Do You Speak Kwanzaa?

It's Time To Get M.A.D.E.!

2011-07-22T20:17:00.008-05:00

It’s Time to Get M.A.D.E.

By: LaToyur Tisdale

Get M.A.D.E.? I know you’re wondering, “what is getting M.A.D.E.”? Make All Desire and Envy (M.A.D.E. ) Fitness is the new next-level fitness program that is taking middle Tennessee by storm. M.A.D.E. is a collaboration of personal trainers who are redefining health and fitness in Nashville and the surrounding areas. Founded in 2009 by personal trainers Omar Edward and Bronson Colbert, M.A.D.E. Fitness is introducing new creative, innovative, and challenging ways of promoting fitness by using strong physical training and intense boot camp sessions.

In 2009, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported that the obesity rates in the United States for adults and youth across the nation were 27.1%. This rate was an alarming 32.8 % for the state of Tennessee. Tennessee was rated as 3^rd worst-ranking state in terms of health. M.A.D.E. is now working diligently on making middle Tennessee a healthier and more active state. Their clientele is increasing as the inches and weight of their clients decrease. The results of attending personal or group sessions have left clients looking and feeling better. M.A.D.E. offers various packages from personal training sessions to partner sessions or group sessions. The individual sessions are customized workouts catered to the personal goals, pace and physical needs of the client. These sessions emphasize the precise amount of core training, cardio and weight training to get the client in the absolute best possible shape. They also offer group sessions that include a set amount of cardio, core training and strength resistance that makes the fitness experience for any community or social organization exciting, exhilarating as well as supportive.

Recent partnerships with local Nashville and Rutherford county organizations have expanded the exposure of M.A.D.E. from the gym to the community. In December 2010, M.A.D.E. co-sponsored a Christmas “Boot Camp Toy Drive” with the Urban League Young Professionals of Middle Tennessee. Getting the community in shape with maximizing the holiday experience for a child on Christmas, this is what M.A.D.E. Fitness is all about. With the obesity rate among the youth at an alarming 16.9% in Tennessee, M.A.D.E. Fitness has extended their guidance from adults to the youth, In March 2011 M.A.D.E. Fitness worked in conjunction with the Community Take Back Initiative Task Force at the Real Talk Real Teens Action Summit on bringing awareness and preventing childhood obesity. M.A.D.E Fitness facilitated the morning “Wake-Up Call” mini-workout and during lunch facilitated an interactive workshop with the youth on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating choices.

Being a native of Tennessee, I was disappointed at the statistics mentioned above. But in my own challenge to be M.A.D.E., last year I began working with personal trainer Omar Edwards of M.A.D.E. Fitness. I was (am still) considered obesed. When I first began working out with Omar, my idea of cardio was a “brisk walk” on a treadmill. I had prided myself on 2 minutes on the elliptical and was convinced that the bare minimum was good enough. My first session was 5:30 am and the warm-up consisted of 3 sets of 20 jumping jacks and 3 sets of touching my toes 12 times alternating right hand left toe, left hand right toes. This is the WARM-UP and not the exercise. Simple enough? After about 5 jumping jacks and many words I’d be ashamed to let my grandmother hear me say; I was winded and DONE!! After a month, I graduated to doing the warm-ups (without passing out) and 2 sets of workouts that consisted of cardio and weight training. 3 months in, Omar had taken a woman that was prided on brisk walks and 2 minutes on the elliptical and transformed her into an obesed woman that was up to 45 minutes on the elliptical BEFORE the training session. The training sessions not only deviated my attention from focusing on my surroundings but more importantly on my health and well being. I was instructed to keep a food journal and soon learned how to make better eating choices (fast and fried foods are never good, even if it’s a vegetable). I also learned that failure is not the lack of success but simply not trying. There were exercises he had me try that didn’t work well with me, but he introduced me to alternative workouts that would get the same results. I received the best training, 200% of positive reinforcement as well as complete honesty when he knew I was being lazy and not giving it my all. Since then, I had the pleasure of attending a boot camp session and the team work among everyone who makes up M.A.D.E. Fitness was commendable. They truly work as a team and their cohesiveness made the environment even more comfortable for their clients. So I am not only a supporter of M.A.D.E. Fitness but I have experienced first-hand the workouts and nutritional assistance. My starting weight was in the mid 300’s (closer to 400 than I ever want to be in life) and now I am in the 200’s. So when they say you are getting M.A.D.E., you really are. It’s a makeover, physically, mentally and spiritually. I had the opportunity to ask the trainers of M.A.D.E. Fitness a few questions:

YM: Who makes up M.A.D.E Fitness?

