Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Yesterday...

How did you spend yesterday? Did you do anything to commemorate Dr. King's Birthday?
Last evening, I watched some very moving and educating documentaries on PBS. (Check out PBS.org)

The documentaries were so moving. It contained things that I learned before and already knew about; nonetheless, it was very thought provoking and stirred in me, the need to be more vocal in my community; in my life in general.

What can we learn from yesterday? What can we learn from those who have gone before us? Who have prepared the way, so that we can partake in the liberties that we have right now?
We cannot afford to rest upon our laurels; or to rest upon what our forefathers have done. Because if we do, then we are being selfish, and cheating our children--the next generation--out of the knowledge and opportunity to grow and be effective.

We have to embrace yesterday. Take its lessons and teach the next generation what fighting for equality, AND the quality of life, is really all about.

Yesterday...It defines today, and perpetuates your tomorrow.

Monday, January 15, 2007

See Within Yourself...

Within us lies so much. Things we probably don't realize exist. There are some of us that experience great joy. Awesome happiness. And, unforgettable love. There is also within us, much hurt, pain, sadness, regrets, etc.

Often times, we walk around trying to evade what is going on within ourselves. Because it might just be too painful to deal with. But the more we try to run from it, the more we hurt. It is time for us to look within ourselves, and deal with our issues.

There is no more time to run and hide...life is too short. We must begin to look within, and take stock of what is going on, so we may deal with it. We will never be free from what hurts us, if we do not face it, confront it, deal with it, then destroy it. The more we bury it, the bigger it gets.

God does not want us filled with so much pain and hurt. He does not want us to be constantly suffering and hiding. He wants us to be free. To enjoy the life He has destined for us. In order to do this, we must begin to see withiin ourselves, and take inventory of what's really going on.

Take a look inside...don't you think you're worth it?

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Give It Up...

Whatever it is today, that you just cannot handle...give it up! Whatever has been holding you down and giving you pain...Give it up! Life is too short to continue to have so many regrets and problems.

What would happen? Really. What would happen, if just for one day you gave up the battle of trying to figure out how to fix that problem or solve that solution?

I encourage you...Give it up! At least for today. Take a breather. Go do something that will bring you some joy and pleasure. It might suprise you, what will happen if you did.

Go ahead...that's right...Give it Up!

Saturday, January 13, 2007

You Just Don't Know...You Are Beautiful!

The other day, I went shopping for a few things. As I was waiting for the bus, I began singing worship songs. I really didn't care who heard me...It wasn't for them anyway. So, there I am, standing in this small alcove with about seven people or so, and I notice this young woman walking towards us.

What made me notice her, was the fact that she was speaking out loud to herself, and cursing like a dirty sailor. I continued singing, but I couldn't remove my eyes from her...there was something about her. She was dressed as though she came from an interview. The closer she got, the louder she got. She was walking fast, shaking her head. When she got in front of me, I heard her say something so painful and disheartening: "I hate this s***! I can't stand it no more! I'm just so f****** ugly! I'm too ugly to live!"

My mouth flew open in disbelief. I turned around to see if everyone else heard what I heard. Everyone else was just standing there, not suprised. As if this happened everyday. I stepped forward out of the alcove to see where she was. She was walking so fast, I couldn't catch her, so I immediately started praying.

My heart went out to her. I don't know what her life is like, or what her experiences have been, but she was beautiful to me. It pained my heart to hear that. Because I hear it quite a bit. I have worked with many young people, adults, and even the elderly. And, it suprises me still, to see how many people do not love themselves. Let alone, like themselves. I'm not just talking about females, either. But males, as well.

We are living in such a vain world, that capitalizes on a person's looks. And, we are so driven to look like the people that seem to be getting the most attention. We aspire to look like the "beautiful" people, not seeing or believing our own beauty. We fight to be, and secretly wish to be one of the popular ones. Believing this would give us a chance in life.

Well, the truth is, we all have a chance in life. Whether we believe it or not. We all have in us the opportunity to either live life, or let life pass us by; always standing on the sidelines, waiting for some momentous thing to occur.

Who defines beauty for you? What defines beauty for you? Beauty begins within. And, no matter how popular you are, how many changes you make to the outside, you will never be satisfied, if inside you are not happy with yourself, and can appreciate who God created you to be.

I bet there are many popular, "beautiful" people who are miserable inside. But no one really knows that, because they are too focused on that person's outside appearance. I was fairly popular in school. I had a lot of friends; I could make friends easily. But, I was miserable on the inside. Because I was always comparing myself to some one else. I had a weight problem, and I felt I was ugly. I hated myself. But, many of my friends didn't know that. Even when I got to college. Do you know, I would coach other people on how to be out-going and self-loving, while I couldn't do that for myself? Well, of course you didn't know that! But, what I'm saying is, many people you see that seem so happy and have everything together, just may be miserable on the inside.

We are a peculiar species. Never realizing that the true secret to beauty, and happiness, lies within our selves. We have the ability, and capacity to live the kind of life that is fulfilling and exciting. If we would just recognize, that within every person, there is greatness, beauty, love, life. We don't have to hold ourselves to false standards, and false impressions. All we have to do, is begin to love the skin we are in. And, everything else will fall into place.

Maybe no one has ever told you, so I will: You just don't know, YOU are beautiful!

Be Blessed, Beautiful.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Don't Give Up...Get What's Yours!

Wow, it 's really 2007! Happy New Year!

Well, I've been away for a while. Packing, moving, unpacking, shopping for furnishings, and all that other good stuff. I am grateful to the Lord for another year. And, I am anticipating great things...And so should you.

When I started this blog, it was with the intentions of really wanting to know where people were hurting. Not to purvey into people's personal lives...But to be an ear and a source of encouragement.

We all have made our new years resolutions. I hope for many, that one was to be more compassionate and loving to those in need.

This new year brought some bad news for me...A friend committed suicide. She was filled with so much hurt and pain and despair. No one knows a person's breaking point. No one may really understand why a person takes their own life. Even when they leave a note. My friend did not.

There is nothing that I can do for her now, physically. But, I can be there for those she left behind, and honor her memory through helping someone else, who may be on the brink of despair. Her death has caused me to see, even more so, just how fragile life is; and how we should never take for granted the life that God has given us.

We may not like the way life is treating us, but I encourage us to seek for more by being more. Learn to love, learn to laugh, learn to not sweat the small things. And, if by chance you can't see your way out, seek out help and never stop praying, because God is listening. Don't give up on your dreams. Never give up on yourself. Be encouraged that you were blessed with another day to triumph over what happened yesterday.

You are loved. You are wanted. You are needed. And, it will get better. Be blessed this year, and get what's yours!

Be Blessed