7 enemies of commitment

I was going to write a lengthy experiential story in which I captured these 7 situations. But, I did walk into a friend's office and saw this on her wall.

The 7 Enemies of Commitment
1. A lifestyle of giving up.
2. A wrong belief that life should be easy.
3. A wrong belief that success is a destination.
4. An attitude of negative thinking.
5. An acceptance of other people's fences.
6. An irrational fear of failure.
7. A lack of vision

Source: The choice is yours: Today's Decisions for the rest of your life by John G. Maxwell, 2005 J. Countryman

You are welcome!

This site will bring you:
1. Information on how to assimilate in a US based community.
2. How to navigate your city or environment
3. How to engage/participate fully through activities.
4. A social calendar of Worcester County, MA.

Ministering to the newcomer!

http://immigration.about.com/od/usimmigrationhistory/a/New-Immigrants-Assimilating-Into-U-S-Society.htm

A reception Transitory Home in the Offing!

UNIVERSAL MISSION FOUNDATION LLC CHARTER

YOU ARE THIS NEW PERSON TO USA AND YOU SEEM DISORIENTED. YOU ARE NOT ALONE:

You are new in USA and do want to integrate and feel secure. You also want to feel contentment as you take those small steps. Being in USA is a kind of rite of passage. You have come to another milestone. Universal Mission Foundation LLC is a knowledge-management organization that seeks to serve you (anyone without discrimination) in order for you to make informed decisions. You can begin by being a law abiding new person to USA. You can add productivity to that and desire to be dependable. We are here to help.

·         There are 15.4 million refugees in the world who have fled their homes because of persecution based on sexuality, beliefs, race, religion, nationality, or political opinion.

·         Most will spend 7-10 years waiting in a refugee camp. While there many make families, many require education, health and various social services.

·         The government estimates that 70,000 refugees will enter U.S.A. in 2013. That is only a small part of the story. You may have come in as an asylum seeker. Your situation requires handling in a very systematic manner. You yourself need to be conscience of the changes such as immediate environment and contexts that you need to navigate.

·         You desperately need help to integrate into U.S. society because of language and cultural barriers. You need to build functional skills to enable you socialize and at the same time adjust to a new life.

·         Refugees, asylum seeker and victims of trafficking are less likely to thrive and become productive members of society unless they have a supportive community. Universal Mission Foundation LLC is a secular community you need.

·         You need a reception transitory home in which you may be provided roof, warmth and a first community.

·         You need to be introduced to the community make up of your city or country side.

·         You need to register with self-help community groups.

·         You need to engage in self education

·         You do need to work on your documentation

·         You do need health insurance

At Universal Mission Foundation LLC we hope to connect you with other service providers. Who may serve a particular aspect of your need! We know what stage of integration you may be at. It is not an easy stage but we want to work with you. We do work with pre- legal status (PROBATIONARY) new immigrants.

A volunteer for US Food and Drug Administration begins by..

Yes, you may be wondering how this is possible. I mean am only 10 months old in USA and am talking of working to ensure meaningful participation in eating, living and thinking right. What we eat, how eat and how we play make or break us!

Anyway, read the link below and join too, in this call to lead a quality life.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm348661.htm?source=govdelivery

You too, get a mentor

http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorksEmentoringHome.nsf/index.htm

Love for science

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/apr2013/od-23.htm

DIGITAL LIBRARY

 Free to All
 April 18, 2013, 12:01 am
 By Robert Darnton
 Some have detected a revolutionary message behind the choice of today as the date to launch the Digital Public Library of America—a project to make the holdings of libraries, archives, and museums freely available in digital form to all Americans. They’re right.
  
 “On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five,” as Longfellow put it in “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” Paul Revere did not merely warn the farmers of Lexington and Concord that the redcoats were coming. His “midnight message” was a call for liberty. To free Americans’ access to knowledge may not be so dramatic, but it is equally important; for Revere and all the founding fathers knew that a republic could not flourish unless its citizens were educated and informed.
  
 Nor is it a coincidence that the launching pad of the Digital Public Library of America is the Boston Public Library, the first great public library in America, which proclaims in letters chiseled over its main entrance, “Free to All.” That is the revolutionary message of the DPLA. It will make our country’s heritage available to everyone and at no charge: “Free to All.”
 The tragic disaster at the Boston Marathon took place just across from the library and made it necessary to cancel today’s launch event. But a virtual launch will occur as planned, so the DPLA will begin to operate online at noon today. By persevering with its mission, the DPLA will pay tribute to the spirit of freedom embodied by the library and to the courage of everyone who coped so bravely with the disaster.
  
