SHE

My Nana was everything to me.  I adored her. She couldn’t move without me. Where she went, I went.  She was the first black woman to purchase a home on her block and with only an elementary school education, she paid off her mortgage in three years. She was everything to everybody. Strict but always smiling, always hopeful. 

On her sick bed, I selfishly asked, “How am I going to make it without you?”  She said “Child within you is everything you need for your own miracle.” We are women; made with God’s divine brilliance.  

She continued:  “With pride, women stroll through life learning what she needs, and what she is to discard.  She is ready to discipline you when necessary and comfort you when needed. She is that sweet smelling savor, that soothes and calms you when you are in her presence. She wears her smile as an invitation to her goodness that she’ll share with you; IF you are worthy.

God’s amazing creation from man for man. She has wealth in her being and talent in her knowing. 

With precision and control she selects her words, that will enlighten, empower, encourage, or cut...  

Women are the spirited strength of the family, armed with wisdom and love.   A winner every time because nothing can take her power. It’s her choice to give it away, and to whom.

So, to my dear daughter, understand that women are the most exquisite being God created and you are her offspring. You are all that she is and more. When life gets more complicated and times change, use all the tools you inherited. You have God’s full armor hidden behind your beauty. 

Move into your greatest, inspiring generations to come. 

And every day affirm; “I am here. Created by God with a purpose.  Today my purpose is -__”

Speak up! Speak Out! Find your voice

So often we sit in silence when things are happening all around us.  We allow people to say and do things to us and we don’t interrupt it.  We allow others to speak for us but we don’t speak for ourselves. 

Why is that?

Is it out of respect? Is it fear?  Is it lack of confidence in yourself?  Are you unable to clearly express your thoughts?  Is it fear of someone’s reaction to what you have to say? Is it that you are not versed on the subject and are afraid to ask a question? Are you afraid of conflict?

Not everyone carries this burden.  There are some that speak up too much.  Nevertheless, to those who have had this struggle with your voice or who are still struggling now; Now is the time to SPEAK UP! 

Engage in conversations freely. Don’t expect people to agree and don’t worry about conflict. As long as you respectful express your opinion it doesn’t matter if it’s in opposition. It’s yours to share. 

You see, if you don’t speak up now, you train people not to listen to you.  Then when you finally fight through the fear and express your ideas and concerns, you may find that people are not listening to you because you never had any input before.  They may disregard or devalue what you say or just ignore you. And sometimes this stigma follows you. 

We tend to use the word “shy” to describe us.  Actually, the meaning of the word may fit but we lean on it and use it as a crutch and a validation to sit quiet, not participate in conversation, or not to voice our true opinion. 

Holding it in doesn’t only deprive you of your voice but it might be a missed opportunity to encourage someone else who’s reluctant to speak up. 

So, I say SPEAK UP! I can’t tell you what to say but say it!  Whatever’s in your heart, your mind, your soul. Get it out, respectfully.  Everyone has a voice and everyone’s voice is important.  Use yours. 

Add to the conversation.  Share your knowledge. Keep the conversation going.  You never know who may need your advice, opinion, or insight.  Trust yourself.  Silence is not always golden.   Speak Up!

My Two Cents.

Wow.  It is so quiet and peaceful out tonight. The weather is unusually warm.  Yet the air is tense. Like something is about to move, to shift, to erupt. 

It’s election night. How did we get here?  Two totally different candidates.  Opposites in every way. 

I don’t care about parties.  I don’t care if you’re democratic or republican or independent.  I don’t know why we must have these groups.  It’s a false feeling of teams going against each other.  But we are not teams.  Everyone doesn’t know each other. 

If you are on a basketball team you know who your teammate is.  You learn with them and work together.  On a swim team the same thing. Baseball, soccer, gymnastics, you build a comaraderie. You win together, and you lose together. You support each other but if you lose, you shake your opponent’s hand and you try again next time. Simple. 

That’s not what our political parties are. We don’t build a camaraderie. We present several different issues and because we have this false feeling of a team, we go along and support whomever is the leader of our fake team called our political party. 

It shouldn’t matter what team a candidate is on. What are the policies you’re upholding? What are the concerns of the people? What can you do for the people?  And if you are sure of yourself and confident in who you are and believe in your issues, then you make your plan public and anyone who believes in your plan should vote for you.  There should be no republican, democratic or other team or party, just issues. 

Either you are for or against. And whoever wins, Wins. 

What’s on the line today is democracy. People are trying to keep their right to the freedoms they had before today.  People are striving to get more freedom and services. People want to be treated fairly and like human beings. 

Well, we currently don’t have the best system but it’s all we have.  No matter what the outcome is. We must live with it.

If it doesn’t work out the way you would like it to, just remember; There is a higher power that is still in charge. 

Peace and Blessings to all.