It's a New Dawn, it's a New Day, it's a New Life ...

Once again, I’m facing the dawn of a new year with thoughts of the old one and ideas of how to do better in the new.  I’m thinking about those I lived through another year without – how I miss their voices, conversations, celebrations of all things Me and Mine for 2010.  I’m thinking about those who passed on this year and how to heal as time goes on.  I’m thinking of the tragedies around the world and the sorrow and loss felt by people I’ve never met.  But most of all, I’m grateful – just to be on this precipice yet again. It’s a blessing and an honor.

I’ve had a good year overall.  I was in poor health in the beginning; I’m much better now.  I was terminated from a job; a career is now on the horizon.  I was loved and loved in return.  I’ve celebrated and traveled and savored.  My family circle has not been broken and my true friends are still by my side. Of course, I have complaints and could complain, but why.  My life is far from perfect, but I still have it.

I’ve done plenty of things wrong.  I’ve thought about others when I should have come first.  I’ve thought about myself when others should have come first.  I’ve given advice that I should have taken and taken some that I should have left alone.  I’ve made decisions that weren’t sound and taken chances – some for the better.  I’ve learned to listen more and gripe less; to be judgmental and opinionated.  Wait, I may have already had that down.  Scratch that.  I’ve learned that things don’t always go my way, and I’ll be ok if they don’t.  I have a life to make the best of and I plan to do that.

I look forward to offering myself to God, to family, to friends, to my community and to my country and finding my true purpose.  I know that I will shed old weight, figuratively and literally, as I soar to new heights and that it will be painful at first.  I know that everyone and everything can’t go where I go and do what I do.  With promise and anticipation, I look forward to becoming a better ME in 2011.

2011~Live ON Purpose~2011

Honoring the Value of Freedom

On a cold December morning, I double check my layers -  Long johns, thick socks, hat – then I check the essentials – phone, iPod, ID.  I haven’t been this bundled since Obama’s Inauguration.  But today’s cause is a bit more somber.  I’m heading to Arlington Cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves. It’s a volunteer project that is not widely publicized (wreathsacrossamerica.org).  Even though I rarely volunteer for outdoor projects in the winter, I feel compelled to make the best of it.

So I join thousands of other volunteers on METRO, funneling ourselves towards the exit gates at the Arlington Cemetery stop.  We walk into the cemetery in droves – men, women, children – some in wheelchairs, strollers and carry pouches.  I am in awe as I watch the crowd gather around one of many trucks that have been packed with wreaths.  There is warmth in numbers as we chatter about the weather, our duty to our fallen soldiers and where we may venture to plant the wreaths we receive.

I get a bit teary-eyed as I look around, seeing very few black faces in the sea of gravestones and people.  It’s disturbing to think that we have been just as affected by the war as everyone else, regardless of our politics on the issues.  Our families have been torn apart as well.  But I guess until P. Diddy, Tom Joyner, Michael Baisden or Al Sharpton becomes a spokesperson…well, I’ll leave that alone.  But I do find it odd that we have organizations, clubs, churches and community projects that we are involved in but we don’t show ourselves for matters of country – unless there will be press.  When will we teach our children the value of their freedom?

I receive my wreaths and begin my trek, thinking of the past wars and conflicts where we’ve lost fighters – spouses, brothers, mothers, aunts, cousins, sisters, fathers – and find my face wet with tears.  It’s not easy to control emotions in a military cemetery.  For that reason, I steer clear of Section 60, the area where many from Iraq and Afghanistan rest and where some ceremonies are being conducted, some families spending their first holiday without their loved one.  Instead I find an area that many have not yet visited and read some of the stones until I feel a twinge in my heart for a name or two. Maybe they remind me of people I know who served in our armed forces, maybe the engraved dates hold some importance or maybe the cold is getting to me.  I say a quick prayer for the families left to mourn, position my wreath as beautifully as possible and move on. 

Looking up, I can’t help but stand in awe at the beauty of the graves adorned with wreaths around me.  Hard to think of a cemetery as beautiful but I’m grateful to have the opportunity to think of it in that way.  Ultimately, I am honored to use my time to thank a veteran.  And next year, I’ll brave the cold to do it again.  Maybe I’ll send info to Essence and BET or just post it on my FaceBook page.  Either way, I hope to see you there.

