Babies need constant care and attention, and parents are on high alert, doing anything and everything for them to help them grow.
As children grow, the intensity of care changes and children are able to do some things for themselves without their parents constant intervention. Eventually children become teens, young adults and then adults.
As we go through this change from personal selfishness to mutual bestowal, the initial phases will require the most intense care and attention. Over time, the level of care will change as people begin to change.
Do not be afraid. God is with us.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
A Thank You Letter To God
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
The One True God, The Infinite God, The God Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Dear Ein Sof,
All praise, glory, honor, and power belongs to You and You alone. There is none else besides You.
Thank You for Your love and for life itself.
Thank You for nourishing us each day with Your continual and endless love, for looking after us in times of trouble and for giving us comfort, support and guidance.
Thank You for all the systems that sustain life including the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the food that we eat, the clothes that we wear and the shelter that we live in.
Thank You for Your instruction and leadership, and for teaching us Your ways so we may walk in paths of righteousness in order to fulfill the purpose of creation.
You are God the one and only and to You we shall all return.
Thank You for being with us,
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
The One True God, The Infinite God, The God Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Dear Ein Sof,
All praise, glory, honor, and power belongs to You and You alone. There is none else besides You.
Thank You for Your love and for life itself.
Thank You for nourishing us each day with Your continual and endless love, for looking after us in times of trouble and for giving us comfort, support and guidance.
Thank You for all the systems that sustain life including the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the food that we eat, the clothes that we wear and the shelter that we live in.
Thank You for Your instruction and leadership, and for teaching us Your ways so we may walk in paths of righteousness in order to fulfill the purpose of creation.
You are God the one and only and to You we shall all return.
Thank You for being with us,
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, April 25, 2014
The Wisdom Of Unity
What does it mean to be united? To be connected? What is the wisdom of unity?
In selfishness, true unity doesn't exist. It's an illusion of togetherness, while everyone remains immersed in personal selfishness.
TRUE unity and connection comes from internal transformation. We have to stop being immersed in personal selfishness, we have to stop harming others, we have to adopt other people's desires as our own and we have to seek to benefit them instead of ourselves.
In this way, we'll become connected in TRUE unity, the unity of mutual bestowal. This is the wisdom of unity.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
In selfishness, true unity doesn't exist. It's an illusion of togetherness, while everyone remains immersed in personal selfishness.
TRUE unity and connection comes from internal transformation. We have to stop being immersed in personal selfishness, we have to stop harming others, we have to adopt other people's desires as our own and we have to seek to benefit them instead of ourselves.
In this way, we'll become connected in TRUE unity, the unity of mutual bestowal. This is the wisdom of unity.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
From Personal Selfishness To Mutual Bestowal
Today we're all immersed in personal selfishness. We're all seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. This has left us isolated, alone and unhappy.
We have to change. We have to rise above our egos and stop harming others. Then we have to adopt other people's desires as our own and seek to benefit them instead of ourselves. In this way we'll become connected with each other in mutual bestowal.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
We have to change. We have to rise above our egos and stop harming others. Then we have to adopt other people's desires as our own and seek to benefit them instead of ourselves. In this way we'll become connected with each other in mutual bestowal.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
I'm The One Who Works
It's been suggested that I should get paid money for my work - for writing to you and for sharing my knowledge and information. This breaks my heart because it's not about the money.
A mother looks after her children instinctually. She cares for them, protects them, nurtures them, loves them, and does anything and everything for them. She doesn't expect anything in return, certainly not to get paid.
You're my children and I'm your mother. I look after you and care for you. I'm protective of you and I give to you from the bottom of my heart out of love. I don't expect to get paid money for what I do, but I do want you to grow and become strong in the ways of God.
Though I work and you benefit from my work, my reward is connection with God Himself and with you.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
A mother looks after her children instinctually. She cares for them, protects them, nurtures them, loves them, and does anything and everything for them. She doesn't expect anything in return, certainly not to get paid.
You're my children and I'm your mother. I look after you and care for you. I'm protective of you and I give to you from the bottom of my heart out of love. I don't expect to get paid money for what I do, but I do want you to grow and become strong in the ways of God.
Though I work and you benefit from my work, my reward is connection with God Himself and with you.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
We Are Each Other's Mirror
Everything that exists outside of us is a reflection of our internal qualities. So everything that exists outside of me is a reflection of my internal qualities and everything that exists outside you is a reflection of your internal qualities. This is known as The Mirror Effect.
