|
What will my life be like in 5-10 years? This year, I wrote love letters from the perspective of my future self. I shared what I learned about living on Earth and embracing the unknown. I expressed, the best is yet to come. These letters have a sweet and optimistic outlook on the future. This form of writing helped me get through the eerie and unfathomable parts of this year. When I expand past my own bubble, I think about the lived-experiences of children, youth, adults & elders. What will their lives be like in 5-10 years? What lessons will they share about life on Earth? The answers to these questions are unknown.. Currently, OurSpace World is equipping folks with the knowledge and resources to navigate challenging times. There is a commitment to intergenerational learning that I admire. We all can be learning from each other during these times. Love Bug is a family-centered farm that grows nutrient dense food. When you see Farmer Maiya on the farm, you’ll probably see her daughter. This mother-daughter duo is full of wit and determination. When I arrived on the farm for the Ujima Jam, I saw Farmer Maiya and her daughter. They were pulling weeds. I greeted them and asked Farmer Maiya, what she would like to accomplish during this Jam? She mentioned weeding, composting, and clearing out the hoop house.  I began supporting her efforts by gathering the pulled weeds and taking them to the compost bin. Once a few more people showed up, we began working on clearing out the hoop house. This hoop house was growing tomatoes all season. Farmer Maiya was ready to make space for more vegetables to grow next season. We listened to music and gathered all of the remaining tomatoes. I shared with one of the attendees that I was raised in the Central Valley of California. We began to discuss the area’s agricultural production and groundwater depletion. He asked me, what I think is going to happen with the water crisis? I said honestly I don't know. After we took a break, we continued with clearing out the hoop house. We removed and composted the remaining branches. We finished by breaking up the soil and reorganizing some items around the farm.  Before I left, I gave Farmer Maiya and her daughter a hug. If this Ujima Jam was a song it would be The Makings of You-Live at The Bitter End, NYC by Curtis Mayfield. Thank you Farmer Maiya for your wisdom and generosity Thank you for reminding us what can be accomplished with focus and determination Thank you for showing us the importance of learning and growing together Photo Credit: MJ
0 Comments
What makes Maryland a sacred place? Maybe it’s the spirit of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass that is roaming free on the land Maybe it’s the guidance from ancestors, relatives and visionaries who call this place home Maybe it's the access to forests, lakes, mountains and plant medicine Maybe it is the depth and range of Blackness Whatever it is, I am glad that my life journey led me here. This has been the place where I learned how to integrate younger versions of myself. Now, I (inner)stand why those versions of myself were essential. They were preparing me to be open and willing to connect with other souls on their journey. 2017-2018, Farmer Tolu and I were both living in Madison, Wisconsin but never crossed paths. It’s not until this year that we connected through OurSpace World. The Ujima Jam at OlaLekan Farm felt like an opportunity to celebrate divine timing and guidance. OlaLekan Farm is worth celebrating. Farmer Tolu started the farm this year and she made it through the first season! When I arrived on the farm, I greeted the land. Soon after, Tolu pulled up. We talked about the intention for the Jam session. Tolu shared, she wanted the Jam to be light-hearted and productive. As we set up, Tolu and I talked about our journey to the DMV area and different versions of ourselves. As more folks arrived, we moved mulch, dug holes and planted garlic. One of my first friends in Maryland participated in this Ujima Jam. That made me smile. Also, some of Tolu’s students from the ECO City Farms Beginning Farmer Program came to support. Collectively, we enjoyed a delicious sweet potato soup made by the OurSpace World apprentices. The sweet potatoes in the soup were harvested from Sisters of the Soil Farm. Farmers Michelle and Miriam were both present on the farm and enjoyed the soup. We helped Tolu move two large tarps that were filled with mud and water. As we were moving the tarps, Little Simz's “How Did You Get Here” was playing in the background. At the end, we were covered in mud and water but we accomplished our goal. Before I left the farm, Tolu harvested some chard and gave it to me. I used it to make dinner! Thank you Farmer Tolu for reminding me of divine timing. Thank you for teaching us to believe in ourselves. Thank you for showing us how to steward the land we are on. Photo Credit: MJ
There is so much suffering and destruction happening in the world. During this time, we can ask ourselves some questions. What do we truly believe in? How can we take the next steps to honor our deepest truth? We all have different responses to these questions based on our lineage and live-experiences. I believe in the power of coming together to support each other. I believe in a particular kind of healing, love and support that is only available when we are in community. The truth is, none of us know how long we will be on this Earth. We must lean into the connections, gifts and resources that we have now. Connecting with folks in the OurSpace World ecosystem has reminded me to embrace the power of community. Not the theory of community, but an active community. One where I can contribute to the Earth in meaningful ways. The Ujima Jams are a beautiful example of what can be accomplished when we come together to support each other. Even when there is chaos happening around us we can carve out time to be present on sacred land. Sisters of the Soil embodies the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” In October Farmers Michelle, Trina and Miriam had a goal to harvest as many sweet potatoes as possible. The Ujima Jam was an opportunity to support their efforts. When I arrived on the farm, they were present, harvesting sweet potatoes and selling produce. After I greeted the land and farmers, I got right to work. Farmer Michelle taught me how to cut weeds with a knife. Then she taught me how to use a broadfork to get underneath the sweet potatoes and loosen the soil. While Michelle was teaching, we talked about musical instruments (e.g. drums and saxophone) and the importance of growing our own food. Throughout the day volunteers showed up at the farm. Children, parents, community members, OSW team members, apprentices and interns all added life to the soil. Collectively, we harvested sweet potatoes, made memories and enjoyed refreshments. It was wonderful seeing folks come together on a Sunday to support Sisters of the Soil.  If this Ujima Jam was a song it would be, “People Make the World Go Round” by the Stylistics. Thank you Farmers Michelle, Trina and Miriam for all the effort you put into your work that makes Sisters of the Soil possible. Thank you for teaching us how to nourish ourselves and the land we are on. Thank you for showing us the power of community. Photo Credit: Aita
|
MJI am everything and I am nothing. 
Archives
June 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed