Ujamaa

Today’s haiku format highlights the number 4.

In numerology, number 4 represents order, hard work and stability. It encourages the creation of strong foundations and the importance of discipline, patience and consistency.

Written in 4-7-4 syllable structure, this haiku is inspired by the 4th principle of Kwanzaa: Ujamaa

In line with the principle of Ujamaa, number 4 represents an energy of being practical, down-to-earth and hardworking. It supports the willingness to put efforts towards reaching goals with set intentions while inspiring creative expression and innovative navigational tactics for individuals to work smarter, not harder. At times when challenges arise, it is the ardor of the number 4 that symbolizes divine protection and encouragement to listen to one’s intuition and trust one’s inner wisdom. When moments of difficulty and uncertainty present themselves in this unjust world, it is through the practice of Ujamaa that can serve as a source of inspiration for solving our problems with solutions of our own making.

Ujamaa, which means cooperative economics, speaks to uplifting one's community economically. It is essentially a commitment to the practice of shared social wealth and the work necessary to achieve it. This principle stresses the importance of self-reliance in building, strengthening, and controlling the economics of our own community as substantial power lies in our ability to own, support and maintain all our own resources. ‘We’ are the true wealth and we must invest in ourselves, for ourselves in order to garner power that cannot be usurped.

The obligation of generosity is also a key element in this principle as giving is its own reciprocal reward that deepens our connection to a higher power and serves all in the community thoughtfully and respectfully as we navigate different pathways of this journey called life. Our communities are a representation of us and when we give to it, it gives back to us; creating opportunities of reassurance and drive to keep us moving forward.

Nothing grand comes

Without thoughtful devotion

Towards what can rise