Taking you Back To Basics, up close and personal with The Party Rocker himself Ricardo Gomez

Known for his ability to move a crowd with his musical mixes, his charisma and not to mention great sense of style, Ricardo Gomez takes partygoers back to basics with his skills as a deejay. He has created a name for himself as the original Party Rocker and rock any party he most certainly does.

Ricardo was raised here in the US in his early years, then moved back to Trinidad where he spent his pre-teen and teenage years. He returned to the US in 1988 and completed his college degree in Business Administration with a minor in Broadcasting. It was this minor that would ultimately determine the direction of his major career decisions. He was able to combine his background in business with his love for broadcasting to create the brand Back to Basics. He applied many of the fundamentals and basic skills that he had learned during his college years to his business, and to life in general. 

A true businessman at heart, Ricardo approaches his events with careful planning and foresight. When throwing an event, he begins by initially coming up with a concept. Then he will decide on the venue that he best sees fitting with this concept. Next he would evaluate the expenses and overall cost of the event and finally match it up to the need in the market. Then if the venture is financially feasible, its a go.

I took some time to get to know Ricardo up close and personal and here's what I found out:

1. At what age did you develop an interest in music and who/ what was your greatest influence?

I developed an interest in music at the age of 5. I grew up in a very musical home, my uncles were extremely jazz-influenced and soca was a staple in my home. I could remember hearing the likes of Mahalia Jackson and Nat King Cole in my grandparents' home and I knew about the fundamentals of Jazz before I was 8. Almost every weekend my mom and dad would have a dance with family members and friends over. They played records all night long, that was their idea of a fete, and fun was as simple as a gathering of people and good music. 

At the age 5, about 7 o'clock one morning after everyone had gone to bed, I grabbed the stereo and my hand got stuck in the A-track. It was then that I literally got stuck on music lol. This was really my first experience with music. My parents have always been supportive of my career decisions, but as you know our parents sometimes have more traditional roles in mind for us. By getting my degree and still pursuing my career as a deejay, I was able to compromise between fulfilling my calling and my parents' dream for me.

At around the age of 10-11 when I was in Trinidad some of pioneers in the deejaying arena were Dr Hyde, Teddy Mohammed, Brian Regis, and King Papa Rocky. These were the main foundation DJs when I was in primary school and I looked up to them. I didn't really aspire to be a DJ at that time but I always admired their skills. At that time I was into breakdancing, and was part of a rap group that performed on Party Time. 

Around the age of 14, I would spend my summer vacations in NY and every weekend I would diligently record and make tapes and bring them back to Trinidad with me. The DJs I followed, Marlie Marl and Red Alert, were mainly hip-hop oriented and this was the start of my fascination with the art of deejaying. 

I then studied under a DJ in Trinidad called Dr K and learned the basics of deejaying from him. After completing high school, I came up to the US and went to Kingsborough Community College and then to Brooklyn College. At Brooklyn College I started going to Caribbean parties and seeing the DJs in NY. These were the real catalysts in my choice to become a DJ. 


I remember standing in Tilden Hall one night and seeing King Chow, Mad Man Maddy and Sweet Needle Scobie and it was then that I decided that I wanted to be a DJ. Back then there were big fetes with just 3 DJs and no talking, just music. When I saw how these DJs had people in the palm of the hands simply by the music they played and without saying a word, I knew that was what I wanted to do. There was also the backyard party scene which was dominated by Supreme Team, Anonymous, and the Original GB productions. This was all in the early 1990’s. I would say that it was these DJs who had the most influence on me and made me say yes this is what I want to do. 

Luckily I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I got connected with Sound City, which was a Brooklyn sound system. Back then DJs had records and walked with their own sound systems. It was a perfect chemistry between myself and Sound City. As a team we dominated the Caribbean party market for about 11 years. We also pioneered doing things in the Caribbean market that had never been done before, we started using samplers and drum machines along with the DJ equipment. We also started venturing out of the NY area and played across the US and even Canada. We were part of the first group of NY DJs to play for a major band in Trinidad carnival, Barbarossa and did all of the major carnivals throughout US. Imagine we played in places like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Wyoming, places that you would never expect to have a Caribbean market. After about 11 years I decided to branch out on my own and chose the name Back to Basics and felt I wanted to take music back to basics, back to how it should be. 

