Alive In Africa

People often ask me why I choose to live in Africa, and why I am so happy here. They assume I am making a great sacrifice by living here, and often exclaim how proud they are of me. The truth is that living in Africa is not a sacrifice for me at all. While I certainly have a list of sacrifices I’m more than willing to make, living here is not one of them. I actually prefer living here to living in the US.

In America, I live in a bubble of comfort that often leads to complacency and lack of perspective. I am rarely ever in need of anything that isn’t already at my finger tips or provided for me. I have multiple vehicles at my disposal, and plenty of food in the refrigerator. Things happen very easily. It’s easy to just plot along and let life happen. I start to forget what I’m really fighting for. I loose track of relationships that are so important to me. I get caught up in consumerism and “needing” more stuff. My financial priorities get skewed.

All of a sudden my day is consumed with what restaurant to eat at, what pair of shoes to buy, inflated gas prices, the latest political scandal, and conversations about petty drama, which restaurants I should stay away from because of the horrible service, which churches are scandalous, and how I have got to go to this party or that. In the midst of it all, I begin to loose sight of what is really important to me. I start justifying completely unnecessary expenses and indulgences. My sense of purpose begins to dissipate, as does my drive. I begin turning into someone I don’t want to be.

In Africa, if I want to go anywhere, I have to walk from my house, down the dirt road about a quarter mile, hail a motorcycle taxi, hop on the back and put a nasty helmet on my bald head. The water goes off, right after my workout, right before a meeting, and I’m heading out all sweaty. When I order food at a restaurant, I expect at least a two hour wait, and I know it will be wrong when it gets there. The power goes out in the middle of important meetings. The cell network goes down all the time. I’m taken advantage of because of my race. People don’t show up for meetings. Everything takes three times longer than it should. Things are lost in translation. And the mosquitoes are unrelenting.

Life here is very deliberate. If I want something, I really have to want it. Things don’t just fall into place. I have to use what little money I have extremely wisely. When I run out, that’s it, and I have to get creative. I’ve discovered that you can apply copious amounts of honey and/or hot sauce to just about anything in order to make it more edible. When it rains, things shut down and I find myself noticing the beauty around me for the first time that day. How did I miss that before? When the computers are dead, the power is off, and it’s raining outside, things change. I think about things I’d never think about otherwise. I am forced to pause. And when everything comes back on and the sun comes out, I’m so grateful for the fact that I have these things at all. I never think about those things in the states. I take so much for granted there.

When I’m in Africa, I feel alive. I appreciate the things I have. I realize how much I can do without. I pay more attention to the people around me. I pray more. I suffer more. And through that suffering, I learn lessons I would never learn in times of abundance. I am grateful for the rain, the power outages, the water shortages and the time delays. I’m grateful for the relationships I have and for the perspective this life creates. It’s easy for me to remember what I care about most.

My life in Africa keeps me grounded. It keeps me centered and aware. My perspective is clear and purposeful. I feel truly alive here. I feel connected to people and to God. There is something about this land, and the people that remind me to live and love like it’s my last day on earth. I love that. I thank God I have the opportunity to live and serve here.

“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is tied up with mine, then let us struggle together.” – Unknown –

Appreciating the Journey

When we witness something truly magnificent, such as the birth of a baby, a full moon over the ocean with a warm breeze, or the flutter in your chest when the love of your life enters the room; it is easy to believe in a powerful and loving God. Some things are just too powerful and too beautiful for us believe that they “just happened”. It just makes sense that someone is up there orchestrating these phenomenal happening.

I’ve mentioned before how I’ve grown to appreciate the tragedies of life for the purposes they serve and how I’ve become “almost ok with it”. However, I’ve begun to realize that there must be more to it than that. Why do we have suffering on this planet? Why does God allow it; and is me being “almost ok with it” as good as it’s going to get? Is that God’s big plan?

