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
©2005
Author of: The Family in the Car, A Revelation
www.TheFamilyInTheCar.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
ISBN 978-1-58909-485-7
A Roller Coaster Ride
Up and down, up and down
It’s the pull of gravity isn’t it?
You’re down longer than you’re up
Isaac said it best
It’s easier going up
Slow, steady
But coming down is frightful
Fast, quick
No time to prepare
Up and down, up and down
The unsteadiness is making you sick
You’re screaming
It’s uncomfortable
You wanna get off
But you can’t (you know what I mean?)
There’s no where to go
YOU HAVE TO RIDE IT OUT!
Copyright © 2008
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
(author of: The Family In The Car, A Revelation)
CEO, Favor Blooms, LLC
www.TheFamilyInTheCar.weebly.com
ISBN: 978-1-58909-485-7
trailer: www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
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JUST A FOUR LETTER WORD
Just a four letter word with powerful meaning
Something to hang onto when there is no rope left
Nothing tangible, nothing you can touch
Yet we cling to it, some for dear life
REALLY!
HOPE, the little four letter word
It has kept many holding on to it,
When there was no reason to trust its magic,
Nor its ability to keep them from falling
Can’t imagine the multitude of folk who depend on its ability to deliver
What would it be like without HOPE?
What would happen if it had an expiration date?
No doubt, a thunderous sound there would be
As those who were holding on, hanging on, to the last miniscule of a thread
EXPECTATIONS!
HOPING FOR THE BEST!
Now in mid-air with nothing left to hold onto -
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP,
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP…
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
© 2008
(Author of: The Family In The Car, A Revelation)
www.TheFamilyInTheCar.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
ISBN 978-1-58909-485-7
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just a four letter word with powerful meaning
Something to hang onto when there is no rope left
Nothing tangible, nothing you can touch
Yet we cling to it, some for dear life
REALLY!
HOPE, the little four letter word
It has kept many holding on to it,
When there was no reason to trust its magic,
Nor its ability to keep them from falling
Can’t imagine the multitude of folk who depend on its ability to deliver
What would it be like without HOPE?
What would happen if it had an expiration date?
No doubt, a thunderous sound there would be
As those who were holding on, hanging on, to the last miniscule of a thread
EXPECTATIONS!
HOPING FOR THE BEST!
Now in mid-air with nothing left to hold onto -
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP,
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP…
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
© 2008
(Author of: The Family In The Car, A Revelation)
www.TheFamilyInTheCar.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
ISBN 978-1-58909-485-7
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Statue of Liberty
It is hard to believe that after my many years of schooling (secondary and post) the following facts about the Statue of Liberty were never taught.
Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people including myself have
visited the Statue of Liberty over the years yet I'm unable to find one
person who knows the true history behind the Statue...amazing!
Yes, amazing that so much important Black history (such as this) is hidden from us (Black and White). What makes this even worse is the fact that the current twist on history perpetuates and promotes white supremacy at the expense of Black Pride!
During my visit to France I saw the original Statue of Liberty. However,
there was a difference...the statue in France is BLACK!!!!!! "Ya learn
something new everyday!"
The Statue of Liberty was originally a Black woman. But, as memory serves, it was because the model was Black. In a book called "The Journey of The Songhai People," as Dr. Jim Haskins (a member of the National Education Advisory Committee of the Liberty-Ellis Island Committee, professor of English at the University of Florida , and prolific Black author) points out that is what stimulated the original idea for that 151 foot statue in the harbor. He says that the idea for the creation of the statue initially was to acknowledge the part that Black soldiers played in the ending of Black African Bondage in the United States .
It was created in the mind of the French historian Edourd de Laboulaye,
Chairman of the French Anti-Slavery Society, who, together with sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, proposed to the French government that the people of France present to the people of the United States through the American Abolitionist Society, the gift of a Statue of Liberty in recognition of the fact that Black soldiers won the Civil War in the United States. It was widely known then that it was Black soldiers who played the pivotal role in winning the war, and this gift would be a tribute to their prowess.