 Speaking as one who has spent most of his life studying the revolutions of the 18th century, I believe that the term “revolution” is overused. I have read about a “revolution” in men’s wear and “revolutionary” changes in football coaching. But the Internet has brought a genuine revolution into everyone’s life, one that is every bit as momentous as the transformation wrought by Gutenberg.
  
 Don’t think that this revolution is merely technological. We are participating in something greater than the greatest algorithm. It is the democratization of access to knowledge, but it owes a great deal to technology.
  
 Paul Revere depended on a signal transmitted by two lanterns in the belfry of the Old North Church, in Boston. He carried his message on a horse, and he delivered it by mouth to Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington. According to Longfellow, the ride took more than an hour—and “the fate of a nation was riding that night.” Think of it: fateful communication by lantern, horseback, and speech.
  
 Today we have bits and bytes moving at nearly the speed of light. We can send our messages round the world faster than Paul Revere’s horse could blink.
  
 What is that message? “Free to All.” We believe that everyone has a right to search and discover everything accumulated in our libraries, archives, and museums. The entirety of our cultural heritage should be freely available to everyone, not by applying for admission or purchasing a ticket at the door. It is everyone’s right by birth, a birthright that Revere, Hancock, and Adams claimed as free-born Englishmen, who on April 18, 1775, were transforming themselves into revolutionary Americans.
  
 The American revolutionaries believed in the power of the word. But they had only word of mouth and the printing press. We have the Internet. Thanks to modern technology, we now can deliver every text in every research library to every citizen in our country, and to everyone in the world. If we fail to do so, we are not living up to our civic duty.
  
 All of us are citizens in a republic much larger than the Republic of America. It is the Republic of Letters, a realm of the mind that extends everywhere, without police, national boundaries, or disciplinary frontiers. From the age of the Enlightenment it was open to all; but only a few could exercise their citizenship, for only a minority could read or afford to buy books.
  
 I don’t mean to minimize the obstacles to the spread of knowledge today. Aside from the distressing inadequacy of our schools, we face commercial interests that would like to fence off the knowledge that belongs in the public domain and to charge admission for access to it. The DPLA stands for open access—democratization rather than commercialization.
  
 That may sound suspiciously abstract and high-minded. But revolutions challenge us to articulate goals and formulate principles. The DPLA today is only a beginning, a small start down a long road with plenty of bumps, twists, and turns. It will require savvy and street smarts to travel down that road. But as we set out today, we can pause for a moment to contemplate our far–off goal: Armed by the best possible software and hardware, perched on a state-of-the-art platform, linked together in a distributed electronic system, we will open access to knowledge by making it free to all.
  
 Robert Darnton is a professor and university librarian at Harvard University.
  
 Comments at:
 http://chronicle.com/blogs/conversation/2013/04/18/free-to-all/
  

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father....

This is a prayer that Jesus Christ taught us. In doing so, He was opening up our eyes and pointing us towards what deeds we needed to do in order to feel fulfilled. It would enable divest from us any semblance of selfishness, hypocrisy and ill-will.

Our Father; we are called to say out His name, call on Him and be the children, daughter and son. We seek our Father by clearly addressing Him to get His attention.

Who art in Heaven; we are encouraged to acknowledge that He resides in an abode that is magnificent and that there is our home too.

Hallowed be thy name; this is a humble step that puts us in a position in which we are bowed and kneeling.

Your Kingdom come; this is a belief statement and part plea bargain.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven; our Father’s will is for us to be subjects who partake of His Kingdom. We are co-creators and co-workers in ensuring that all understand and contribute in this Kingdom and kind-dome!

Forgive us our trespasses; Forgiven first by our Father gets us in His presence.

As we forgive those who trespass against us; we should also not hold grudges.

Lead us not into temptation; be our guide to you

And deliver us from all evil; not only are you our guide but our sole protector too.

I am always humbled by the love of Christ. Christ gave us every morsel and grand gift He could from heaven. He knew the entire goings on and was faultless. He devised all the plans for our salvation after our fall. He left us a letter that we should read, lead others to read and empower many still in deed to put its words into action.

