"Higher Ground"

I just finished seeing the movie, #FrankieandAlice with Halle Berry and Phylicia Rashad.  What a good movie!  #Halle is the baddest actress!  She played this role so well, that during the movie I had to remind myself that she was acting.  Wherever did she have to go to bring this out?  Stevie Wonder's song, #HigherGround contains these lyrics: see below.  In seeing this movie, I am reminded that people have various coping mechanisms to deal with the traumas that they have experienced.  While many are able to do so without drawing unwanted attention, before judging others perhaps it would be better to consider that they may have had something so traumatic occur with them that the way they act is the best way they have learned to live with the hurt, disappointment, etc. "Don't you let nobody bring you down" is one of the last choruses of the song.  We all have things we have something we have overcome, worked through and/or chosen to live with.  Till we reach our highest ground...Don't you let nobody bring you down.  Be encouraged Loves!

"Higher Ground"

People keep on learnin' 
Soldiers keep on warrin' 
World keep on turnin' 
Cause it won't be too long 

Powers keep on lyin' 
While your people keep on dyin' 
World keep on turnin' 
Cause it won't be too long 

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again 
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin 
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then 
Gonna keep on tryin' 
Till I reach my highest ground 

Teachers keep on teachin' 
Preachers keep on preachin' 
World keep on turnin' 
Cause it won't be too long 
Oh no 

Lovers keep on lovin' 
Believers keep on believin' 
Sleepers just stop sleepin' 
Cause it won't be too long 
Oh no 

I'm so glad that he let me try it again 
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin 
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then 
Gonna keep on tryin' 
Till I reach my highest ground...Whew! 

Till I reach my highest ground 
No one's gonna bring me down 
Oh no 
Till I reach my highest ground 
Don't let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try) 
God is gonna show you higher ground 
He's the only friend you have around 
[FADE]

Peace is Better than _______ (you fill in the blank)

One thing I have done over the years since I was a child is keep the refrigerator door open while I pour some juice or getting a piece of cheese out of the pack or get an egg out of the carton, or any number of things.  Then, it is like a race to hurry up to get the item back into the refrigerator.  Now, to me there is not a problem with this practice, because if it was I would have changed it by now (right?)!  However, it is a pet-peeve of my husband's.  He cannot stand for the door of the refrigerator to stay open while I ,or anyone else, for that fact retrieve an item(s).  He is like why not get the item, close the door, then reopen the refrigerator when you are ready to put the item back.  I can see his rationale.  However, as much as I tried to change, I just couldn't seem to do it.  BTW, we have been married for 24 years (25 as of next month).  So, upon moving into our new home I chose the refrigerator.  I picked a really nice one.  The bells, the whistles, and the latest in technology (I AM CRACKING UP WRITING THIS!)!  To OUR surprise, the dang thing even alerts you when the door has been opened too long!!! (Lol!)  It even alerts you and powers down if the door is left open too long and the temperature adjusts below where you have set the thermostat for the freezer or refrigeration.  We both laughed at this.  I didn't set out to buy a refrigerator that did all this, but isn't that like God!  He desires that we have life and have it more abundantly.  Now, would leaving the refrigerator door lead to divorce...probably not, but the peace that surpasses all understanding could not be equally shared between both of us.  God cares so much about us collectively and individually! He loves us so much that He in His infinite power would allow one appliance to restore peace.  I can't stand for the bells and things to ring so I am learning to close the door so I don't have to.  The refrigerator is holding me accountable!  What are you letting get in the way of the peace that God has provided for you that you have chosen to not take hold of? #PEACEisBetter  

God IS!

Worship remains a part of my regiment! Enjoy!

Kierra Sheard Indescribable: http://youtu.be/3QK_mpqNujw

My Definition of Success

Many thanks to @DarrenHardy for the engine of "Insane Productivity". This definition was born out of my doing the work of Module 5. After I answered the prescribed series of questions, I concluded that my definition of success is vastly different from what I previously perceived it to be.  It is as follows:

"My Definition of Success is having and exercising the luxury of saying, "YES" to what positively fuels, energizes, ignites and gives me joy and "NO" to all else (people, things & experiences) which in turn positively impacts my emotional, spiritual, mentally, social (i.e., relational), and financial accounts (both tangibly & intangibly)."

