Time For A Change

The recent election has America so intensely divided; we are hurling insults, generalizations, and judgements at our neighbors, co-workers, family members & the people we grew up with in exchange for the adopted ideology of a political party. If that was the goal, this election was a huge success! It has achieved the intended results of dividing us. Many would claim this division is precisely the goal behind having a two-party system. If that were indeed true, from that perspective it might have been the most successful election in history ans it’s time for a change. 

So now what? Can we wake up? Can we snap out of it! The election haze, the ramped up anger. Where have we gone? Where are you, my brother, my sister? My friend? Where did you go? I offer  no judgement on the choice you've made, I only would like to learn from the reasons you did. Instead of cast you into some group because I think I already know. Who you voted for is not nearly as telling as why you did so. How you think is not nearly as dangerous as how you act on those thoughts; and at the moment, we are acting pretty ugly towards eachother.

If there is one thing we can agree on, regardless of party or belief system, it's time for a change. I can’t say I know exactly what is the "right", or the best direction, but I think a strong start always involves a shift in perspective. To change how we've been looking at things.  Ideally, this will help change how we talk about things and the way have conversations around certain topics. Which in turn will begin to uncover where we are repeating mistakes. Welcome to the Language of Connection. I hope these words resonate with you. 

"Time for A Change"

Usually around this time of year as the holidays approach, we tend to bring out some of our compassion reserves. Let's use them in the same way we use the momentum from the end of the year to make a change. The opportunity for a fresh start, to engage with life in a new way is at our fingertips. That’s what this next poem is about; taking some inventory as the year closes. The most common way of course, is with New Year's resolutions. Our reflections and goals always revolve around two areas: our individual lives and our communal lives. They are always connected and intertwined.

The patterns in the microcosm or small universe (our personal worlds) tend to reflect the patterns in the macrocosm, or the larger world around us. When we are not well

individually, it can come of no surprise our larger community reflects the pattern. I wrote this at a time when I had to ask myself if what I was doing was working, or if I was just stuck in a cycle of accomplishment with no progress? A question only we can answer, but to even ask it, reminds us of the opportunity we all have to re-route the course of our lives when something isn't working. 

Anytime we have a chance to mark something with an end and define something with a new beginning, it's a chance. A chance for us to change. I think this is why nature gets it right is, she doesn’t cling to things. There’s a constant cleansing, a constant cycle of death and rebirth. What is working and what is lasting; ends up being embedded into the future, and what has decayed falls away. 

Time for a Change

It's that time of year,  people always fear,
People always love, friends come here,
Let me break it down, whisper in your ear,
Close to the fire, sit real near...

There's those who have none, those have some,
These are alone, them who have love,
Those who have loved, them who have lost,
These are the stories, I stumble across: 

There's that man, by the trash can,
Got no home... Damn, he's alone,
I could be him, he could be me,
But we're not, each got his own, 

Some of us rich, some of us real,
Poor as they come, can't afford shit,
Just hold on, count your stars,
Families bond, memories strong,

Time for a change, break those chains,
Find that dream, you and me,
Times running out, find what you love,
Find you who love, hold on tight,

I’m tired of being that local cat

,Messed up car, dope ass hat,

Messed up kicks, sick ass flow,
Watch him though, watch him blow,

Reset the clocks, you watch,
It’s gone be Hip Hop for me,
I remember when I was a kid,
I had no one, I was a bum, 

Time came and went, then I grew,

Met some friends, never kept a crew,
Studied real hard, got 2 degrees,
All he ever wanted, sick emcee,

3, 4 jobs, just to get away,
1 day a week, in the studio,
People pass away, some still here,
Sometimes I don’t, Sometimes I care…

News still sucks, people givin up,
Buildings fallin down, people blowin up,
We still at war, religion run a muck,
Give a little more, still not enough,

Give a little more, still not enough,
We’re growing up, we’re growing old,
Throw those coins, dump that change,
New Year's come, make that change,

Tired of the race, tired of the wish,
Tired of the hope, can’t even cope,
Candle burned out, all outa rope,
Tired of the climb, gonna get mine,

Always tell myself, wait for better times,
No more time, not going to find,
In your prime, stakes are high,
Better step up, stand in line,

Watch that bell, hear those chimes,
it’s about time.

                            

                Music Video                             Song