One can certainly make a valid argument for instances throughout history where something beautiful has come out of tragedy. Sadly, we often must lose everything in order to realize what really is important to us. The loss, or even near loss, of a loved one, can completely change the trajectory of your life. You realize for the first time how important that person really was to you, and you think, “I never showed her how much I love her. Did she know?” And you think, “I could have been a better friend (or cousin in my case). I could have served her more. Why did I take our time for granted? Why didn’t I help her? Why was I so selfish?” And as these reflections and regrets race through your mind, you vow to invest your time in what really matters; people, relationships, family. You vow to seize each moment as if it were your last; to never take a loved one for granted again. This will not; could not happen again. Suddenly, the idea of “ubuntu” seems of utmost importance.

You’ve gone through a significant transformation now, never to return to your previous state. And as a result, you believe yourself to be a more caring, more giving and ultimately “better” you. You’ve had a powerful “life changing” experience. What would your life look like without this tragedy? Would you have chosen this career path? Would you have married this person? Would you have invested so heavily into the relationships you now consider to be most important in your life? Look at how different your life is as a result of this tragedy. Could you really be “you” without this life changing experience?

The answer is very likely, “no, I would not be who I am today if…” Would you dare say that this great loss served the purpose of changing the course of your life? Do you believe that? Does this give you some greater responsibility to live a “good” life? Was it a wakeup call for you? Or was it actually intended to change someone else’s life and some good karma just happened to ricochet in your direction? Is it all just a coincidence? Are you just making things up in an effort to make sense out of life? What does it all really mean? Could this possibly be the same God that created something as inexplicable and powerful as love? How could He create something so beautiful one moment, and then allow it to be destroyed the next? What sense does this make? Is it dichotomous or purposeful? Why do bad things happen to good people?

The truth is I just don’t know the answers to all of these questions and I will never fully understand this dynamic between life and suffering.

Most of us have come to grips with the fact that life is a journey, and not a destination. Fair enough. I don’t believe God just put us here on earth to wait it out until we die and go to Heaven, or otherwise. I believe our life is about a series of decisions we make here on earth that have just as much importance as where we go when we die.

If I am truly to love my life, I have got to believe in the purpose of the journey. I’ve got to believe there is divine purpose in the beauty God creates, as well as the tragedies He allows to happen. While I do not wish for, or claim to understand, death or any other tragic loss, I have learned to recognize its purpose in our lives. Without it, we would cease to witness things like the phenomenon of “beauty from ashes” that have made life such a mind blowing experience. Think of those stories about the concept of “from rags to riches”. They wouldn’t be so compelling if they were called “I’ve always been rich”. It’s the idea that someone was destitute or poverty stricken and then overcame all of the odds against them that is so compelling.

I believe the realization and embrace of this powerful journey throughout life just might be the proverbial “secret to life”. If we learn to love, or at least appreciate every stage of our lives as a journey and not just a momentary happening, there is very little left to disrupt our peace and fulfillment.

While the mastery of this ideal is certainly attainable, it is no doubt a journey in and of itself. I certainly don’t pretend to have this all figured out. However, the more I train myself to view life as a journey, full of necessary failures and tragedies that form my character and personality, and generally end up making me a better person, the less I am devastated when something seemingly tragic happens. I’ve learned to stop, step back, look at the big picture and realize that maybe it was necessary, even if I don’t understand it. Fortunately, the happenings of life are not dependent upon my understanding of them. Believing there is purpose in it all gives me peace.

*This was admittedly more of a lengthy stream of thoughts and questions than my usual posts.

We Do What We Want

The more I experience a life less ordinary, (which I am quite grateful for) the more I realize people do exactly what they want to do; it’s just a matter of how much they want it. No matter how grand or how mundane your life is, for the most part, it is the way it is because you made choices that got you there and because you continue to make choices that keep you there. Timing and circumstances certainly play a major role in our life journey, but ultimately, I believe our “destiny” is what we make it.

People easily get self consumed, worried and pessimistic. We are quick to be controlled by fear and fear of failure is generally at the top of the list. But history proves that the people this world considers to be “great” are the ones that took the biggest risks; people that were driven to the extent that they would no longer let fear control them. These are the people that have paved the way for the rest of humanity.