At the end of the day, its not the name that makes the man but the man that makes the name. I realized that I could choose any name I wanted and make it a household name and brand it. I started using the name of Back to Basics at the end of 2000 and established the entity then. 

2. If you could play one genre of music all night long what would it be?

House music because I learned the art of deejaying with house music, that’s where I started back in college. I was a director with the music station at Brooklyn College. Soca was more of an underground phenomenon at that time and was not being played on the air over national radio stations. House music is my love, house, techno, rave, this is what I love. I decided though that I want to use my talent to promote my culture, so I represent by playing our music even though we as Trinidadian DJs tend to play a wide variety of music, that’s how we grew up.

3. Who is your favorite entertainer of all time?

Michael Jackson, he covers it all. I grew up on this man and the many different ways that he brings music to you. Even today we can still relate to his music. Yet for some reason his music grows with you, his music can capture a particular time period of your life. You can pick any song from him and recall a particular time in your life when that song was playing.

As far as our local artistes go, one of the pioneers of soca that I really admire is Super Blue. The way he could captivate and command a crowd back in the day was something to behold. Because I've seen how he has grown as an artiste and I've basically grown up with him, I'd have to say my favorite soca artiste is Machel Montano. I remember becoming a die-hard Machel fan when I was at a Steel Pulse concert and saw him performing with Panasonic express. This is when I was drawn to Machel’s talent and versatility. Nobody moves a crowd and does it best like Machel Montano. If I should decide to be on the other side of the fence as a patron his music and performance definitely moves me.

4. What would you say to a young person starting out who wants to pursue a career in deejaying?

Learn your craft well, love what you do, don’t do it for the wrong reasons or to be popular. Do it because you love it and you have a passion for it, do it because it draws you in. Be humble, and be open to taking suggestions, good and bad advice. Don’t play for yourself, play for the majority and learn your crowd because your crowd can change so learn how to read the crowd. It's not all about your skills, networking, humility, and personality go a long way, there are those who because of their humility would get ahead just because of their attitude.

5. What sets you apart from other DJs? What makes you successful?

Part of what I just said, again, being humble in spite of what I’ve accomplished. Being mindful of the fact that this can end any day. What I've learned is that I give my all regardless of where I am. The same way I play for 10 people is the same way I’d play for 1000. Both Rupee and Machel come to mind. I have seen them both perform with the same level of energy and enthusiasm in their performances regardless of how many fans were there. Being in touch with your fan base, every night will be different, feeling out your crowd and knowing who is there for you to play for. The minute you start playing for yourself or competing with other DJs, you are missing the point. I play for the people.

6. What's your favorite childhood memory?

Ha ha…I have so many…hmmmm….I'd say I had a great childhood and its hard for me to settle on just one memory.

7. If you could meet any person dead or alive who would it be and why?

I've always said that if there was anybody I would like to meet and I'm going way out there, I would love to sit down for a day, maybe even 2 or 3 and listen to Nelson Mandela tell me about his life. I saw how after having been imprisoned for so long and being under Apartheid law, he held no hatred and malice in his heart. I really admire that. He is a strong and truly admirable man, it would be an honor to meet him.

8. What's your greatest fear?

Failure. Believe it or not as successful as I have been in the past couple of years in terms of me doing events, I am always nervous about the outcome. Because of that fear I work harder at overcoming that fear and pushing for a successful event.

9. How do you spend your free time, if you do have any?

Very quietly. Quiet and peace are a rare luxury for me so I try to make the most of my quiet down time.

10. What legacy would you like to pass on to the future generation?

I would like it to be said that Back to Basics was one of the best DJs and that he made people happy whenever he played music. I want that when people hear me play, even if its for the couple of hours that they are in the party that my music can help transport them away from their worries and troubles. I want to be remembered as a good clean-hearted person that contributed nothing but positivity, and had a positive impact to people’s lives.

11. Boxers or briefs?

Both, depends on the mood and the level of sexiness.

Thank you so much to Back to Basics for taking the time to allow me and YOU to find out a bit more about yourself. I really enjoyed getting to know you and wish you continued success.

