I Have a Dream

It seems as though we are moving backwards regarding race relations, and living in a civil society.  We are not free.  On the contrary I think that we are in bondage more than ever.  How could one even consider  entertaining a rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the 47th Anniversary of Dr. King's most famous speech unless the topic is about loving each other?  What's going on today is all about hate mongering and just plain mean spirited.   It's a slap in the face.  It's.........I have no words to convey the anger and sadness I feel right now.  As a country we need to be free from this foolishness.  When those at the rally today are spewing venom, pray.  It changes everything and is your strongest weapon against hate.

I believe that nothing should be about race, but about God's children loving each other the way we love ourselves.  Period.  That would take care of every single problem in this world.  Dare to believe that it's that simple.

WTF is going on?  This is not the dream we signed up for.  Today, I am going to tune out all of the noise, and  I ask that you do too.  If you want to know what should be going on today in DC-remind yourself below.

I've missed being here.

Flawless Friday

Happy Birthday to my dearest friend, ZEN.  I'm doing this in a big way because I have forgotten her birthday damn near every year since we've known each other (26 years) and I always promise to do something to help me remember, and here it is-a blog entry.  Isn't she gorgeous?  (She just screamed by the way).

She is a fiercely loyal "front" (sorority speak), a wonderful wife, mother, sister, etc...  ZEN has a wicked sense of humor (key to staying young and young at heart), and she takes enormously good care of those she loves.

She's been around through thick and thin, marriage/divorce, and marriage again, babies, trials, tribulations, and triumphs.  ZEN is so much fun to be around-her laughter is contagious and she's just plain cool.  This southern belle is ever the lady (i'm the catty one).  We've grown up together and I can say she is one of the best friends a girl could ask for and i'm honored she's my friend and i'm her "back". 

I haven't told anyone about this blog except her. I figured if someone found my ramblings, then cool. ZEN "got it", she knew why I needed to do this, and she's been nothing but encouraging and supportive.  Little did she know she ran the risk of being put on blast like this.

Why do I call her ZEN? She is a certified yoga instructor and I mean-she's been all through India and sh*t doing her Namaste thing, gone into the hills to meditate and such, but when she came down...she got her certification, and she's the best there is!  People swear by her.  BTW-the yoga thing is her ACT II and i'm proud she found it.  I can put you in touch if you're looking for the best.  

And finally......she still rocks a bikini and looks damn good doing it!!!

If you see her today-wish her a Happy Birthday and tell her she is loved.

Thanks to MGM for the pics.
TMH-I love you too-but I remember your bday every year!
irret
25-A-84

Big Decisions

I've had to make a number of huge, life altering decisions lately. I always wonder if i'm doing the right thing or going down the right path. A person never knows how their decisions will put a chain of events in motion for their good or to their detriment. Any decision doesn't just impact you-it could impact your family, and the community around you also. What do you do when you have the weight of the world on your shoulders?

In a Hurry?

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.  Psalm 62:5

The old folks used to say just wait on the Lord or, go sit quiet while the Lord is doing his work.

Entire countries have been halted and totally disrupted.

Even the President had to go sit down somewhere.

Sometimes we have to be reminded who's in control.

Flawless Friday

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Questions to Ponder, Part 3

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I'm still trying to get used to this whole blogging thing.  I never remember to come back and update.  This takes an extraordinary amount of time and well......This brings me back to the lenten season.  For all my good intentions, I have not lived up to any of the things (which I didn't verbalize here) I wanted to during this time.  I haven't spent as much time in my formal prayer life as I vowed to do.  Mind you, I talk to God all the time, but I wanted to be able to spend time humbling myself on my knees every morning and night rather than these chats that I carry on throughout the day.  It's nothing wrong with those chats, God welcomes fellowship with him in any form, but it was just something I wanted to do, and just didn't.  Now he'll forgive me for that.  The beauty of this season is that it's a reminder that God is a loving God, and he'll forgive ANYTHING, and for that I am grateful.

But that's just one of the things I didn't do and I've been sorta beating myself up for it.  So.....I've asked God to forgive me for not living up to the standards I set for myself, and I thanked him for allowing me to RECOGNIZE the areas where I have fallen short, and I have (and will continue) to ask for more strength to do the things I need to do in my quest to become a better wife, mother, sister, friend, aunt, cousin, in-law, and any other hat I wear that I didn't mention.

How about you?  Did you make any sacrifices symbolizing God's sacrifice this season for us?  How'd you do?

Questions to Ponder, Part II

Am I as thoughtful and forgiving of family as others, or do I take my frustrations out on them?
It's a funny thing about family. We know each other best-warts and all, and yet that seems to give us carte blanche to behave any way we want. You don't always have to be at your best and you know it. Family loves you anyway. It's that knowing, that confidence in the unconditional love that we have for each other that oftentimes gives us an excuse to act in ways with our loved ones that we wouldn't dare act with anyone else. It should be the exact opposite shouldn't it? It's the same way with God. He knows us, warts and all right? He loves us anyway, and it's that knowing, that confidence in his unconditional love and forgiveness that we take for granted. When everyone and everything leaves-family remains. It's the same way with God. Meditate on it and make a conscience effort to be more thoughtful and patient with those who know you best, and love you anyway.

Questions to Ponder

Our Lenten Bulletin asked questions for each of us to examine, I'll list them here a couple at a time throughout the season.

Am I sharing gladly what I have with others, especially the stranger and the poor?
Don't act like you haven't been there when $ 20 dollars may as well have been $2,000. Someone shared with you when you had a need. You never know how a small simple action can change someone's day, or even change their life. Here is something to really keep in mind: It does NOT have to be money. It can be a ride to the store, keeping a friends' child overnight so she can work, a book, a smile, a genuine compliment-ANYTHING-you get the picture. Don't think of any payoff or payback. Just keep in mind the principle of karma: What goes around-comes around.

Do I have a gracious and patient attitude with others, especially those that irritate me?
Did you laugh out loud? This is extremely hard, but it can be done if you only keep in mind that God made us ALL different. I've learned the reason people irritate me is because they're NOT ME. They don't do or say things in the way that I would do them. And thank God they don't-and who am I to be irritated? It is highly unlikely that you'll find anyone out there who would say that I irritate them..right? Did you laugh out loud again? I know people can rub you the wrong way and you don't even know why. That doesn't give any of us the right to act on that. Be gracious (more on that later), show some patience. You never know, after a while, that person may respond to you by being a little less irritating, and they won't even know it. You must be the change you want to see-Ghandi and all that.....

The Road to Fulfillment

Never forget if you always give, you will always have.