Everyone is busy getting by the best they can. No one thinks to themselves, "How can I mess everything up?" when faced with life's moments of decision. Hungry, we search for meaning and truth, each in our own way. This way or that way? Act now, or wait for fullness? Speak out or stay mute? We are in spiritually lean times and I see no Greek oracles to consult with, nor biblical Burning Bush speaking wisdoms, for as far I can see. So, last February, I started asking the folks around me, What would you say if you could tell something to all our 85,000 readers? Two sentences about anything. Serve us up some food for the soul! Here are some helpings from around the world.

Spice it up!

     -- Leddy Mae, Reggae Fan, Oakland, California.

Know that Jah is watching you, teaching you and guiding you on every step of your life's journey. Listening to positive music is a MUST!

     -- Minx, Performing Artist, New York.

The brave never live forever... but the cautious never live at all.

     -- Bush Doktor, Radio DJ, Web DJ, RAW #343, Redlands, California.

The Hawaiians have a saying that translates as such: Bananas don't grow in a day.

     -- Ian Masterson, Musician, Teacher, Surfer, Oahu, Hawaii.

Alabe a Jah en el gozo de la mañana y durante todo el dia, sienta el sol y tome mucha agua, haga ejercicio (aunque sea simplemente una caminata), rece para las personas a quien conoce ademas de los demas, ame y ríase profundamente y frecuentamente, rodeese con la vibra positiva de la musica de Jah.

     -- Mike Clark, EMT, Festival Crew, Santa Cruz, California.

Put your trust in God and it always a works out! Forgive others, so that you will be forgiven.

     -- Barbara Barabino, Festival Organizer, DJ, Social Worker, Los Angeles, California.

Show love and love will always return to you. Rastafari!

     -- Diane ‘Livonn Adam, Photojournalist, Berkeley, California.

Stay away from the wild musicians for a steady boyfriend. -- E.M., New York.

One day I heard a wise man say "You got to give thanks for everything each and every day!" So I start each morning with a big fat spliff and I hold it up to the sky and give thanks for it!

     -- Chris Avila, Guitarist, Jah Well, Green Machine, California.

Try to help someone along the way, everyday.

     -- Jerome Hamilton, Headline Entertainment, Kingston, Jamaica.

Meditate upon the Father, through Him the fullness mainfests. Give I-n-I itation with Jah Rastafari! 1+2=3=1.

     -- Junior P, Performing Artist, California.

Take a long walk with your dogs and everything will be alright.

     -- Michael Connor, Santa Cruz, CA

All Rastaman believe the same: pray and meditate upon the Father, H.I.M.!

     -- Ras Joseph, Musician, Jamaica.

When the going gets tough, the 'tougher' move to Costa Rica.

     -- Buddha Thai, Surfer, Shelter Cove, California to Costa Rica.

Drink lots of water, think positive thoughts, stay busy and keep working on your goals everyday.

     -- Watty Burnett, Performing Artist, Baritone Vocalist.

Turn down the volume when you're watching the news. Draw your own conclusions. LOVE can only conquer hate. Fighting for Peace is like f*#@ing for chastity.

     -- Tammie Haynes, Vocalist, Backup Singer, Oakland, CA.

Have love within your heart. Share and care for each other. -- Don Carlos, Performing Artist, Jamaica.

No love, no justice. No justice, no peace.

     -- Yami Bolo, Performing Artist, the Minister for International Security for the Poor and Have-nots, Defending Them Against the Rich, Famous and the Greedy, Jamaica.

If one takes no risks for fear of failure, you have already failed. Fear not and persevere.

     -- Ric B., Booking Agent/AFT, Chicago, IL.

If you can not pronounce the ingredients, don't eat it. Grow your own if you can.

     -- Jeannie Moseda, Mikey Dread's Number One Fan, Salinas, CA.

Stay close to the Father, seek His truth and you shall find it. Only his Love can strengthen your family roots and bring you through the trials and tribulations we all must face.

     -- Michael and Sarah Stefani, Parents, Truth Seekers, Roots Reggae Fans, Musicians, Merced, CA.

I would suggest that ya look within, for Jah is there. He's there to help, ya jus gotta ask Him. And ya gotta be YOU!

     -- Ras Danny, DJ. Portland, Oregon.

Be Rasta, not Rascal.

     -- Ras Michael, Performing Artist, Ras Michael & The Sons of Negus, L.A., Jamaica.

Love GOD and Live.

     -- Roy McPherson, Booking Agent, Orthodox Muzik label, Washington, DC.

Remember the first person you see in the morning is yourself. Can you live with what you see? Believe in flowers and music. They are the only innocents. They beautify the world. All people love music and the garden.

     -- Fully Fullwood, Bass Player, Fully Fullwood Band.

Just like food is for the body, music is for the soul, and observing this creation of Jah is what helps me through the day.

     -- Abijah, Performing Artist, Songwriter, Musical Healer, Kingston, Jamaica.

Sing, whether you sound good or not.

     -- Jackson, Festival Volunteer, Reggae Fan, single, Apple Valley, California.

Save the children. The way to do that is through music and cultural exchange, this will intrigue them so they will be productive in their future.

     -- Damon Watahomigie, Promoter, Reggae Music Distributor, Havasupai Peace Foundation, Little Village at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Arizona.

I don't believe anybody that starts out with, "To be honest with you..." I believe in ice cream therapy when feeling down, nothing like some Ben & Jerry’s to cheer you up!

     -- Mountain Girl, Helena, Montana.

Eat soul food, drink a lot of fruit juice, listen to reggae and smoke I-grade spliff every day.

     -- Jah Octavio Blohm, Manager, Booking Agent, L.A., CA.

No matter where you are, there your ancestors are too. Praise for the guidance!

     -- Marcus B, DJ, Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Jah is I-driva! Keep a smile through everything. Work hard so you sleep well.

     -- Sista Mona Lisa, Radio DJ, KBUZ 92.7fm, Takilma, Oregon.

Always try to see any issue from the other person's perspective also.

     -- George Michailow, Agent.

One Love. One Heart. One Mind. Stand together or fall apart.

     -- Carl Wolf, Los Angeles, California.

Do business with others the way you want them to do business with you.

     -- Roger LeBlanc, Talent Buyer, Southern California.

Everything in creation is one with the Creator. There is only ONE I-ration! If everybody in the world would just play Nyahbinghi, then all the "I's" could reach the heights!

     -- Toussaint the Liberator, Mang Dub and Red Pill.

Let your garden re-seed itself.

     -- Robbaji, Music Fan and Festival Volunteer, Fig Garden, CA.

Dance! March for Peace!

     -- Sister Yasmin, M.C., Radio and Club DJ, Northern California.

I would stress to not count on any man to be your salvation, backbone or support. Stand on your own! Then a man will come to climb your mountain.

     -- Jennifer Skye, Travel Guide, Costa Rica.

Realize that every NO gets you that much closer to a YES and never let them see you cry.

     -- Sonia Collymore, Performing Artist, Juno Award winner, Toronto, Canada.

Blessed. Let us live in love and let not the karma of hate be released on this earth. Jah bless.

     -- Mikey General, Performing Artist, Jamaica.

Simplicity is a must; I just give thanks from the first breathe. I stay away from the media, no tv or newspapers. I listen to music on my radio... that's it.

     -- Lance-O, Radio/Web DJ, MC, Producer, Video Producer, Miami, Florida.

Love, peace and Reggae all day!

     -- Laurie, Reggae Lover, Sacramento, CA.

Love your enemy, that's the only way your enemy will know love.

     -- Edi Fitzroy, Performing Artist, Jamaica.

Read The Bible.

     -- Diane Issachar, Photographer, Florida/Jamaica.

Read lots of books and learn, books such as Sister Wendy Beckett's books and tapes, Martin Luther King and that poet from Lebanon.

     -- Junor Francis, DJ, MC, Southern California.

Think of your fellow man, put a spliff in his hand and blow the smoke in the air and the world will be a conscious place for you and me. Inhale, and you will see when you smell the aroma in the air. Blessed. -- Mr. Majah P, Performing Artist, Jamaica to Canada to California.

You should love yourself and love your problems too. Focus. Listen to those wiser than you. Give thanks for life and love all Jah's blessings.

     -- Laura Haykel, East Coast Sales Representative for Reggae Festival Guide.

To survive in these times, listen to inspirational music!

     -- Jennifer Barrett, Performing Artist, Jamaica.

Read the Bible and praise Jah.

     -- Carl T, Promoter, Oakland, CA.

Give thanks to the Most High for everything. Breathe, stretch and give Ises every morning. Give a hug an' get a hug every day. Have a holy war with your insides, instead of those outside. Sight the Divine Presence in all things.

     -- Rocker-T, Performing Artist, Brooklyn, NY & Madison, WI.

All the humans have to be careful how they handle each other.

     -- Hylton "The Whistler" Brown, Performing Artist, Germany.

Give thanks to JAH Rastafari for ALL Life, Love and Livity. Meditate. Stretch, keep moving. Smile upon one another and don't hold no grudge. Give hugs. Drink fresh juice, "juice it" for health.

     -- Ras Mikey, ISoulJahs Band, Costa Mesa, CA.

Quitters are not winners, so stand up for what you know to be truth.

     -- Silvanus, Silverglobe Records.

Always keep God first and let your beliefs be your own and not just an opinion of someone else's beliefs.

     -- Kim Desaro, Jah Daughter, Palm Desert, CA.

Sleep more than enough, eat just enough, exercise adequately. Live by the message and not the messenger. Control what you have control over and let everything else go.

     -- Laura Gardner, Editor, CA.

Be nimble, flexible and alert, because whatever your current model is, it will change radically over the next few years.

     -- Mark Taylor, RAW #620, Promotion, Marketing.

Music, clean air, beach walks, yoga, healthy food, good herbs (the healing of the nation) to ease the pains. Giving thanks everyday for all of life's blessings.

     -- Linda, Midnight Productions. Hawaii.

Dance to the rhythms of Lagbaja, Luciano, Marleys, Gondwana's "Keep the Faith" and Bongo Maffin's "The Way Kungakhona," and so many more, with candlelight aglow.

     -- Ana Avital, DJ, Saratoga Springs, New York.

I like what Sizzla said, "Music is the poor people's healing." I listen to music as I work and it spurs me on.

     -- Chris-tafari, Reggae Fan, Rasta Man, Fresno, CA.

Be peaceful from within. Sing, dance and walk outside every day! Take everything in moderation -- including moderation! Realize that the universe is our creator and will watch over us and protect us every moment!

     -- Sister Adaria, Performing Artist, Backup Vocalist, California/Jamaica.

The devil doesn't go after those he has already, it's those people doing good and that are accomplishing good that he tries to thwart.

     -- Lehbanchuleh, Performing Artist, Jamaica.

There's 24 hours in each day, use them or lose them. You can give thanks and be grateful for all you have, or dwell on what you don't have and be depressed, the choice is up to you.

     -- Bob Slayton, DJ, Calendar Site, www.onelovereggae.com, Northern California.

When I wake up in the morning and feel the sun shining and the wind blowing, I am thankful for life. Everything is good.

     -- Carlton Manning, Carlton and The Shoes, former member of The Abyssinians, Jamaica.

In Jamaica we say “A cow never know use of his tail until it cut off,” in other words, appreciate what you have!

     -- McGuyver, Tour Guide, Taxi Owner, Portmore, Jamaica.

If you, or your parents took lots of LSD, get checked for Attention Deficit Disorder, it sure helped me to learn more about it.

     -- J.M., New Mexico.

Live simply and respect creation. Have faith in thy self. Pay more attention to the breathe of life than to the distractions that Babylon surrounds upon the scene ... conscious breathe is the fiyah of true purification.

     -- Craig Nejedly, Skater, Skate Shop Owner, Trinidad, CA.

...Mmmmmmm... that was all real good. I hope you found some food for thought in these helpings from all over!