The Lines That Connect...

The Lines That Connect Us Are Greater Than the Ones That Divide...

If you're anything like me in your experiences, then you may have travelled to one country (Mexico in particular) and met someone who was related to someone you know quite well. Or you've learned that even when you travel to Cinque Terre Italy, the most beautiful part of Italy I might add, that you run into someone from Georgia who is the head of the Georgia Chiropractor board, as you serve him an iced cold Coca Cola. Or your cautiously await a small commuter plane to transport you from Nairobi to Eldoret, Kenya on your way the Baraton University for an Master's intensive program, and catch this man who gives a steady, uncomfortable stare. Only to learn when he asks you the question, "Are you a Seventh-day Adventist?" only to be surprised to learn that he too is an SDA, but also the Minister of Ministers for the East African Union. Or perhaps your encounter was more local, as in Florence, Alabama, a well kept secret of an Alabama town, and you meet people that are related to someone we know in Atlanta. Many of our experiences have been vast and just so incredible as we open ourselves up to be fully present to that moment in which we are presently in. The clincher was on a lay-0ver in London, on my way to Kenya, I met a member of my sister's former church who was from Atlanta. He was on his was to Sierra Leone on a diamond mission. I take those connections to be a sign of God saying, "I've Got Your Back, Your Front and Your Sides, Your Top and Your Bottom. Bottom line, He says, I've Got You!

Then just yesterday Hopeton and his Aunt were sharing the stories of the Maroons of Jamaica, from where they are from. And in light of all of these Olympic victories, the history of Jamaica was even more important to me, as it demonstrates the strength, and tenacity of the people of this island rich in culture, colour and cuisines. As we searched for more details of the Maroons, aside from the dissertation of his cousins's studies, we learned that Nanny, Jamaica's original female Olympian Hero in the truest since, who fought and gained the Maroons liberty, that she originated from Ghana, the Ashanti tribe to be exact. And just five years earlier, I was blessed to be in Ghana, celebrating their 50th year of Independence. Then as we discussed the similarities more, we noticed that the colour of the Ashanti flag was also black, yellow and green, the colours of the Jamaican flag.

Even I know that my family's heritage, on my paternal great grandfather's side, stems from the West African region, perhaps the Ashanti people to be more exact. Am it would be interesting to learn of those who also share the Creek, native American blood that also runs through our veins. As we recognized the lines of distinction, we learn that the lines that connect us are so much more closely woven than we think. Appreciating the differences, while embracing the similarities, is the greatest act of respect that can be given.
Now that's DA Art of Living!

~Simply Lady Dana
August 2012 (c)

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