Perspective is important. It’s easy to make our own little worlds and lose perspective of the big picture. Francois de La Rochefoucauld once said, “It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.” The more we get wrapped up in our self-absorbed worlds, the easier it is to turn those excuses into our reality. They comfort us. To say something is impossible lets us off the hook, even in our own mind. But the great men and women of this world became great because they spent their lives defying what others swore was impossible.

If it is important to you to work out daily, you do it. No time schedule or number of children or lack of money or anything else can keep you from it. It is only a matter of how much you want it. And though your list of excuses might sound grand to you, remember those stories of our heroes that ran marathons and won Olympic event with missing limbs, heart problems, or coming out of destitute poverty. There is almost always someone (or even a large group of someones) that has made a decision to not let those excuses stop them from achieving their dreams.

If you want to work out, lose weight, a better spiritual life, better relationships, a life with meaning, or whatever it is, you will attain it if you want it badly enough. And if you do not attain it, it is because your “I should” never became an “I must”. It simply was not important enough to you to stop your old habits and form new ones. You chose to let life get in the way, and you continue to let it direct your future.

No matter where you come from, the education you never obtained, the family you never had, or the circumstances you are in, you have the power to change your destiny at any given moment. No plans are necessary. You just stop doing what you’ve always done and take steps in the direction you want to go. The rest tends to happen fairly organically if you keep pushing.

Part of the peace and fulfillment of life comes with being appreciative of the journey. We have to realize that our perceived “failures” can just as easily be viewed as “necessary stepping stones towards success”. It’s a state of mind. If you can view your “failures” as valuable lessons that would not have been learned any other way, and an opportunity to learn, your journey becomes a lot more tolerable and even enjoyable. It makes sense that way.

From the way we treat people around us, to our jobs, and ultimately our life journey, it is a series of choices we make based on what is most important to us. If you want to lose weight badly enough, you lose it. If it’s not quite important enough for you to discipline yourself and change your habits, then it’s just that; not important enough.

With this realization comes a lot of responsibility. It’s a lot easier to just say, “that’s impossible” or “I don’t have enough time” or “I don’t have the money”. But thousands of great people have decided that those are just excuses to give up. They decided a life of meaning and fulfillment was more important, so they took it. And they didn’t plan for it. They just made the decision and started down the path. And they committed to making that decision every second of every day.

The next time you create an excuse for not doing something you say you want to do, for not following your dreams, or for why you were defeated, remind yourself that we all do exactly what we want to do; it’s only a matter of how much we want it.

I Carry Them With Me

[Written for the V Men project at www.vday.org]

I am fortunate to have grown up in a home where women are loved and respected, not just as equals, but as much more than that. My father still brings my mother flowers in the middle of the day, “just because”. He never fails to bring roses to my younger sister, though she is now married and has a child of her own. My parents still go on a date every Friday night and leave love notes in each other’s suit cases when one of them travels on their own. They exemplify a loving, respectful relationship between a man and a woman, and they’ve been doing it for over 40 years.

I grew up in Nashville, TN; always the “southern gentleman”. When in the presence of a woman, any woman, it is my nature to open the door for her, give her first priority in all matters, respect her in our communication and to protect her from perpetrators and pain. This is who I am. It comes from a very genuine belief that women are beings to be venerated. The heart and intuition of a woman is something I have always revered, largely due to the remarkable example of my mother. She has remained powerful and independent, yet intrinsically compassionate, loving, and nurturing. In the expression of Maya Angelou, she truly is a “phenomenal woman”.

For whatever reason, I’ve always had a fighting spirit in me. I am a protector at my core. Early on, I found myself looking for a fight, typically for the sake of a woman’s honor. I’ve now learned to channel that physical energy into more productive methods of standing against gender violence, which I believe to be the greatest of all injustices. It carries with it the power to destroy humanity on the deepest level.

I’ve spent the last 3 years living in Rwanda (Africa) working with women that have been tortured, raped and degraded to the point of selling their bodies on the street in order to merely survive. These 40 women and their children are just as much my family as my own mother and sister. I believe that with all my heart. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect them. I’ve looked into their eyes and heard them recount the horrific abuse that I could hardly comprehend. The thought of harm to my sisters fills my heart with a deep sorrow and pain. But that is the very pain that fuels my never ending drive to ensure a better way of life for African women.

