56th Birthdate Anniversary

I have promised myself that as long as I live, and as long as I can, I’ll be marking my birthdate anniversaries by posting something special to me, highlights and low lights, things that make me feel happy, or sad, things that inspire, and infuriate me, in equal and unequal measures. In essence, a digital regeneration, a creative review to celebrate my birth, and to reflect on another year here on Our Beautiful Planet Earth.

This post celebrates my 56th Birthdate Anniversary. It’s the second blog here on my WordPress website, revised 2 years after it was first published. It was not difficult for me to find a highlight in 2015, this ‘gift’ is a standout moment for me.

I received an early greeting from Marcus, a beloved friend, one of the best greetings I’ve had on my special day, and my favourite ever, so far…

“HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY GODDESS/QUEEN No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. We accept the love we think we deserve. There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present. Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt. When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.¸.•*¨`*•.♫♫♫”

I love it especially because he goes beyond the experience of the individual, to describing a collective position, one that builds resilience, and which encourages aspiration. It’s a greeting for me, but it’s also a greeting for everyone, and I could not put it better myself.

His mention of the beauty of the butterfly resonates with me, I often think of the necessity for change, to transform, to be mutable. I have always associated this process with butterflies.

And – his name is Marcus, which reminds me of Marcus Garvey, and his book:

Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey

Both the man and his book have impressed and inspired me in many ways, not least for his impact on black people and the labour movement in America and the Caribbean, and his influence on the trade union movement in this country, expressed by the first black General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress – Bill Morris.

Both men were and are change makers in their own right, and my role models. In some way I hope to be, and that I am, a change maker too, a bit like a butterfly.

This in turn reminds me of one of my early poems, featured in my book ‘EVOLUTION – a collection of paintings poetry and prose’, you can read more about the book here on my WordPress website The Evolution Collection

The book is available to purchase on AuthorHouse:

‘EVOLUTION – a collection of paintings poetry and prose’

and on Amazon:

‘EVOLUTION – a collection of paintings poetry and prose’

The shape is intended to be like a butterfly, which is open to interpretation I know, nonetheless, this poem is called ‘Feelings’. It sounds good when read out loud round-robin, a group of two or three people, returning to unified voice(s) at the conclusion of a set piece.

I know you can work it out, but let me know if you have any problems 😉

Enjoy…