Immigration, integration, resilience and citizenship in USA

HEY, HERE ARE SOME TIPS!

http://www.bing.com/search?q=integration%20issues%20for%20us%20citizens&pc=conduit&ptag=A14FC71FF67BE4E77B7F&form=CONOMX&conlogo=CT3210127&ShowAppsUI=1


http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/issues/citizenship


http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/issues/citizenship?page=2

Meaningful steps and lawful conduct; the dividends of my waiting!

In my adopted country, unless am stopped and someone wants to know more about me I may be another new person in the community. ‘Perhaps staying for a short time and return to Africa, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic,’ many may add in contemplative reflection or for others sardonically. I left my country as a manager and coordinator of a unit in the Ministry of Health that researched, documented and profiled infections and diseases. I left my family and community that I was used to. I also left for fear of my life. I came to USA, to make sure I pursue my dreams and lead a happier life. This, in USA, is a grail I hope will sit in one place and I shall be able to take sips from it. I want to study science, be well grounded and one day practice medicine in USA. In my mind I am able to track fast forward and backtrack to present day. I am seeking asylum and at the mercy of public assistance. I live with a host family and survive on a subsistence of USD 300 a month. Am very grateful.

I have over time realized I need to rely on my soft skills. I do help around and engage in community work. This has helped me make friends. But, when I talk of soft skills, my finger is pointing at: attitude, open-mindedness, resolve, consistence, competence, humility, focus, service and industriousness. By attitude, this is what I mean: I look at life from a humble but productive point of view. I have stripped myself of all pretense and have reconciled myself with what is around me. At home am making myself useful and dependable. I do ask for clarification and direction on how to use, say, the coffee-maker or grating machine. I do like to learn the American way of home-life. Even when I go down-town, this is the attitude I move about with. By resolve, this is what I mean: I have designed a work-plan, a schedule, to follow as I learn and read about being an American. I have enrolled in remedial classes. I do read widely on American civics and government. I do want to be informed. By consistence, focus and industriousness, this is what I mean: I follow my schedule like clock-work. That way I have been able to track what I do and that way I feel am empowering myself and improving on my self-esteem. The above skills have enabled me get a certain level of competence and it has enabled me navigate almost seamlessly in USA. I do hope one day, I shall be able to be of help to others who want to make it productively in USA.

Self actualization for me is tied to my stay in USA presently.  I want to believe that saying: the sky is the limit. I do want to earn my legalization and eventually become a US citizen. I do read and study English, civics and other subjects. I have been subjected to occasions of criminal background checks because I do volunteer work with social-services organizations on short term contracts. I also had the occasion to undergo Federal finger printing and biometrics. I am hopeful these are steps towards a legal status. It is painfully taking long, but am patient. I cannot legally earn money at this point. I also may be forced to give up my chance of education until am legally documented. I went to the Registry of motor vehicles to get an identity card; I was told am not legally allowed to own a state ID. I still use my passport. I have plans to be of more service, but I cannot because I do not have legal status and a social security number. I am a car raring to go! All hope has not been lost. I used my extra time to study. I have given over 6 months studying mathematics and have tried many sums done up to undergraduate level. The other day an organization I applied to has, provided me a window to do mentoring in Mathematics and English for children 15-18 years. With legal status I shall be able to integrate fully, serve more usefully in my community and invest with a hope to get dividends. I shall be looked upon as a useful community member, earn higher incomes, serve on jury duty, engage in local politics and engage in elections. 

The day President Obama prayed with us!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-first-lady-to-attend-healing-service-in-boston/2013/04/18/75e90ee0-a825-11e2-b029-8fb7e977ef71_story.html

Recreation in USA!

Bicycle ride towards Holden City, Massachusetts, USA

Riding my Peugeot!

Road holding is good. I challenge Lance Armstrong.I betcha I ride faster than him!

Near Worcester Water Reservoir built around 1910!

Ride-xercising!

The bar!

Forge ahead and forgive. What better way!

I listened to this song on a pure moods album III called; Land of Anaka. It is a collaboration by Geoffrey Oryema/Brian Eno. In it they are singing of hope after so much anarchy and destruction. It is a song of hope and courage. It speaks of realized dreams that can come one’s way, when four things occur: change, belief, resolve and starting again. By change we decide to move away from where we are persecuted and stymied in our paths of progress. Because of belief and if we do not cease to believe in ourselves, we can therefore prompt ourselves in seeking a better life. By resolve we are steadfast in our plans. We engage in activities that continue affirming our ideas, creating reality from our dreams. This consistence brings fruits and is part of the discipline paths we take.

