Ah Man Blog

Habari Gani?

Kwanzaa is a unique African-American festival that focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement.  The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means "first fruits."  The festival, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), and each day of the celebration focuses on one of the principles (courtesy of Wikipedia):

1. Umoja (oo-MO-jah) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We" or "I am because We are."

2. Kujichagulia(koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.

3. Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.

4. Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.

5. Nia (NEE-yah) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

6. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.

7. Imani (ee-MAH-nee) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

By the way, Habari Gani? is Swahili for "What's the News?"  That's the question that Kwanzaa celebrants ask during each day of the festival.  And each day, the question is answered with one of the guiding principles.  On the first day, the question is asked: "Habari Gani?"  And the answer is "Umoja."  And so on, for each of the seven days.

Even though we are not all African-American, I believe that these valuable principles can be applied and used by those of us who struggle daily to achieve and maintain sobriety, and to overcome our mental and emotional pain.  Take some time to reflect on these principles and what they mean, and how you can use them to reconnect with yourself and with others.  Then ask yourself "Habari Gani?"

To learn more about Michael Hoare and Ah-Man, visit here.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is celebrated in remembrance of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  The date of the celebration is generally not thought to be Jesus' actual date of birth, and may have been chosen to coincide with ancient Roman solar festivals that were held on December 25.  Like the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah (Festival of Lights), Christmas is also celebrated with lights.

However, the Christmas lights are to remind us of the Light that Jesus of Nazareth brought into the world.  Christmas is also known as Christ's Mass, Christmastide (a time beginning with Christmas day and ending on January 5), or the Epiphany.

The Epiphany is a Christian Feast Day that celebrates the "Shining Forth" (or the revelation of God in human form) and lasts for 12 days.  The Epiphany also celebrates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus.  This visit is commemorated by one of the most common sights at this time of year: Nativity scenes featuring the baby Jesus in a barn with his mother, Mary and her husband, Joseph.

Some might know Christmas a time of year when Santa Claus comes to town.  Santa Claus, also referred to as Father Christmas (although the two figures have different origins), is a popular mythological figure often associated with bringing gifts at Christmas time.  Santa is generally believed to be the result of synchronization between St. Nicholas of Myra and elements from pagan Nordic and Christian mythology.  Santa's modern appearance is believed to have originated in 19th century media.

Despite the fact that Christmas has become a commercial event of almost epic proportion, for me it remains one of the most holy of days.  I hope that you and your loved ones enjoy a blessed and safe Christmas.

To learn more about Michael Hoare and Ah-Man, visit here.

Happy Hanukkah!

This year at sundown on December 21, the eight-day observance of Hanukkah begins.  The spirit of Hanukkah is the remembrance of a great miracle. 

Nearly 200 years before the birth of Christ, a Hebrew tribe known as the Maccabees wanted to rededicate the temple after driving out the Greeks in a three-year struggle.  However, the Maccabees only found enough oil to light their holy lamps for one day.  Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days; long enough for the Maccabees to make more oil.

Today, Hanukkay is known as the Festival of Lights.  The menorah, an important part of Hanukkah, has nine symbolic candles.  The first acts as the "servant" candle to light the other eight.  Each of the other candles is lighted each successive night, in memory of the occasion when the one-day supply of oil burned for a total of eight days.  After the lighting of the candles, people exchange gifts, sing and share fellowship.

I wish all of my Jewish brothers and sisters around the world a very Happy Hanukkah.  And I join them in marveling at the many blessings and miracles that God has bestowed - and continues to bestor - on us all.

To learn more about Michael Hoare and Ah-man, visit here.

Coping with Others in the Holiday Season

It's uncomfortable for you to wear clothes that no longer fit.  On the other hand, trying to make others stay a certain way makes everyone uncomfortable.  You can choose to try and prevent others from changing, but this will only result in pain for you.  The alternative is to step back and watch the unfolding of that transformation.  When you choose not to interfere with another person's growth, you are choosing to not give in to fear.  Give your loved ones the space they need to grow.

Allowing others to have their own feelings is really about allowing yourself to have your own feelings.  Giving others space is really allowing yourself space.  God has given you space to transform, and this is called Free Will.  When you make the decision not to interfere with the transformation of others, you become more aligned with God.

There is so much more around us than what we can see, feel, smell or touch.  Love can be felt by other living entities, such as plants, but it cannot be seen.  You can send forgiveness to others without communicating it verbally.  The same applies to our primordial feelings.  Just because we're not talking about those feelings does not mean that we're not sending out signals about them.

Focusing on what you can do to bring happiness to the world is much easier - and more productive - than focusing on what others are doing to foster unhappiness.  I can now view those who bring unhappiness as teachers who are teaching me how not to do certain things.  It can be challenging to see the big picture.  Pray for those who are in so much pain that they have to cause pain for others.  When it is in your power to effect change, do your best, and then let go of the results.  Remember that God has forgiven you when you have caused unhappiness to others in the past.

To learn more about Michael Hoare and Ah-Man, visit here.