Deborah was 3 years old when she first came into my life. I’ve witnessed her grow from a shy and tormented little girl into a thriving and happy 6 year old. She is innocence and beauty and she gives me hope for humanity. Deborah represents everything I’m fighting for. She is the heart line of the passion that drives me.

I witness the atrocities in the DRC and Rwanda every day. But I still dream of an Africa free from gender violence; free from oppression; where women are respected and revered. Many say this is unattainable and naïve, but I cannot imagine a battle more worthy of fighting. I cannot imagine a more worthy “cause”.

The women of Africa must be empowered to own businesses, to become politicians and consultants, and to take back the dignity they once had. They must be given a platform for their voices to be heard. When we open those doors, they will succeed, and they will lead Africa to peace and prosperity.

As we all know, men are the cause of gender violence. I believe that I, as a man, must strive to inspire other men to stop this violence. I believe men can be powerful without taking power from a woman. We must incite a movement and create new heroes for young men to follow. It is time to redefine “masculinity” in a way that serves both genders and creates harmony between us. In Africa, we call this “ubuntu”; the belief that we are all interconnected and reliant on each other.

As I wake each morning, I carry with me the lives of Deborah, my sister, my mother, the women of BURANGA, Ilea (my love), and the hundreds of images of battered African women I have witnessed. They are forever etched into my soul, and it is for them that I fight. This is the battle I choose every day. I thank God that I have been afforded the opportunity to live this life, and to serve those I carry with me.

My Religion Has Been Hijacked

Lately I’ve noticed my hesitancy to use certain terms or words to describe my faith. The words don’t mean the same thing anymore. Over the years they have either lost their meaning, or a formerly positive association has turned negative. I realize that what I’m about to say here is likely to be controversial, but that’s never stopped me before.

For much of my life I shied away from calling myself a Christian due to the implications of how I should live my life. During those times my hypocrisy was quite visible even to the unassuming eye. Eventually my faith strengthened and my life became a more accurate reflection of that faith. For the first time I was able to proudly proclaim my Christianity. However, as the years passed, things evolved, my faith and understanding grew deeper, and I’ve begun to realize the word “Christian” no longer has the same significance and meaning it once did.

Christianity, in its simplest form, is based on the life, teachings and example of Jesus Christ; and I want to put a particular emphasis on the word “example”. However, when someone tells me they are a “Christian”, I often get a sick feeling in my stomach. My mind starts to conjure up images of televangelists preying on the weak and the poor and greedy African pastors preaching the “Prosperity Gospel”, luring their victims in with the promise of riches in return for their soul. I picture the wealthy American church spending $55 Million on a new building equipped with a Starbucks and state of the art fitness center that turns a blind eye to the poverty stricken community just two blocks away. There are the “holier than thou” Christians that make you feel inferior for not going to their church or for doing anything contrary to their church doctrine. Then there is an interesting breed of seemingly masochistic Christians believing God put us here to suffer and live in shame. The list goes on and on, but none of these stereotypes are a reflection of Christianity.

“Christianity” should refer to a life dedicated to the principles and example of Jesus Christ, which is far from complicated. Whether or not you believe Jesus was the son of God, just another great profit, or a fairy tale, His principles make sense. He believed in love, serving others, equality, and justice. And he didn’t preach to anyone. He led by example. True leaders inspire a following, they don’t demand it. The Bible speaks of our responsibility to serve the poor, disadvantaged and oppressed over 2,000 times. Jesus himself addressed poverty more than 30 times just between the books of Matthew – Acts, and he didn’t say, “go and help those people”. He didn’t say much of anything at all. He lived with the poor, the leapers, and the prostitutes. He washed their feet. And he didn’t need a committee approval or a budget meeting to do it. He just loved and served, ultimately to the death.

The great Martin Luther King once said, “Justice at its best is love correcting all that stands against love”. Jesus did that. He used love to win the battle without a fight. That principle was paramount to the teachings of Sun Tsu’s “The Art of War”. Imagine a world where all of our so-called Christian pastors stepped down from their shiny pulpits and went out to serve the poor and oppressed. Imagine if they led by example and inspired congregations to follow that example. Imagine the word “church” referring to a body of people, and those people leaving their multi million dollar complexes and joining in community, despite their differences in race, creed and economic status. Imagine if the church wasn’t about a building at all, but embodied the example of Jesus, the original ubuntu revolutionary.

My Christianity has been hijacked. A group of people calling themselves Christians took it and turned it into a self serving “religion” designed to cater to their need for acceptance, and security, and self righteousness; their key to the pearly gates. Am I a Christian? Sure. But at this point, I’d prefer to be recognized as a follower of Christ.

I know many great pastors that are of this same school of thought, and they are living it, not just pointing a finger from the pulpit. I’m not bashing churches or pastors; I’m generalizing to make a point. And if you’re driven by love as the ultimate weapon against evil, tyranny, and inequality, I think you understand.

The Beauty of Suffering

I believe we all make choices every day about our commitment and dedication to relationships. And that goes for all relationships, whether they be romantic, family, or with friends. We can choose to have deep meaningful relationships, or more simple and less intimate ones. And the deeper our relationships go, the deeper our understanding of that person goes, and consequently we experience more harmony, satisfaction, love, and connection with that person. I believe God allows us to make this same decision about our relationship with Him. And I also believe the opposite is true. We can choose to have a simple and more surface relationship with God, or a deeper and more connected one. It’s part of our free will. It’s part of God’s experiment here on earth. It’s not about going to Heaven or Hell either. It’s about a deeper connection and understanding of our creator. Do we choose to really live, or do we choose to merely exist?

As I walk out the life of “7 Breaths”, I find myself creating sort of a “Tether System” with Him. The deeper my relationship with Him goes, the more I start to understand what this world is for, why we are here, and what the purpose of humanity truly is. I believe that much of our understanding of this world, and beyond, comes from our perspective. When we experience tragedy, we often get caught up in the details and we start to lose our perspective on life as a grand journey, and not just a moment in time. There are lessons in tragedy, and there is a beauty in suffering that we often fail to realize. Without suffering, we could not experience the full magnitude of joy. Often it is only through suffering that we become stronger and more connected. When I look back over my life I realize that the times I cherish most are generally the times when I was coming out of a tragedy or some sort of suffering.

In these moments of tragedy and desperation, it behooves us to take a step back and ask ourselves why this has happened. Maybe we will find an answer, and maybe not. There is also a beauty in realizing that we don’t have to know all of the answers, and to remember that God cares nothing of time, only of timing. Things happen for a reason, often beyond our realm of comprehension. And when we can find solace in the mysteries of life, and believe that there is purpose in everything, we may begin to glide. When our faith is what is should be, we can find peace in the unknown.

When I am in the midst of tragedy, or something I do not understand, no matter how trivial or how devastating, I stop myself and remember that this is only a moment in time, and there must be a purpose in it. What can I learn from this? Life is about a series of changing trajectories. We all have different experiences that change the trajectory of our lives, daily.

I have created sort of an imaginary “tether system” with God. Imagine there being a long elastic tether coming down from the Heavens, connected in some way to God, and all of His infinite wisdom and understanding. I imagine myself on such a tether, able to spring up above the earth for a new perspective at any moment it is needed. And as I experience tragedy, I am able to spring up on this tether, seek God’s council, and then channel whatever anger, frustration or fear I may be feeling into strategizing and gaining some sense of understanding and consequent plan of action. Then I come back down to earth and put it into action, and I try to do that within the span of “7 Breaths”.

This “Tether System” allows me to keep constantly connected to God, just as I have spoken of in “7 Breaths”. It allows me to keep a fresh perspective. I see each moment as a series of moments in the journey. Each moment of frustration, tragedy, loss, anger, bewilderment, and regret can be channeled into positive action as long as I am tethered to God constantly, in each moment. Nothing is chance. Things happen for a reason. God doesn’t create tragedy, but He often allows it to happen so he may bring us through it. That’s the beauty in suffering that I’m speaking of. It’s on the other side of suffering.

