Faith

[Okomfo Kweku Nkruma Opare]

Since childhood i have been exposed to traditional African spirituality. I have knowledge of the Neteru, the Orisha, the Loa, the Abosum and the illustrious Ancestors. Growing up in America having this knowledge has always been juxtaposed with the tangible reality of materialism. As a child i did not fully respect the knowledge of intangible spirituality that my mother worked so hard to cultivate in my spirit. I cast off this knowledge for the emblems and talismans of the world. The finest clothes, shoes, colognes, clubs, sex,drugs,and money were my Gods, and i was a faithful servant. These were things that i could touch, that i could feel, that i could own. But they did not fill me up and i was not content, the more i had the more i wanted, the more i could touch the mor i wanted to be touched and the more i owned the more seemed to be out of my grasp. Things began to control me and my belief in the tangible would take me on a rollercoaster ride through my own perceived hell. As i look back i am grateful for these experiences. I realize that in being what i was not i was able to find who i am. All throughout my dance with the world of materialism the ancestors would not leave my side. They would not stop whispering. Many times i would hear dont do that, dont go there, do not trust them,you are not like them,be careful, call your mother, call your grandmother, stop what you are doing,and of course i would ignore. But the Ancestors were persistent. "ok so you wont listen!" they said, and everything that i so cherished was taken away. The world which i created came tumbling down around me like a huge mirror shattered into a thousands of millions of tiny pieces. And i realized that i had been in this same place before. But this time i was determined to never revisit this place again. It is said that if you know better you do better. This is not always true. Knowing and doing are two entirely different entities. Knowing can be filled with much arrogance and the option to choose or not choose. For example an habitual smoker knows that smoking is unhealthy but continues to smoke. Doing what is better for yourself requires humility and discipline. I've only recently succumbed to the spirit filling effects of the latter. As i looked around at the pieces of "my life" on the floor around i heard the Ancestors saying "pick them up, its ok, remember who you are". I realized that after having "lost" everything that i really did not lose anything at all because i somehow still had my faith. The faith in the beautiful intangible. Asuo had not left me, i had left him, the Orisha did not abandon me i had abandoned them and the Ancestors were still whispering in my ears i had just stopped listening. My faith caused me to be still and to really hear, see and feel what it meant to honor the intangible. I realized that just as i was able to create a world of tangible things the reward on creating a world out of the intangible would be far greater. In fact it is only by following this method that i could invent the tangible things necessary for my life. Faith in the love that Asuo has for me, faith in the love that the Orisha have for me and of course faith in the power of the Ancestors and the Angels would build a world of tangible items that no one could take away from me. Ever. I co create with them and in this position i am able to with intention build a life of peace and tranquility. It was a blessing to forget because in the forgetting i was forced to remember. Medowasi Pii. Your Own Nkruma

[Okyerema Nyansaboakwa Akyampon]

Thank you for sharing this important story with us. We all have a story to tell that can teach and uplift one another. No. We are not alone in this world. The Great Powers That Be, the abosum, nsamanfo, and all the names called in all of the traditions of our ancestors do live within and without of us. When peolpe fail us, and we fail ourselves, they lift us up and heal us. They do show us our true selves, and we have to face it and deal with it. I too am thankful for having that connection. I'm still growing and learnig to follow their lead. If we can't follow, we will not be able to lead others. Being able to share our experiences with one another is a way of healing ourselves and letting one another know that we are not alone. I thank you again for sharing with us. We ARE the Children of the Great Ancient Africans! We ARE, AND WILL BE ONE AGAIN!
Peace and Blessings;
Nana Okonfo Baakan Okukuranpon Yirenkyiwa

[Ayodele Vassall-Gore, Esq.]

I concur.

[Akosua Baakan]

Wow, this is beautiful.