MOVING OUT OF BAGAMOYO

Vincent Donovan (*Christianity Rediscovered*, Orbis, 1982) tells us
that cruel slavers would go into the interior of Africa and capture
men and women to sell on the slave market. They would march their
captives to Zanzibar where the slaves boarded ships bound for the New
World. En route, the newly acquired slaves were made to carry their
captor's heavy loads. As evening approached on the long marches, the
slavers shouted to their captives in Swahili, "Bwaga mizigo," which
means, "Put down your burdens."

When the slaves finally reached the coast they laid down those
burdens for the last time. There they boarded ships that took them
away from their loved ones and their homeland forever. They
called that place "Bagamoyo," from the words "bwaga" ("put down") and
"moyo" (heart). Bagamoyo translates to "Put down your heart." In
hopelessness and despair, they put down their hearts and boarded the
slave ships.

We have all been to our own personal places of Bagamoyo -- places of
despair. We have each felt like giving up at some time. And some
people have felt so desperate they've wondered if they could ever go
on.

Survivors learn important coping strategies when they find themselves
in places of Bagamoyo. They learn the importance of action, for
despair can paralyze. They learn to use their resources, including
spiritual resources. And they refuse to believe that things will not
change.

Survivors tenaciously cling to the belief that things can be
different. They believe they have not reached the end. They believe
tomorrow will come, and that their present feelings of hopelessness
will eventually pass.

Jean Kerr said, "Hope is the feeling you have, that the feeling you
have, isn't permanent." It is what you have when you know that you
WILL eventually get through the agony and pain and feel sunshine once
again. It does not deny the present darkness, but it reminds you that
the dawn is coming.

When you believe in tomorrow, you can pick up your heart today. When
you believe in tomorrow, you can move out of Bagamoyo and be happy
again.
__________

Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for
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and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com .