It was a rather long drawn-out day working under sinks, patching walls and rewiring light fixtures but cry out I dare not. What’s to complain about  when work is required and I’m the right man for the job. Nevertheless, the body speaks aloud when at its most vulnerable. This is the quiet moments just before falling asleep, a time most often took for granted by reviewing the stressors of the day or the fears of tomorrow. This delicate transition is when the mind slips from conscious meditation, to that of the beautiful restlessness within the subconscious. Here’s where my vision began and here, is where I’ll tell the story as I laid upon hearing the final word.

Pain, pain and even more pain screams from the neck of my body, so loud it awakens and grabs the attention of the soles of my feet, restless as they are kicking and moving about under the covers of night. What are you yelping about up there? Is it not I who takes the weight of whole and bears the burden of this temple? Why do you speak in such a manner? The neck swiftly answers. You are beneath but yet you still move about even when in rest, you’ll have no counsel here tonight, for you are of little importance for I am the seat of the head and my pain shall be heard. The soles of feet in all humbleness replies, what is the seat without the wisdom gained from the travels of my journey? I’ve weathered the storms, terrains and valleys all while carrying you as the seat upon my shoulders. You are at the will of my burden and your tears within the night, overflow my cup causing  restless under the veil peace. Did someone say shoulders? It is I the barer of burden, I listen to the bellowing between the broad of my purpose everyday without submission or complaint, why must I endure the bickering between the either of you? Am I not the strength that holds the key to the heart? Am I not the forgotten treasure taken in and released like the tides of the ocean sands giving breath to our purpose?

Now boasting with pride comes an even louder voice. Stop I say! Bellows the chest. I bare the true pain of the whole, witness now as I claim the bosom of life, no more shall I trouble with the bickering of your ignorance. Then suddenly an eerie silence befalls my temple, as the darkness creeps ever so near.  Peace be still over your restless toil a voice whispers within the void. All is of purpose, all is of oneness within the temple, yet none are truly alike. Even the softness of the cheek bears the difference between tears of joy and the pain of regret, the kiss of a child’s love or the aggression of a fools anger. Your rest is soon to come, speaks the calming voice within the void of my temple. For I am the eternal and you are but dust upon the earth.

Query not within the dawn of night the eternal says, I go for only a little while to bring healing upon the dusk of your true purpose. Now rest as I open the treasure once again,  remember not death but thankfulness upon your awakening.

*This was the night of my heart attack. It reminds me how the mind and body at times battle with indifference. Such is often the case with people complaining amongst each other, judging and attempting to communicate (per opinions only). With this often becoming distracted from our collective purposes. Point is we’ll all one day return to the dust of the earth. So again with this said, let’s remember to see each other in the blessings of our lives, as opposed to taking chances with the bickering of tomorrow. I say this in wisdom after surviving the three near-death experiences of my past. Remember this, you’ll never know upon the rest of your evening, when or if the eternal will seek thee not your temple again.

Reginald O’Neal Gibson

I recall like it was just yesterday, raising my head high after a deep breath, finally a moment of peace, contentment and praise; thank you lord for yet another day. This, I uttered softly just prior to clocking out and going home. It was at this moment when I heard a young lady who appeared to be slightly frustrated say “excuse me, you are just so unapproachable!”

Needless to mention, I smiled in politeness and continued on my way. In total honesty, I’ve heard this and similar descriptions regarding my personality over the years, so please allow me to shed just a bit more light on the subject. Have you ever been busy, in a rush trying to accomplish a task or personal deadline? Maybe you’ve found yourself in a grocery store trying to multitask recipes for the upcoming week, attentively texting back and forth about what Redbox movie to get, while simultaneously budgeting to the best of your cognitive ability. Not to forget planning your families upcoming vacation!

Thinking back on this, were you polite to the cashier? Did you even noticed the elderly woman needing help lifting her grocery bag into her cart? Did you remember that last second verbal request not on your list but just so happened to be on the far opposite side of the store? You know that one particular item your child needed for a class project, which prompted you coming to the store in the first place, all in hope of beating the highway rush hour!

Here’s what I’m trying to say, at some point we all get deeply involved and focused on what’s needed to keep ourselves, our families and our goals intact. With this, for others currently not on the same path we mean no disrespect during our busy times but nonetheless, we that are committed must do what we can do to the best of our ability to fulfill our purpose.

So in my case, it’s not that I’m standoffish, difficult to talk to or “unapproachable,” it’s just that I’m busy as well, fulfilling God’s purpose for my existence, i.e. multitasking between jobs and my life’s work, family and legacy. What else is there but to honor life, wife and God’s calling within the strength of this temple. So for  future friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances alike, know that I am here, but as the foundation beneath your feet, the air aloft your wings and the example of a humble servant of God’s intent for my life.

So to get to know me is to nod without judgement, smile without strings attached and uphold one another with prayer, praise and respect. I am not prideful, I have no hidden agendas, nor do I think I’m better than anyone. It’s just that I’m spiritually on task, confidently focused and committed to being the best version of myself per the will of God.

With this said if we ever cross paths present or future, let me initiate a hello! I’m Reginald. Wow! You are beautifully blessed and wonderfully made in the likeness of God the almighty. It was a pleasure meeting you, thank you and may God continue to bless your journey! If my interaction was a bit swift, please forgive without judgement or scoff! Just know that I, like many others are insatiably that way while in focused mode. As far as my self, commitment is a lifestyle, so smile and nod knowing I have your best in heart. Am I unapproachable? No, not in the least but lets be honest, I’m a married man, devoted to my life’s work and intimately involved with the teachings of christ as the living word of God. What else is there? But the occasional brief interaction in passing. So again, hello! My name is Reginald.