Good Things…

I recently became aware of the musician Aloe Blacc. Mr. Blacc’s bio goes as follows (“Born to Panamanian parents in Los Angeles in 1979, E. Nathaniel Dawkins (aka Aloe Blacc) first began playing trumpet in elementary school, and continued with the instrument throughout high school. There he also independently released Imaginary Friends, produced by DJ Exile, with whom he would go on to form the hip-hop group Emanon. While at college at USC, though his artistic endeavors were placed behind his scholastic goals, Aloe still managed to learn how to play the guitar and the piano, and after graduating and spending some time in the corporate world, he decided to return to his first love, music. In 2005 Emanon’s full-length debut, The Waiting Room, came out on Shaman Works, and the next year his first solo album, Shine Through, a combination of neo-soul and Latin music, was released on Stones Throw. He partnered with the Truth & Soul Productions crew for 2010’s more organic effort Good Things. The album featured the hit single “I Need a Dollar” along with a cover version of the Velvet Underground’s “Femme Fatale.” ~ Marisa Brown, Rovi).

“Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in the performance is sculpted into something.”- Frank Zappa

A FABLE FOR DOUBTERS AND SEEKERS…

I recently finished THE SADDLEBAG by Bahiyyih Nakhjavani.  This novel tells the tale of nine characters that are interconnected. Doubt is a running theme which each character is faced to examine at particular points throughout their journey.

“But if he could believe in more than his own doubts, just long enough for action, then one thing is certain: this was the last of his lives in this contingent world. He died a man.”- Bahiyyih Nakhjavani

 I am anxious about leaving Africa. I have become well adjusted to the life-style and culture of Southern Africa.  The culture here guides social interactions, the work environment, and recreation. There are certain aspects of the culture which I will fight to maintain as part of my life beyond this continent. I recognize that this will be a large task when I return to America. Fortunately for me I am moving to a home which encourages me to bring a little bit of Africa back with me.

I am enthusiastic about moving to California. There is something healing about living near the ocean. Situated within people all over the world who live in conjunction with the ocean tide is a shared realization that we are not always in control. We do not control weather, the waves, or current. I look forward to being reminded daily of my insignificance in comparison to the beautiful ocean.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros have a incredible song titled Home. This track contains a bold and honest chorus that sums up what home really is… “Home is wherever I’m with you.” There is something beautiful about having a place on this planet where we can return to those who we love the most. In my case I am blessed to numerous places all over the world that I can call home. Check out their video for the song:

I am reading a novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez titled One Hundred Years of Solitude. This novel is great read. It is a novel of adventure, love, relationships, and culture. My favorite aspect of this book is that it requires reader to tap into the imagination we all used so often as children. Marquez uses a style of writing that can be read like song lyrics “…human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but…life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves.” – Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Check it out if you get a chance!

I recently returned from South, Africa where I attended the Ghana vs. Australia World Cup match in Rustenburg, SA. It was an amazing experience. The stadium was full of vibrant colors & beautiful energy. Ghana is the last African national team with a chance of winning the World Cup. All of Africa is cheering for them with the hope that they will do the impossible.

Experiencing the World Cup made me re-realize the power of hope. If we as a human race hold on to the hope that each generation will make this world a better place than the generation before it, then we have reason to smile.

I am returning back to America in August and the thought of just makes me smile. As a country America has seen incredible growth and change. In my opinion each generation has steered the ship of America into a better direction. I am 100% proud to say that I was a part of the generation which put Mr. Obama into office. Living in Africa the first 2 years of his presidency I have seen first hand the hope that America has given the rest of the world.

The impossible is now possible. Any person, of any race, from any economic background, should now realize that there are truly no ceilings. Every goal is attainable…even becoming President of the United States of America.

Word Music…

The new K’naan and J. Period album has been on constant repeat in my head. The concept of the album is great. To explore more check out the website:

http://www.jperiod.com/knaan/.

“A lot of people say hip hop is in a stagnant place, but I see few actually doing something about it,” says J.Period. “I love the The Messengers because the concept is completely unique, but still true to the original spirit of hip hop: combining the best elements from everywhere to create something fresh, to make a new statement. Fela, Marley and Dylan proved that when great music meets a powerful message, the result lives forever. I hope K’NAAN and I have done their legacies justice with this project.” –J Period

Another album which in my opinion is a must check out is the new Damian Marley & Nas album titled Distant Relatives. This album includes features from Stephen Marley, K’naan, and Lil Wayne. In my opinion this album embodies what World Music is. It is almost impossible to classify this album into a box. It contains musical elements of hip-hop, reggae, African drums, soul, funk, acoustic soul and classical instrumentation.  Website..yebo: http://www.distantrelatives.com/

Check out the trailer!

