Kelvin Meeks: May 2020

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Jimmy Kimmel on George Floyd

Thursday, May 21, 2020

"For I Am a Servant of The Secret Fire"

Photo by David Tomaseti on Unsplash

"For I Am a Servant of The Secret Fire"

by Kelvin D. Meeks, May 21st, 2020

Into the darkness deep, I sit and peer.

Between the gates of this world and the long dark night - I stand.

While heart beats, and breath flows - I will keep watch - so that you may sleep safe this night.

No evil will pass, while I stand fast.

Though blade may break -
spear may shatter -
bow string may snap -

and powder fail -
still, I will hold.

Though I may be surrounded by darkness -

beset upon from all sides -

outnumbered -

outflanked -
still, I will not falter.

Against the mounting waves of darkness, you may ask:
what hope may prevail, when driven by only a single beating heart?

We forget ourselves, my brothers and sisters.

For are we not more than just this mere crude matter?

Photo by Graham Holtshausen on Unsplash

Are we not cosmic beings - made from the stuff of stars?

Do not the quantum vibrations of the first moments of this universe -
ripple still through our atoms?

And do not the atoms of our very being shine with celestial light -
though invisible to the naked eye?

Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash

Just as the light from a lighthouse may pierce the darkest night -
so too, can the light of hope that you carry within your heart pierce the darkness that oppresses others.

Let your hope be manifested, each according to their gifts -
and let that hope sing out through the darkness -
where it may reach others who are struggling to make their way through their own dark night.

Do not be faint of heart.

Reveal the light within.

For hope, though it may only be a flicker -
may yet strengthen,

when combined with other flames

- and yet prevail against the forces that may oppose.

For hope is not diminished by giving of yourself -
it is in the service of others that our strength is sustained -
and hope is renewed.

Be The Light For Others.

Inspiring Quotes:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us".
– Marianne Williamson

In Celebration of Graduating Seniors

Photo by Prateek Gautam on Unsplash

As the light from a candle may be passed to light other candles...so, too - the light of wisdom and grace passes from parent to child...

Some parents just have more wisdom and grace to pass on than others...

Photo by Georgiana Avram on Unsplash

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Seven Reasons I Will Block You

Seven reasons I will block (or, disown) you:

1) Your profile reflects an SEO focus

2) Your profile focuses on your expertise with Wordpress

3) Your profile focuses on promoting Bitcoin - or any ICO

4) You are a recruiter that has contacted me for a warehouse, help desk, technical support, or Jr. Dev role - or some other low-level, entry level position.

5) Your profile focuses on generating B2B leads and setting-up calls - and you have approached me to sell your services.

6) Your profile focuses on your career coaching services - and you have contacted me to sell your services.

7) I discover that you hold and promote beliefs of racism, white nationalism, or Nazism - or, follow people who do.

Surprisingly, #7 happens more often than you might imagine.

Photo by Edwin Hooper on Unsplash

2020-05-22 update:

Added two entries #5, and #6 - due to a vermin infestation on LinkedIn

Today's Meditation: With Every Act of Kindness

Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash

Today's Meditation: With Every Act of Kindness

It is not the grand achievements that people will remember you for; nor the honors and business acclaim that may be bestowed upon you; nor for the size of the deals you negotiated; neither for your breakthroughs or triumphs in your field.

It is for the smallest and simplest of things that you do - for which gratitude will abound - and warm memories endure:

- a kind word
- expressing your appreciation for others
- for offering your help
- for making an introduction
- for celebrating the achievements of others
- for giving favors, not seeking them

"Be The Light For Others"

Friday, May 15, 2020

The Sun Will Rise Again

Photo by SHTTEFAN on Unsplash

A stout heart is required - when, in the deepest night, the metaphysical spiders of fear and thoughts of desperate scenarios emerge from their deep hiding places of our semi-subconscious mind - when the heart-warming rays of daylight and sunshine are no longer available to help ward the cold tendrils from encroaching at the edge of our most innermost self.

As even the most fortifying walls of confidence are slowly attacked by soul-stressing isolation - and we are separated from the most sustaining force on the planet - that of human fellowship - we are left to face ourselves, and endure the test of self-discovery - of what metal we have forged in the fires of our soul - as we face the relentless mirror, through the long dark night, of who we really are, as individuals - and of what kind of stuff with which we ourselves have been forged.

But, dawn will return, the sun will rise - and while still yet distant and far removed - bonds of fellowship may still be called upon - though walls and distance may intervene.

Saturday, May 09, 2020

Poetry appropriate in the time of COVID-19...

A quatrain from "The Rubaiyat" by Persian-born poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam:

"Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare; To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair: Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why: Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where."

Seattle to permanently close 20 miles of streets

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/seattle-streets-closed-stay-healthy-trnd/index.html

"Only vehicular traffic from delivery drivers, first responders, sanitation crews and residents are allowed access."

Veteran Pride

For I am a Veteran, too

Photo by Eduard Delputte on Unsplash

"A veteran whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve is someone who, at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check to their government for an amount of “up to and including his or her life."

~ Unknown

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, who gave us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

~ Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC

Sunday, May 03, 2020

Three Words of Encouragement: Fortitude. Faith. Focus

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

Three words of encouragement I send out to those who have recently suffered the loss of their job: Fortitude. Faith. Focus.

The turning of the spheres WILL bring new opportunities your way.

I know it will be hard to reach the other side - but, don't give up. There are forces that will rise to your aid - sometimes, all you need to do is ask for help.

Within your network of connections are 2nd and 3rd order connections - that once they are aware - may step forward from the shadows to aid you.

Even in the best of times - going through a job loss can be a monumentally isolating experience - and we are certainly in more difficult times now.

For those that see someone in need - even if you can't offer them an opportunity - or an introduction - just by your action in responding - you create ripples of chance: Some 2nd or 3rd order connection may see your interaction with that person - and be in a position to offer help or hope.

Be kind.

While the world may seem to be crashing around you - decide that even if you cannot help yourself - help another.

Be the light for others.

Don't let time slip away from you - invest this time in developing news skills, expanding your connections, offer to help a non-profit - whatever you can offer - get (and stay) engaged.

Movie: Mr. Right

One of my favorite "sleeper" movies - a cult hit, I'm sure - in the years to come. Some of the finest comedy acting by Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell.

Favorite quote: