Some truth to horoscopes?
February 25, 2007
Last night, while sitting around the table with my friends, a discussion of horoscopes came up as would relate to relationships (in its broadest sense). After doing some research on my sign, I found that a lot of what the Astrologers said (as would relate to my personality) is unnervingly true.
Here is some of what different astrologists have said about the Zodiac sign Cancer; in retrospect what they had to say about me that is actually true.
-
You have the ability to attune to the moods of others quickly or to change their moods to suit yours.
-
You have the ability to ‘read’ people. It is often called the ’sixth sense’. It is extremely hard for anyone to hide their emotions from you. You always seem to know if something is wrong.
-
Though they can be outwardly gregarious, they are shy and secretive about their personal matters. However, once they feel comfortable in a situation or relationship, they relax and completely open up even to the point of dominating the situation.
-
The CANCER lover is extremely romantic and passionate. They make loyal mates and will champion their spouse’s career and expect the same in return. These individuals are intensely attuned to the needs and wants of their partner; they are exceptionally sensitive lovers. A CANCERIAN never gets enough love and approval; they always need more. It is very easy to fall in love with this loyal, devoted, affectionate, and protective Moonchild.
-
The CANCER friend with their gentle and caring spirit, CANCERIANS are the ones to whom others turn with problems, worries and life choice concerns.
I read my horoscope every now and then in the daily newspaper, however I do this simply for amusement (not for advice or enlightenment). A lot of times, what is said is right on point, and while I am cautiously fascinated with them, I understand that they are mostly strictly relative and their role in my life is insignificant especially when it comes to decision making.
From my heart, to yours,
Akhenaton
Thinking outside the box (Part 2)
February 19, 2007
The ‘box’ is what we know about the world, the values and paradigms that we use daily. What we ‘know’ (i.e. what is in the box) has the potential to actually limit our creativity, our ability to see and solve problems and effectively deal with people who are not like us.
Ways to think outside the box…
-
Don’t judge books by their covers: First impressions are what they are: impressions. True character is only revealed over a period of time.
-
Understand that everything happens for a reason: You may not know the reason for certain setbacks in your life, but in the end ALL things work together for good…
-
Do not subscribe to blanket assumptions, pre-conceived notions or stereotypes: Do not put people in boxes based on their sex, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
-
Give people the benefit of the doubt: When people betray your high expectations of them, before you push them out the door, search for explanations that could possibly exonerate their behavior.
-
Half full, not half empty: Be an optimist, not a pessimist!
Akhenaton
Read Part 1 of Thinking outside the box
Thinking outside the box (Part 1)
February 18, 2007
On the morning of February 14, 2007, almost every exposed surface in the Washington area was covered by snow and in many cases, several centimetres of clear ice- brought on by the Valentine’s Day Ice Storm.
Coming from the Caribbean where there is no Winter, or ice storms for the matter, and with limited knowledge of Snow or Ice Storms, my thinking was that ice belongs exclusively in…
-
The Refrigerator
-
Glasses/cups
-
Drink coolers
To a lesser or greater degree, we are all guilty of putting all ice in a box (metaphorically speaking) by making blanket assumptions, having pre-conceived notions or subscribing to stereotypical viewpoints.
The old adage ‘What looks like a rock (to the untrained eyes) might actually be a diamond’ speaks truth. It takes a fresh perspective, it takes someone that thinks outside of the box to discover the diamond in that rock.
It takes thinking outside the box to discover our purpose in life; it takes thinking outside the box to develop a greater awareness of true reality; it takes thinking outside the box to grow!
Challenge yourself to think outside the box.
