I am excited that I have been blessed to bring you the "Spoken Word with Slater Hayes" for five consecutive years.

Today marks the initial episode for the 6th year-I am so excited, for I have been inspired to write new pieces, endeavored to revise pieces that have been previously published-all now containing a sound bed that gives each piece the resonance they deserve.

I hope you enjoy and understand the relevance of this first offering into year 6.

"The Power of Oneness"

was written prior to the first "NO KINGS DAY' . During those protests , persons who had never felt the need to march, found themselves on street corners peacefully speaking out against those various nefarious actions being perpetrated by the current office holder at 1600 Pennsylvania and his administration-actions that directly affected their lives.

Honestly, I am often left to wonder as to why I am being led to write each piece that I deliver. However, it seems that EACH piece seems to speak directly to what is occurring or is about to occur within these states united.

After witnessing the events in Minneapolis, there now appears to be true spirit of solidarity that has been awakened among the masses.

Let's keep it real-that AWAKENING seems to be more prevalent among whites.

It is my prayer that this same spirit continues after this current set of self-inflicted harm is remedied and that all of mankind comes to understand the full MAGNIFICENCE of life that is available to us when we learn to live in harmony.

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE!

"seeKing", previously shared on several occasions without music, has been enhanced to bring a deeper resonance to this piece- born from historical ache, generational memory and our relentless pursuit of justice.

This piece, which I love, confronts the moments when hope was mocked, when dreamers were silenced, and when violence tried to erase vision.

Isn't that eerily similar to what we are now facing?

If you listen until the end, this piece admonishes us, through the words of John Lewis, to lift our chin and continue to seek out 'Good Trouble' so that we can continue to illuminate that our spirit refuses to die.

This is "seeKing" as it was always meant to be experienced-honest, and spiritually anchored.

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE!

I was inspired to revise this piece for Black History Month.

This piece is for OUR Ancestors-those who endured.

For the dreamers who marched.

For the families who held the line.

For every generation that rose-and continues to rise.

It is a reminder.

A testimony.

A DECLARATION!

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE!

They are running this race with the expectation that we will eventually grow weary-en masse.

Their game plan is to continue to throw things at us with the expectation that we will all simply accept it as a way of life-adopt "the it is what is is" mentality and simply acquiesce to whatever they have in store for US.

Think back to your childhood. Remember that ache or that sore to which we all paid close attention. Remember, it seems as if every 15 minutes, or so, we rubbed it or picked at it until we became accustomed to the pain.

"Desensitized"...

alludes to just that . The guy at 1600 Pennsylvania and his loyal minions think that if they continue to create diversions -those things that we once thought unfathomable in America-then we will soon forget and go on about our business.

Let's KEEP IT 100...that is what we have perpetually done on too many occasions to count.

However, this time I feel that they are overplaying their hand and are setting themselves up for a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT.

Let's continue to maintain our composure throughout the daily constitutional and civil rights violations, the protests, and the numerous other daily atrocities.

NO!!! That does not mean SILENCE!!

Let's all find some way that we can support those who do choose to man the lines in an effort to right this wayward ship.

It is my prayer that these pieces helps to illuminate and helps us to keep the current situation at the forefront of our minds, so that we will not become desensitized.

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE!

There is a constant, persistent and eternal HOPE in which we can place our thoughts of the future, especially as things seem to devolve on a daily basis all-around us.

"Horizon's Glow"

is my admonition to us all to not allow these daily CIRCUMSTANCES to dim our view as to how we should live our lives, project empathy, promote solidarity and remain steadfast in the KNOWING of HE who is able and willing to see US through these times which have become intentionally darkened.

ALWAYS, even during these darkened times, seek to be someone else's source of earthly light.

You just may just be the manifestation of the earthly hope that is needed during this point in time of their lives.

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE!

In spite of all the unrelenting turmoil that surrounds us and that seems to have found its way into our everyday lives, we must continue to seek solace in the words with which I close this piece.

You see I am convinced that even though I remain FULLY AWARE of what is occurring around me I also recognize that the LOVE of GOD will sustain us and that we must not allow life's daily happenings to force us into a place where we fail to acknowledge all the splendor that is available to us, daily.

This piece...

"The Beauty of Listening"

was written and previously published during 2020.

Times were hectic then and it appears that the four-year period of respite was insufficient in ensuring that it did not befall us again.

I was perplexed as to why I was led to publish this piece then and I WAS perplexed as to why I was led to revise it and publish it now.

My answer, this piece is meant to serve as a reminder that we should NOT ALLOW external factors to force us into overlooking the WEALTH of GOODNESS that abides, in spite of life doing what it does-LIFING-even if a number of actions are being intentionally and nefariously orchestrated.

I am secure in the knowledge that through HIM, the righteous shall not be forsaken, nor HIS seed begging bread.

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE!

I must admit, I struggled with what piece to post today. The day is a day filled with celebration throughout my family. You see, January 11th is the date of my mother's birth-97 years ago. As it would come to pass, I have several other relatives who were also born on this day.

I decided to publish this piece...

"Manifestations of a Dream"

...because I am certain that my mom possessed dreams and extended prayers regarding those dreams for all of us-even those who were just a twinkle in the eye of their parents prior to her passing in 1999.

I miss her.

I pray that I have fulfilled, and will fulfill her dreams for me, and that I WIL NOT allow the spirit of fear to prevent any of them from coming to fruition.

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE!!

This has been a very turbulent beginning to the new year for my niece and her three children. They unfortunately lost their pet dog, Cocoa, and all their earthly belongings due to a house fire.

I was planning to re-publish this piece in its new form prior to hearing of the tragedy, and her circumstance confirmed for me that it is indeed timely.

I sent it to her. I know that she is able to discern its meaning and is grateful to GOD that she and her beautiful children were not home and avoided what could have been.

I also know that she is tremendously thankful for the outpouring of love that she and her family have received during this time.

She is a believer. So, I am confident that she knows that as she walks through this time of devastating loss, that she directs her focus and...

"Look to the Hills"

knowing that during this time, and always, that indeed that is from where her help truly comes.

Thank you, Lord, for your hedge of protection and for touching the hearts of those who have exhibited their love through their prayers and acts of kindness.

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!

PEACE

Well, I continue to be led to compose these pieces, and I have every intention of remaining obedient.

I was inspired to write this piece due to the tremendous amount of angst that has been created by a federal government that was created to serve its people.

ANGST THAT I WITNESSED FIRSTHAND, and which impacted a close family member.

"Look to the Hills"

addresses the unconscious way we tend to reach out to those within our circle in hopes that they can assuage a situation or provide direction or clarity for circumstance that affects our lives.

Oftentimes, the person to whom you reach out is left flummoxed by the circumstance, sometimes even more-so than the person who is seeking solace or a remedy. EVEN THOUGH they DESPERATELY desire to be a SOURCE of ENCOURAGEMENT

It is important that irrespective of the circumstance, we have someone within our circle of friends or family that can redirect us towards the ultimate problem solver/comforter-GOD.

Yes, it is imperative that we have a personal relationship with GOD.

However, we sometimes find ourselves in that space that we need to hear what is already known to be the TRUTH from an outside voice.

Who is accompanying you throughout your journey?

OUR SPIRIT...LIVES!!!