Why I started blogging...

 
To be quite honest, I really had no clue what blogging means, and I still really don't. Maybe I should look it up 

since if I call myself something, I should at least know what it means.

Last night someone asked me why I decided to start a blog. Now I don't know what a blog is but what I do 

know is why I want to blog. I've had people tell me I'm too overanalytical, I think too much, why can't I just 

relax and stop thinking so much. I thus concluded that thinking too much had to be a negative thing so I would 

bury myself in activities to calm my "overactive" mind. People who know me know I am always on the go, 

always here, there and everywhere, always up to something. Growing up I always had friends over, where I 

lived on Woodford Street was a hub mainly because of the accessibility of this location to Coconuts, Queens 

Park Savannah and the Stadium, all popular party and concert locations for teenagers in my hayday. I thought 

this would help me run away from my thoughts. I guess a line in Bob Marley's song "Running Away" has always 

stuck in my head "Yuh running and yuh running and yuh running away but yuh cah run away from yourself". 

That's the Trini dialect version lol. But seriously I always had something to do to keep my mind from thinking. 

So lo and behold my son moved back to Trinidad and now I have so much free time I don't know what to do 

with myself. I ran and ran but guess what my mind has finally caught up to me. There's only so far that a 

person can possibly run and not collapse in exhaustion. So after years of constantly being surrounded by 

people and activities, I was forced into a situation where I had no choice but to be alone. I realized that I was 

spinning top in mud as they put it. I had to figure out what my next move was going to be, how I would move 

forward from where I was stuck. 

As a parent, most times we neglect ourselves, our desires, our lives for the sake of our kids. This is what any 

good parent tends to do. But we also need nurturing so we can replenish ourselves and have the strength to 

give to our kids who are ever dependent on us for their survival and growth. 

That's what I had done for the past 3 years that I had been raising Ezekiel basically as a single parent because 

his dad and all of my family live in Trinidad. So now that he lives with his dad, I actually have time, something 

I had forgotten existed. I have had to make some tough decisions in my life, sending him to live with his dad 

being a major one, but that's a story for a whole other blog wink wink. 

The other tough choice I had to make which also coincided with his return home was to let go of the people 

and things in my life that were holding me back, that weren't allowing or rather encouraging me to grow and 

blossom. So I asked for the strength and clarity of mind in making the decisions that I always knew deep down 

inside I had to make. 

And the funny thing is once I made the decision it is as if a path cleared and all of a sudden opportunities 

came my way that I wouldn't have dreamed possible, my creative juices started flowing, I discovered what I 

enjoy doing, what I'm good at, what I believe is a part of my destiny and self actualization. 

Sometimes we need to let go of the old to make room for the new. Its impossible to cram the new into a space 

that is cluttered and crowded with the old. 

So I let go...and I opened my mind, heart and soul to ushering in the new. And it has been such a wonderful 

experience. The people I now choose to have in my life are all positive, uplifting, motivating, and add to the 

richness of my life. I am truly blessed to call them my friends. 

So back to the topic at hand, yes my mind is overthinking lol. In this world where there is so much negativity 

and things that get us down, I decided to use my blog as a way to talk about what is good, pure and positive 

in the world. So I choose to use this forum in addition to sharing insight into my mind, as a means to feature 

some of the people that I truly admire for their talent and strength of character. 

In this world where technology has begun to replace human interaction we now live as separate individuals 

rather than a race united by the common thread of humanity. My blog also seeks to show how much 

more we actually have in common with each other as human beings. 

Very often the interaction we have with people is so limited that we have many misconceptions about those around us. 

I know this from personal experience where I myself have been judged solely on bits and pieces of what people see 

of me. Through my " Up close and personal series ", I've been really getting to know people on a level that I would have 

never known had I not taken the time to find out about who they really are. 

And sometimes that's all we have to do, stop for a minute and just take the time to get to know and experience 

people below the surface and you will be pleasantly surprised at what you will find. 