From my heart to yours,
Akhenaton
Caribbean Gospel Melody
February 14, 2007
Isaac Blackman- To the ceiling Buy the album here
LYRICS
(chorus)
It is happening again / God have come and take away all my pain / Know I got to say I love you (hey) /It is happening again / God have come and take away all my pain / Know I got to say I love you / Said make ah jumping up to the ceiling / What a wonderful feeling / God you have my back / Always defend me when I’m under attack / Said make ah jumping up to the ceiling / What a wonderful feeling / God you have my back / Always defend me when I’m under attack
(verse 1)
You never leave me hungry / You never leave me thirsty /You always with me in my time of struggle / You never leave me weary / You never leave me lonely / Always guide and protect me (hey) / You never leave me desolated, and afflicted (further) / Cause in de desert storm, you are my rain (yeah) / So when they walk in de darkness / And they come at me with dey madness / You shine your light, so I could see through all de madness
(bridge)
You’re my mission, and ah going on / You’re my mission, even weather through the storm / You’re my /mission, said and ah going on / Meh say most high god, have meh back / And say most high god, go mash up de attack
Depression
February 13, 2007
Advice from the Pharaoh’s Protege Series ON DEPRESSION
“…i am always very, very tired and when i am like that i always feel like crying, dont know why, but this is always how i feel”
Unexplained tiredness is one of the signs of depression and is possibly related to why you “always feel like crying”. Is something bothering you? The first step towards finding a solution is identifying the problem. Speak to God about this, ask Him to lead you to a professional who can diagnose your problem and provide effective solutions.
Resources
Relationships
February 13, 2007
Advice from the Pharaoh’s Protege Series
ON RELATIONSHIPS
“…there is this guy I’ve had my I own for a while. I did what I could to get his attention. I got my wish, I got his attention and now he calls my like once a week. However, I found out that he has a girlfriend, that really hurt me because I didn’t expect that. He knows that I like him and he likes me “a little”. We work out once a week and I feel so tempted by his physic. I feel so bad because I am constantly lusting all over him and he sometimes makes advances to me. I know what I’m doing is wrong. Recently, I’ve been ignoring him bacuse I just can’t help myself, I feel so tempted. Now I feel so bad because he’s leaving me messages and wondering what he did wrong. I don’t know, should I adore him or ignore him?!?”
Cathy (name changed), I am sure that you have already learnt that the best way to get back at a guy is to give what you women call the ‘Silent Treatment’. As a guy, this is nothing short of torture! I believe that the brother needs some kind of closure.
He deserves to know your reasons for cutting him off. Nobody deserves to be ignored. Nobody! In answer to your questions as to whether you should Adore or Ignore. My suggestion is to Adore AND Ignore.
Adore YOURSELF enough to know that this friendship/relationship can be destructive emotionally and spiritually; Ignore the voice of lust. By entertaining his advances, you are setting yourself up for emotional torture especially in light of that he is already involved with another woman.
At the end of the day however, the choice is yours; you need to decide for yourself if your friendship with him is a desire or a necessity.
From my heart, to yours,
Akhenaton
Resources
Email your questions to acjeffers@gmail.com
Miss you baby….sniff…sniff
February 5, 2007
The tale of my Dell 4600C PC (now deceased)Last week my PC decided that she did not want to power up. I pressed the power button, nothing happened, I unplugged and and re-inserted the power cable, nothing. I did the classic thump on the side….nothing (I guess that only works on old-model tv’s). So I decided to call Dell Tech Support.
After more than 45 minutes on the phone with a tech-support agent, I was told that I needed a new power supply. So I ordered a power supply unit for my PC, paying almost the cost of the unit in shipping so that I can get it the next day.
When the power supply arrived, I took out the old and installed the new one. This time, when I pressed the power button, the computer came on, but my monitor was not receiving a signal! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!
So I call Dell tech support again, to see if I can get some advice on this. Afer 30 minutes on hold, then 50 minutes of trouble-shooting, the agent told me that I needed a new mother board. My mother who!? When he said that, it was almost like he cursed me. I wanted to use my PC…..NOW!
Because of the specifications of my PC (which is not typical of other PCs in terms of size and features) I have to take her to a technician. Luckily I have a laptop that I can use in the interim, but I still miss her for her speed and efficiency.
Last week, my plan was to by this weekend, be enjoying the features of Windows Vista; not looking for a repair shop that would reasonably repair her because she just wants to be a stubborn %^&$
Women! I tell you! hmph! 