Suzanne Nakasian, director of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island
Foundations' National Ethnic Campaign said that the Black Americans' direct connection to Lady Liberty is unknown to the majority of Americans, BLACK or WHITE.
When the statue was presented to the US . Minister to France in 1884, it is said that he remonstrated that the dominant view of the broken shackles would be offensive to the U.S. South because the statue was a reminder of Blacks winning their freedom. It was a reminder to a beaten South of the ones who caused their defeat, their despised former captives.
Documents of Proof:
1.) You may go and see the original model of the Statue of Liberty, with the broken chains at her feet and in her left hand. Go to the Museum of the City of NY, Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street (212) 534-1672 or call the same number and dial ext. 208 and speak to Peter Simmons and he can send you some documentation.
2.) Check with the N.Y. Times magazine, part II May 18, 1986.
3.) The dark original face of the Statue of Liberty can be seen in the N.Y. Post June 17, 1986, also the Post stated the reason for the broken chains at her feet.
4.) Finally, you may check with the French Mission or the French Embassy at the U.N. or in Washington , D.C. and ask for some original French material on the Statue of Liberty, including the Bartholdi original model. You can call in September (202) 944-6060 or 6400.
Please pass this information along!
Be sure to send it to people with children!
Open a dialog and discuss it with your friends!
Let this be the beginning of your quest for the Truth about American History past and present! Empower Yourself, Your Family and Your Community! Realize that the lies and the cover ups are still on going!
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY AN UNKNOWN AUTHOR
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people including myself have
visited the Statue of Liberty over the years yet I'm unable to find one
person who knows the true history behind the Statue...amazing!
Yes, amazing that so much important Black history (such as this) is hidden from us (Black and White). What makes this even worse is the fact that the current twist on history perpetuates and promotes white supremacy at the expense of Black Pride!
During my visit to France I saw the original Statue of Liberty. However,
there was a difference...the statue in France is BLACK!!!!!! "Ya learn
something new everyday!"
The Statue of Liberty was originally a Black woman. But, as memory serves, it was because the model was Black. In a book called "The Journey of The Songhai People," as Dr. Jim Haskins (a member of the National Education Advisory Committee of the Liberty-Ellis Island Committee, professor of English at the University of Florida , and prolific Black author) points out that is what stimulated the original idea for that 151 foot statue in the harbor. He says that the idea for the creation of the statue initially was to acknowledge the part that Black soldiers played in the ending of Black African Bondage in the United States .
It was created in the mind of the French historian Edourd de Laboulaye,
Chairman of the French Anti-Slavery Society, who, together with sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, proposed to the French government that the people of France present to the people of the United States through the American Abolitionist Society, the gift of a Statue of Liberty in recognition of the fact that Black soldiers won the Civil War in the United States. It was widely known then that it was Black soldiers who played the pivotal role in winning the war, and this gift would be a tribute to their prowess.
Suzanne Nakasian, director of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island
Foundations' National Ethnic Campaign said that the Black Americans' direct connection to Lady Liberty is unknown to the majority of Americans, BLACK or WHITE.
When the statue was presented to the US . Minister to France in 1884, it is said that he remonstrated that the dominant view of the broken shackles would be offensive to the U.S. South because the statue was a reminder of Blacks winning their freedom. It was a reminder to a beaten South of the ones who caused their defeat, their despised former captives.
Documents of Proof:
1.) You may go and see the original model of the Statue of Liberty, with the broken chains at her feet and in her left hand. Go to the Museum of the City of NY, Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street (212) 534-1672 or call the same number and dial ext. 208 and speak to Peter Simmons and he can send you some documentation.
2.) Check with the N.Y. Times magazine, part II May 18, 1986.
3.) The dark original face of the Statue of Liberty can be seen in the N.Y. Post June 17, 1986, also the Post stated the reason for the broken chains at her feet.
4.) Finally, you may check with the French Mission or the French Embassy at the U.N. or in Washington , D.C. and ask for some original French material on the Statue of Liberty, including the Bartholdi original model. You can call in September (202) 944-6060 or 6400.
Please pass this information along!
Be sure to send it to people with children!
Open a dialog and discuss it with your friends!
