Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Peace & Surrender"

PEACE & SURRENDER

Bonjour friends,


I've made it to Paris safe and sound. Taking in the sights and sounds (literally as I type I'm enjoying the chipper voices of young lads playing catch on the street corner.)  Play,  what we did a lot when we were younger, like there was no tomorrow.  Playing in peace and surrendering to the moment, contentment.  


I received a word very prolific, motivating, and wise in meditation on Sunday at Kadampa 
Meditation Center in Silverlake. It went something like this:  "If something can be remedied, why be unhappy with it.  If something can't be remedied, still why be unhappy."  I can use this to assess many situations in my life. I hope it can offer you peace in your surrendering.  Find the joy and go play in peace, just like the kids I'm hearing on the street corner.   

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Thought for the day: The Four Agreements""

Thought for the day:

"The Four Agreements"

by Don Miguel Ruiz

My Final Thoughts:

When I am impeccable with my word, I begin the path of not taking things personally, which then naturally allows me to not make assumptions, because in the end I am honoring the importance of doing my best each day, even when I fall, I do my best to stay in alignment with purpose, loving myself, loving others, and loving the planet.

I am grateful for this revisit of The Four Agreements and I plan to do my best each day in honor of the agreements and in honor of myself.

Connect with me online:
www.corneliusjonesjr.com
facebook: Cornelius Jones Jr.
twitter: CorneliusJonesJ
facebook fanpage: FlagBoy: Official Fan Page of the Actor

YouTube Channel: LifeJones77

ACTOR DEMO REEL: CLICK HERE

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Thought for the day: The Four Agreements""

Thought for the day:

"The Four Agreements"

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Fourth Agreement – “Always Do Your Best”

“Always do your best but keep in mind your best is never going to be the same from one moment to the next”

-Don Miguel Ruiz

This allows you to be gentle with self and release the perfection. We all want to do well but the body and mind is different from moment to moment. I sure do know mine is. As an actor I may get on stage and have a kick ass show or may have the best on-camera audition. The next performance or audition will be a little different. Now matter how different I must remember that was my best in that moment, and not try to recreate the previous moment that passed. When I get to that place, I am not living in the present and I am not fully embracing that I am enough right now.

Always do, or strive to do your best, but know that your best will feel different each time. And that’s ok because we are perfect even in moments where we feel imperfect. We are good how we are today. No need for punishment, just continue to keep practicing and doing our best.

Connect with me online:

www.corneliusjonesjr.com

facebook: Cornelius Jones Jr.

twitter: CorneliusJonesJ

facebook fanpage: FlagBoy: Official Fan Page of the Actor

YouTube Channel: LifeJones77

ACTOR DEMO REEL: CLICK HERE

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Thought for the day: The Four Agreements""

Thought for the day:

"The Four Agreements"

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Third Agreement – “Don’t Make Assumptions”

Don’t make assumptions. Ask questions for clarity. This will set you free and I believe it will keep you from failure, hurting yourself, and blaming others. Clarity is freedom. Making assumptions is a conversation that you need to have with the other person. Often times the other person is we, in our heads. This expels so much energy and before you know it, we’ve wasted a good portion of the day creating stories and scenarios in our head.

I sometimes have many conversations in my head and especially now being new to LA, trying to find a balance in my acting career, trying to balance my new yoga teacher journey, and trying to date intimately. And dating is funny because I find myself creating stories when I encounter a person who just simply smiles at me. “Oh he must want to go out with me…he must like me.” That would be nice but that’s an assumption I have created in my head, an entire dialogue by myself. Or: “He’ll never want to date me, I’m not on his level.” Then bringing this to the Yoga practice, as a teacher I can’t assume that every student will know how to follow cues accurately and that everyone is here for the same practice. Bottom line, ask questions for clarity when it involves others and not assume. Not making assumptions allow room for dialogue and allows you to get to know the other person and this getting to know process can reveal some great information, information that may work for you, or may not work for you. So be open and not closed by assuming.

Connect with me online:
www.corneliusjonesjr.com
facebook: Cornelius Jones Jr.
twitter: CorneliusJonesJ
facebook fanpage: FlagBoy: Official Fan Page of the Actor

YouTube Channel: LifeJones77

ACTOR DEMO REEL: CLICK HERE

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Thought for the day: The Four Agreements""

Thought for the day:

"The Four Agreements"

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Second Agreement – “Don’t Take Anything Personally”

This is a powerful agreement and one that I aim to master and fully embrace. Even when someone compliments me, don’t take it personally. I know how good I am. I know my worth. I can say a simple thank you and move on. This agreement links with being impeccable with your word. It’s in perfect alignment. I know what I am and when I really know what I am, what one says, do, or give to me no matter how great or bad, I know how amazing I am. In this I am not egotistical or narcissistic, I am just grateful and love what I stand for and the man I see in the mirror.

Making a habit of not taking anything personally shall eventually put you in a total state of not looking to others for answers, approval, acceptance but instead knowing that it all comes from within. Tapping into the inner trust and being more comfortable and secure in your inner being.

Connect with me online:

www.corneliusjonesjr.com

facebook: Cornelius Jones Jr.

twitter: CorneliusJonesJ

facebook fanpage: FlagBoy: Official Fan Page of the Actor

YouTube Channel: LifeJones77

ACTOR DEMO REEL: CLICK HERE

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Thought for the day: The Four Agreements""

Thought for the day

"The FOUR Agreements"

by Don Miguel Ruiz

It has been nearly 10 years since I first read the four agreements. In a mature state and definitely in a more grounded spiritual place, revisiting the book 10 years later was an act of divine intervention. Even more interesting and purposeful, this book came at the beginning of my yogi teacher training and my life transition from NYC to LA. It is always so interesting reading a book for the second time and when there is a huge time gap between each read, new information is received and lessons that always need to be remembered are revisited.

“We pretend to be what we are not because we are afraid of being rejected”

-Don Miguel Ruiz

The domestication of humans simply is how we are shaped, which begins at birth. At birth, and I can say even before we are born into this world, there are systems of rules conditioning and controlling the way we live, think, and breath. We are not given a choice. We are told what to do, not allowing the brain and mind to take shape and grow into our own identity. This is not to point blame on anyone, it is just the way it is in this society. That being said, I feel it is ok to have guidance from an elder, however one needs the freedom to experience many facets of life without fear, shame guilt, and rejection. Now there are some children and some families who don’t have rules in their household, but I think its safe to say they are a rarity in this society. I can relate to the domestication from our elders. In no harmful way, they are trying to prepare the young child for the realities of the world, and their teachings were passed down from generations to generations of older philosophies and principles. The world today is now shifting. With science and technology we have more information; information that releases the shackles from certain limited or restricted thinking. We have the power to reshape, define, and/or redefine who we truly are. And while, economics is still an issue for certain demographics (not having access to affordable education and healthcare), we have always had access to personal freedom, we just were never made aware of it, it was kept from us, or we forgot. A book simply written like the Four Agreements is a vessel to help liberate our thinking and way of living.

For the next four weeks I will debrief how each chapter speaks to me. I invite you to join in the conversation.

Sing Me To Heaven!

Brooklyn’s St. Mark Holy Church of America, Inc.

In Conjunction with Vocal Pointe Ministries International

Present…

SING ME TO HEAVEN: Black History/Lent Concert

NEW YORK CITY, NY – February 8, 2010 – What happens when you take a Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, NY, and couple them with  four of the nations finest up and coming classical artists? You’ll experience an awesome worship experience that can only take place at the St. Mark Holy Church of America, Inc.

St. Mark Holy Church has a rich history and legacy as Brooklyn’s Gospel Landmark.

The church is known for its traditions of lifting up the best offerings of musical performances throughout the New York area. Bishop Nathaniel Townsley, Jr. and his Gospel Jubilee, a performance entity of the church, have traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, spreading the message of hope taught in his church. The church displays the arts in a distinctive, unparalleled manner and is the only church of its kind in the Brooklyn area. Many up and coming gospel legends, have made St. Mark one of their primary places to stop on the Brooklyn, Fulton Street Thorough-fare.

 “This concert is a chance to infuse the best in gospel music and couple it with the best that the classical music genre has to offer this world.” says Kenneth Alston, St. Mark deacon and Founder of Vocal Pointe Ministries International. “When possible, we should try to use multiple genres of music in order to properly reach out to the people in our communities, and sometimes even introduce something more than has been done before. Sing Me To Heaven successfully does this.”

The concert will feature performances by soprano Brandie Sutton formerly of the opera program at The Catholic University of Washington DC, tenor Terrance Tarver formerly of Howard University, Washington, DC, bass-baritone Soloman Howard currently the jewel of the opera program at the Manhattan School of Music, and counter-tenor Ken Alston, Jr. of the off-Broadway production Three Mo Tenors. In addition, there will be a performance by a Gospel ensemble comprising of some of the best vocalists in the tri-state area. 

-Next-

Expected in attendance are several civic leaders and leaders in the New York musical community. The worship service will take place starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday February 24, 2010 at the St. Mark Holy Church of America, Inc.  1980 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233. This event is apart of the Wednesday Lenten Worship Series: The Pattern of Following Christ in His Suffering continues…For every Believer.  All services for the seven weeks will be held  both at Noon and 7 p.m.

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Dating Yourself!"

When was the last time you took yourself on a date? If you can't remember, I think it's time.

Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's Way" helped me realize how important it is for us to take time out and appreciate the self.

I invite you to try it on. It can be as simple as having a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice cream all by yourself (Yes the whole pint...YOU deserve it!)

Wishing you an A.A+Wsome Wednesday!