Now, if I say that you have to change, it's as though I'm saying that I have to change. If you're a reflection of me, then you and I are equal, we're one and the same. And any time I talk about what you have to do, it's as though I'm talking about what I have to do.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Now, if I say that you have to change, it's as though I'm saying that I have to change. If you're a reflection of me, then you and I are equal, we're one and the same. And any time I talk about what you have to do, it's as though I'm talking about what I have to do.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Connection With Others
We're constantly being tested to see how much we're for or against connection.
We're given negative thoughts and emotions that benefit ourselves and/or harm others. We're also given positive thoughts and emotions that benefit others instead of ourselves. When it comes to these internal tests, how are you doing?
Start paying attention to your thoughts and emotions and see how often you put others down, how often you seek to benefit yourself and how often you seek to benefit others. Judge yourself and be honest with yourself. How are you doing?
Also, be mindful of the influence of your social environment. Does your social environment put others down? Is it obsessed with personal selfishness? Does it seek to benefit others?
Click on this image to make it larger:
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. We have to rise above our egos, stop seeking to benefit ourselves, stop harming others and adopt other people's desires as our own. In this way, we'll connect in mutual bestowal.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
We're given negative thoughts and emotions that benefit ourselves and/or harm others. We're also given positive thoughts and emotions that benefit others instead of ourselves. When it comes to these internal tests, how are you doing?
Start paying attention to your thoughts and emotions and see how often you put others down, how often you seek to benefit yourself and how often you seek to benefit others. Judge yourself and be honest with yourself. How are you doing?
Also, be mindful of the influence of your social environment. Does your social environment put others down? Is it obsessed with personal selfishness? Does it seek to benefit others?
Click on this image to make it larger:
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. We have to rise above our egos, stop seeking to benefit ourselves, stop harming others and adopt other people's desires as our own. In this way, we'll connect in mutual bestowal.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
A Vision Of Symbols
A while ago, I had a vision. Symbols that appeared to be letters of an alphabet presented themselves to me one after the other. I remember talking to the symbols, apologizing, saying, "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are." But the symbols kept presenting themselves to me.
At the time, I didn't think to write them down or record them. I was kind of taken aback by the whole experience. There were quite a few symbols, around twenty, maybe more than twenty or less than twenty. I'm not sure.
Some of the symbols looked like this:
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
At the time, I didn't think to write them down or record them. I was kind of taken aback by the whole experience. There were quite a few symbols, around twenty, maybe more than twenty or less than twenty. I'm not sure.
Some of the symbols looked like this:
The symbols simply presented themselves to me and then they stopped as suddenly as they had started.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
A Letter To All World Leaders
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
All World Leaders
Dear world leaders,
These are times of change. Change is coming to the entire world.
Our internal qualities are going to change from selfishness to bestowal. Instead of seeking to benefit ourselves, we're going to seek to benefit others. Instead of being isolated, alone and unhappy, we're going to connect with each other in mutual bestowal.
You'll find that all the tools at your disposal, tools you've been using to govern - political tools, economic tools, financial tools, strategic tools etc. - will no longer work. They will fail you. They are no longer viable because they're built on old laws and old systems.
There are new laws in place and new laws require new systems.
The old systems that have been build on the quality of selfishness will falter and fail. They will be replaced by new systems built on the quality of bestowal.
The only solution is connection. If we don't connect, civil unrest, instability, protests and civilian unhappiness will continue to grow. We have to connect with each other in mutual bestowal.
First, we have to rise above our egos. We have to stop being immersed in personal selfishness and we have to stop harming others and all of nature.
Then, we have to adopt each other's desires as our own and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. In this way, we'll connect in mutual bestowal.
Connection is the only solution that will work.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide you, may He lead you and may He show you the way.
God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
All World Leaders
Dear world leaders,
These are times of change. Change is coming to the entire world.
Our internal qualities are going to change from selfishness to bestowal. Instead of seeking to benefit ourselves, we're going to seek to benefit others. Instead of being isolated, alone and unhappy, we're going to connect with each other in mutual bestowal.
You'll find that all the tools at your disposal, tools you've been using to govern - political tools, economic tools, financial tools, strategic tools etc. - will no longer work. They will fail you. They are no longer viable because they're built on old laws and old systems.
There are new laws in place and new laws require new systems.
The old systems that have been build on the quality of selfishness will falter and fail. They will be replaced by new systems built on the quality of bestowal.
The only solution is connection. If we don't connect, civil unrest, instability, protests and civilian unhappiness will continue to grow. We have to connect with each other in mutual bestowal.
First, we have to rise above our egos. We have to stop being immersed in personal selfishness and we have to stop harming others and all of nature.
Then, we have to adopt each other's desires as our own and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. In this way, we'll connect in mutual bestowal.
Connection is the only solution that will work.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide you, may He lead you and may He show you the way.
God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
A Letter To The Entire World
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
The Entire World
Dear everyone,
These are times of change. Our internal qualities are going to change.
Today we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. This has left us isolated, alone and unhappy.
We have to change. We have to seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. We have to connect with each other in mutual concern and consideration. Connection is the goal.
First, we have to stop being immersed in our own desires. We have to rise above our egos, stop seeking to benefit ourselves and stop harming others and all of nature.
Then we have to adopt other people's desires as our own and become immersed in their desires. In this way, we'll seek to benefit them and we'll become connected in mutual bestowal.
End times prophecies may have some people worried and nervous about what's going to happen. The end of the world is coming, but it's the end of the quality of selfishness. It's the beginning of the quality of bestowal. Do not be afraid. God is with us.
Each and every one of us will be affected. You're probably experiencing stress and tension in your life, with family, at school, at work etc. Also, there's conflicts in various parts of the world, extreme natural disasters etc. Do not be afraid. These are forces that are pushing us to connect.
The old systems that have been build on the quality of selfishness will falter and fail. They will be replaced by new systems built on the quality of bestowal.
No one is alone. No country, person, animal, plant or rock is alone. We're all in this together.
We have to pray for each other. Pray for other people, that they may be safe, and know that other people are praying for you, that you may be safe. In this way we'll connect through mutual prayer.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide us, may He lead us and may He show us the way.
Do not be afraid.
God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
The Entire World
Dear everyone,
These are times of change. Our internal qualities are going to change.
Today we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. This has left us isolated, alone and unhappy.
We have to change. We have to seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. We have to connect with each other in mutual concern and consideration. Connection is the goal.
First, we have to stop being immersed in our own desires. We have to rise above our egos, stop seeking to benefit ourselves and stop harming others and all of nature.
Then we have to adopt other people's desires as our own and become immersed in their desires. In this way, we'll seek to benefit them and we'll become connected in mutual bestowal.
End times prophecies may have some people worried and nervous about what's going to happen. The end of the world is coming, but it's the end of the quality of selfishness. It's the beginning of the quality of bestowal. Do not be afraid. God is with us.
Each and every one of us will be affected. You're probably experiencing stress and tension in your life, with family, at school, at work etc. Also, there's conflicts in various parts of the world, extreme natural disasters etc. Do not be afraid. These are forces that are pushing us to connect.
The old systems that have been build on the quality of selfishness will falter and fail. They will be replaced by new systems built on the quality of bestowal.
No one is alone. No country, person, animal, plant or rock is alone. We're all in this together.
We have to pray for each other. Pray for other people, that they may be safe, and know that other people are praying for you, that you may be safe. In this way we'll connect through mutual prayer.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide us, may He lead us and may He show us the way.
Do not be afraid.
God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Connection
Here's an explanation of connection through attainment and how one person affects others. Note that this is like a fractal; however, each new person repeats a previous pattern, then adds something of him/herself.
Click on this image to make it larger:
In this way, the people become interconnected. The first person is connected to the last person and the last person is connected to the first person.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
How We Draw Near To God
Today, we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. This means we're far from God because God's quality is bestowal, seeking to benefit others instead of oneself.
We draw near to God by rising above our egos and by seeking to benefit others instead of ourselves. The more we rise above our egos and seek to benefit others, the more similar we become to God in quality.
This is the law of equivalence of form. If our qualities are opposite to God's qualities, we're far from God. If our qualities are similar to God's qualities, we're near to God.
Click on this image to make it larger:
We draw near to God by rising above our egos and by seeking to benefit others instead of ourselves. The more we rise above our egos and seek to benefit others, the more similar we become to God in quality.
This is the law of equivalence of form. If our qualities are opposite to God's qualities, we're far from God. If our qualities are similar to God's qualities, we're near to God.
Click on this image to make it larger:
It's not enough to simply rise above our egos. We have to connect with each other in mutual bestowal. The goal isn't to rise above our egos. The goal is to connect with others.
When we connect with each other in mutual bestowal, it's not simply about giving. It's about connecting with each other, feeling each other, sensing one another.
The different names of God, such as Elohim, Yahweh etc., represent different levels of attainment, meaning how close we are to God in quality. Which is why it's really important to put God's names back into The Bible because they reveal specific states of attainment.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, April 11, 2014
The End Of Ego, The Beginning of Bestowal
The development of our ego has reached an end. It is over. Of this Jesus said, "It is finished." (John 19:30, NIV).
Now begins the development of the quality of bestowal. In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Now begins the development of the quality of bestowal. In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
We're All In This Together
Remember, as we go through this change from selfishness to bestowal, we're all in this together. Everyone will be affected. No one is exempt, not even me. I'm right in the thick of it.
Do not be afraid. God is with us.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Do not be afraid. God is with us.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Nature Expects Us To Grow
Nature expects us to grow, and we do so according to a predefined program. We don't choose to become a 30 year old person, we develop 'naturally'. Just as we can't choose to remain a 10 year old child.
In this same way, nature is pushing us to develop from selfishness to bestowal. We're expected to grow. There is no coercion in spirituality (Quran 2:256, Sahih), we're expected to develop, to come to this 'naturally' on our own.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
In this same way, nature is pushing us to develop from selfishness to bestowal. We're expected to grow. There is no coercion in spirituality (Quran 2:256, Sahih), we're expected to develop, to come to this 'naturally' on our own.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
New Laws
We're now under new laws, laws that obligate us to connect and change from personal selfishness to mutual bestowal. The old systems won't work anymore. New laws need new systems.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
You Who Love The LORD Hate Evil
It is written, "Let those who love the LORD hate evil." (Psalms 97:10, NIV)
Meaning those who love the LORD, the quality of bestowal (seeking to benefit others), hate evil, the quality of selfishness (seeking to benefit oneself).
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Meaning those who love the LORD, the quality of bestowal (seeking to benefit others), hate evil, the quality of selfishness (seeking to benefit oneself).
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Consciousness?
When we're born, we have to learn how to be in the human body. We have to learn how to eat, how to walk, how to speak etc. Also, we learn a lot from our social environment, which influences our growth and development.
Animals too, have to learn how to be in their bodies. They have to learn how to eat, how to walk, how to communicate etc. They also learn a lot form their social environment, which also influences their growth and development.
We're not born will full understanding, we learn it. So what are we? Who are we? Consciousness? Awareness? What is that within us that has to learn?
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Animals too, have to learn how to be in their bodies. They have to learn how to eat, how to walk, how to communicate etc. They also learn a lot form their social environment, which also influences their growth and development.
We're not born will full understanding, we learn it. So what are we? Who are we? Consciousness? Awareness? What is that within us that has to learn?
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
If You Accept Me, You Accept The One Who Sent Me
The things I write about - of love, equality, bestowal, unity, togetherness, connection, solidarity, peace, joy, happiness - are very likeable traits. They probably touch your heart in a deep, meaningful way.
They don't come from me, they come from the one who sent me. As Jesus said, "... whoever accepts me, accepts the one who sent me." (John 13:20, NIV)
If you like these things, then you don't like me, you like God Himself. He is all these things. He is love, goodness, fairness, justice and much more. He is very likeable. He is very lovable. It's easy to love Him because it's easy to love someone who is all these things.
God is love. God is good. God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
They don't come from me, they come from the one who sent me. As Jesus said, "... whoever accepts me, accepts the one who sent me." (John 13:20, NIV)
If you like these things, then you don't like me, you like God Himself. He is all these things. He is love, goodness, fairness, justice and much more. He is very likeable. He is very lovable. It's easy to love Him because it's easy to love someone who is all these things.
God is love. God is good. God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, April 7, 2014
A Knight In Shining Armour
Many women, if not most women, have this inner desire to be saved by a knight in shining armour. To be rescued by a valiant prince who will love them unconditionally. A man who knows what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. True?
God is your knight in shining armour. He will rescue you and love you unconditionally.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
God is your knight in shining armour. He will rescue you and love you unconditionally.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
We All Want To Be Loved
We all want to be loved, right? Well, instead of expecting other people to love you, love other people knowing that they want to be loved. Give them the love that they're seeking. Even animals want to be loved. So love them too. Be someone who loves others.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
The Temptation of Jesus
When Jesus was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11, NIV), he was offered "all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor" if only he would bow down and worshiped the quality of selfishness. Jesus said no. He would worship God and serve Him only, meaning he would be in the quality of bestowal only, seeking to benefit others instead of Himself.
How about you? How much do you want for your own personal selfishness? All the money in the world? All the power in the world? All the houses in the world? Everything in the entire world?
If it was offered to you, what would you do? Would you take it? Or instead, would you choose to be engaged in love of friends, and seek to benefit others instead of yourself? Would you rise above you ego, let go of your personal selfish interests and seek to benefit others instead of yourself?