I encourage you to define success for yourself. You don't get a "do-over" with your life...Once it's gone you will give an account for what you did with it.

#successisforeverybody

Remembering Where I Came From

This is something I have not done in years! I am lying in my bed watching TV. I just saw an episode of "Good Times" and it brought back memories that seem like it wasn't so long ago. In this episode, J.J. went to the unemployment office trying to secure work so he could help his mom meet the rent and the bills. The social services worker was being so uppity that it caused J.J. to act out towards her taking her stamp out of her hand and letting her know that he hoped she not get out of her job and end up on the other side of the desk.

I recall being in one of the lowest places of my life and having to get the aide of "the system". This was one position that I vowed to never be in. I recall the feelings that J.J. experienced, though I didn't act out on them. I remember having to wait and being the kind of person I was & still am, I always have a book so I would read to distract myself from the horrid surroundings. However, this one day I will never forget having this "feeling" to look around. Then, this notion to write about what I saw. While I was busy trying to numb myself to the feelings I felt for having to be there and blind myself to the others that were there too, God was trying to show me something completely different that smashed my perception. See, before being there myself, many years prior I cast judgments on "those people" who spent time getting aid as though they were all just "milking the system". To my surprise, being on that side of reality, I awakened to the fact that most of them were not "milking the system". Moreover, the needs outweighed the aid the families were receiving. I also began to have conversations with so many ladies and gentlemen. To hear their stories and learn of their situation always made mine feel as though "what did I have to complain about". Being "green" in this area, it was other aided recipients that informed me about how to turn in docs and C.Y.A. (cover my anus) in this arena. I am thankful today for where God with His "super" added to my "natural" has brought me from those not so long ago moments. I also recognize that no one is immuned to requiring such aid and support, so be careful to not cast judgment on those that are. Sure, there are some that may use it to supplement their income and may even get away with "milking the system", but what I know for sure majority of them are not. #moretocome #rememberwhereyoucamefrom #soyoudontrepeatit
#tracesofadream
#rebound #resilience

We Can..We Will

There are now grumblings about the no spending initiative (smh).  However in contrast to other forms of protest that involves violence because of realistically not just frustration with the handling of this case rather pinned up angry because of it happening repeatedly, I agree with it. Moreover, I also agree with becoming a leader in the community and other suggestions too. However those are not usually immediately actions/outcomes. In this age of instant gratification, I see this as peaceful, nonviolent and non offensive to the masses that can't land anyone in jail nor cause bodily harm to anyone. I ALSO SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY OR CAUSE TO ASK, "DID YOU VOTE?" I am just curious how many are registered and exercised their right to vote literally because even in not going to the polls one still impacts the decision.  I further see this as an opportunity to recreate "Black Wallstreet"! WE HAVE THE POWER TO ERECT A LASTING CHANGE!

Black Wall Street, Little Africa, Tulsa, Oklahoma…: http://youtu.be/X4IvFXPGYNA

STEP BACK...EVALUATE...ADJUST

Step back...evaluate the life you are making for yourself...does it line up with the vision you have had for you?

As I engage a little more on social media after being away from it over this last month, rather than jumping on and off to post an inspirational nugget or 2, I began reading posts. In my evaluation of things, I came to this conclusion..."people are creating chaotic situations or allowing themselves to be a part of stuff that they can at any moment step back from and make another decision instantly." If I am not mindful of my own actions, I too could be that very one I am talking about. I don't want that.

Mindful behavior = deliberate decisions × intentional thoughts, rightly dividing (÷) the Word of God & gaining a true understanding of who you were meant to be! Syntax errors happen in programming as a result of...

"a character or string incorrectly placed in a command or instruction that causes a failure in execution"

The only way to prevent this is from occurring in our being is to get a healthy spiritual diet, being dialed in and having the courage to say, "No!", when it is warranted and "Yes" for the right reason (s).  If you are off track, just stop where you are, identify where you are, and then just make the adjustment. Thanks for reading and sharing!