M.A.D.E .: M.A.D.E. Fitness consist of Victoria Cunningham (Co-founder/Personal trainer), Chasity Bell (Business Development Specialist), Cecilia Crenshaw (Business Development Specialist), Bronson Colbert (Co-founder/Personal trainer) and Omar Edward (Co-founder/Personal trainer).

YM: Where did you meet?

M.A.D.E. : Victoria, Bronson and I (Omar) met at a previous gym we used to work at. From the moment we met, we all knew we were great trainers and had a deep passion for fitness. We just had to find a way to convey our abilities and passion to the masses. That's where Ms. Bell and Ms. Crenshaw stepped in and got us on the right path to display our talents to the masses.

YM: How and why did you choose the name Make All Desire and Envy (M.A.D.E.) Fitness?

M.A.D.E. : We chose the name Make All Desire and Envy Fitness (M.A.D.E) because deep down inside nobody wants to be unhealthy. Everyone desires to be fit mentally, physically and spiritually. Although the result of working out is seen in one's outside appearance, it does far more for the mind and soul by lifting one's self esteem and making them mentally strong. If you can transform yourself into the healthiest and fittest you've ever been, it will give you the confidence to concur any obstacle. That's something to be desired and envied and we provide that.

YM: What made you both want to be physical trainers? Why is the health and wellness of others important to you?

M.A.D.E. : (Omar Edward) I've played football all my life. In college, I suffered a knee injury that forced me to challenge myself to get back in shape. Until then being healthy came naturally to me because I was a fit athlete. During my rehabilitation process is when I develop a passion for training.

M.A.D.E. : (Bronson Colbert) I've always been engaged in some form of physical activity such as football, basketball and running. After high school I attended Columbia State Junior College where I became a member of the basketball team. While there I developed a strong interest in fitness. After leaving Columbia State Junior College that passion for fitness still held a deep place in my heart. Ever since then I've been determine to turn my passion for fitness into a career.

YM: I’ve heard that a large portion of fitness is not just working out but what you eat as well? Are there “healthy” foods that people seeking to lose weight should avoid?

M.A.D.E. : Eating right is the main aspect for being healthy. It doesn't matter how hard you workout if you’re not eating right. Here are some foods that will help you reach you fitness goals and some you should avoid.

***Good Foods***
Avocado
Fish
Nuts
Grapefruit

***Bad Foods***
Simple Carbohydrates - Sweets - Candy, Cookies, Pastries etc...
Fast Food
Fried Food
Sodas and Artificial Juices

YM: For the person who is “intimidated” with a public workout, what advice or words of motivation that you have to get them past that fear or anxiety?

M.A.D.E. : For someone who fears public workouts and are intimidated by group classes, we suggest this: Think of everyone around them as a support group. We definitely understand how someone could feel that way but here at M.A.D.E. Fitness we think of each other as a team. We encourage participants of the classes and clients to get to know each other and develop friendships. If someone is having a difficult time to complete an exercise or eating healthy we can support one another. Getting in shape has to be a lifestyle change and it can be challenging at times. So if you can develop a friendship with a group of people that share your same goals in life it will make your journey to success a lot easier.

YM: What is a future goal of MADE? Where do you see M.A.D.E. Fitness in 5 years?

M.A.D.E : 5 years M.A.D.E. Fitness will have multiple gym locations across America.
Fitness DVDs will be sold nationally along with other avenues making M.A.D.E. Fitness a household name. It is our desire to start our own charity foundation, so we can always give to those who are less fortunate.

YM: Any words of advice for the YUR Magazine readers?

