What makes America a great nation?

This was the conversation we had before the end of day yesterday. We are a group of five people who are new to USA and reminisce about where that 'made-it-grail' is found. Who doesn't? I hear a lot of 'sky is the limit,'  ' you are in the land of milk and honey,'........ Now,I want to be honest. I am standing on a brown, sort of dark grey soil and do see many stones. This must be sedimentary rocks. I know honey is made by bees and milk by cows. It takes effort to rear cows and much resilience to establish an apiary. No government provides a plateful of food, spoon-feeds one and clears the tables. I waited for US Government to come to my place to get me benefits while I lie in bed like a royal ( by the way even royals-the ones of my tribe most especially earn bread from their sweat). Sweat? "Did I hear you well?" This was a statement I heard once a year ago. Those who never want to toil cannot make it better in USA. What makes this, US of A  a great nation? Industriousness of the people, established systems that translate as opportunities and belief of the people in possibilities if they apply themselves. A patriotic pride is not far behind.

WHAT WORKS:

What works? If America ensures that an individual has opportunities to pursue possibilities and by extension benefits her or his community, then that is what works. There are various skills needed for one to navigate through life. Life has milestones and commodities that need to be addressed if one is to lead a quality fruitful life. Education, family, relations, health, diet, empowerment, fulfillment and ability to engage in activities are some of the crucial executions that are immediately evident. USA, is one of the countries ranking high in ensuring its populace is provided opportunities to pursue a quality fruitful life. It is the reason why all forms commerce, infrastructure and investment in human and non-human resource are made.  The basic criteria that make up what works for America are summarized in enduring systems and infrastructures that in turn are opportunities for people or individuals to see possibilities and achievements. A country that invests in mechanisms to ensure, sustain, improve, prolong and reduce suffering of its population will go a long way in providing contexts for quality life. Whereas the two contexts; possibilities and opportunities are two sides of the coin, they are in turn influenced by needs, wants and situations humans may find themselves in. Needs and wants reflect the multitude composition of Americans (both citizens and non-citizens but living in America). In America certain basic needs are met through standardized service provision mechanisms. Such services like: health, dental, education, literacy, restitution, conflict resolution, representation, enterprising opportunities, civic activities and security in the basic or tailored state are at a very high level in America compared to most other countries that are not in the first world. The level of choices presented before an American or a person living in America is immense. This is what differentiates America. Sustenance in America is provided with knowledge to make informed choices. Life is made easier with possibilities for one to weigh their situation, engage in basic problem-analysis and solving, know their way around service provision and engage in accessing opportunities to improve on themselves, families and communities eventually. Empower the individual and in turn you are empowering a community and nation eventually. That is the dividend.

When it comes to critical numbers be it in opportunities (translated as security, jobs and infrastructural investments), value and quality of life, US of A holds a candle.

Father's Day

On a day like this, I remember you Dad:

I call you old man, sometimes old-folk;

do not take my play on titles as mischief,

I am fond of you!

Remember when I got on your nerves;

I came home after wasting so much money,

you never gave up on me old-man,

you tried all means to maintain order.

A good child is from a good father,

Obedience, industriousness and care,

Long-suffering tenderness and love,

All are manifest because of a father.

Father when it comes to it,

When it comes to the little things,

 Or the big things, my appreciation of everything;

 is only possible because of you.

To work for no money and still be happy

I do enjoy working. What I really mean is I feel a need in me to contribute to the well-being of the community I live in. I do not mind whether that community is so sophisticated. I somehow know all communities have the same/basic needs to meet. Those needs start with shelter, stomach, smiles and sensibilities. I find myself in a situation where I need to be given so much and I need to give much too. I am not driven to do something just because I expect to get money in return.  I do engage in work to also know where I strike the balance. I am capable of many good and productive things. In the USA, where I am a new person there are many other new people who are less skilled in understanding and navigating their way around cities. I call this the urban-literacy and attendant skills and sensibilities (ULASS).

Building communities, making friends and finding sustenance are three skills (a continuing heritage if you may say so) one needs in a newer environment. I shall never go back to live a life I lived in the past but I am to move on in life. I want to be a professional and dedicated scientist. I also want to mentor, to work as a change agent. By change agent, I mean someone who can help many find meaning and possibilities. My niche is dealing with small things and entwining them into bigger things.  There are small steps we need to take to achieve much. We tend (humans) to fear to lose and in the process seek out bigger tasks to accomplish. Therein lies our failure. For in not addressing the small building blocks that make the bigger walls of achievement, we have already failed. In that state we are like a boat moored on the shore. We think we are sailing every time it is buffeted by the waves. In actual fact we are not. We have tied a rope that holds us in one place. Do not give up. Be a formidable and resilient person not because you are straining muscles and sinews but because you are using your grey-matter.

I deal with highlighting the step by step of things. I am happy doing it. I have done and hope to continue to do it without being paid a salary when called upon. I know am living in a country where my time is documented. One day, what am doing today as a volunteer who is going about my business without expecting money (but am happy and fulfilled), will be my passage to understanding needs, engage in problem-sharing and solving sessions. I shall leave this as a very experienced and happy person and move on to a next level. My next job and team will have a person who is sharper, a team-builder and problem-solver. Yahoo!!

