Shubh Divali!
July 17, 2009
Today is Diwali, otherwise known as the (Hindu) Festival of Lights. I have fond memories of celebrating this festival when I lived in Trinidad & Tobago where it is a national holiday celebrated in different ways by people of most denominations.
Saving and except the Hindu Prayers (pujas) and other rituals done on this day, I would typically celebrate with friends and family. We would eat traditional Indian dishes including my favorite: curried chicken with aloo, pumpkin and paratha.
The most anticipated event on Diwali is the lighting of thousands of clay pots known as diyas after sundown.
Entire neighborhoods are transformed into art galleries where bamboo trees are cut and fashioned into intricate master pieces serving as ‘shelves’ for the diyas that decorate almost every open space including, but not limited to front yards and entire streets which are blocked off for the festivities.
Divali can best be described as the festival of celebrating light over darkness and truth where untruth prevails.
This is actually synonymous to what true Christianity represents! Christians are diyas in a world of darkness. Matthew 5:14 says that we are the light of the world; we are bearers of truth where untruth prevails as shown in Matthew 28:19 .
Today I celebrate the Festival of Lights in the context of what Christ commands us as Christians to be: lights in a world of darkness.
From the negro spiritual ‘this little light of mine’
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… Won’t let Satan blow it out…Let it shine till Jesus comes…Hide it under a bushel- NO!…Let it shine all over the world…Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!
Akhenaton
mail@pharaohsprotege.com
Ethiopian Food- YUM!
July 15, 2009
(REPUBLISHED)
Ethiopian food is officially now one of my favorites! After passing by the Dukem Restaurant on the U Street Corridor in Washington, DC for over three years and looking on with curiosity, I decided on Saturday to take the plunge with a couple friends and try it out.
Now, a forewarning if you plan to visit, the Dukem Restaurant is not one for fine dining, if that’
s what you’re looking for. The atmosphere is relaxed, a bit noisy and service is a tad bit slow, but the GREAT food (which I will talk about later) makes up for where everything else falters.
While the experience could easily be compared to eating native Indian dishes like roti (read more) and paratha (read more), the ‘bread’ served and known in the Ethiopian locale as injera (read more) might be an acquired taste for the picky eater. It “tasted and looked spongy”, said one of my friends and I have to agree. Notwithstanding that, I found the taste to be curiously delightful.
What sto
od out most however is that with the exception of the injera, our entree which included hot spiced lamb, stewed chicken, dhal and some other Ethiopian delicacies was served on a single platter from which we all ate, using our hands (no utensils used).
In the end, I have to say that my experience at the Dukem Restaurant (website) was a mixture of the unique and the mouthwatering. Being with the right company made it a worthwhile visit also.
Below are the links to some of my favorite local (DC) restaurants:
Thai Chili Restaurant- Thai
The Taj Mahal- Indian
Pho Fever- Vietnamese
The Islander- Caribbean
Relationships…Marriage…yada yada…
July 8, 2009
Perhaps it has to do with my Caribbean/black heritage where it is expected that one should have been married or have kids by let’s say 26 (using my age as an example). It could be that some are also overly anxious to eat some wedding cake, others (mostly parents) might find it to be a fulfillment of their own dreams.
Notwithstanding it being the backdrop for He (God) creating Eve as Adam’s companion, it does not exclusively put being with someone in the context of romantic relationships. I believe that this could also be easily applied to platonic relationships.
Contrary to what many believe, ‘being alone’ (or being single), is not synonymous with loneliness. I am currently single, for example, and I am actually quite content in that I am single, while I’m single. Taking that into account, some have argued that I am selfish for “keeping all of the love” to myself. I beg to differ. Being single does not mean that one cannot have or maintain sincere (platonic) relationships that are emotionally satisfying (in the reciprocal).
I am fortunate enough to have a strong network of friends who are not only emotionally, but spiritually grounded. By and large that plays a significant role in keeping me as grounded and emotionally fulfilled as I am today.
Many are not as lucky as I am in that regard, but that should not be the reason to get into a romantic relationship. I have determined that I will never get into a romantic relationship because ‘it is expected’ or so as to quell the misguided suspicions of who I call a few over-zealous bigots.
As someone who likes things on his own terms, I am often peeved when anyone tries to push me into a relationship. Personally I find that the driving force of a (platonic or romantic) relationship should be on my own term
s.
Families, friends and even associates should be careful not to force their ideals of Mr. or Ms. right on anyone. It is not fair to either party if one enters a relationship for the purpose of fulfilling the fantasies of a third party.
Divorce rates are as high as they are today firstly because many are simply not ready for a relationship but still jump in because of the ‘it is expected’ factor. Secondly, many get caught up in loving the idea of having a romantic partner rather than loving the partner themselves. Both are wrong reasons.
Relationships are important and even though a (gentle) nudge is sometimes needed, they should not be forced on anyone. Personal choice, not pressure should be the determining factor. We can chose whether or not we wish to have a relationship with God; the same principle applies (or should apply) to platonic or romantic relationships.
Relationships are important. God Himself exists in what is the perfect relationship: the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit). He created us for relationships (platonic and romantic). It is not His desire that we be alone.
He wants us first to however develop a relationship with Him. Following His principles can play a significant role in developing healthy and successful relationships. Our relationship with Him ultimately affects our emotional well-being and the state of our emotional well-being determines the quality of the relationships that we get into. That said, He (through His word) must be the final arbiter when assessing potential or current relationships.
Akhenaton
Resources
Some famous people from the Bible who were single: Paul, John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
Suggested reading: They were single too: 8 Biblical Role Models
