There is Light at the End…..

Dear readers,

I’ve with stood many years of towing the line so to speak. I worked my way through college with this grand idea that a college education would net me a job, not a career path, but a job paying me loads of money. Great dream if we lived in a perfect world. My life didn’t turn out the way that I had planned. For years, I toiled trying to climb up the “ladder” of success. I arrived to work early, stayed late, came in on my day off, and performed tasks that no one would do because they said, “its wasn’t within their job description.” Time and time again I didn’t get the promotion that I worked to obtain. When I questioned those, in position to help me to upgrade my position, I was told that I didn’t meet the education or experience requirement. Nonetheless, I pushed harder to be noticed with no success. I spent years being angry because I felt that “they “won’t give me a chance, “they “were holding me back, “they “were evil…. the thoughts in my head went on and on and on. The road to finding my true purpose began two years ago with a simple Valentine’s Day Facebook posting, that led to my first blog.  With each post, something amazing started happening I found my voice. Not my speaking voice, the voice of my pen. While on a two-year journey, of rediscovery It turns out that my calling is to become an English professor, playwright, author, mentor and motivational speaker. I am amazed, and at times speechless. I wrote an award-winning play, a first-time author, and on the career path to becoming a college professor. A few years before these changes happened I felt hopeless, and too old to reinvent myself.  Now, I face each day with the happiness of knowing that I have more than a job or career, I have purpose.  Thank you for listening.

Awareness

Dear readers,

I shall never be weary of saying how thankful I am for the daily blessings of life. When I find myself thinking about the things I don’t have; I take a deep breath look around me and bring my awareness back to the reality that my life is WONDERFUL.

What Say you?

Let’s be Friends

Dear readers,

Think about this. That very person or persons that you”v been through thick and thin, birthdays, weddings, babies, death, laughter, borrowed the car, slept in their house, deep connection with family. But, there will be one occasion that the so-called FRIEND will show you that you were just a means to an end. This is a painful lesson.

WHAT SAY YOU?

Living

 

Dear readers,

I am deeply humbled by the simplicity of this wonderful day. Each day I experience what it means to “live in the moment.”  Not worrying or planning for the next hour, day or week. Allowing myself to enjoy the moment of peace, pleasure, laughter, and even tears. It is in that moment that I feel peaceful, happy, and unburdened by the struggles of life.

Do not get lost in the dark, but be a light to others so that they may find their way through us. ~ Brenda Marshall

What Say you?

 

“To Every Thing there is a Season”-Ecc 3:1

Dear readers,

Spring Break takes on various meanings depending on who you ask. For Educators and students, it’s a much-needed break before the state exams. For some families, it’s time spent sitting at the Easter and Passover dinner table. For me it’s all the above and more. Spring break is a time of slowing down, and restoration. A time to stop and inhale the newness of nature, and to start planning for summer vacation, and all the other things that entering a period of slowing allows us to do. So, this week of Spring Break, I am grateful for peaceful mornings, a shorter work week, warmer weather, and with the blooming of fresh flowers, the universe has blessed me with a new friend.  And for this I am Immensely humbled.

What Say You?

Judging the book by its color

Dear readers,

There are many misconceptions that are vocalized about black men, some of these myths come directly from black people themselves. We are told that black men don’t take care of their children, are drug dealers, and thugs. They lack ambition, cheap, financially bankrupt, don’t love sistahs, dishonest, thieves, murders, uneducated, loser, and project rats. They are on the down low, cheaters, and are still slaves to the white man. What say you about these educated, well read, self-motived, demonstrating proper etiquette young black men? I happened upon them looking through the carts of free books at BMCC. No one bribed them or promised them a reward for expanding their knowledge by reading. Take a good look at these black men. They are the next generation of Doctors, Layers, Scientist, Congressmen, Mayor, Governor, Educators, and Business men. Before lumping all black men in a barrel take a good look around, you might be amazed at what you see. I was.

What say you?

The voice of the Future

Gratitude

Dear readers. Never take the roof over your head, the food on your table and that warm bed your sleeping in tonight for granted. Life can change at a moments notices. Be thankful for all you have.

What say you?

Reality Check

Dear readers,

Lately, I’ve called attention to people’s mannerism or lack thereof, and the words that we use or have taken out of our vocabulary. My parents raised me and my siblings to see the good in people, to share, be kind, and if we didn’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.  I know that their instructions were given with love and for intention, to see their children mature into caring adults. However, they were raised during an era when people had different values, and family and community was a very important part of everyday life.

Fast-forward………. Today most people don’t think in terms of what’s good for their community or family. It is difficult for me to come to terms with the truth that are “Self-thinking.” And that Self-centered people don’t have any sentiments about the impact that their negative, selfish, and arrogance have on others. Recently, my blinders were unkindly ripped from my eye, to my astonishment I’ve been living in denial. Let the truth be told, people have become cold and malicious, I regret that there is no “Nice” way to say this. I’ve spent too much time making excuses for people who aren’t “good.” I’ve gave freely of my time to people who didn’t deserve it.  My time would have been better spent volunteering at an animal shelter. First, for my love of cats and dogs, second, they are deserving of the love and the time I give to them.

Now, the last part of my parent advice, “say something nice” I’m happy that I no longer exist in denial, and that the blinders are off, it never too late to learn. I intend to be on my guard, I will ask questions, no longer will I give freely of my time, and finally, everyone who smiles or calls me friend don’t necessarily have good intentions.

What say you.