A Shade of her own, up close and personal with Simone Arthur

 

From the moment you meet Simone, you can't help but fall in love with her warm smile and easy going demeanor. Her commanding presence, partly due to her height (yes she is a bess "tallest" as we Trinis would say) and her engaging personality have made her one of Brooklyn's memorable partygoers and event planners. I took some time to get to really know Simone, what moves and inspires her, and here's what I learned:

1. What inspired you to start promoting events?

Hmmmm, I would say partying with my mom from a young age, and 

from being in the limelight. I have always made friends easily. I 

decided to take the step and try something on my own after several 

years of partying and networking. My first venture was having a 

costume section "Dons and Divas" in the popular Big and Strong 

promotions Miami Carnival band “Yellow River”. This, I would say, 

was the official launch of the name "Shades of Ebony". This was 

the first step in getting the name "Shades of Ebony" out there. My 

first party was Genesis, the beginning part 1. Of course the name  

Genesis signals the beginning. "Shades of Ebony" annual events 

include Genesis, Rapture, and for the first time this year Velvet. 

 

2. What impression would you like "Shades of Ebony" events to leave on 

its patrons?

I definitely want people to leave with a big smile on their faces and a 

sense of anticipation for the next upcoming event.

3. What skills or talents do you need to run a successful event planning 

business?

First and foremost, love and passion for planning events. You should 

be personable, friendly, and able to network with all walks of life.

4. What are some of the challenges that you face as a female event 

planner in NY?

Staying ahead of the competition is definitely a challenge. Also, being 

able to juggle the traditional other roles in my life – mother, student, 

employee. But at the end of the day I don’t mind doing events because  

I thoroughly enjoy doing it.  

5. Where would you like to see "Shades of Ebony" in the next 5 years? 

My long term goals include being able to provide event planning services 

for other clients based on a proven track record over the years and possibly 

broaden my reach to outside of the Caribbean community.

6. What is your favorite color and why? 

Hot pink cause its just sexy.
 
 

7. What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? 

I don’t believe that anyone would be surprised by anything that I do.

8. What is your greatest accomplishment to date? 

I think I've done a great job in raising my son and bringing him up 

successfully to his teenage years and he is doing well. 

I am really proud of him.

9. If you could be any character in fiction who would you be and why? 

Superwoman because I want to be able to do everything, to help 

everybody. If I have the superpower of being invincible, then I  could 

be here, there and everywhere, helping everyone.  

 

10. If someone could look up your name in a dictionary, what description 

would you like to see next to it? 

Ha boy...“A bundle of joy”

11. Favorite movie and why? 

“Pretty woman” is definitely my favorite. The scene I like best in 

this movie is when they were laying in bed and she (Julia Roberts) 

finally kissed him and broke one of her established rules.

I'd like to thank Simone for taking the time for me and YOU to 

get to know her up close and personal. Wishing you and "Shades of Ebony"  

all the best in your future endeavors and I know this is only the beginning of great things 

to come.

What's LOVE got to do with it?

 

So I am officially single and loving it, or so I've managed to convince myself. 

Gone are the days of wanting, yearning, needing to have a man in my life. 
 
Recently I had a revelation. I decided that in order to survive the dating game, I'm going 

to have to switch the script a bit and take on a brand new role because I don't want to be 

the one who keeps on getting the raw end of the deal. In other words I don't want to be hurt 

anymore. I can't survive going through another let down and still continue to have faith in love 

and romance. So my brand new stance is I'm not into relationships, let's keep it nice and 

casual aka no strings attached. That way there's no room left for disappointments and ultimately 

hurt, which we know we all seek so hard to avoid at all costs. 
 
I've mentally created a list of 10 commandments for dating with NO STRINGS 

ATTACHED as a part of this new "dating" modus operandi:
 
1. Thou shalt not cuddle after intimacy. 
 
2. Thou shalt not spend the night after intimacy. And if by chance both parties happen to 

fall asleep, either immediately vacate the premises upon waking in the wee hours of the 

morning or sleep on the designated side of the bed, without touching unless it is for a 

second round of great sex. There shall be absolutely no breakfast in bed or spending the 

entire day cuddling with each other.
 
3. Thou shalt remove all of one's personal belongings after visit. Toothbrushes, socks, 

underwear etc are not to be left at either party's place of residence.
 
