The Journey to Me

I love the beginning of the New Year! It is a fresh start, a do-over. Give yourself this gift: the privilege of embracing your fresh start with a fresh outlook and fresh ideas. While thinking about this fresh start, I am reminded of certain super heroes and their superpowers: Captain America, the Flash, Ironman. It always seems that right at the 12th hour, the main character in the story gets a do-over. Just when everyone counted them out they rise to the occasion! So in this story of your life, you may not know what the next chapter may bring, but one thing you do know--YOU ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER of this production. 2016 was relentless. There were so many we had to say goodbye to, and there are quite a few new people and situations that we have to embrace. If you had known or if you had the opportunity to pre-read the plot of 2016, I am sure you would have… held them closer, removed it or them earlier, and/or committed to your purpose with greater passion. Most importantly, yo...

CELEBRATE THE WINS!   What does that mean exactly? It means YOU must take the time to celebrate you! 2016 is almost over and some can’t wait! We already hear ... *  I'm moving on and moving up! *  It’s time for my greater! *  2017 is my next! *  New adventures, greater connections! *  Adding in new networks and cutting out some fake friends! WAIT!!! PAUSE!!! STOP!!! BREATH!!!! Many of these statements may very well be true, but 2016 is still here, right? I would say stop and smell the roses, but it is the first day of winter and the buds are gone; but even the thorns are reminders of the beauty that was once there. Being the consummate overachieving, goal oriented, type-A personality that I am, I was recently challenged to do just this. Stop and Celebrate my Wins!  This year I did have quite a few “wins”, I just had to stop focusing on the thorns. In 2016, I met and made some wonderful friends through various social ...

What is this? Enough to make it through each day – nothing more and nothing less. What is this? It can’t be hoarded or saved, so it does no good to worry about the next day. What is this? It is Manna, and the Hebrew word for manna means, “What is it?” It was the heavenly provision sent to the children of Israel while they wandered in their wilderness. Manna offers us an example of how we are supposed to face each day. When we ask God “what is it?”, this is a powerful and liberating question. Not why is this, but what is this? What is this to teach me? What is this to develop in me? What IS This? Have you learned to ask God to show you YOUR manna? Often the manna God provides is something so small that we would have missed it if we hadn’t been looking. So, how do we identify and learn the purpose of our manna? We do so by embracing our Now, and living in the present moment! And that is the challenge isn’t it? Because living in the NOW is a discipline, and we...

This Wake Up call is NOT to everyone.  This Wake Up message is to all the Boomers and the Busters!  Those of us born between 1946 and 1964 ... yep that includes me.  And many of you! Wake up!  NOW is the time of Generation X, Y and Generation Z, as they are now the leaders and the influencers of these Millennials.    Wake up! Our generation did not have the various mediums to voice our frustrations, view the many social obstacles, or IG/tweet/snapchat about the various injustices like Generations X, Y and Z .... and now the Millennials! Now is the time (Boomers and Busters) for us to Wake Up and pay attention to their message. Do they need us to speak up for them? No, they know how to speak up and they are doing that very well. But they do need us to show up, pay up and "stand up" for their right to be heard! In late 2014, Shalaila Moore-Daniel read an article about a gentleman by the name of Kirk Odom. She was absolutely floored ...

"Daddy's Girl"   The first time someone referred to me by that name I kinda got upset. I knew they were calling me a spoiled little Princess. Well yeah! I am the daughter of a King! When a daughter is brought into this world, the father's life changes forever. After only a few minutes in his arms, a deep, loving bond is formed. He knows he will spend the rest of his life loving her more and more every day. The sole purpose of a father is to teach his daughter about unconditional love. It is in the eyes of her father that a daughter sees her beauty and her worth! It’s his love that will sets the template for what she expects from men. Here are some of the things a guy should know when they are fortunate enough to have a Daddy's Girl! 1. A Daddy’s girl has learned how to be treated by a man . If there is one thing her father taught her from the moment she was born, it’s how to be treated by other men. If you mistreat her, watch out. She will kick you to the c...

Mom, it has been 15 years since you passed on to glory, and this year it feels like yesterday.  I still reach for the phone to call you about a new restaurant, a new outfit, and your new great-granddaughters. This world is so different now.  Of the many things I miss,  your counsel is at the top.  There is so much rage in the hearts of people. As a nurse, you worked for over 30 years in the mental health profession.  I remember you often said, if the government did not address mental health in America we be looking at a total breakdown of society.  Mom, we have mass killings in movie theaters, nightclubs, and even elementary schools.  The first question asked, “Was it a hate crime?” Well it wasn't love! This world is so different now.  There is this thing the young women are always talking about: Haters/Hating.  I don't understand it; I didn't grow up seeing this.  I remember Aunt Martha, Mrs.Snow, Mrs. Ivey, and your friend of o...

Growing up in California I, like many others, are  familiar with the uniqueness of the four seasons: Winter, Spring Summer and fire ! (It’s a Cali thing). These fires begin one of two ways, natural (lighting strike or heat) or man (arson or a Controlled Burn ).  What is a controlled burn/fire? A Controlled Burning (also called Prescribed Burning) is considered by foresters as an important and ‘cheap management tool to manage’ for rangelands. The fire is able to "clean" the pastures, removing ungrazed grass, a part of the litter and controlling the density of woody plants (trees & vegetation).   One forester site described why they do it this way:   WE USE PRESCRIBED BURNS TO CLEAR INVADERS AND RESTORE LAND (Why does that sound familiar) In light of the recent news events… dare ask me which ones, too many! … I submit, HATE is a FIRE that has  NEVER been harnessed or controlled, yet so many have tried. *  Whites hate Bla...