M.A.D.E : We want to thank YUR Magazine for believing in our dream. Also for
allowing us to speak to your readers and tell them who we are and what we stand for as an
organization. If you want to get in the best shape of your life come get made with the trainers of M.A.D.E. Fitness.

YM: The trainers of M.A.D.E. Fitness have the desire and passion to see EACH client, regardless of age or size, in the best health possible. Believe me I know from experience. So are you with me? Are you ready? Let’s get M.A.D.E. !!

For more information about M.A.D.E. Fitness or the date and times of boot camp sessions, contact MADEFitnessTN@gmail.com or visit their website at www.MADEFitness.webs.com.

GEM - Review

2011-07-12T21:46:00.003-05:00

Last Friday I had the pleasure to seeing the stage play GEM (Good Existing Men) written and directed by Michael L. Walker. This play was about the men of the Monroe family. Centered around B.B. Monroe, faithful husband, wise uncle, caring brother and devoting father, he is the rock and voice of reason of his family. His younger brother L. B., who is dealing with the challenges of life as a result of his own due to mistakes and bad choices in women. Jalil, the youngest of Monroe men, is living a playa lifestyle but soon learns that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Bobby, the cousin, is going through a divorce but discovers his own value and worth as a man and mate.

What I liked the most about this play is that these men were ordinary men with imperfections but they were still good men. Also, these men had the support of positive women in their lives. B. B. (Clark Harris) had his wife, the lovely and spirited Sherri (Christian Riley), by his side. Sherri was a strong woman yet knew when to stand behind and support her husband. This husband and wife team was the glue that held this family together even when things seem to be falling apart in their own house. Jalil (Aaron Rosebud) had the support of his girlfriend Lisa (Celicia Reed). Lisa who was taken for granted but Jalil, who soon recognized the treasure, he had in this woman. Bobby (Eric Williams), who was unappreciated by his ex-wife Maya (Alita Brielle Terry), opened his heart to Tara (Christina Kretchik) who nurtured this good man and saw the GEM in him. And then there were the feisty aunts, LiLi (Sesizrike Shaw) and Aunt Nita (Thelma Hardesty) who adds just the right amount of spice, wisdom and laughter to this family structure.

I commend Mr. Walker and his star cast for the work and time they put into this play. The actors in this play brought each character to life. I know someone like or similar to each character in this play.

GEM was a brilliantly colorful display of the drama, love and support in the modern African American family. The family members took the good, the bad and the ugly of life and made it work. No life is without trials and tribulations but it’s how you rise together that really matters. This play is worth seeing again and definitely recommended for women and especially men to check. You never know, you might have a GEM right under your nose.

Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit

2011-03-30T14:08:00.002-05:00

Nashville, TN — Being a teenager is very exciting with being exposed to new opportunities and seeing the world with limitless possibilities. Yet for some local teens this journey is laced with obstacles like homelessness, discrimination, teen pregnancy, bullying, gang violence, teen domestic violence, self-esteem, drugs and alcohol only to name a few. On Saturday March 26, 2011, the Community Take Back Initiative Task Force (CTBI) in collaboration with Nashville Community Coalition for Youth Safety (NCCYS) by IMF Peniel hosted the first annual Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit. The RTRT summit was organized the Community Take Back Initiative Task Force (CTBI), which is collaboration of individuals and local organizations and agencies from across Middle Tennessee. This one day event brought out almost 100 youth between the ages of 13 - 18 to the Tennessee State University Avon Williams campus where this event was held. Created for youth by youth, Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit was designed to generate youth driven dialogue and provide immediate access to local resources that address some of the pressing safety issues our local youth. The summit’s workshops, included topics like “Creative Expression through Spoken Word” facilitated by Youth Speaks Nashville, “College Readiness” hosted by the Oasis Center and “Erasing the Stigma” facilitated by Tennessee Voices for Children, and “Beyond the Influence of Gang Violence” facilitated by the Preston Taylor Boys and Girls Club. During lunch, the youth were taught about nutrition and healthy eating choices by M.A.D.E. Fitness after which they created collages that represent how they view themselves and their peers. Organizers later arranged for the youth to travel next door to the downtown YMCA for the “Teen Shine” talent showcase. This talent platform not only spotlighted the youth eager to display their gifts and talents but also provided an opportunity for them to bond their peers over days event. . For more information about the Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit, email CTBINasahville@gmail.com or visit the website at http://realtalkrealteens.webs.com/

2011-02-01T07:14:00.002-06:00

Get PLUGed in!!