Let this be the beginning of your quest for the Truth about American History past and present! Empower Yourself, Your Family and Your Community! Realize that the lies and the cover ups are still on going!
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY AN UNKNOWN AUTHOR
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
It Should Be Obvious
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai is the author of the book/documentary:
The Family in the Car, a Revelation. In this on-time documentary, she depicts a family surviving on the streets of New York City who were once sheltered and somewhat privileged. It shows a working class family struggling through the homeless shelters of New York City including: The Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. That was over 17 years ago. Now New York City is planning to charge homeless residents rent to live in their rodent infested dwellings. This is nothing more than a ploy to get the vulnerable citizens of N.Y.C. to seek other means of shelter, even if it means a card board box.
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
ISBN: 978-1-58909-485-7
www.TheFamilyInTheCar.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
Read article below from Change.org: It Should Be Obvious: Homeless Shelters Shouldn't Charge Rent by Rich and Elizabeth LombinoApril 13, 2010 12:51 PM(PT) Topics: Homeless Shelters, Working Homeless
New York City is planning to charge its shelter residents rent! This is nothing new for the Bloomberg administration. Last year the New York Times reported that the city began charging rent to families living in a public shelter who have a member of the family who is working. The practice subsided for some time, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg is at it again.
In the past in New York, and currently in most shelters, there are requirements that working homeless persons save a certain percentage of their income each month. The savings are to assist the residents in finding an apartment and paying the move-in fees. These fees add up, so a savings plan is a good idea. The savings could also be for other necessities and long term goals, including school tuition. Generally, we agree with this policy.
Charging rent, though, makes no sense at all. The city says it is trying to instill a sense of responsibility in its shelter residents, but all this will accomplish is prolonging their stays in the shelter system. If they pay rent to stay in the shelter, how will they save money to afford to move out and into an apartment? How can they achieve their goals of independence if they are paying all their disposable income towards being stuck in the shelter? All of this at a time of record homelessness in New York City.
The Working Families Party is currently running a campaign to pass a law in New YorkState to prohibit the charging of rent in homeless shelters. Join the cause!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Family in the Car, a Revelation. In this on-time documentary, she depicts a family surviving on the streets of New York City who were once sheltered and somewhat privileged. It shows a working class family struggling through the homeless shelters of New York City including: The Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. That was over 17 years ago. Now New York City is planning to charge homeless residents rent to live in their rodent infested dwellings. This is nothing more than a ploy to get the vulnerable citizens of N.Y.C. to seek other means of shelter, even if it means a card board box.
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
ISBN: 978-1-58909-485-7
www.TheFamilyInTheCar.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
Read article below from Change.org: It Should Be Obvious: Homeless Shelters Shouldn't Charge Rent by Rich and Elizabeth LombinoApril 13, 2010 12:51 PM(PT) Topics: Homeless Shelters, Working Homeless
New York City is planning to charge its shelter residents rent! This is nothing new for the Bloomberg administration. Last year the New York Times reported that the city began charging rent to families living in a public shelter who have a member of the family who is working. The practice subsided for some time, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg is at it again.
In the past in New York, and currently in most shelters, there are requirements that working homeless persons save a certain percentage of their income each month. The savings are to assist the residents in finding an apartment and paying the move-in fees. These fees add up, so a savings plan is a good idea. The savings could also be for other necessities and long term goals, including school tuition. Generally, we agree with this policy.
Charging rent, though, makes no sense at all. The city says it is trying to instill a sense of responsibility in its shelter residents, but all this will accomplish is prolonging their stays in the shelter system. If they pay rent to stay in the shelter, how will they save money to afford to move out and into an apartment? How can they achieve their goals of independence if they are paying all their disposable income towards being stuck in the shelter? All of this at a time of record homelessness in New York City.
The Working Families Party is currently running a campaign to pass a law in New YorkState to prohibit the charging of rent in homeless shelters. Join the cause!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Goal
It’s like reaching for something far away. If you keep on reaching and running without stopping, you will obtain what you are reaching for. Persevering, not quitting, but going after it with all your might, as though you have to have it; that’s the driving force. Don’t look at time
as a barrier. Look at it this way, the years are going to pass anyway, so why not accomplish what you wish.