4. Thou shalt greet each other casually if both parties do encounter each other in 

public places. There is no liming, hanging out, chilling or partying together. And 

absolutely  no public displays of affection. A simple nod of acknowledgment will suffice.
 
5. Thou shalt not kiss each other tenderly or whisper sweet nothings during intimacy. 

And by no means address each other by name. Terms such as baby, dahlin, sweetheart 

or lover will suffice. 
 
6. Thou shalt not have late night conversations on the telephone getting to know each other. 

Actually phone calls are necessary only in cases of life or death. For a no strings 

attached relationship texting, bbm, facebook and email will suffice. And even these 

should be kept to a bare minimal. 
 
7. Thou shalt discuss other persons of interest. This is also known as keeping it real. 

This way both parties aren't under the impression that there's any level of exclusivity in 

the relationship. 
 
8. Thou shalt not under any conditions begin developing feelings for each other. The 

 moment either party feels the onset of feelings other than sexual attraction, this party 

needs to immediately pull away from the other thus ending the relationship.
 
9. Thou shalt not make this relationship known to anyone other than the parties involved. 

This is also known as keeping it on the down low. Both parties must maintain the appearance 

of being single, free and happily disengaged.
 
10. Thou shalt not use the dreaded L word. That word does not exist in the vocabulary of a no 

strings attached relationship.
 

Since I've put this plan of action into effect, I was also given a brand new title 
"Gangstaaaaaaaaa" and I'm learning how to wear that title well. Until the man comes along 
who shows me and proves to me that he's ready for more than a no strings attached 
relationship I guess I'm a ganstaaaaaaaa for life. 

My BLACK is your BLACK is our BLACK

In keeping with Black History Month, I decided to focus on how we as people of color view ourselves and what we use to identify and define ourselves. 

Below are snippets of how we define our BLACKNESS, our world view as people of color:

“My Blackness is My Everything.

My Blackness is DOING when they said I couldn’t.

My Blackness is making Ripples in stagnant water.

My Blackness is laughing when I ought to Cry.

My Blackness is Loving Hard and Living Long.

My Blackness is Me Standing out in an Non Black Crowd, and enjoying every eyeball on me.

It is Me making a point if “they” can do it I can do it and even better.

Why? Just because it not what’s expected of Me and My Blackness.

I truly hope to utilize my “Blackness” to make a difference in this world.

Life is Sweet in my Beautiful Blackness and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I am/ We are proof that We (People of Color) can do and survive ANYTHING!!!, Simone “Shades of Ebony”

"My BLACKNESS is STRONG, SURVIVING, THRIVING, BEING.

My BLACKNESS is MY TRUTH DAILY

My BLACKNESS is CLASSY WITH A LIL SASSY

My BLACKNESS is RAISING EDUCATED MEN- CHILDREN FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION.

My BLACKNESS is LEARNING TO SHINE DURING MY DARKEST HOUR.

My BLACKNESS is NOT ALLOWING  SOCIETY TO CONTROL ME ANY MORE.

My BLACKNESS is LEARNING TO FORGIVE AND MOVE FORTH.

I  AM PROUD OF MY BLACKNESS BECAUSE MY ANCESTORS THAT CAME BEFORE ME EMBRACED THEIR BLACKNESS. My BLACKNESS is ACCEPTING WE COME IN MANY SHADES.", Natashia

"My blackness is seeking out positive energy in a world that is so negatively charged.
My blackness is embracing a skin color that both intimidates and motivates simultaneously.
My blackness is not letting the mistakes or shortcomings of my race define who I am or hope to become.
My blackness is waking up and taking a minute to breathe and savor the taste of the strength it takes to face a smiling crowd all waiting and hoping for me to fall.
I am a strong willed, strong minded beautiful creation and take pride in knowing the one thing that no one can take away from me is my blackness…", Lisa

My BLACKNESS is street smarts - education beyond what was taught in school!
My BLACKNESS is being a baby momma and yet still being a wife!
My BLACKNESS is my sassy attitude! Because no matter how right I am, the fact that I am black and what I'm saying, classes me as "the black chick!"
My BLACKNESS is being able to handle kink in my hair and make it look beautiful. :)
My BLACKNESS is fabulous.
My BLACKNESS is intelligence.
My BLACKNESS is faith.
My BLACKNESS is forgiveness.
My BLACKNESS is tenacity.
My BLACKNESS is resilience.
My BLACKNESS is REAL!, JAY BLESSED 

