predencia

Yesterday I attended a Black History Month Service of Remembrance which took my breath away. It was held to honour our enslaved ancestors in a way I have never seen done before. Many of us accept that the enslavement of Africans by mainly (but not exclusively) white Europeans and Americans was cruel, exploitative and , which is probably why so many people want to forget about it, to ‘draw a line under it and move on’.

This remembrance service, held in the Holy Trinity Church, an Anglican church in the heart of a black community, to a different view. ‘Today we celebrate the strength, courage, perseverance and heroic actions of enslaved Africans… bringing some restitution to this painful and enduring legacy.’ The programme was clear about the purpose of the service.

In a very well thought out service the ancestors were honored with drumming (Chester Morrison) in song, (Negro Spirituals…

Arrived in Barbados about 48 hours ago. Spent the night in Bathsheba by the beach. Had two dreams which I like an opinion on please.

Bathsheba, Barbados. Before the surfers arrive.

Dream 1 – I looked out the window in my house in England. My swimming pool was being repaired (please note I do not have a pool in reality) It was the deepest pool I have ever seen, I couldn’t see the bottom of it. There were many bits of missing wall was was being repaired.

Dream 2 – I was in an underground city. Everything was normal for a city, except that it was underground. I was escorting a woman from her maternity appointment.

I was still jet-lagged but had only had one rum. Any ideas as to the meaning(s)?

04 July 2105 –  Simple pleasures of the spoken word

‘Femi signing copies of his book.

With all the warmth and sun outside, there was just as much light, shade, heat, and passion on the inside as once again Writers Without Borders members put their creative writing into the public arena to move and entertain us royally.

A moving piece on murder in the name of prayer

As an open meeting, after catching up on member’s activities, book launches, performances, the hearts of the group spoke and sang out.

Sue in full performance flow

Simple readings to exciting performance pieces offered something for everyone which is why we are all members of this diverse and yet harmonious group of like-minded people.

Predencia moving the room

Who knew love could be so funny

‘Femi musing on the use of time

We are still working on the technical issues to allow more…

Writers Without Borders sign

It was lovely to be back with Writers Without Borders today having missed 2 meetings. Surprised and pleased that the Hippodrome has given us our very own sign so guests no longer have to guess where we are.

I shared a piece I wrote in 2010 ‘Caribbean Cowboy’, but have never read in public. I was extremely pleased with the way it was received. It is such an affirming group! Loved hearing everyone else’s pieces too. Felt like I was back with family.

Brockhampton Parish Hall was host to the Family Constellation

I spent yesterday at a Family Constellation event in Brockhampton, Herefordshire, trying to find an underlying spiritual cause for my loss of sight as the medical professional cannot come up with a satisfactory one. What, I hear you ask, is Family Constellation?

Family Constellations is a gentle and profound way of looking at and bringing healing to situations that hold us back and create unhappiness in our lives.

Fields of poppies in the sun at Brockhampton at 9 a.m.

They can uncover hidden dynamics and loyalties which entangle us with others, helping us to discover ways of healing and resolution, whether it be related to family, friendships, professional life or community. When the inner order of the family is re-established with love, the way is free for our own potential and task. The process can be deeply moving and often shows…

Supporting an end to library cuts

I joined the rally today to highlight the severe cuts to Birmingham’s libraries in terms of closures and job cuts. The flagship Library of Birmingham has had its staff and hours severely slashed recently.

Library staff and friends of the library marched from outside Waterstones to the Council House where Serena Arthur, Birmingham’s Young Poet Laureate kicked off the speeches with her poem ‘Memory’

Rally against library cuts outside Birmingham Council House

You can add your support to end the cuts and closures through Friends of Library of Birmingham.  Lovely to see Naomi Paul (who ran our workshop last week) supporting the library.

Serena Arthur kicking off the proceedings with her poem ‘Memory’

Practicing the masked dance

End of an amazing day. Completed another dance for the play (The masked dance). Lunch with a friend I haven’t seen in nearly 2 years (4 hours and still we hadn’t fully caught up) and an evening of spiritual discussions, followed by a couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. End of a fabulous day.

I attended a Buddhist Tantra day course yesterday at the Kadampa Meditation Centre in Erdington Birmingham entitled The Power To Create The Life You Want

It was run by Gen Kelsang Leksang a very engaging teacher with a gift for the use of metaphors.

She explained that Tantric teachings provide us with an opportunity to deeply purify our minds so we create the reality we want. It’s not just about being able to have great sex; the great sex (and great life) comes as a result of a purified mind.

The day course, although only an introduction to Tantra explained the powerful transformative qualities of this practice. Tantra is highly consistent with the teachings and practices of A Course in Miracles so I felt right at home.

The meditations were amazing. Really helped me to re-connect with this route to inner peace.

Thanks for all your calls, texts, emails, and FB messages

I’ve been overwhelmed by the expressions of love, the healing energy and the many, many wishes for a speedy restoration of my sight. There are no adequate words to convey the difference it’s made to me this last week. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Tomorrow will be a full week since it happened – the unchanged exterior belies the massive change on the inside. I’ll be writing a fuller account of the journey so far. Thanks also for all your advice on the blog, on Facebook, on the phone and by email. I’m so very, very grateful.