My Prayer Life

To describe my prayer life, it would not be meaningful to not mention others. For, as the saying goes, 'no man is an island'.

Prayer Involves Others

We are told to love our neighbors. And to love them as much as we love ourselves. So prayer is an inclusive subject. For God is love! 

That means we cannot talk about Prayer, God, or Love, without noting our Neighbors.

Love Thy Neighbor

It comes down to this simple equation. 

God = Love = Neighbor = Prayer. 

They all belong to each other and together.

Praying Properly

So, when we bow or kneel to pray, Everyone - meaning our neighbors, is included by intimating God. God incorporates love. To receive the full measure of God, and Love, we really should be including others.

Pray For One Another

We pray for our family and friends. And if we are praying for only those on our side of the fence, then, we are not loving everyone if we are divided. However, we should pray for those who differ from us. 

When we pray for all others, we open our hearts, and the hearts of others to love. The barriers and fences only serve to barricade us from within.

For if we all genuinely love one another, we would not hurt anyone. 

To Be Free

Free is to have an open consciousness, to love all without reservation. We are here to serve. To serve is to love. Serve humbly. To serve in a Godly way is to serve God in mankind. Our business, work, job, or service is a form of prayer.

Praying Ceaselessly

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Meditate on These Things

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

 My Music My Health

One of the reasons for the type of music I compose is that it ties into my health plan. The stroke I got was on account of my high blood pressure. So, I must calm my nervous system.

The stroke has greatly affected my right hand and my right foot. At present, I still use a wheelchair to get around.

Beat Of My Music

I make the beat of my music, BPM, beats per measure, at the rate of a normal heartbeat. That is around 65 to 70 beats per measure. 

The reason is to use my music to relax my body and mind. By using the vibration of soothing music it helps to calm me.

Enriching Music

This has led me to use the instruments of the orchestra and a rhythm that is more pleasant and peaceful.

And it works for me. Music is very dear to me, like everyone else. However, I started creating songs at a very early age in my life. And through trial and error, and perseverance I am still learning and experimenting. 

My great love for this art form gives me encouragement to keep going.

Joy And Satisfaction

I derive great joy and satisfaction from creating music. It is my passion. It keeps me fulfilled. 

Each musical composition may appeal to people differently. That is because we have different likes or tastes. It is a personal thing. And since everyone is different, we react accordingly.

A Form Of Legacy

It matters that my music is forming part of my legacy with it being used to glorify God. That gives me so much gratitude. Giving thanks and appreciation to the True Creator.

Or, by the way, my wonderful wife loves my music. That means a great deal to me. 

Feedback From Others

The feedback from dear friends and family is encouraging. And they have been sharing their views. And their constructive criticism proves useful. 

Their comments run the gamut from, 'Kaz, try something else', 'Who you think you is?', 'Neil Diamond?' to downright laughable. I even have got comments that my music has made me rich. Rich? Yes, in spirit. 

Thanks guys. I could not have done it without you.

 My Music Brings Glory To God

When I create my music, I compose in such a way that the composition and the process I use bring glory to God and see more of the Creator's love here on earth.

Music is such a wonderful and powerful force indeed. It puts us in different moods by the different elements we use to create our songs.

Music Is A Gift

Music is a gift because it emanates from deep within us. That part that is deep within us is connected to our higher self which is in the realm of the All-Knowing.

When we think about the way music comes about, it has a vibration that if we are intuned with the Infinite, our music is like a 'serenading to the gods'.

How I Compose

Composing music for me is a long and complex process. So many elements go into creating a song. What should be noted from the beginning, it is a trial-and-error process. You are constantly trying new things throughout the lengthy process.

The art of songwriting usually refers to writing both music and lyrics of a song. Composing refers specifically to the writing of music.

You Must Love What You Do

Music is like other fields or subjects, like cooking, painting, and designing. Meaning, that one can experiment with different colors just like using different instruments.

And everyone uses their own method of creating. There is no hard and fast rule about creativity. Just enjoy the process. It is about having fun like a child. You keep learning and growing.

My Menu And Ingredients of Music

First, I start with the verse of a song. The building block of music is notes. Putting a few notes together is how any composer starts. And your ear tells you if to keep or try something a little different. Change the notes, or the duration, rhythm, or if you need to change the key, transpose.

As you play around, you get a feel for the procedure. By starting you get into the activity and that is how one learns and builds. Music is no different from any other subject. If you have a great love for something, you will find a way to conquer it. I, theresay, have a great love for something. 

