Snapping In

Marines Snapping In

It all started with Jesse, a friend from many seasons’ past. I would be slipping if I failed to recollect the experiences we shared. I met both John and Jesse on the same day. I was about thirteen years old. Jesse was about three years older than I, and John about two. They were brothers. Jesse was the leader. He was much taller than John and me, and in that season, we valued height as an indicator of strength. Jesse taught us how to pick blackberries, hull walnuts, and gather fruits and berries of all types. We joined the Boy Scouts on the same day. He taught us the tricks of the trade. Jesse was our leader.

Jesse was about eighteen years old when he joined the Army. When he came home on leave, he was a sight for sore eyes. He looked so strong and handsome in his military uniform until his sight exclusively convinced me to be desirous of joining the service when I became of age.  Jesse was fond of my sister, and it appeared that they established a plutonic romantic relationship. This relationship came to an abrupt halt on a very sorrowful day.

My friend Jesse was mysteriously killed at Fort Bragg North Carolina while he was training to become a paratrooper. His death was devastation to our entire coalfield community. There were later rumors that Jesse had been basically crucified. Later we learned that the rumors were true. I can never expunge the memory of Jesse, or John from my mind.

Fantasy became a reality. A few years had passed, and I found myself in boot camp at Paris Island South Carolina. We were learning to use our firearms. In that season, Marines were required to go through a process called “snapping in”.

The snapping in process was straight forward. We were taught to hold our rifles in different positions, the prone position, off hand position, etc. For about four hours a day, for one week we would simply aim our rifles at a simulated black target placed upon a white plank about four inches wide installed a few yards in front of us. We learned to aim at the target, "squeeze the trigger until the hammer falls without the shooter's knowledge", for example.  Before we were allowed to carry live ammunition on the rifle range, we were required to go through the snapping in process.

We were boots, not Marines at this time. Therefore, we were not respected by others that had completed boot camp. I baffled myself about why, but while I was lying in the prone position going through the snap in drill, one of the training coaches leaned down and whispered into my ear. He stated that he was a member of the Klan and that when I was sleeping in the barracks, he and his friends would come and take me from the barracks and hang me. I was very upset.  Thoughts of Jesse haunted me. For about three nights, I did not sleep. I locked and loaded my 45 pistol, attached my bayonet to my M14 rifle, and inserted a nine-round clip. I did not mention the incident to anyone. I did not know who to trust. I simply waited in total fear.

Thank God nothing occurred in the physical dimension, but my mind had blown a gasket. The mental dimension consumed me. I could only think of Jesse, and Jennis, another friend of mine that was mysteriously killed up in the holler one year after I met John and Jessie. Visions of other events passed through my mind also. I thought about the horrors of slavery shared with me by my father. He always talked about the strength and resilience of my grandfather who was in bondage up until the age of 14 years. I searched my spirit and I miraculously discovered a process to transcend this negative experience into something extremely powerful. This event changed my life up until now, sixty-seven years later.

I have learned the process of how to transfer negative energy into a positive resolve. Some may believe that I'm just a luny old man, because I talk about this subject repeatedly. I'm fully aware of the fact that I harp on this all the time through my blogs and YouTube posts. I feel, however, things that I am sharing are of utmost importance, especially in the season in which we now reside.

For me to access mental clarity, all that is necessary is for me to do is think in a certain way, and be congnizant of my abilities. When I do not remind myself that I possess this ability, I sometimes miss many opportunities. This is only human as the physical realm is dynamic. It entices us to continually go down the rabbit hole, but it is only temporary. It is NOT everlasting as are "things NOT seen", such as the mental and spiritual dimensions.

Believe it or not, there are a minimum of at least three known dimensions. I can only provide advice on things that are proof positive in the mental dimension. I will leave the spiritual dimension to those more qualified. Neither, however, can be denied of their reality.

I have learned the power of “things not seen” as addressed by the Apostle Paul in Hebrews, and Corinthians of the Kings James Version of the Bible. There are other ancestral beliefs that also shed light on mental acumens that are not so popular. This resourse of information is somewhat frightening for some to entertain. These are people tutored to moreso believe thing suggested by those with financial and political influence in the physical realm. I’m only sharing. I am not attempting to sell anything other than TRUTH.  It was some of the Saudcees, and Pharacees that influenced the congregation to crucify Jesus. Think about it.

Humility, and long suffering, bring about extraordinary mental acumens. It’s a natural fact, but difficult to understand by those tethered to the physical realm, exclusively. I vocally affirm my wisdom daily to remind myself of this glorious gift provided by God to all humanity. I thank God that we all have this ability. Once completely understood, the Planet will rejoice also!

Peace and Joy to all...