Free Will

"Is it necessary for Man to hurt others because he wants to achieve greatness?
Do we have to betray those we love to acquire riches?
So much negative actions between the sons of men in their search for power...
So sad...
My earth man is it really worth it?
When you hurt another you are hurting yourself...
for real...
It will catch up with you."
Hre Valentine Ossai Akpati

This makes me think of one of the principles that was taught by the christian faith, and that I later conjoined with the idea of Karma - I have heard versions of it, even from those who profess no faith..."Negative Energy (Sins, Bad Behavior, Bad Karma) will come back on to the person"...either seven times or ten times. I have heard both.

In Yoruba mythology I have learned that Esu Odara is the keeper of the crossroad, some see his actions as that of Karma; in Christian Studies, because the Missionaries who originally attempted to study the African Traditional Religions, with no interest in the study of the real African culture,worked with such a limited base of knowledge upon which to make their interpretations, he was cast as the devil, once again again, the meter out of vengence.

I recognize the Spirit and Essence of Esu Odara. Iba se Esu Odara, Oba en la Katu, Attun wa se a Benin, Ala Ke se Imire, La roiye ase Bedare, Ase, Ase, Ase O
I am reminded that every moment is a crossroad, that every meeting, an opportunity to change a life, for good or for bad. Every Soul on this Earth has this power. Free Will.

The reality I recognize is that I am responsible for my actions, my reactions, my moods, my attitudes, my behavior... which will determine my Karma, but more importantly, will determine my present state of mental health. If I am truthful, sincere, honest, kind and Loving, then I have no drama to dwell upon. Nothing that replays, over and over and over again, no second guessing, no remembering, no stress. Living in the present, being present and Loving Life. This is what we were meant to be here for. Moving gently through life.

Ase oooooooo Ayodele

Butterflies - Angels in Our Midst

Blessings to SpiritChange Blessings to Curtis J. Grandmstr Black and Mut Nana Collier for posting this. Alafia Htp Namaste to all.
http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2147

Butterflies
A butterfly or beautiful moth, especially out of season, that flies into your home and settles close to you or remains out side motionless for a long period of time is a wonder to behold. Butterflies and moths have traditionally been seen as spirit travelers and a way that angels move easily around the earth. Both are symbols of rebirth and transformation, so this angelic signal may appear after a setback, when you are seeking a new beginning, or even around the time of a birth or the death of someone to whom you were very close. Moths and butterflies are a very subtle form of angelic communication and they some times bring a message from a deceased relative who has been on your mind. Butterflies are often a way of saying to a person who is always dashing or is a workaholic, “Hey, slow down and be aware of the wondrous world beyond the computer screen and stressful daily commuting.”

Ayodele's Reflections

One of the ten signs of an Angel is of particular interest for me. Butterflies have been such an integral part of my lifetime, from the seasonal migration of the Monarch Butterflies through the high desert of my home, to the strong symbolism of life after death, transformation and rebirth, after the death of my Son.

Last Spring, I took a road trip from Arizona to Washington State. Along the way, in the middle of the high desert in California, I picked up an apparently dead butterfly from the car lane of a remote petrol station. It was magnificently beautiful, and called my attention when I was filling my car for the next leg of my very long journey. I settled the body of the Butterfly on the lid of my cup, in order to admire her beauty, and contemplate on her meaning. Perhaps the coolness of the vehicle, or the few drops of water on the lid of the cup revived her, but she came back to life within about twenty minutes. She stepped up onto my finger, and we rode that way and chatted for the next thirty minutes (She mostly listened LOL). I found the next rest stop, where there were some green trees and water, and let her go. As soon as I place her upon the tree branch, she disappeared. I was awestruck, and blessed. Ire ooooo Thank You for bringing this memory fresh to my mind, I am again feeling the awe, the beauty and the gentle peacefulness of that Butterfly. Ayodele