Every now and then I have to stop to really appreciate how blessed I am. In the past, when things were going good in my life, I used to feel guilty about my good fortune. I would contain my own enthusiasm for life, because I felt undeserving or unworthy. I made myself feel as though I was stealing the happiness of those ‘less fortunate’ than me. Life makes it tempting to get caught up in the belief that I am less blessed or more blessed than someone else, but good bye to all of that! I acknowledge, accept and honour my life and the blessings bestowed on me. I am living in my blessings, and in doing so, giving back to the universe.
I am grateful for being so blessed. I know I am deserving of my blessings. I know they did not come by chance, but through God’s grace. I know I am worthy of countless more, and I will continue to humbly accept my blessings with great thanks.
In the afternoons I spread a towel under the shade of Abundance, the ackee tree in my backyard, and be still. I read, listen to the sounds of the birds and the wind, write, stare into space, and play music. My parents with their foresight blessed me with this sacred space. By no coincidence, and no mean ways, they built our home, filled it like the Garden of Eden, and nurtured it like a precious work of art. They honoured their blessings and in doing so blessed me with a sacred space to inhabit and make my own.
For nine months now I have been on a leave of absence from work. I have been hibernating and meditating. Not once have I had to think about where I will eat my next meal or where I will sleep at night. My parents, the manifested seed of the seed of the seed of the seed of the seed of the seed of the seed of each ancestor that preceded them, in their foresight, blessed me with a sacred circle of family and friends to call on and draw from in times of need. My parents could not foresee all the challenges that were to arise in my life, but they honoured their role as divine beings and parents so highly that they lovingly created a sacred circle in which I could withdraw, mourn, learn, grow, evolve and spring forth.
I am because my parents are. They are because their parents were. My blessings are the fruits of love from my ancestors, who loved, lived, prospered, and prepared the way for me. I am their living legacy and I honoured to live in their blessings. I am so blessed I can barely contain my gratitude. Modupe (I give thanks to God)!