Do it for yourself!

Around you there may be all these voices shouting, cajoling and ridiculing. Some may even be those of your loved ones. Stop and think. You have always done what they want, like and wish. You have never invested in yourself at all. Or, if you have it was again taken by those talking more.

This is your time. Do something good for yourself. Let it be positive and eventually make you lead a life of no regrets and misgivings. Those you are helping now may never be around when you need sugar, salt, a blanket, a coat or transportation to the nearest hospital when you get a heart attack. What eventually saves you is the knowledge you are not a burden to others. Then they may come running to help knowing that you did invest in the attendant support mechanisms. Read about Steve Jobs of the Apple Inc. He says something like this too.

Modelling:

Life’s broad strokes;

reveal forms of outlines,

a web of patterns, a pastel finally charted,

a spot here, a daub, profusion makes the lot.

A form still and statuesque,

painters’ hands recreating,

Swish, swash goes a crayon,

rapid brushes of an outline.

In ordered rows sit the painters;

much like the symphony playing the water music,

The Princeton Art Society goes about their trade,

The still model calmly sits through the bidding.

Shrill, shrill goes the timer. It is the sixth break,

‘Oh! Wow! That is the smiling mood.’

This is how it is; if we only take the time,

a painting with the right mix comes out.

St. Mary's Albanian Orthodox Church, Worcester, MA USA

Up on 535 Salisbury Street is the domed place of worship that Albanians in Worcester, MA established both for worship and social meetings. In this big tent today, was venue for Albanian cultural show. Two of my friends (Irene and Robyn) invited me and I do not regret having come over. In my life I have visited three Orthodox Churches in Uganda in Namungoona and Sembabule. Two were under the Greek-Orthodox and one was under the Ethiopian Coptic/Orthodox Church. What I learnt about the orthodox was that they were a solemn and devout type whose beliefs stem from ancient practices immediately after the time when Christianity was embraced by the Roman Empire. This was a time when the Roman Empire had so much of Greek influence still intact in most parts. The buildings used for government meetings (Basilica) were given over to be used as places of worship by Emperor Constantine. A strategic city of Constantinople was a beehive of human activity as well as spiritual development. The name Roman Empire also changed to Byzantine Empire in order to be in vogue and in good standing with Christianity. Christianity then spread from the East to all parts of the West. I got to learn all this during the one and half hour lecture on Orthodox Christianity given by Fr. Timothy of Albanian Orthodox Church, Worcester, MA, USA.

Today, was not only a learning opportunity for me into Orthodoxy but, also a learning experience about Albanians. They came from somewhere around middle Europe in the former Soviet Union. They are numerous and have established many businesses from: catering, auto-repairs, construction, medicine, education to social services. I counted over 1,000 people gathered for the Albanian Cultural show. One of the Albanian stars in the 'dancing with the stars' act was an honored guest. And yes, he did dance to the applause of the proud Albanians. I was happy too, to have been here to watch. I clapped and smiled. Albanians noticed and one was brave enough to ask. 'Do you understand?' 'Yes,' I replied. 'Music and dance are universal languages.' I can dance to the music too. I saw many people look at this black African man among them. The biggest catch that garnered much applause was the dancing styles from: folk dance to ball-room dance. It was all so marvelous.  Albanians have rhythm and the synchronous choreography is so captivating.

One song 'Mambo Number,Five' popularized by a Ugandan-German in which a lil' bit of Sandra, Monica, Linda and many others make this singer's day with the quick Jive/rumba paced beat, was a favorite of many. I wondered if they (Albanians) knew the singer had Ugandan roots. Here was I, I want to think I was one of the few people from Africa who graced this event, musing secretly. This singer happens to be called Lubega but he Germanicized his name to Lou Bega. This song made it to various bill board top 40 positions in 1999. This was in countries such as: USA, UK, France ,Germany, Australia, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria, Sweden, Austria, Cuba and Brazil.

Back to the church, beautiful icons painted by a person (Dmitri) I met at a friend's (Robyn of Tatnuck Square Business Center) office. This was the time I was invited to visit this church (February 2013). I am glad I kept my promise in June 2013. On bidding farewell to the priest. He asked me where I was from originally (the first person I ever heard stressing 'originally'). I said Uganda. Guess what?....Yes! You guessed right! Idi Amin etc, etc, etc.....but this time there was another historical figure brought in the picture. Bishop Festo Kivengere. I shared with him the new things in Uganda including the fact that today the President was His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Finally, he got the attention of many other parishioners. I did excuse myself.

That was my day today.

STOP!

For a moment, stop.
Listen to your heart beat,
Feel it strain and leap,
For a moment stop.

Life is sweet and sour.
That you have to comprehend,
in life we want and need.
there in lies our happiness or dour.

Laughter may not be happiness.
Real joy is near sweat-drops,
a smile on your face
contentment no one can surpass.