 I want to be a very great person. I want to be able to, one day, be able to make change in the world. I have seen poverty in our communities. It is dressed in so many ways. It appears as; a small 12 feet by 20 feet house made of mud with mud floor serving as the home of a family of 7 people. It is also dressed in form of communities extracting sustenance from lands that have been stripped of nutrients and are just brown soils held together as crusts! Poverty is also dressed as a culture of greed, fear and selfishness. Those who have are empowered to take even the little that those who have less can call their own food.  In all these situations there are ways to cause contentedness and security for all. Those with much will have security and those with less will get contentment. I know am going to be part of that agenda. There is no blaming anyone, in this situation we shall start blaming those who are against empowering others to seek contentment and those who will disturb peace and order for others.

I know a little bit about betrayal and pain as a result of having what you thought was the world around, to be shattered by people close to you. I know what it means to live side by side with people who eventually become your inner circle, only to end up realizing they are actually using you as a stepping stone and later abandoned you. I know being in need and knocked on doors of people you thought would help, but only to be shooed away! I do know pain. But, most of all I do know that I am able to overcome all the negative forces and forge on. I know the sweetness of forgiving and avoiding petty-minded persons who tend to look at life in a very narrow way. They usually have lost hope and we tend to be empathetic. We make these kinds of people our friends only to be pulled back by their fears. By the time we realize we had neglected our own issues, most of the time it is regrettable.

In Oryema’s song, I realized I was one of those who had given so much to others and neglected my own dreams and hopes. I now can sit back and listen to music, hear the words and reflect upon them deeply. I can give myself quality time and do in-depth studies in various professional fields. I have re-discovered myself.  If, a long time ago, I thought I was building up something for myself it is now that I see I had not done anything for me. I used to take sorrowful journeys but ended up pained more than they aggrieved. This realization that I have bottomless sources of hope, courage and wisdom gave me a galvanizing companionship and showed me all was not lost. One day I shall be a great person.

Africa's intellectuals!

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/OpEd/comment/Africa-enslaved-intellectuals-to-be-pitied-or-despised/-/434750/1740998/-/item/1/-/12oqs98/-/index.html

Grateful for Life and grateful to be in USA

I am an African, recently moved to USA. I know I save money by making sure I continue meeting my scheduled medical check-ups. It is advisable to have atleast one health check a year or once every 12 months.  A medical/health check-up is a thorough physical exam including a variety of tests depending on presented complaint, age, sex and health of a person. A medical check-up has its advantage: it helps find problems before they start; help find problems earlier when the chances for treatment bring early cures; it helps one keep a healthier and longer life.

We all need to schedule appointments for medical check-ups. The following areas are opportunities for us to know about our bodies:

1.       Breast and Cervical  Cancer Early Detection

2.       Cholesterol

3.       Colorectal Cancer Screening

4.       Diabetes

5.       High Blood Pressure

6.       Immunizations

7.       Oral Health

8.       Prostate Cancer

9.       Skin Cancer

10.   Endocrine-diseases

11.   Cardio-Vascular diseases

12.   Lung

13.   weight check

14.   Ear, Neck and Eyes

15.   Bones

16.   HIV

17.   Viral Hepatitis
18. Neurological illnesses

Do not take things for granted. Schedule a time and tell your employee or people at home about your health check up at the nearest hospital. Make your life count by going for these check-ups.

My friends in need and indeed

I am so glad I did meet these friends.

I like going out to meet people. The other day,I wanted to have my hair done in styles I see in Hollywood movies. I mean, that afro that seems to stand smug straight on the head without a single hair falling out of position. My black hair. I want to grow it longer and may be later do the corn-rows. But, I wonder if that will not make me more like Samson of the Bible.

Where was I? Yes, my friends. The Dominican serves in a neighborhood Mac ( McDonald).I happened to have jogged a mile and wanted to rest because out of nowhere, it had started to snow. I then proceeded to look at the menu but got lost in all that culinary-mouth-wetting names-only Mac knows how to label and coin. This girl comes forward to help me. I asked too talk slowly, that way I could actually comprehend what she was saying. She must have made me as African. We became friends and she taught me how to order for things in a Mac!

The Kenyans remind me of religion. Somehow that is how they factor in my life in USA.

The Nigerians. They showed me the main streets.I became street-wiser!

The Liberian and Ghanaian. They did support in my earlier days in USA. I was made firmer in my resolve to do something, to engage myself in work because of them.

Ugandan Community. I do thank the Ugandan community for being examples of livelihood in USA.

Hang in their.