These changes indicates the times that we are living in, and the times that we are living in begs us to understand that we can’t operate like it is business as usual, because it’s not business as usual.
Let’s look first at the weather we have been experiencing, in this case in New York; over the last four years we have been experiencing in each season, especially in the spring, fall and winter, uncharacteristically changing and unpredictable weather. This is the weather that we have been
experiencing – all this cold when it should be warm, and vice versa, all this rain when it should be dry, and vice versa.

This is the people’s reaction – complaining, saying all kinds of things, holding the weather man responsible, and sometimes even blaming, or even cursing nature. This is the reality – God is looking out for us, its not business as usual, so he is using the changing and unpredictable weather here in New York, in the rest of the U.S., and around the world as signs to wake up his people, that is getting us to think consciously and critically of the seriousness of the sad state the world we are living in, and make the all important change of living once and for all for the saving of our souls.

Also, in the world today there are changes in human fundamental principles and traditions; we are living in a world where there is no truth, as a matter of fact, the truth is considered taboo, as the immoral is rapidly been taught as moral, the profane is considered “cool” by adults and children alike, and also there is a worldwide mainstream teaching that materialism is the only true wealth. What is even worse about the world’s state is that all of these things are happening with no ending in sight, just more and more indications of a dark future; as overall, everyone, and what is most serious, the elders who are to teach and correct, are indulging in and encouraging slackness. In addition, there is no control and discipline amongst the youths, we have kids believing everything, and their elders – the parents, the guardians, and the adults in general are not competent to teach them right, as they who are suppose to lead by example are acting like and, worse than children themselves.

Therefore, the changes in our world, whether it be in the weather, norms or values, all consciously call for the human population to make a defining stand, the stand to wake up and live, live for the saving
of our souls. Why save our souls, because each man’s life is fulfilled with the saving of his soul, and thus, your life will not be a waste in this ever-increasing human decay. Ifyou don’t wake up now, with all that has been taken place, then you will continue sleeping, and when your eyes do open, you will find yourself in HELL. So wake up please, It’s not business as usual.

IF A MAN WANTS YOU:
If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn’t want you, nothing can make him stay.

Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache. Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that’s not meant to be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then, heck no, you can’t “be friends”.

A friend wouldn’t mistreat a friend. Don’t settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is. Don’t stay because you think “it will get better”. You’ll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

The only person you can control in a relationship is you. Avoid men who’ve got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn’t marry them when he got them pregnant. Why would he treat you
any differently? Always have your own set of friends separate from his.

Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. H e will use it against you later. You cannot change a man’s behavior. Change comes from within. Don’t EVER make him feel he is more important than you are… even if he has more education
or is in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god.

He is a man, nothing more, nothing less. Never let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else’s man. If he cheated with you, he’ll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs. You should not be the one doing all the bending…compromise is a two-way street.You need time to heal between relationships… there is nothing cute about baggage… deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.

You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you…a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals…look for someone complimentary…not supplementary. Dating is fun…even if he doesn’t turn
out to be Mr. Right. Make him miss you sometimes…when a man always knows where you are, and you’re always readily availabl to him- he takes it for granted.

Never move into his mother’s house. Never cosign for a man. Don’t fully commit to a man who doesn’t give you everything that you need. Keep him in your radar but get toknow others. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime
to forget them.

“Shyrill” is one of the few good friends I have at college. We take a class together. It’s in a building across campus, so I drive. I always contact Shyrill to see if she wants me to take her. (She typically does) Because the class requires physical activity, we dress in appropriate clothing.

When I pick Shyrill up, I am already dressed and ready to go. The problem is, she isn’t. She is either eating or on her computer when I arrive. Once I come in, she begins to get ready. This has made us late for class several times. It has reached the point that I have to arrive earlier and earlier to get her to be on time.

I understand that I am more organized than she is, but it grates on my nerves. I am the one giving her a ride, and she causes us both to be late. I think she should be ready to leave when I get there. I know she has a busy schedule, but this is driving me crazy. I care about Shyrill dearly, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings. Should I say something to her?-Campus

Clock-Watcher

Dear Clock-Watcher:

Yes, absolutely, because Shyrill isn’t a mind reader and if you haven’t spoken up, she may be under the impression that you don’t mind. Tell your friend you are no longer willing to be late to class, you expect her to be ready to leave at the time you get there, and if she isn’t, you will leave without her. THEN FOLLOW THROUGH. I predict Shyrill won’t be late after that.

-Always, Divine Diva

Dear Divine Diva:

I hope you can help with an etiquette question. With same-sex marriage becoming more commonplace, how should I address my special greetings cards to a same-sex couple? For example, now that Ellen DeGeneres has married Portia de Rossi, would I write to “Mrs. and Mrs. Ellen DeGeneres”? “The Ellen DeGeneres Family”? or “Ellen and Portia DeGeneres”? None of the manners books that I have checked has been able to provide an answer, and I have not seen the issue in print. What do you think?

- J Wint, Brooklyn

Dear J Wint:

Because this topic is so new, there isn’t one “hard-and-fast” answer to your question. Some couples keep or change their individual names, some join their names together with a hyphen, others select a name together and adopt it. If you have a question about how a particular couple would prefer their mail to be addressed, my advice is to ask them.

-Always, Divine Diva

He hails from Kendal, Manchester, Jamaica and migrated to the United States in 1995. He brings decades of inspiration and vibration to reggae music. Gumbae is at ease on the microphone whether singing or as a deejay.

Several singles popular and got airplay inclusing ‘Ghetto Youths’ in England and ‘Grieving,’ ‘Black Again,’ ‘Children of World,’ in Jamaica and the metropolitan New York area.

Several videos have been released, mostly for songs from the ‘Black Again’ album. You may also catch a glimpse of him in various video cameos for other artists. Check out his pages on My Space, Facebook, and You Tube to see the videos or hear songs.

He has performed with artists like Gregory Isaacs, Professor Nutts, Captain Devon, Cutty Ranks, Garnett Silk, Everton Blender and others. He also performed in Jamaica at the popular, Sting dancehall show and occasionally at venues in the Woodstock, NY area.

Gumbae released his first CD, ‘Black Africa,’ and two singles, ‘Stop and Take Stock,’ and ‘From Start’ on the Black Mind label.

His second CD, ‘Black Again’ was released on the Dan Tish label. He is currently in the studio working on his third CD.

A single entitled ‘Grieving’ was released last year, and will be featured on the third album, along with heavy hitting songs such as ‘Tell A Friend’ and ‘Beloved.’

Gumbae’s objective is to educate and strengthen the minds of Africans of the Diaspora, and to see all people living in peace, love, and harmony.