Vision & Mission Driven

In chapter 10 of Proverbs, verse 32--the last line--stands out: "Without Good Direction, People Lose Their Way" (MSG).

Today, our leadership team met to discuss the book reading we had for the summer. The book's focus is establishing and building a Professional Learning Community. The author, Rick DuFour, provides the cornerstones to educational organizations working in collaboration and as teams, and the very first step is having a vision and mission that all understand, know, and buy into for direction...Hm, sound familiar (see previous posts)???

The exciting thing about where I currently am professionally is I have reached a place where I truly can begin to positively impact the live of those I've been hired to guide and direct. I have spent the last couple years on the job just trying to survive, learn the players, and understand what it means to be a "coach". With wonderful mentorship and a great education, I have been successful on a variety of levels.

I understand there has been a lot of favor in my life. In fact, it's been heavily on my mind this evening. My mother has always been my biggest fan. There hasn't been anything she felt I could not tackle or accomplish. As a result, I moved confidently through my learning experiences even in the midst of sometimes failing or embarrassing myself. It did not matter because there was a goal. I often wonder why I didn't end up being laughed at, denounced, or put aside...not taken seriously...God's favor! People saw that I was a hard worker and doer. I also believe they were invested in me given my passion and the love of God in my heart.

Whatever the case, I recognize the goodness of those who have led me down a good path. I am thankful for the developed realtionships founded in trust by those I work with, befriend, and love.

I am excited for this upcoming year because of the Good Direction that we've been able to set in place thus far.

Pearls of Wisdom

I'm blessed to have some wonderful, extraordinary, beautiful, intelligent women in my life. They are my sisters, best friends, and I imagine God's blessed me with them not for a season but a lifetime.

We all come from different backgrounds with different stories, but I love my sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. It was a treat for me to be able to spend quality time with my soror who crossed with me. One highlight was seeing 'The Color Purple' at the Kennedy Center. Further, Stevie Wonder happened to be there for the show, and he had to use our aisle to enter and exit the theatre...WOW...

However, the topper was when we went to M St Bar & Grill in Washington, DC, for brunch. We're sitting and catching up when my dear soror who's a lawyer begins this wild wave with one of the customers. She's a nice looking woman with her family and she smiles and waves to us...Leasa makes out the word "Justice..." which is right about when it clicks that this is the newly sworn in Supreme Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She was with her family enjoying brunch.

Well, we were off the chain and Angel with her big camera whipped it out ready to do begin the photo shoot...YEAH...a bit embarrassing when the Secret Serviceman came to our table and had to get buck. However, Justice Sotomayor thought we were a fun bunch, sending us the flowers the managers had prepared for her at her table. We got to take a picture with her and mingle afterwards. It was super cool and made for a memorable experience.

Here is a true example and pillar of wisdom that we had the chance to meet and exchange words with...






"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdome, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

In essence, "The pathway to success in everyday living requires pursuing the practical wisdom of the Lord amidst the distrations of a seductive world."

E.G.O. Tripping & Real Love

"Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics; I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out." Proverbs 8:14

Before any beautiful mountain, ocean, valley, sunrise or sunset, there was God. He created the heavens and earth. He made each one of us, and we are fearfully and wonderfully created with a purpose: to worship him. We were the first of his creations and most valued and cherished.

When I allow wisdom to be my guide, I contribute to the good in this society...from government and lawmakers to militaries and wars. Little ol' me makes a contribution daily in the decisions I make with my actions.

Simple, godly living results in major benefits...Hard to believe? But, what sacrifice has he made? The ultimate one: He bled love and the scars continue to bleed when we close our hearts to his goodness.

I'm talking about Real Love sings MJB...I'm talking about E.G.O. Tripping ---Thank you, Ms. Giovanni!

I leave you with an acronym that will allow you to have a big ego and get your swagger on: Easing Out God.

Be richly blessed by embracing his ways and instructions...It's priceless, yet the most valuable piece/peace one might possess. And, it's yours...all yours...for free.

You Can't Turn a Ho into a Housewife...

but Jesus can...

I was truly disappointed in myself when I missed three/four days worth of posting. I had started out so strong and was getting a post day. However, I know better. With my schedule and really trying to make these blogs reader friendly, I need down time to allow for the creative juices to have a happy process.

The first evening when I read Proverbs 5, I thought to myself, "WHOA...Heavy grounds...I can't share my thoughts on this." But it didn't stop there! The next few days I found the topic/theme threading its way into these following chapters. I begin to pray and ask God, "How does this apply to me, God? There has to be something I can capture in these readings?"

There is something to be learned for me...and hopefully for you, too.

Proverbs 5, 6, and 7, bring up the ways of the Immoral Woman. Solomon wrote Proverbs along with Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. He has a very distinct message in each book, but they also correspond to the different phases/times in his life: youth, mid-age, the old age...All of this to provide some history, but what is consistent in Solomon's writings is he is graphic and seldom holds back. You want a good sex bood--yes, I used the "s" word--read Song of Solomon; it could put you and your significant other in the mood: rekindle the flame! What was I supposed to be talking about???!!!

Oh, the immoral woman! In these three chapters, Solomon is pretty straight-forward in his description about these types of women. While there is the literal message for us to learn and heed, I am certain we could take this message to a broader and more contextual meaning for life.

Proverbs is a book that repeatedly stresses wisdom, knowledge and understanding. From a blog I came across in my studies of these chapters, a writer stated it well in asking us to substitue "wayward woman" for something like "sinful world". If you read through the ways of this woman, every one of us could find where we have individually or collectively fallen short in the eyes of God. From laziness to lustful thoughts, we are in a time where many morals and good manners have escaped the generation before us. It is sad; I see it daily. Sadly, though, in a second, third, and fourth read, I found myself feeling convicted due to knowing I am no better than the ho...Sin is sin.

Jesus actually does come face to face with a few immoral women throughout the Bible, and he does change them for the good. If he can take a nobody or scum of the earth person and give them a makeover, think of all the other things he can do!

In a society where it appears everything is a go, we need to remember that we have the power to model and facilitate the change. This comes through the power we get in our relationships with God.

Don't lose the faith...or your Christ-like ways!

Life's Moral Compass

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. PROVERBS 4:23


Life's moral compass is the heart of man. Our hearts are powerful instruments-figuratively and literally. The heart holds emotions and guides our direction through the plans made pending the ups and downs life dishes us. As a compass, it is important that the heart leads us to the voice of the Lord, which could be considered North. To the East there is prayer and studying, which allow our outreach and fellowship with others. To the South is the Word, which we should take time for daily.

Think of the wilderness: It is not a fun place when there is no sense of direction, preparation or purpose. I never minded camping as a young girl in the Girl Scouts. In fact, I looked forward to those trips. I think it was due to the amount of planning and preparing, that I never thought about the things I would not have, getting lost, being attacked, or going without certain luxuries. Some of the prior mentionings I listed have now become many of the reasons I would not have a desire to go camping now. Really when I reflect, it is the point of the preparation, and my use of imagery and the compass work...

While I certainly do not know what's before me each day in "the wilderness". I seldom start the day in fear or anxiety due to the preparation of the Word in my heart. His words comfort and remind me that "I can do all things," and that "no weapon formed against me will prosper."

Today, I reflect and ask: What's guiding or guarding your heart?

If it isn't Jesus, you're likely dealing with a lot of unrest and dissatisfaction. I can attest that there are times when situations get the best of me and I need a moment to fall into "pity" mode...Truth is, it feels great when a situation can come and not get knocked down. Being unmoved, walking in faith with confidence in what's been planted in us is the BEST feeling. I will call it a cocky swagger (hehehe), but it is definitely not one that is used for bad! I hope it exudes his love and models exactly what life should be like when we know our lives are safe because of whose hands they're in: GOD'S...no better place I know!