From my heart to yours,
Akhenaton
‘08 Politics and Qualified Freedom
February 5, 2007
The land of the (qualified) FREEThe concept of qualified freedom, identifies that while the United States of America is the ‘Land of the Free’ , this idea is seemingly more paradoxical than anything. The freedom, as identified in ‘the Star-Spangled Banner’ is a qualified freedom moreso than it is an uninhibited freedom. Below, in brief, I address some of the hot button issues that dominated the debates of the 2004 General Election and possibly could affect the outcome of the 2008 General Election. Each issue deserves their own essay, however, they will be discussed in further detail as comments/responses would warrant.
Qualified freedom and Abortion
I support a woman’s right to chose to have an abortion (including, but limited to ‘early-term’ abortion) and believe that any legislative attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade is a step backwards.
In the 21st century, to take away the right of a woman to control what goes on in her own body is a step backwards. To legislate what is promoted as ‘Christian beliefs in a nation that is not 100% Christian is a step backwards.
Qualified freedom and Universal Health Care
It is unacceptable that in the ‘richest nation in the world’ (depending on who you ask), every American citizen is not afforded the right to quality and affordable healthcare especially in light of that most third world nations offer free health-care to their citizens. To be an American citizen should be qualification enough to receive quality, affordable healthcare.
Qualified freedom and Border Security/ Immigration
It is outrageous that five years have passed since September 11, 2001 and our borders are not completely secured. Absolutely outrageous! Of the estimated one million illegal aliens that cross the US/Mexico border every year, the likelyhood of terrorists crossing with them is extremely high. Immediate steps should be taken to secure the border by whatever means necessary.
This is a rare say, but I support President’s Bush ‘Comprehensive Immigration Plan’ which calls for more secure borders, a temporary guest worker program and amnesty (let’s call it by the right name) for immigrants that have been living in the United States over a given period of time.
Popular Presidential Candidates worth considering in 2008
-
Barak Obama- Democrat
-
Hillary Rodham-Clinton- Democrat
-
Rudolph Giuliani- Republican
-
John Edwards- Democrat
-
John McCain- Republican
Other post on the topic of Qualified Freedom
From my heart to yours,
Akhenaton
How much is enough?
February 2, 2007
Have I reached my (giving) quotient?
I come from a family that was always blessed materially. We never had to do without and my parents made sure that those around us did not do without either.
I was quite disturbed last Christmas when someone broke into my mom’s car (while parked in a church parking lot!) and stole all of the groceries she had planned to deliver later that day to needy families.
What was more astonishing was her response. Notwithstanding that she was a bit shaken, she was quick to say that the items possibly went to a family that really needed them. “What!?”- my response..”did you at least call the Police?!”. “It’s okay son, (she replies) God will deal with them”… “um okay”, I retorted.
The stolen items were replaced and delivered as planned but she did not have to do this. She could have easily said “screw it!” This showed me that my mom (God bless her heart) does not have a giving quotient.
This month marks the third year of me sponsoring three beautiful children. They are from India, Honduras and the Philippines. My sponsorship ensures that their basic needs are taken care of. This includes books for school, birthday and christmas presents, clothes and other essentials.
I do not have any kids of my own, but it is always a joy getting pictures and letters from these my ‘adopted’ children.
It is also a joy knowing that they are children of faith. One of them (her name is Josselyn) always close her letters with the words “thank you for your wonderful heart, keep trusting in God”.
There is much more to be done, there are millions of children who do not have the ‘basics’ that we so often take for granted. I am not content with that I have done enough, but it is a start.
In answer to the question “how much is enough?” the answer…….infinity is enough! Have I reached my giving quotient? No! i probably never will. The need is too great. Can you help me pick up the slack?
From my heart, to yours,
Akhenaton
Ways to give:
-
Sponsor a child/ children
-
Donate time and/or money to a children’s charity
-
Become a Mentor to a child
Children’s Charities
