Enjoying Time While I Wait...

Congratulations, Serena
Williams, on another Wimbleton win! I am feeling like a winner today, too.

The message has been pretty in-my-face these past few weeks regarding where I am and need to be...

"God will strengthen us and enable us to handle life peacefully
and wisely if we start praying about things instead of merely
trying to get through the day. When we take time with God and listen to His
voice, He renews our strength and enables us to handle life and not be weary.
But we have to start by using the time we have wisely by always putting God first."

-- Joyce Meyer

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD;he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God."

"Those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."
— Isaiah 40:31

You Want Fame?

In an effort to motivate myself to get up and get going, I woke up early with flashbacks of my undergraduate days. As a freshman, one of my mentors/directors at The College would go around quoting the character, Lydia Grant, played by Debbie Allen in the popular 1980s TV series, FAME: "You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying...in sweat."

Here's the clip from one of the first episodes (The very familiar line was also in the opening credits):



To get to a short sweet point...

Today, I should have had a "free" day. It's a four day holiday for my work organization; however, my alarm went off bright and early. After showering and eating a little something, I made my way over to the work spot and met with a new hire who needed some assistance in her new administrative role. We sat and talked--laughed a bit, but what stood out was the comment she had shared with her colleague regarding her hours. Considering how much less we get paid compared to our counterparts on the job, it's ridiculously sad--and we do SO MUCH WORK. She shared with him that she had no intention of being present for all of the stuff he was listing and wanting her to be in attendance for. She told him he could handle that piece since his paycheck covered it...YIKES! Glad they have that kind of relationship, and her words are true.

Despite my knowing the latter, I still plug along and just do. All I've ever known is EXCELLENCE. Whatever I put my hands on or have my name a part of, I expect to be all or none. Growing up my mother frequently made me quote: "When a task is once begun, finish it until it's done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all!"

I stay "tipping on the tightrope" -- whether high or low, hated or loved, I keep my balance. It's really not about anyone else when I do stuff; I realize I have a leadership style based in service, which only a small/rare percentage do. It's my focus, my game, my goal to achieve for the overall good. As long as I don't fall, all is well. But, even if I did fall off, I know who would block the fall, dust me off, and get me back on the rope. The picture is always bigger than you and me.

So, as I move into the weekend, here is a little musical enjoyment from an up and coming artist. She is really ON HER GAME. I couldn't decide which of the versions I liked most so here they both are. I hope they'll give a boost like they did me. In a generation/time where I feel so detached to the current trends, it is refreshing to come across music that I actually like, understand, and would be willing to hit "replay" on!

Thoughtful Thursday...or a little more contemplative...Eh!

I'm THAT girl...You know the one with 27 dresses...smile...and there's more of those pictures, but I only chose the most recent weddings I've been in, excluding my best friend's--the last pic. posted.

It's Thursday and 27 Dresses (2008) has aired twice this evening. The more I watch this movie, the more I fall in love with it. Unlike the protagonist in the movie, I do not have a sister and I have not been in love with the groom of any of the many weddings I've been a part of--THANK GOD! I also have not had to be in two weddings at once although I have had to choose.

Like Jane, played by Katherine Heigl, I do still have all of the dresses I've worn--mainly those of my adult years. I have loved every moment of being helpful, wanted and needed in the lives of the women I've been able to stand with on such important days of their lives. I've been the maid-of-honor in four or five weddings...the number seems to escape me. And, maybe the worse similarity to this main character, is the flaw of "looking for love in the wrong places" when perhaps it is right in front of my face.

The good news is there are seekers and admirers out there...Too bad some are too old, too young, not together, too unwilling to commit, overly committed, unchurched, too churchy...you know? The typical issues. And, hopefully, I'll be out of that dreadful statistic of the 70 percent of single African American women--Yes, look it up; it's an all day research and blog entry on ots own.

There are days (like today) when I long for the day I will no longer be in the supporting role but the one saying "I do". Until then, I've got another wedding next week...picked up the dress yesterday (smile). T'is the season!

Shhh...Excuse me, but your thoughts are too loud.

The familiar idiom, "a penny for your thoughts," comes to mind when I consider how much we now lack modesty and dignity when it comes to social networks and sites. Technology, what have you done to us?!?!

As I log into some of these sites, I am hit in the face with statuses and posts--millions! Some have substance, making you think, smile, laugh, and even comment or reply to the statements...but there are those other postings that just make you wonder: WHY? WHAT ON EARTH? WAS ALL OF THAT REALLY NECESSARY?

Like that awkward feeling you get when you can smell funk and want to make sure it's not your armpits or breath, I find myself in one of those predicaments when I see the many thoughts that get posted. I am caused to question what others may be thinking about some of my postings. And, I can't help but wonder if I am on some whole other level of thinking where this is truly not a big deal--just me overreacting. Perhaps, if I didn't spend so much time on the websites myself, I would not be reading or following all that foolishness, or sitting here distressed over it all.

I have toyed with the possibility of deactivating my accounts, so I won't have to read or see the crazy debates and idleness of those around me who are on the webpages what appears to be all day and night. The contemplation, though, is as far as it goes. I debate with myself and determine that I should not have to end the communications and networks I have with friends and family due to what really may only be a small population out there who happen to be getting under my skin.

