Grateful.

"Get down on your knees and thank God you’re still on your feet."

(Thanks for the quote, Facebook Friend!)

I'm thankful I am not where I used to be. And, I am so happy He's not through with me (just) yet.

The Good Times

TRUTH: "A foretaste never makes me say, 'That is enough.' A foretaste only whets my appetite."

And, for the record, I WILL stay with you. Smiling.



Let the song speak for itself.

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!