Giving Thanks

It's that time of year again, and I have so much to be thankful for - people, things, etc.  But this year, I'm a bit more reflective.  I was asked at a seminar earlier this year "who am I" and I'm still trying to answer that.  It sort of sounds shameful that at 30-something I don't know who I am.  But that's not it.  I'm trying to find the right words to describe myself - what makes me who I am, not just likes and dislikes.

I've looked back at the things I've said and the things I've done.
How often do they match?
I've thought about those who matter most.
How do I show it?
I've thought activities I enjoy.
Have I been participating?

I want to enjoy my life, not just exist.  I want to be a help, not a hindrance; assist, not assess; involve, not isolate.  That said, I'm thankful that I can reflect, with sound mind and in good conscience, over the past year and say I'm glad that I am me.  I'm glad that I am loved and I'm glad that I am here.

All the Best to You and Yours

Elaboration on the Theme - Women's Day 10/17/2010

New Directions for the Seasons of our Lives

First giving honor to God, my Pastor and Saints of God.  I promise not to be before you long.  I just want to elaborate briefly on today’s theme -- New Directions for the Seasons of our Lives.

When first told the topic, I thought “ok, this is easy. I’ll find the key word, discuss that and I’m all done.”  I chose SEASONS which lead me to Ecclesiastes 3:1, a most obvious choice since it discusses any and everything that could possibly take place in our lives both naturally and spiritually.  I found that to be too typical so I moved on to LIVES.

Each of our lives is different – we face different challenges and now due to so many technological advances we don’t interact the same way.  But since the word used was LIVES, I took that to mean that we are collectively accountable.   In Luke 9:56 it reads For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s LIVES but to save them. 

Next I chose DIRECTIONS which means the act or instance of giving an order or command.  Hmmm…puts me in mind of Proverbs 3:6 – In all thy ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct thy paths. I moved on to NEW, an adjective used to describe Directions.  It has synonyms like fresh, contemporary and distinct and is the total opposite of words like old-fashioned, out-dated and worn.   I read Psalm 149:1 which says Praise ye the Lord.  Sing unto the Lord a NEW song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

I began to get a little frustrated as I realized that each word was a keyword with an emphasis all its own and that to take on any one of them would have me talking for quite some time.   Couldn’t do that.  So I put them all back together and pondered on the phrase itself.

We know that there is only one direction.   Maybe we need a new sweep of our paths to clear them of the clutter caused by our seasonal debris which may include heaps of hurts, piles of pain, masses of anger, shards of doubt, wads of worry, lumps of vanity, chunks of fear, stacks, loads, mounds, and bunches of stuff we call our lives.

We must confront homelessness, divorce, poor parenting, addiction, unemployment, mental incapacity, physical flaws, topics we won’t discuss and people we can’t face to find our way to Jesus and the new directions for the seasons of our lives.

Censorship

I am a writer. I always have been and I always will be. But I’ve never been able to truly say what’s on my mind. Why is that? Don’t I have poetic license? Aren’t writers the true historians of society? What’s holding me back? All of these questions motivated me to research and this is what I’ve found.

According to the First Amendment of the Constitution, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Hmmm…that means that I can say what I want, in truth, without any repercussions from our system of government. Hold on to that while I read from the Declaration of Independence. It states that I have “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

These two documents allow me to say my piece, without harm done to me, as long as I don’t intrude on anyone else’s unalienable rights. How objective of our legislature! It seems the other factor is the Court of Public Opinion.

Everyone is online nowadays. And while I am still in the work force, I am subject to be researched regarding my online activities. Upon finding my name in Google, one may be directed to my blog and therefore disagree with some of my views. At one time I was careful about my topic choice and explanations of my views. I’m past that now. I can no longer be true to myself and my craft by stifling my passions.