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
How about you? How much do you want for your own personal selfishness? All the money in the world? All the power in the world? All the houses in the world? Everything in the entire world?
If it was offered to you, what would you do? Would you take it? Or instead, would you choose to be engaged in love of friends, and seek to benefit others instead of yourself? Would you rise above you ego, let go of your personal selfish interests and seek to benefit others instead of yourself?
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
There's Only So Much Money
There's only so much money in the world, it's not an infinite supply. Meaning, there's not enough money in the world to make billionaires of us all.
Which means every time you hoard money, there's less of it to go around. When you gain, someone else loses. Should money flow TO you or should it flow THROUGH you?
Should you hoard it for your own personal selfishness, or should you use it to benefit others?
Once you've taken care of your basic needs - food, water, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education etc., what else do you really need?
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Which means every time you hoard money, there's less of it to go around. When you gain, someone else loses. Should money flow TO you or should it flow THROUGH you?
Should you hoard it for your own personal selfishness, or should you use it to benefit others?
Once you've taken care of your basic needs - food, water, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education etc., what else do you really need?
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
The Fashion Industry: A House Of Cards
The fashion industry is a trillion dollar industry, employing millions of people worldwide. Yet while it sells glamour, luxury, decadence, wealth and beauty, this image is far from most people's reality. Let's take a look at the value chain:
- Designers: Fashion designers enjoy creativity and artistic expression, yet sometimes their work is more art than practical clothing. Should they be designing fashion for people or displaying their work in an art gallery? Are they preoccupied with creativity? Do they comply too easily with destructive industry standards? Are they obsessed with making money? They're under pressure to perform, but are they seeking to benefit the average person or are they seeking to benefit themselves?
- The People Who Make Fashion Products: Most fashion products (clothes, shoes, sunglasses etc.) are made in underdeveloped or developing countries, where workers are subjected to substandard working conditions, earning meager wages for a long day's work. Far from glamorous.
- Models: A handful of models reach supermodel status and enjoy fame and wealth, but most models don't become supermodels, and the modeling business is notorious for the way it mistreats its models:
- There's the unhealthy and unrealistic standard to be thin, forcing models to harm themselves, becoming bulimic or anorexic etc.
- Modeling firms can charge up to thousands of dollars for classes and other related expenses, which often don't pay off.
- Sometimes vulnerable models are exploited for sex, where work is promised in exchange for sexual favours.
- Then there's the constant rejection and criticism that models face when they audition for work. They're expected to have thick skins, but it must be a tough thing to go through.
- For the average model, modeling is far from glamorous.
- Marketing: TV ads, magazine ads, billboards, catalogs etc., use aggressive marketing practices that influence us in a negative and destructive way. They tell us that if we buy their products, we'll be better than others, more important than others. Not only that, they set unhealthy and unrealistic standards for impressionable young people to aspire to: To be thin, rich, pretentious and materialistic. Far from wholesome.
- Retailers: People who work in retail stores may earn minimum wage, sometimes they get commissions, sometimes they get employee discounts. They work long hours, on their feet, folding, stacking and sorting clothes all day long. Far from glamorous.
- Consumers: Each step along the supply chain, prices go up because everybody wants to make money. By the time goods and services reach consumers, the prices are over-inflated. Yet most of us live paycheck to paycheck, with little disposable cash.
- While a few people can afford luxury goods, it's almost a crime to spend $10,000 on a handbag. A handbag! While down the street, a homeless person begs for change. It doesn't make any sense. I spent about $3 on a handbag at a second hand store and it works perfectly.
- Then of course there's the pressure to keep up with fashion trends and new season offerings. The pressure to keep current and fashionable is expensive and exhausting.
- Under the influence of aggressive marketing practices, we buy things we don't need, expensive brand names that don't improve our lives. Yet we continue to buy, which is why debt, including credit card debt has become a huge problem because people are spending beyond their means. We're left feeling empty and broke. Far from glamorous.
So where exactly is the glamour and decadence in the fashion industry? While only a few enjoy the spoils, most of us realize that it's all an illusion, it's all smoke and mirrors, a web of lies and deception, there's nothing there. It's a house of cards built on empty promises, fleeting pleasures and expectations that are never fulfilled. For most of us, the truth is far from glamorous.
The fashion industry isn't known for its charity, it's known for its elitist attitude where being better than others is the goal. It's not. We're all equal.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
The fashion industry isn't known for its charity, it's known for its elitist attitude where being better than others is the goal. It's not. We're all equal.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
A Warning To Money Lenders
This is a stern warning from The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to money lenders including banks, credit card companies, businesses that issue company cards, foreign exchange currency converters, loan sharks etc.
Usury [1] is strictly forbidden, yet you have found every possible way to extort as much money from as many people as possible.
You exploit, manipulate, oppress, use, abuse and steal from people, engaging in fraudulent and predatory practices, putting profit above the well-being of others.
"Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. (Proverbs 28:8, NIV)
"And [for] their taking of usury while they had been forbidden from it, and their consuming of the people's wealth unjustly." (Quran 4:161, Sahih)
Repent and return to God.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
_______________
1. Usury. www.wikipedia.org. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Usury [1] is strictly forbidden, yet you have found every possible way to extort as much money from as many people as possible.
You exploit, manipulate, oppress, use, abuse and steal from people, engaging in fraudulent and predatory practices, putting profit above the well-being of others.
"Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. (Proverbs 28:8, NIV)
"And [for] their taking of usury while they had been forbidden from it, and their consuming of the people's wealth unjustly." (Quran 4:161, Sahih)
Repent and return to God.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
_______________
1. Usury. www.wikipedia.org. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, April 4, 2014
A Thank You Letter To Wikipedia And Its Contributors
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
Wikipedia And Wikipedia Contributors
Dear Wikipedia and Wikipedia Contributors,
I use Wikipedia almost every day and it has become a trusted resource and a great reference tool. It is thorough, comprehensive and it covers a wide variety of topics.
To the people who work at Wikipedia, thank you for giving us this free reference tool. It is extremely helpful and reliable and it is one of the best websites on the internet.
To the people who contribute content on Wikipedia, thank you for doing so. Your effort, knowledge and contribution is very much appreciated.
Keep up the good work and again, thank you.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
Wikipedia And Wikipedia Contributors
Dear Wikipedia and Wikipedia Contributors,
I use Wikipedia almost every day and it has become a trusted resource and a great reference tool. It is thorough, comprehensive and it covers a wide variety of topics.
To the people who work at Wikipedia, thank you for giving us this free reference tool. It is extremely helpful and reliable and it is one of the best websites on the internet.
To the people who contribute content on Wikipedia, thank you for doing so. Your effort, knowledge and contribution is very much appreciated.
Keep up the good work and again, thank you.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
A Thank You Letter To YouTube And Its Contributors
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
YouTube And YouTube Contributors
Dear YouTube and YouTube Contributors,
I use YouTube almost every day and I've learned a lot about many things, including the history of the world, how to cook curries and even how to change a laptop hard drive.
To the people who work at YouTube, thank you for giving us this free video sharing website. It is one of the most helpful websites on the internet.
To the people who contribute positive and constructive content on YouTube, thank you for taking the time to do so. Your effort and contribution is very much appreciated.
Keep up the good work and again, thank you.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
YouTube And YouTube Contributors
Dear YouTube and YouTube Contributors,
I use YouTube almost every day and I've learned a lot about many things, including the history of the world, how to cook curries and even how to change a laptop hard drive.
To the people who work at YouTube, thank you for giving us this free video sharing website. It is one of the most helpful websites on the internet.
To the people who contribute positive and constructive content on YouTube, thank you for taking the time to do so. Your effort and contribution is very much appreciated.
Keep up the good work and again, thank you.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
A Thank You Letter To Google
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
Google
Dear Google,
Thank you for giving us a variety of free internet services, including Google Maps, Google Blogger, YouTube and other services.
I use Google Maps all the time and it is a great resource. I use it to find local addresses, to plan trips and to look up places around the world.
I use Google Blogger to manage my blogs. I find it simple, intuitive and easy to use. Plus it's free, which is great.
I use YouTube for research, to learn and for entertainment.
Again, thank you for all these free services. They are very helpful and very much appreciated.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
Dear Google,
Thank you for giving us a variety of free internet services, including Google Maps, Google Blogger, YouTube and other services.
I use Google Maps all the time and it is a great resource. I use it to find local addresses, to plan trips and to look up places around the world.
I use Google Blogger to manage my blogs. I find it simple, intuitive and easy to use. Plus it's free, which is great.
I use YouTube for research, to learn and for entertainment.
Again, thank you for all these free services. They are very helpful and very much appreciated.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
A Letter To The People Of The United States Of America
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
The People Of The United States of America
Dear Americans,
The United State of America is a country that symbolizes wholeness, togetherness and unity, not just for the American people, but for the entire world.
Today, we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. Our internal qualities have to change from selfishness to bestowal and we have to seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
As Americans, you pride yourselves on your political and economic models.
Yet with respect to politics, are you united or are you divided along party lines? And with respect to economics, are you united or are you divided into different social economic groups?
The question is quite simple: Are the people of The United States united into one state? The answer is no, you're not. You're divided against each other in many ways.
The answer won't come from politics or economics, it will only come from connection. Connection transcends everything including politics, economics and geographic boundaries.
You have to connect with each other in mutual concern and consideration. You have to rise above our egos and seek to benefit others instead of yourselves. Only in this way will you live up to the name of your country and become a united people.
The Constitution of The United States speaks only about our internal qualities.
The right to bear arms doesn't mean to carry weapons to protect yourself against other people. It means to bear arms against your ego to protect other people against yourself, your ego.
In this way, you become free, free of your ego and free to bestow to others. This is the security of a free state.
The American influence is felt all over the world, in politics, economics, film, television, music and culture.
Is your influence positive and constructive, or is it negative and destructive? Are you seeking to benefit others, or are you pursuing your own selfish interests?
The pledge of allegiance of the United States, which reads, " ... one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all", doesn't just apply to the United States, it applies to the entire world.
You should know that all people are equal. No one is greater than or lesser than the other.
Instead of thinking that you're the greatest nation in the world, you should see yourselves as part of a worldwide family. In this family, everyone is equal. Different members may play different roles, but all are equal before God.
You may be wondering what authority I have to write to you about the developments in your country. Know this: I may not be an American citizen, but I am The United States.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide you, may He lead you and may He show you the way. God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
God bless all of creation and God bless the entire world.
God bless you and God bless The United States of America.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
The People Of The United States of America
Dear Americans,
The United State of America is a country that symbolizes wholeness, togetherness and unity, not just for the American people, but for the entire world.
Today, we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. Our internal qualities have to change from selfishness to bestowal and we have to seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
As Americans, you pride yourselves on your political and economic models.
Yet with respect to politics, are you united or are you divided along party lines? And with respect to economics, are you united or are you divided into different social economic groups?
The question is quite simple: Are the people of The United States united into one state? The answer is no, you're not. You're divided against each other in many ways.
The answer won't come from politics or economics, it will only come from connection. Connection transcends everything including politics, economics and geographic boundaries.
You have to connect with each other in mutual concern and consideration. You have to rise above our egos and seek to benefit others instead of yourselves. Only in this way will you live up to the name of your country and become a united people.
The Constitution of The United States speaks only about our internal qualities.
The right to bear arms doesn't mean to carry weapons to protect yourself against other people. It means to bear arms against your ego to protect other people against yourself, your ego.
In this way, you become free, free of your ego and free to bestow to others. This is the security of a free state.
The American influence is felt all over the world, in politics, economics, film, television, music and culture.
Is your influence positive and constructive, or is it negative and destructive? Are you seeking to benefit others, or are you pursuing your own selfish interests?
The pledge of allegiance of the United States, which reads, " ... one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all", doesn't just apply to the United States, it applies to the entire world.
You should know that all people are equal. No one is greater than or lesser than the other.
Instead of thinking that you're the greatest nation in the world, you should see yourselves as part of a worldwide family. In this family, everyone is equal. Different members may play different roles, but all are equal before God.
You may be wondering what authority I have to write to you about the developments in your country. Know this: I may not be an American citizen, but I am The United States.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide you, may He lead you and may He show you the way. God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
God bless all of creation and God bless the entire world.
God bless you and God bless The United States of America.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
A Letter To The People Of South Africa
From:
Carter Kagume
To:
The People Of South Africa
Dear South Africans,
These are times of change and the entire world is going to be affected.
Our internal qualities have to change from selfishness to bestowal and we have to seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
South Africa has a long history of struggle and triumph and much is expected of you. All the negative and destructive behaviour in your country has to stop immediately.
This includes racism, violence, rape, theft and other criminal and thug behaviour. There is no excuse for it and it will not be tolerated.
South Africa has much to be proud of and in many ways you've been an inspiration to the entire world. South Africa should continue to inspire the world through cooperation, tolerance and unity.
Today, we're all immersed in personal selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. We have to change from personal selfishness to mutual bestowal.
We have to rise above our egos and stop harming others, then we have to adopt each other's desires as our own and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
In this way, we'll connect with each other in mutual concern and consideration. Connection is the goal and we can achieve it together.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide you, may He lead you and may He show you the way.
God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Carter Kagume
To:
The People Of South Africa
Dear South Africans,
These are times of change and the entire world is going to be affected.
Our internal qualities have to change from selfishness to bestowal and we have to seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
South Africa has a long history of struggle and triumph and much is expected of you. All the negative and destructive behaviour in your country has to stop immediately.
This includes racism, violence, rape, theft and other criminal and thug behaviour. There is no excuse for it and it will not be tolerated.
South Africa has much to be proud of and in many ways you've been an inspiration to the entire world. South Africa should continue to inspire the world through cooperation, tolerance and unity.
Today, we're all immersed in personal selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. We have to change from personal selfishness to mutual bestowal.
We have to rise above our egos and stop harming others, then we have to adopt each other's desires as our own and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
In this way, we'll connect with each other in mutual concern and consideration. Connection is the goal and we can achieve it together.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide you, may He lead you and may He show you the way.
God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
Carter
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Life Is Like A Play
Life is like a play, it's full of actors, scenes, rehearsals and performances. The only thing is that we're not invited to the rehearsals and we don't know the script.
Our development is very carefully managed from above. We're constantly being exposed to new scenes, events and scenarios that not only help with our personal growth and development, but also tell a story, even connecting with a larger arc story.
These scenarios play out like scenes in a play. The actors meet to review the scenes (events), they're debriefed on the script, they rehearse the events that are to take place knowing exactly what to say, how to behave, how to act etc., then they wait for our arrival.
By the time we show up, we think everything is happening by chance. We're unaware of all the preparation that's been taking place.
The scenes (events) unfold according to the script, with the other actors playing their well rehearsed roles. We're performing in a play, but we're unaware of it.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Our development is very carefully managed from above. We're constantly being exposed to new scenes, events and scenarios that not only help with our personal growth and development, but also tell a story, even connecting with a larger arc story.
These scenarios play out like scenes in a play. The actors meet to review the scenes (events), they're debriefed on the script, they rehearse the events that are to take place knowing exactly what to say, how to behave, how to act etc., then they wait for our arrival.
By the time we show up, we think everything is happening by chance. We're unaware of all the preparation that's been taking place.
The scenes (events) unfold according to the script, with the other actors playing their well rehearsed roles. We're performing in a play, but we're unaware of it.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
We Are Operated By Nature
We are in Nature, we're not above Nature. In fact, we're operated by Nature, we don't operate Nature. This is a major shift in the understanding of our lives and the role that we play in Nature. There is a plan, a program, and we're inside of this program.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
The Spiritual Realm Is In The Connection Between Us
When you're immersed in your own desires and you seek to benefit yourself with no regard for others, you sense This World.
When you're immersed in the desires of others and you seek to benefit others instead of yourself, you sense the Spiritual World. The Spiritual World is sensed in the connection between us.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
When you're immersed in the desires of others and you seek to benefit others instead of yourself, you sense the Spiritual World. The Spiritual World is sensed in the connection between us.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
It's Not Enough To Give
Most altruistic acts today aren't true acts of bestowal. They're simply acts of giving. You can give while still remaining immersed in personal selfishness.
However, there's a small percentage of the population that's naturally in bestowal because it's their nature.
It's not enough to give, we have to become immersed in other people's desires. We have to adopt other people's desires as our own. We have to sense them, feel them and become them. This interconnection with others, is what defines true bestowal.
It's not about making other people happy because there are many destructive things that make people 'happy'. It's about doing good to others and seeking to benefit them in a positive and constructive way.
Habit becomes second nature. The more we rise above our egos and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves, the more we become immersed in bestowal.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
However, there's a small percentage of the population that's naturally in bestowal because it's their nature.
It's not enough to give, we have to become immersed in other people's desires. We have to adopt other people's desires as our own. We have to sense them, feel them and become them. This interconnection with others, is what defines true bestowal.
It's not about making other people happy because there are many destructive things that make people 'happy'. It's about doing good to others and seeking to benefit them in a positive and constructive way.
Habit becomes second nature. The more we rise above our egos and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves, the more we become immersed in bestowal.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
It's Not Enough To Rise Above Our Egos
Bestowal is a two step process. First we have to rise above our egos, then we have to seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
It's not enough to simply rise above our egos. This isn't connection. We have to take the next step and seek to benefit others. We have to adopt other people's desires as our own, and seek to benefit them. In this way, we'll become connected with others.
The goal isn't to rise above egos. The goal is to connect with others.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
It's not enough to simply rise above our egos. This isn't connection. We have to take the next step and seek to benefit others. We have to adopt other people's desires as our own, and seek to benefit them. In this way, we'll become connected with others.
The goal isn't to rise above egos. The goal is to connect with others.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
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