Tuesday, June 8, 2010

A Re-Gifting to the Universe

"Lorica of St. Patrick" was shared with me many moons ago by a great friend of mine, Mr. Shea Mathews, who is a fine American, a gentleman, and a scholar if I do say so myself.  It is just one of the many things that I am grateful for in my life via this man, so "Thank you, Shea."

This I find nice to reflect on from time to time, actually daily now, just because it really helps me get into the right mindset to begin the day.  "It makes me feel good."  I now realize, thanks to my recent discovery of Rhonda Byrne's work The Secret, that by focusing on something with all that is within in you, you are attracting exactly those things back to you and the universe will align to make things happen for you. 

The Secret absolutely speaks to me like nothing else!  It's because I have always felt this way, that the universe is conspiring to help me achieve things, and now to hear outside unrelated examples and testimonials of others that have realized and now control that power within themselves, it's really powerful to think about.  

(Side note: Personally, I feel like my afore-blogged-about WOF experience was a perfect example of me unknowingly using The Secret already, which is something I would love to share with any of you, so feel free to inquire further personally, if interested.  All I have to say is that it is mind-blowing to consider being knowingly in control of that kind of power!) 

In "the soup" that creates us all individually, comprised of all of the things we've read and been taught and believe and have learned, both The Secret and this Lorica are two of the many valuable works I've held onto... 'Cause that kinda thing floats my boat.  I felt inspired to share these things with you.   We'll consider them a... re-gift to the universe... or whoever might read this.  You're welcome. 

Be real. Do you.
Marcus

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"Lorica of Saint Patrick"


I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.



I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.



I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.



I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.



I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude. 



I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

St. Patrick (ca. 377)



Wednesday, June 2, 2010

How We Can Truly Honor a WNBA Legend...















Four-time WNBA champion. Three-time WNBA MVP. Three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. All-Star Game MVP.  A record playoff triple-double. Three Olympic Gold medals.

These accolades belong to the one of the greatest women’s basketball players in the history of the sport.  I respect her for her dedication, her leadership, her legacy, and the way she would just flat out play ball. 

During her impressive stateside career, I daresay she was the best in the world.  She was one of the quickest in the game.  The quickest first step on offense you ever seen.  Then, like a flash of lightning, she was swooping through for yet another steal and already at the other rim before you realized what happened.  

She was one of those players you want on your team because she had extreme levels of basketball I.Q.  She understood the game, and she understood spacing, and teamwork, and finishing, and free throws, and hustle plays, and leadership, and DEFENSE. 

Sheryl Swoopes is a WNBA legend.  It is my intention to convince you we should pay some kind of official honor to one of the WNBA’s pioneers.  There should be some kind of recognition for both Swoopes as well as those of us that followed that brilliant WNBA career.  And I think I have the answer.  Get ready for it…

The Sheryl Swoopes Defensive Player of The Year Award. 

It’s perfect!  She was the first to win it thrice, after all.  And then there is the added bonus of honoring her legacy. I think she deserves a proper “Thank You” for what she has done for the world of women’s basketball.  It really can be summed up in the ever-appropriate chant: “Swoopes, There it is!” 

Any thoughts?  Leave comments!
Marcus