I believe that our lives are made of seasons. There is no point in trying to stop the seasons from changing because it is beyond your control. I have recently felt the change in the season of my life. And I am insanely excited.

I have two months left in my volunteer service in Southern Africa. I have the great opportunity to assist the training of 28 new individuals. My role will be to spend the next 10 weeks working to help prepare the new volunteers for their service. It is blessings to be given the chance to see a group of individuals arrive at the same place you were exactly  two years ago.

I know that I will see a piece of my former self in each of them. I will get to travel back in time and remember how I felt, how I thought, how I acted, and how little I knew two  years ago. The ending of my season is the beginning of another persons. But for a short period of time we will all be at the same place at the same time.

 World Cup

I am heading to a World Cup game! I am going to see Ghana vs. Australia. The world cup has consumed Africa. And I mean this in the best way possible. As I walk down the street I see cars with flags from many different countries. Offices are encouraging their employees to wear national team soccer jerseys on Fridays.  Buildings are covered with flags from all the teams participating in the World Cup. In short the energy is BEAUTIFUL! If you don’t believe me just check the video below- if it does not make the hair on your arms stand up- then have someone check your pulse….YEBO!

Culture

After closing my service in August 2010 I am heading to Toronto to meet up with my family from Jamaica. I come from a Caribbean culture and I miss it daily. To be surrounded by people poses the same energy and spirit  as  you- is a blessing!

Below is Bedouin Soundclash, a band from Toronto. They have a great sound created by mixing roots reggae, dub reggae, and a little rock. Check ‘em out if you get a chance.

 I have been out on the road most of May conducting site development for the new PCV’s arriving in June. This has given me a great opportunity to see almost all of Lesotho. I have traveled to the mountains, the low lands, and the camp towns.

During my adventures I am accompanied by one of our local Basotho staff. It takes a good amount of time to travel in Lesotho.  This gives me time to discuss numerous topics with people.

Every trip I am astonished by the wisdom which is imparted on me. My degrees mean nothing in regards to the wisdom and discernment it takes to maneuver through life. The people I get to interact with on a daily basis provide me with wisdom that cannot be achieved or gained in a class room.

Having been influenced by the America work culture, my mind is sometimes focused on time. How fast can I do this, get there, accomplish this goal, and finish this errand. On one of my recent trips I was stressing about some logistical stuff. My Basotho friend simply looked at me and smiled and said “Andre’, my friend don’t worry. When we worry we die, if you don’t worry you will live forever”. I had to belly laugh because he was right. I think about the impact stress has on our physical, mental, and spiritual state. Stress kills. We tend to stress about everything- and more often than not we worry and stress about things which are 100% out of our control.

The most incredible part of the wisdom that I am able to receive is that it only cost time. We often feel that a real education cost money. And the more it cost the better that education is. But I have learned the best education is the one which takes time, an open heart, open ears, open mind, and the willingness to leave your soul wide open.

I recently heard this song in a kombi (taxi) and for some reason it moved me. The more I travel and see how hip/hop and rap are being embraced by millions outside the U.S, the more I struggle to support the impact this art form has on individuals who have not acquired the knowledge and skill to distinguish real life from entertainment. Regardless, I can not deny the amazing artistic ability of many hip-hop/ rap artist. And the incredible courage it takes to share ones life experience (the good and bad moments) with the rest of the world- knowing that most people will judge, won’t understand and can not comprehend.

Enjoy…

The best way I can describe the past 7 days was utterly ridiculous. Let me try to describe it to you in a little more detail. I turned 27 in Africa- celebrated at local bar and danced the night away—this birthday celebration went on for 2 days. And was followed by COS party and a 3 day banquet.

Most of you may have no idea what COS means. Simply put it is the beginning of the end for your Peace Corps Service. You get together with all of the friends you have made and celebrate this incredible journey. The party is followed by a conference. At the conference Peace Corps administration locks you in a room and does its very best to try and get you ready to return to the states. This is hilarious, because after two years most of us are some where in between Africans and Americans. We don’t 100% fit in anywhere anymore. This is okay when you are living in a hut, traveling, surfing, staying at backpackers and coach surfing. But the reality of going home hits you when you are given an exact date- which you will get on a plane any fly back to America. Your mind starts to race like bullet train. And every single person going through this is the faced with the question… “Can I really go back to America!?”

I and 17 of my friends are facing this question. The only way to deal with it is by leaning on each other- literally. You will walk into a room and see two people leaning on each other hoping for someone to make them believe everything is going to be okay. We simply know that we are the only ones who will understand 100% what has happened in the last 2 years of our lives.

Starting in May we will begin to go our different ways. We may never see each other again …and that is okay. We may never speak again. and that is okay. We may never live in the same place as each other again…and that is okay. We have shared an experience so powerful and life changing that no matter where we go- we are all connected. Individuals connected by a shared experience…that is community!

