Featured Author: Jeffery Martin

By Raja's Insight on December 2, 2018 • ( 0 )

Mr. Martin, a storyteller, has also used stories to inspire classrooms and youth groups in both New York and California. While living in Rochester New York he founded the BEHOLD Theater group (he hopes to kick start this again) which introduced to youth to various disciplines within the arts, ranging from Poetry to Fencing. Recently retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District he plans on taking poetry, drumming and storytelling on the road to reach a broader audience. He is currently writing a film script with hopes of releasing it sometime in 2018. His most recent book “Jus Sayin’” released in June 2017 is a myriad of thoughts he has shared over social media over the past few years.

Here are a few excerpts from Jeffery’s book Jus Sayin’

November 23, 2015

Writing saved me. Not the church, not some fatherly figure, not a nun, not a book, not a leader…writing did.

At my lowest, I could always pick up a pen and write, and write, and write. It made no sense at first. But when it did, I knew I was healing. With healing came books and with books came flight.

December 28, 2015

Looking at life now reminds me why the past had to be so difficult. Lessons had to be learned and if they had not tested my very being, I might have overlooked or ignored them.

Useta curse whatever brought me here. Felt like I was put here just to struggle while other family members seemed untouched by hardships. I felt sorry for myself. Didn’t value myself. But time began to encourage me to look at the events surrounding my life in a different way. I wasn’t cursed I was blessed. I wasn’t weak I was strong. I wasn’t the black sheep I was a light.

Once my perception changed, I changed. I could never again be a victim of this life, nor could I be inferior to anyone. Life was smiling on me because it had no choice, I was a student now and understood the lessons it was trying to teach.

March 8, 2015

My Mother taught me about international women’s month as soon as I was able to understand what respect meant. Long before it became official. I really don’t need a reminder. As I grew she often reminded me that “that’s someone’s sister, that’s someone’s aunt, that’s someone’s cousin and eventually, that may be someone’s mother. Treat her like you want your sister, aunt, cousin and mother to be treated.”

Thank you for the lesson.

I honor women now because I honored you first.

March 30, 2015

Useta sit around complaining about my circumstances. About how unfair life was. Was mad at God (or my concept of what that meant) all the time. Why couldn’t I get a break? Mad at Momma. Couldn’t stand stepdad. Felt no love from biological dad. It was always somebody else. Then the sun started shining. The dark began to move out of my way because I realized I was giving these folks too much power in MY life. I was stuck in their impression of me. Once I understood that the only voice I needed validation from was my own a new soul was born. Power, which had been waiting in my corner, finally spoke to me and asked, “How far you wanna go?” “As far as I can.” “Alright let’s go.”

Been moving ever since. Take your life upon yourself because quite frankly it’s only upon you to make magic out of it. Never relinquish your power. The sun and stars are within your scope as well.

Find More Inspiration in his book Jus Sayin’

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