Many have been criticized, ostracized and ousted for their statements via FaceBook, Twitter and other sites. Is this what our society has become -- some thin-skinned ghostly remnant of what our forefathers conceived? Are we incapable of being open-minded and truly enjoying the opinions of others without causing some loss of income, posture or other unfortunate circumstance? I’d like to think that there are many who agree with me but dare not use their voice. I’m not noble enough to be their proxy. I’m sure there are those who disagree with me and will tell me so in “no uncertain terms.” I’m not humble enough to assuage them.

Many of us make our decisions based on our own set of values and frames of reference, as well we should. But often we forget that everyone doesn’t value the same thing and/or doesn’t have the same references. That being said, if I miss out on a job opportunity or ruffle some church-folk feathers or even miss an invitation or two, I have to stay true to myself.

This is simply a conjecture -- I will use poetic license to tell the truth, as I see it. No holds barred; no excuses. I will use my First Amendment right, while I still can, and I will do my best not to intrude upon anyone else’s life, liberty or their pursuits of happiness.

Until next time…

Train Up a Child

Everyone has a sob story -- a way of telling what has happened to us that was so terrible and horrendous and sets us apart from everyone else.  Especially about our childhoods.  Sorry, but this is not one of those stories.  I, for one, quite enjoyed my childhood -- and so did many others that grew up with me.  Let me explain.


For those of you who don't know, I grew up in church -- Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays, rehearsals on Saturdays and throw in conventions and meetings and...like I said, I "grew up" in church.  But I wasn't alone.  Besides my siblings, there were many other children who were involved in the same activities from ushering, to choirs to plays -- we all grew up together.


This past Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Pastoral Installation service of one of these such children. I was elated and overjoyed to say the least.  We had wonderful leaders, great examples and role models galore. I can't think of a more honored or burdened person.  Being a Pastor is an important job and I keep my brother Fred, Frazier, Damian, Derrick, and Greg in my prayers.

The White House Tour

One of the best things about having a bit more free time lately has been the opportunity to indulge.  And, since I love my city immensely, I can find dozens of things to enjoy about it.  The most recent, The White House.  Thanks to a lovely young lady (networking matters), I was offered the opportunity to join a group tour of this landmark and now wish to share it with you.

First, some logistics.  While tours are free, they must be scheduled through your Congressman.  Due to security precautions, quite a few items are not allowed; there is a website devoted to this information as well as a telephone number.  Pictures are not allowed, so my memory and use of vocabulary is going to paint your picture.   You cannot use the executive washroom, view the Oval Office or Lincoln Bedroom, or visit any of the private living quarters.

The most disturbing feature of the entire experience actually occurred on the grounds prior to entering the house.  I spotted an armed guard, rifle at the ready, between the trees.  While understanding the need for his presence, it was disheartening nonetheless.  My sense of security lay in the fact that there were more that I could NOT see who were just as armed and just as ready.  Thus begins our tour.

In the Main Visitor's entrance are large collections of photos of the different first families enjoying weddings and pets, entertaining foreign diplomats and signing legislature, making speeches and living their everyday lives.  You're allowed to peak into the library which has a beautiful chandelier as well as the Vermeil and China rooms which seemed a bit sparse on furniture but housed portraits of first ladies and sparkling chandeliers as well.

The next stop is the East Room which has a variety of purposes including press conferences, receptions, etc.  Then begins the trio of colored rooms, my favorite being the Blue Room due to its view of the Washington Monument.  The Green and Red Rooms were equally impressive, though a bit ornate for ordinary use.  Quite a bit of history lies in these rooms like clocks and furniture chosen by former Presidents.  Most of the furniture is old, early 19th century but looks barely used.  On to the State Dining Room.

It doesn't look like it but it can seat between 130 and 140 guests and is the home of the fireplace with the John Adams quotation carved into the mantel - "I Pray Heaven to Bestow the Best of Blessings on THIS HOUSE and All that shall hereafter inhabit it.  May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under this Roof."

Prior to exiting, you stroll through the Entrance Hall and view more artifacts and portraits, the construction and renovation dates (carved into the floor) and the impressive Presidential seal which resides above the Blue Room entrance.  Exiting into the sunshine, I feel a sense of pride.  I love this house; it represents me, us, America.  I encourage every citizen to visit this historic home at least once in your lifetime.  It's an experience you will never forget.