The Format Or Formula

What type of music are you creating? I usually craft two verses followed by a bridge and back again to the verse. Incidentally, my verses can be called choruses. It may sound confusing. However, creating is a personal operation. 

However, this format is different from others I use from time to time. It is always changing and evolving.

So, what you construct that sounds unique and fits your own formula is all that matters. What others think is feedback. Sometimes the feedback is good or indifferent. But beware of others who are just patronizing. Better you get what people really think, so you can use that to shape your compositions. 

And compose a lot. Any great composer created lots of music. We only hear the popular ones.

Instruments Are Important

The instruments I use are determined when I am arranging the music. Certain instruments go well together. They blend nicely. It is a toss-up when one does this part of the activity. What sounds good as you mix and match is what goes in the pot. You sample various sounds of instruments. 

You come up with a mixture that you like ultimately. It could be better. You could use other instruments. How much time do you want to spend on one song? That is another dilemma. 

Producing Music 

Music production is another element that involves the use of many software. As a matter of fact, the process of creating, producing, and publishing music is a lengthy and labor-intensive course of action. One uses many programs each step along the way.

Mastering comes only before publishing. All my songs are published on YouTube after. 

Epilogue

That is a very simple and brief description of my music creation. It may sound simple, but I make it a rule to compose every day of my God-given life. It gives me great joy. The greater joy is to give thanks to God for being alive and glorify Him with my creative being. As He is the Great Creator.

 My Ongoing Health Journey

I continue to overcome my 2nd stroke with my health battle plan.

Firstly, I learn new ways to release weight by eliminating unrefined carbs. That means no bread, pasta, and potatoes. I can eat wild grains like rye, buckwheat, spelt, and the like.

The Energy Enhancement System

"The Energy Enhancement SystemTM (EESystemTM) generates multiple bio-active life enhancing energy fields, including “scalar waves” which can allow cell regeneration, improve immune function, provide relief from pain, detoxify the body, elevate moods, and assist in balancing right and left hemispheres of the brain to increase energy levels.

This stunning technology, developed over 20 years by Dr. Sandra Rose Michael, Ph.D, DNM, DCSJl, uses custom-installed computers to generate morphogenic energy fields that can promote healing. The EESystem has been recognized at dozens of medical, scientific and professional conferences around the world." This except was taken from The Energy Enhancement System website.

In May I will be receiving this energy treatment from the center just opened to the public in Stockholm, Sweden.

Exciting Times For Me

So, next month will be an exciting time for me to regain my health with the EESystem. I look forward to this episode with gratitude for God's blessings.

To be free from this wheelchair, and the effects of the stroke that has affected my right hand and right foot has been my ongoing prayers.

Each step of the way, I will be detailing my recovery.

My Blog - My Diary

 What This Blog Has Become

My blog has become my diary. A journal of sorts, to document my 'journey' of life as of now.

After an early night's rest, I am ready for the new day and my ongoing goals. Learning anew as I go along with discoveries. Trial and error. Doing whatever I have to do, over and over, until I get it right.

So, I write out my love-doing list of things to do. And I go from there working out the details as I go along.

The procedure is to have main goals and fill in the plan and details as I work it out. At the end of the day, I see how it unfolds or comes together.

Life Is Beautiful

Having such a plan is loose but still, it holds up with a sturdy framework. And the next day, I continue the process. It brings me much joy. 

Joy when your life is about giving. You feel enrichment by your way of life. Giving of yourself to be free. Giving of yourself to feel inner joy and contentment. Satisfaction with the God-given day.

 Learning Operating Systems

My blog post will focus on different operating systems I have used over the years. And my preference for free, open-source, and light software. 

Linux operating system became my operating system of choice. This happened after my computing experience centered on the Amiga operating system when I first started to live in Brooklyn, New York, USA in 1990.

The company responsible for advancing the Amiga could not continue, so the Windows operating system was the only system to me to work on there after. Also since I was unfamiliar with the Unix system.

Linux My Choice

Many years after, I should say ...... decades, I finally arrived at the Linux ecosystem, and it soon became my computer of choice. There was no turning back. 

While I continue to use Windows to this day, its appeal erodes day by day. The reason is that each new Windows upgrade requires a better computer system, so you are always having to upgrade your hardware system. 

That entails more or greater expense. So, hardware and software costs more money with ongoing upgrades.

Which Linux Distro?

With Linux, from hundreds of free distributions you can use the light OS on your old hardware or computers. So, you save money and the environment. OS means operating system.

And there are literally hundreds of Linus 'distros' to choose from to fit your fancy.

When I came to Sweden in 2012, I was able to concentrate on my love for computers there. A friend of mine gave me her old netbook computer and I installed Linux Lite. My wife was able to use it to write her book.

Then I started to try the different Linux distros that appealed to me. MX Linux became my favorite. I also used Zorin Lite. But I was always researching and learning of the others. Today, I use Linux Mint.

But I use other distros, as I focus on light distros. Very light Linux distros I can use on USB, thumb, or pen drives. Especially if there is persistence. This means it saves changes, so the next time you boot, all your changes are there.

You can use these USB pen drives with these very light Linux distros, on any computers when you travel.

All through the years, I have used free and open-source apps or programs. I have been able to get by without much expense. 

Mobile Portable Living

However, more and more, I try to use light apps. And now that I am focusing on using small computing devices, my wonderful journey continues.

And the journey continues with mobile phones and tablets with Android, Linux, and light apps.

Stroke Rehabilitation

 Ongoing Stroke Therapy

As of today, Monday 15th April 2024, I am still praying and working towards a full recovery.

And it involves thinking positively at all times and doing physical therapy.

I am documenting my recovery here as I go along. Praise be to God.

My Computer Escapades

 My Love For Computers

My love for computers started while I was still in secondary school in Arima, Trinidad in the 60s. Actually, I learned basic computer programming without using a computer. That is how my fascination was in the early days of computers in Trinidad.

I was able to use my mind to visualize. And with that ability, I was able to do stuff blindly. And I began learning from a correspondence course I enrolled in. My self-taught computer training blossomed without any support from my school. Computer literacy was not taught in schools in those early days. You had to be a trooper to soldier on, and you did it alone.

But when you have a great love for something, you find a way to learn.

The Way I Progress

That is the way I progress. By first becoming fascinated. And with this captivation, having an unbounded drive to pursue steadfastly. And today, many decades later, it is the same with me.

Over the years, on my own, I have learned the world of computers because it interests me intensely.

I use different operating systems. Windows we all know of because it is heavily marketed.

However, I am quite familiar with the Linux operating system. There are hundreds of free and open-source Linux operating systems. And I continue daily to work with them.

My First Computer

In 1990, when I first emigrated to the USA, Brooklyn, New York to be precise. My 1st computer I bought was an Amiga 500 computer. I was able to learn so much using it. My love for music kept pushing me forward. 

It was not a Windows operating system. It was Amiga. It did multitasking.

Building & Fixing Computers

As I kept learning more about computers, hardware, and software, I learned to build desktop computers. I was able to develop an enjoyable hobby and trade. It was a wonderful ability to conquer this computer field. 

The fixing of computer hardware afforded me a longstanding enterprise. And anywhere I traveled in the world, my skillset was in great demand.

Mastering Computer Software

With this awesome machine, I soon learned many computer programs of the day. I quickly came up to speed with desktop publishing, and photo editing with Photoshop. I even learned to do video editing and make movies. I therefore made a thriving business with my skillset.

Later on, having mastered so much computer knowledge I became a virtual assistant before it was really a business.

Learning Operating Systems

My next blog post will focus on different operating systems I have used over the years. And my preference for free, open-source, and light software. And the journey continues with mobile phones with Android and light apps.

Documenting Again

My Present Circumstances

Here I am again, writing and documenting my life's pursuits.

Today is Friday, 12th of April, 2024. 

I believe documenting our projects helps us keep our focus.

I continue to do my music, composing, arranging, producing, and posting on YouTube.

Music is just one of my many pursuits.

Our pursuits, whatever they may be, keep our minds occupied. 

An active mind serves to keep us motivated and give us a reason to keep living. 

I mean that literally.
Having suffered from a 2nd serious stroke recently, we gain more perspectives in life.

My Computer Pursuit

As I shared, music is just one of my many pursuits. Computers are another. 

A computer is a tool that helps me accomplish so much in my life.

I began my pursuit of music as a young child composing songs. 

My early songs caused great laughter from my older nephew who lived with me and our other siblings and parents. 

But this distraction did not make me falter. I enjoyed the music so much that I found ways to keep going.

Later on, computers became commonplace. And I could use this tool to help me create music.

With computers, I was able to learn a tremendous amount. I learned to build websites. 

Ultimately, I became proficient in different fields of information technology.

And with this mostly self-taught education, I was then able to assist others in their work.

Subsequently, I gave back. I created websites for the colleges I attended and did database management.

In Closing

In my next blog post, I will go into more detail about my computer escapades.