What is also perplexing is the fact that there are coworkers, children, and people I have never met or barely know who request being a part of my friends list--WHY I question...I know I lead a pretty quiet and private life (in many ways) to those who do not know me well, but I am again forced to wonder if people are just nosey and only desire to want to know a little bit more about me and mi vida loca.

Recently while visiting with my mother, she asked me to go into her account for one of the websites she is on in order to up her security settings. As I was doing this, she had me to smile with concerns about what her friends could view/see of the pages of others. "I don't want anyone seeing that girl's status posts, talking all crazy and cussing. And did you see that one picture of the girl who is naked?!?!" Okay. Okay. Firstly, the picture she was referring to was a profile picture of one of her friend's friends posting to this lady's page. The whole cussing and profanity only adds more justification, though, to what I am talking about. I reassured my mother that none of her friends could see these posts; they did not reflect her and were not on her own page.

AND, I have to say the worst is when people on your friends list call, email/inbox, or text you in order to talk about the postings: "Did you see what I posted and what such and such had the nerve to respond back with? The nerve! Who does she think she is?" I've had a few people I work with to come to me after posting things with questions about whether or not they've gone too far with their words and thoughts. And then we have those who merely love the gossip and post wars or debates that end up on pages--cyber bullying is not only in the world of children, people! I see it more with adults sad enough.

But, really...I think about the people on here who have parents, loved ones, colleagues, bosses, etc. who have access to their pages and can see when the person has a stint with depression, anger, happiness, and every other emotion. I suppose my plea is that we get back to a point where we can realize everything thought or felt does not have to be put out there for all to see--especially on a social network. I am not interested in the fact that you will be gone for five days at such-and-such hotel with no one to watch your pet, but I am sure there are some thieves out there who appreciate that tip-off. And, no, I do not need to know about your bathroom habits, disappointment with other people on the site, or that you're now removing friends. DISCRETION...Oh, how I love that word!

And, maybe I am the hypocrite as I pour out my soul on this network--a public diary? Well, actually, I came to terms a long time ago that anything I post I must be willing to have comfort with, but I feel as though I am "posting" and venting my thoughts in the appropriate place--a blog. I mean, really, if you need to get your thoughts down make a blog, get a journal, or consider tweeting. Just like I do not care to see two people groping one another--get a room--I do not wish to see your loud, vulgar, embarrassing, private thoughts. You do not have to a role model, but you should consider what type of character you're presenting with the programs and groups you're choosing to like and join, as well as all those thoughts you keep pinning up.

Don't worry. If you're reading this post and happen to feel like this message applies to you, I truly do not judge or think less of you (smile). The fact of the matter is the only person I need to work on controlling the actions of is me. Plus, I know I have been guilty more than a few times of some of the very items I am protesting.

Wooooooosaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!

Final thoughts: Watch what you post, share, or vent about--it may make you feel worse.

Connect the Dots

.
. dot 1 - Generosity
.
... dot 2 - Encouragement
.
.. dot 3 - Support
.
.
.. dot 4 - Joy...
.
.. dot 5 - Love . .
.

My intention is not to change but inspire you.

Do you remember as a child the amount of activities in school requiring you to connect-the-dots? Perhaps, it was your parent or family member who liked to buy you activity books with the game.

Being a person who loved puzzles, the idea of putting dots together seldom seemed bothersome. In fact, there were times when I found it a relief to have mindless work, where I could get out some crayons or color pencils and show my creativity and skills. On a few occasions I would become a little perturbed with how easy this game of making a picture was (e.g., knowing it was of a Christmas tree or banana), but I still went along and did the assignment or went through the entire activity book.

So, as an adult, what on earth could a game like connect-the-dots have to do with my world now? While I am an educator, that is not the purpose. For two weeks in a row, I have attended church an had the message to speak loud volumes to me about how I am living, what I am doing, and (more importantly) answering the questions I continue to visit in prayer. At times, it is pretty mind-boggling...almost a bit scary...yet in the same moment there is relief.

This idea takes two directions...

There are current dots in my life I continue to try to connect, and I feel as though the "big" picture is not turning into the masterpiece it's meant to be. For me, this hurts because like a good child and student I am putting everything in it (e.g. love, support, etc.) but can't seem to have a nice return. Yep, I know that is screaming rip that puppy up and move on to an easier puzzle or new challenge. The stubbornness in me desires to keep at it, thinking that perhaps the fault isn't in the creation but the one trying to do the puzzle...The truth is, though, maybe the issue isn't puzzle or the person doing the puzzle but that it's not meant to be solved.

In another thought, there is beauty in knowing that I don't ever have to worry about the BIG picture because as long as I am faithful in following God's will and walking in my purpose, the dots connecting and path followed--the good and bad--will lead me to the masterpiece He desires. And, isn't that really what it is all about?

I am defeated but never destroyed. I am tested but will not grow tired.

There is a systematic order to the game connect-the-dots, and for this I am grateful. There is a lesson in discipline, obedience, and following. As puzzling as it is, we've got to keep at the bigger game called life, knowing that it was never meant that we live life in sadness, depression or with a feeling of worthlessness. If I cannot be of good or use to another's dot connecting, I've got to go back to my own and ensure I am moving to the proper dot on the page.