R
ecently, I caught up with my good friend Omar Ramos for coffee and conversation. Our discussion soon turned to the social unrest engulfing our nation as we witness the tragic loss of young black lives amid troubling circumstances. As two black men in America, we each have our own perspectives. We shared how we deal with these realities in our lives and in society in general. For us, like many, the situations we face and events we witness trigger an internal spirit of faithful perseverance—one that always leads to a basic reality: through God’s grace, we were born to fly.
We then highlighted those people and practices that have helped us find our wings. For Omar, it was his wife, whose support led him to finally take the leap into full-time photography. For me, faith, family, friends have always been an unwavering source of support in all of my pursuits—academic, professional, and otherwise. As we talked, these realizations ultimately gave birth to a unique creative collaboration: the book Born to Fly: Reflections on Faith, Social Justice, and Love. A part of yoga’s beauty is its interesting dichotomy: an individual experience in a communal space. Each time we practice, we come
together as a group of individuals to engage in the process of physical conditioning, meditative introspection, and, for some, spiritual rejuvenation. When we step onto our mats, we unite in our pursuit of peace, love, and happiness. All of the yogis featured in Born to Fly are incredible people, and I thank each and every one of them for what they’ve poured into me. But, as we all know, to whom much is given, much is expected. As blessed as I’ve been to be a part of such a dynamic yoga community and reap the benefits of self-discovery that this fertile communal soil provides, I have an obligation to pay my blessings forward. That’s why a portion of the proceeds generated from sales of Born to Fly will be donated to organizations like Man Up who are actively working to positively impact the lives of young black men. Make no mistake about it: Born to Fly is not premised on vanity or narcissism. It is a mantra that finds its roots in God’s grace and manifests itself in personal humility and unwavering resilience. It also is a call to action and community engagement. Not only must we search for opportunities to stretch our own wings, but we must also take time out to help others find their wings as well—both on and off the mat.
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