Using this “Tether System” is also a choice. It’s one I must be disciplined to make, in every moment, of every day, and I realize that at any moment, I could in fact lose my connection. So I am constantly putting forth an effort to keep it in tact. The tether is always there. I just have to choose to use it. And as I walk through this, it becomes easier and more natural. It becomes my first reaction, instead of only finding it in moments of desperation, long after the fact. This is the connection I am speaking of in “7 Breaths”.

7 Breaths

In the Hagakure (The Book of the Samurai), there is a virtue that states:

“In the words of the ancients, one should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. Lord Takandobu said, “If discrimination is long, it will spoil.” Lord Naoshige said, “When matters are done leisurely, seven out of ten will turn out badly. A warrior is a person who does things quickly.

When your mind is going hither and thither, discrimination will never be brought to a conclusion. With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side.”

One might read this and believe it to be reckless or irresponsible and perhaps ruling out the importance of council and necessity of prayer. However, you must first understand the nature of the Hagakure and the Way of the Samurai. This virtue of “7 Breaths” implies much more than just making quick decisions. This is not a result of egotism or negligence. It is in fact quite the opposite.

The nature of the Samurai is to be in a state of constant awareness and connection to their master; in tune. Consequently, the Samurai, meaning “servant”, are able to serve and understand others in the way we were created to do. This is not only true of the Samurai, it is true of each for each of us.

So this is where I’m at. I’m not trying to tell anyone else how to live their life; just thinking out loud. Nothing I’m saying here is new or even profound. It’s just my thoughts and where I’m at. I’m just now understanding this stuff in my own life. If you want to really understand how this stuff works, read the books I’m always talking about. Those are the people that truly understand. Below is a list of the things that have brought me to the 7 Breaths theory. I am now in tune with:

God – In a way where I am in constant prayer. My life is a prayer at all times. I am in constant communication with God throughout my day, constantly receiving His divine council. I have real conversations with God, not just a one way relationship where I ask for help in a time of need. I in fact have a true “relationship” with God, just as we are called to do. God is not just a higher being up in the heavens. He is the center of my life. He is my center. My life, and consequently those around me have changed immensely due to this level of relationship, awareness, and understanding of God. I am completely centered around Christ and my relationship is no longer based on those desperate moments when I need His help. God is truly my friend, as He so desires to be. This has greatly affected my life and my ability to serve others and make quick and educated decisions, generally within the space of 7 Breaths.

People – In a way where I noticed the nuances about life in every circumstance, not just when I am deliberately paying attention or asked to do so. I notice when people change their hair, have a new shirt, or when something is out of the norm. I notice all the people around me when I walk into a restaurant or office. I notice babies, and any surrounding danger that might harm them. I notice an elderly person that might need assistance. I notice someone that is in pain and I engage them. I ask real questions. Being aware is only half of the process. Engaging with others is essential, and it takes time and commitment. When I leave a room, I can easily describe who was there, what they were wearing and what they may have been feeling. I remember the way they made me feel, and the way I likely made them feel. I am conscious of that. People notice that I care enough to be aware and in tune with them. My relationships have definitely strengthened.

Being constantly in tune with people, all people, allows me to begin to truly understand them. This allows me to be in true relationship with them, which allows me to be more connected and to understand. I cannot be truly connected to a thing until I understand it. I can not understand a thing until I take the time to truly listen. I must listen twice as much as we speak. The more I listen, the more I learn and the better I understand. The more I understand, the more I gain wisdom. The more wisdom I have, the better I am able to serve and understand others; the happier life becomes, for me, and for those that experience me. This has greatly affected my life and my ability to serve others and make quick and educated decisions, generally within the space of 7 Breaths.

My Surroundings – In a way where I notice each and every detail about where I am. I notice the table and chair arrangement. I notice the cup and saucer precariously placed on the edge of the table and I move it to a more appropriate position. I notice the exits in a room in which I am dining or sleeping. I am aware of the layout of a room when I enter it. And if i enter it at some other time, I notice the changes and I contemplate why they might have changed. I notice where people place their keys and other important items. I notice paintings on the wall, or a lack thereof. Noticing these nuances of life is what tells me something of the nature, character or concern of the people I am interacting with. My surroundings will tell me stories of those that dwell there. If I listen to my surroundings, I will learn more about its inhabitants. I will learn better how to dwell in that area. I will become a master of my surroundings.

God created us to be in tune with nature and with things we have created in nature around us. The more I listen, the more in sync my life becomes. The more in sync my life becomes, the better I am able to understand how the world works, and how it doesn’t. This has greatly affected my life and my ability to serve others and make quick and educated decisions, generally within the space of 7 Breaths.

The World – In a way that I am constantly educating myself on world issues and on how to be a better person. I take the time to educate myself about the things I care about. I take the time to educate myself on the things that my loved ones care about. This is very important and greatly enhances and strengthen my relationships. I take time to study people, places and things that I encounter daily, or wish to. Then when I am asked a question, or faced with a decision, I can answer from an educated standpoint. If I say I care about something, I am prepared to back it up with facts and well thought-out philosophies. Anything less than this is foolish. One should only speak with authority on issues one is educated in. If I am not educated on many issues, I will fail to have the right to speak with authority on many issues, or to understand the way the world around us operates.

I constantly strive to make myself a better person, never being content with my current level of knowledge. I set goals for myself and map out a plan to achieve them. I am able to engage in serious in depth conversations about politics, social affairs, faith and personal interests. I am educated not just on my home country or immediate surroundings, but on the world as a whole. I have a world view, not a myopic one. I study different races, religions and social economics. I embrace equality in all circumstances on all levels. I am constantly listening to the world around me and educating myself in an effort to be a better human being. I aspire to exemplify the philosophy of “ubuntu” and understand the importance of interconnectedness. This has greatly affected my life and my ability to serve others and make quick and educated decisions, generally within the space of 7 Breaths.

Myself – In a way where I know my optimal physical, mental and spiritual self and how to maintain it. I know the precise amount of sleep in order to operate optimally. I know how much physical activity my body can endure for what amount of time. I am constantly learning more about my body, and listening to its needs. I am not abusing my body in any way, with substances, or even over exertion. I take care of my body as if it were a gift from God, which it is. I use my body as a vessel to carry out my purpose in life.

I view my mind, body and soul as one connected being, constantly striving to keep it healthy and at optimal condition. i work out and keep physically fit so I may be able to handle the physical challenges of every day life, which differs for everyone. I constantly feed my mind with positive material that helps me grow into a better human being. I surround myself with others that challenge me and hold me accountable. I take the time and effort to foster and nurture my relationship with God, knowing that if my spirit is weak, my faith is weak. And if my faith is weak, I have nothing. Everything starts to crumble from there. I am in tune with my body and I understand how to take care of it and use it for its purpose. I am disciplined. I am driven. I am a machine.

I practice “life balance”. I know I have to take time to rest, and to reflect, and to learn. I do not get caught up in “everyday life” because I look at the world from a world view, not just a minute to minute circumstance. I am not controlled by my circumstances. I am in control. I see problems in life as an “opportunity for a solution” not a stumbling block. I seize each moment as if it were my last, and I am at peace with God, myself, and those around me. This has greatly affected my life and my ability to serve others and make quick and educated decisions, generally within the space of 7 Breaths.

My mind, body and soul are all equally a part of who I am. Each has to be taken care of. Each has to be studied so that I might know how to best take care of them. If I am doing all of this, and if I am in tune with God, people, my surroundings, myself and the ways of the world, there is little that can hold me back from being the person God created me to be. And we were ALL created for greatness. When I am in tune, I have the ability to serve more effectively. I have the ability and drive to be passionate, as well as compassionate. I am prepared. I am aware. And ultimately, when I need to make a decision, of any kind, I am better equipped to do so, within a space of 7 breaths. This, I believe, is how I was designed to truly live. And this is the philosophy of “7 Breaths”.