The battle starts in your mind, that’s where it is. It is a war between your spirit and your mind. (Your mind being your common sense) Once your mind is working in cooperation with your spirit, the struggle ceases.
It is almost like going down a long tunnel. You don’t see anything on your right or on your left. You only focus on what’s straight ahead.
You are determined to get to the end of the tunnel because at the end of the tunnel the light appears. The sun looks like the dawning of a new day, with new opportunities. Nothing distracts you; you are staying on course.
The word procrastination is not a part of your vocabulary. Most of the time that is the problem, people don’t act. Whatever needs to be done should be completed and taken care of in a timely manner. As a matter of fact, it should be done before the required time to make sure there are no slip-ups.
Some people would say, “I’ll start when the kids grow-up, or when I attain a certain amount of money”. “I’m too old, or I will wait 2,5,10 years from now”. Well, those years are going to come and go and then you will think about the things that you could have accomplished but didn’t. Why not look back and be able to say you have attained your goal and dream.
Another way is to go at it one day at a time. Instead of looking at it as a long haul, look at it as taking little leaps.
You will be surprised at how, in time, you will be closer to your goal.
You must understand that no one else controls your destiny. A lot of times people confide in others and ask their opinion on what they should do. The person or persons they confide in may not have any ambition to succeed, and jealousy steps in. They discourage and cause them to remain immobile. Stay away from those types of people. As soon as discouragement is thrown at you, throw it back. Don’t allow it to seep into your thinking and bring back the battle in your mind.
Success is determined by your actions not anyone else’s.
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
ã 1998
No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the publisher.
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THE HEART THAT KEEPS ON BEATING
It has the most important job. Wounded yet it never skips a beat. There is no gluing or stitching involved, it just continues to work, as if oblivious to attacks.
It’s a wonder and many are in awe of it. It’s the pumper of life.
Sometimes it’s carelessly handled and is crushed easily.
Many are not conscious of its fragileness. It is the holder of emotions and takes a direct hit when trampled upon.
Shattered, broken and cracked in many places, however never giving up. It’s as if it has hope that tomorrow will offer it a chance to mend itself.
The actions of it are involuntary and are easily taken for granted. There can be times when one is not aware of it, yet it continues to perform its duties.
It pumps life and must pump on in spite of circumstances.
Second by second, minute by minute, day by day, week by week, year by year, it keeps on beating, refusing to succumb to the blows of life.
Copyright © 2009
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
(Author of: The Family in the Car, A Revelation)
CEO, Favor Blooms, LLC
www.thefamilyinthecar.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
It has the most important job. Wounded yet it never skips a beat. There is no gluing or stitching involved, it just continues to work, as if oblivious to attacks.
It’s a wonder and many are in awe of it. It’s the pumper of life.
Sometimes it’s carelessly handled and is crushed easily.
Many are not conscious of its fragileness. It is the holder of emotions and takes a direct hit when trampled upon.
Shattered, broken and cracked in many places, however never giving up. It’s as if it has hope that tomorrow will offer it a chance to mend itself.
The actions of it are involuntary and are easily taken for granted. There can be times when one is not aware of it, yet it continues to perform its duties.
It pumps life and must pump on in spite of circumstances.
Second by second, minute by minute, day by day, week by week, year by year, it keeps on beating, refusing to succumb to the blows of life.
Copyright © 2009
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
(Author of: The Family in the Car, A Revelation)
CEO, Favor Blooms, LLC
www.thefamilyinthecar.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar
Caged
Freedom to dwell wherever I tread
Not confined to locations with boundaries
Zoning, districts, busing
Unleash me so I can roam free
To see mountains and rivers and trees of all sorts
To open up and breathe in fresh air
Somewhere where the sky is not blocked
but in plain view
Uncage me so I can go FREE.
Copyright © 2009
Brenda Farrar-Ejemai
(author of: The Family In The Car, A Revelation)
CEO, Favor Blooms, LLC
www.TheFamilyInTheCar.weebly.com
ISBN: 978-1-58909-485-7
trailer: www.youtube.com/thefamilyinthecar