K’naan is artist that many of us have listened to throughout our journey. He is an incredible writer and musician. His music touches souls. Here is a little snippet from his bio-
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, just as the civil unrest that rocked the country was beginning, rapper K’NAAN spent the early years of his life trying to avoid death and listening to the hip-hop records sent to him from America by his father, who had left Somalia earlier. When K’NAAN (whose name means “traveler” in Somali) was 13, he, his mother, and his two siblings were able to leave their homeland and join relatives in Harlem, where they stayed briefly before moving to Rexdale, Ontario, where there was a large Somali community. As soon as his English started improving, he began rapping, and in tenth grade he dropped out of school and traveled around North America for two years, performing….

Check out his website for more information and media.. http://knaanmusic.ning.com/

Initially I was attracted to yoga because of the physical benefits. Becoming more flexible, strengthen muscles, and increased muscle tone. But after my first yoga session I realized that all of those things were just added benefits. I remember lying down on my mat feeling the sensation of buzzing energy all over my whole body. No part of my body felt totally exhausted but I knew that I had worked all my muscles equally.

The deeper I explored the practice of yoga the more I realized its true benefits. I began to not only feel different but my perception of things began to change. I always knew that there were numerous things in my life that I could not control. But yoga helped me realize the things I could control. One of which was breathing.   No matter what I experienced in my life, I could always choose to breathe.

I began to take the lessons I learned on my mat out into the world. I just want be 100% clear, that I have not found the answer to making life easier, the key to staying young,  nirvana, or anything of the sort . I struggle daily and I fail daily. But my yoga practice has helped me to consciously do my best to be the best person I can.  It has taught me to breathe and stay present.

Also yoga provided me with a community of like minded people. My practice here in Africa is mostly limited to just me.  However, while traveling through California this past December I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a yoga class in Santa Monica. It was art.

I was in a room with about 25 individuals all doing the same beautiful dance.  Each person in the room was there for different reasons, dealing with different problems, situations, pains, and mental stressors. But the reasons did not matter what mattered was that we were all there. A group of individuals working to change themselves in order to change the world= community.

Channing Grivas is a yoga instructor who I have practiced with through her podcast. She is a great instructor . If you get a chance check out one of her podcast and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. For more information check out here website http://WWW.CHANNINGYOGA.COM.

I have recently been listening to an artist named Mishka. I have used his music to calm my spirits and lift my heart. His music is roots reggae oriented and has the ability transports you to the ocean. His latest album Talk About is very diverse and includes more instruments than his previous albums. He also digs deeper in regards to the lyrical content. This album has great positive energy. . Below is a little snippet of his biography. You can check out his whole story at http://www.mishka.com/index.php enjoy!

“Mishka was born in Bermuda, and raised on a 40-foot sailing vessel built by his parents, who wanted to fulfill a lifelong dream of raising their young family by the ocean. Inspired by his rich, natural surroundings and the righteous spirit permeating the Caribbean Islands, Mishka has been singing since before his earliest memories. At the tender age of 10, Mishka acquired a tape player and soon discovered a world of music that moved him. The first record he ever bought was “Avalon” by Roxy Music, and he listened to everything from contemporary Rock to South Africa’s Juluka, Burning Spear, and Bob Marley. While living in Nevis as a young adult in 1992, Mishka devoted himself to writing and performing, connecting with people through his essence and the intimacy of his music. His lyrics speak to his engaging perspective on life, distrust of authority, distaste of”

Exploring the concept of community and its impact on the world became something that I knew I had to experience with my eyes and my heart in order to truly understand it.

Africa has planted a seed of community inside of me. I have 5 months remaining here in Southern Africa. After which I plan on returning to the United States and taking that seed and transplanting it on U.S soil in the form of local community development.

During my remaining time I will continue to explore the art and science of community. Focusing on the questions:

1. What is community?
2. How is it defined?
3. Who are its members?
4. Is a community made of people or ideas?
5. What is its role?
6. What influence does local community of the world?
7. What makes up a good/ bad/ positive/ negative/ successful/ unsuccessful community?

My blog post will focus on the exploration of community. And I will include authors, artist, and musicians whose work will accompany on this journey.

-Andre D. Essue

Preview from Jack Johnson new single “You and Your Heart”. Jack Johnson is a musician that I have an enormous amount of respect for. His music focuses on human emotions and relationships. I have listed to his music throughout my travels to South Africa. Check out his music. Instrumentally it is very simple but his words and content are beautifully formed and passionate.

Below is quote by James A. Michener.  His book The Drifters is my favorite book. It focuses on numerous social issues and the exploration of self. This book has had a great impact on my life. Its themes encouraged me to look deep inside and reconsider that black and white are not are only options there is also grey:)

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.”

James A. Michener