"My BLACKNESS is defined by the STRENGTH of my past and the POWER of my future. The blood, sweat, and faith of our ancestors allow me ALL of the opportunities available to me today. What a privilege it is to be a Black Woman! I appreciate the freedom to be whomever I CHOOSE to be and exactly who God NEEDS me to be. My BLACKNESS is to be a daughter, sister, niece, aunt, mother, and friend to everyone in my life. Uplifting the community by being a positive influence to young people and using my strength and love to empower our Black Men. I encourage them to be the men we need them to be. Our family is so important, it is our ROCKE. (as in it is ROCK and ROCKE cause you are a product of it)",  Denise Nicole Rocke

"My Blackness is love.

My Blackness is choosing who and what I allow into my life.

My Blackness is understanding and knowing my purpose.

My Blackness is knowing that I am unique, and being happy with myself.

My Blackness is embodying a  positive, strong and beautiful woman that my Daughter can emulate.

My Blackness is accepting that life can be difficult at times, but each day presents an opportunity for a new beginning.

My Blackness is forgiving myself for past failures and mistakes without hoping that the past was different.

My Blackness is being real.", Michelle

My Blackness is welcoming, being able to accept me for who I am. My Blackness is education, keeping it real and being real. My Blackness is being able to take all my hair off and still being able to say "yes" I am a Beautiful Black woman of God.

My Blackness is being spiritual and learning more about who I am and where I came from. My Blackness is saying thank you for my Ancestors the ones who paved the way for me and millions of Black people of today and tomorrow. My Blackness is "FOREVER".......Bernie

 

Our Deepest Fear

For the longest while I was hiding. I was very shy growing up, yes surprising but true to those who know me today. I still am actually very shy, it’s who I am and it probably is who I always will be. I don't know if she remembers telling me this in Form 1 but Keisha Kong, I do remember. You mentioned a quote that said "The bold will rule the world", or at least that's how I recall it lol after 20 + years and a couple of "buds" in between. That quote has stuck in my head ever since, and it’s a constant reminder that sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone and boldly face the world, grabbing up all that life has to offer.

One of the most important lessons that I have learned from my family is how to remain grounded and humble. I remember my mom always saying that the same way she treats the Chairman of the company is the same way she treats the janitor. For most of my teenage and adult life I swallowed this message but I didn't fully digest it. I shied away from attention and praise because I feared becoming vain and conceited. I focused on staying, hiding actually in the background because I wanted to be humble. I made strides but I never applauded myself because I didn't want to be considered to be full of myself. I didn't let my light shine in its entirety because I didn't want to show anyone else up. Then my aunt Cherry said to me one day last year "Anika, God made you pretty so you would get noticed so you can make a difference". I had always downplayed being beautiful on the outside because I always thought it was far more important to be beautiful on the inside. And I still feel that way but its a joy when you do meet someone who has beauty, brains, and is a blessing to be around. And I have met so many persons who fall into that category so I know now that a person's outer appearance doesn't define who they are on the inside. And on a side note my definition of beauty doesn't only encompass the conventional world view of who is or isn't beautiful. My definition by far surpasses the limitation of convention. Beauty comes in such a wide range of packages that it’s virtually impossible to put set labels on it.

I've met people who have said to me that they thought I was stuck up, that I was probably full of myself and that I look mean, all based on how I look. I even had a guy I was going out with say "You know you are smarter than you look, I thought you didn't have much up there". It really hit me when a used to be close friend said that she thought I didn't want to be her friend because she doesn't party. It struck me that she really didn't know who I am and that she had placed me into a category based on how I looked on the outside.

I've come a long way in learning to embrace my beauty, INNER and OUTER, and not being afraid to let my light shine. I've learned that the people whose opinions do matter are those who take the time to actually look below the surface to the beautiful person within. And I've also learned to graciously accept compliments based on how I look, because absolutely nothing is wrong with being a beautiful person, on the inside and out.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”  by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles