brandonlongwood

and so here we are. the seventh and final day of kwanzaa as well as the start of a new year. today's principle is imani (ee-mah-nee) which means faith. not particularly a religious faith. but faith in a higher power, the wisdom of the ancestors and the existence of a divine and universal law/order. for me, its been the very thing that has allowed me to intrinsically know that as long as i am doing the right thing, things will work out. its also what helps to keep me grounded in the realization that i am not in this thing alone. i have many skills and talents but i consider these to be gifts and blessings bestowed upon me to use in good faith. in the coming year i will continue to have faith. faith in myself. faith in strenght and value of the human race. faith in the natural order of the world to balance everything out. with faith, all things are possible.

so its funny, when i was younger, the principles of kwanzaa seemed very esoteric to me. i understood the principles and their meanings. but i wondered if or how they would really apply to my everyday life. now, as i take a look at the man i have become, i can see that the seven principles of kwanzaa are deeply woven into my personality, values and daily living. i dont make much fanfare about what i believe or how i operate. i just try and let the life i live speak for me.

thanks to everyone for taking an interest in my ramblings and a safe and happy new year to you all.