PLUG (People Linked Under God), a nonprofit organization created by Bobby “lil Buddy” Boyle and his wife Temeshia Boyle, was founded in 2009 in Hardeman County of West Tennessee. This spiritual based organization was founded on the importance of family, unification and community peace. In an interview with the organization founder, Bobby “lil Buddy” Boyle, he stated “We stand behind our members. We walk along side one another, not behind or ahead. We are all brothers and sister whether we were born by blood or just in the community. We want to show what the power of God can do, once implemented back into the communities. Our community service is free of charge; there is no cost to the love of God and the love of one another. “
PLUG serves as mentors in the community. This mentorship extends from men and women to the community youth. They teach principles of self respect as well as the respect of others. Rapidly growing in numbers, this organization is surpassing county and state borders. Their message of “Fighting to do right, not fighting to do wrong” is counteracting current neighborhood violence (domestic and gang). They have already appeared on local news stations for their abundance good deeds demonstrated throughout West Tennessee. Bobbie “lil Buddy” Boyle, states “We want to change the face of the world. There is power in numbers. If criminal and violent gangs can make the history, so can we! Love conquers all! We are real regular people; therefore there is no condemnation within our group. We have standards but we are not judgmental.”

Being a native of Whiteville, Tennessee (Hardeman county), quite naturally I was thrilled to hear about the community coming together to make change. My younger brother Lorenzo Tisdale Jr. (current member of PLUG), began telling me about this organization in December 2010. The compassion and excitement he expressed when speaking about PLUG and its founders sparked my interest about this organization. I was first intrigued and now I am plugged into PLUG.

For more information about PLUG, contact 731-659-1538, 731-254-2462 (hotline), or email PeopleLinkUnderGod@yahoo.com. WEBSITE COMING SOON!!

He Only Has Eyes For Me

2010-12-27T10:10:00.001-06:00

He only has eyes for me

He only has eyes for me,deep, dark
piercing through my soultearing me apart piece by piece
bit by bitmuscle bone and flesh all under x-ray examination but
he only has eyes for me
When it's good
It's good
When it's bad
It's worse
Windblown furniture
Pictures and plates tossed to & fro
Uncontrollably
Leaning trying to break the fall and soften the blow
but it only becomes stronger and harder to withstand
no place to run or hide
& then silencee
erie, calming, almost peaceful
but the un rested soul senses that this is temporary.

he only has eyes for me
fictional conversations with friends about the good times when memories replay factual scenarios
I’m pasting glitter n gold on stones in attempt to soften cold hard glares that at any moment
can increase with the whirlwind
destroying the perception of paradise
he only has eyes for me
I thought I could survive tornados and floods
But now floods are forming from the tears that have collected on the side of my bed from countless nights of silent suffering
Tsunamis wash away former images of me,
thoughts of peace
wishing for a calmness that was a result peace and not fear
a stillness that followed meditation and not degradation

tides are pulling up all filth and trash
reminded of what was discarded by others but has become my reality

Fighting for air
but each breath is getting hard to take, harder to fake
I'm struggling just to stay afloat

what was once a child’s toy, not meant for adults
now has become a life preserver helping me maintain my only sense of connection to the land of the living.
Future goals to see the 3rd Heaven, beyond the clouds
But I fight to stay in a earthly hell
Still believing that he has eyes for me.
He eyes now effect me and the am-ness of I
distant memories of self has broken past the surface
and I choose to fight one more day
The am-ness in I have decided that distant memories will become future aspirations and his eyes are only temporary
The best way to avoid his eyes is to relocate
Swimming toward hope and faith
riding them with determination until strength has re emerged
And now the am-ness in I have endured
Survived
and now
moved on to retaking and rebuilding what’s rightfully mine
His eyes were only for a season and I have now moved to places where his eyes can no longer haunt or torment me
My peace can be re gained and my I’s can now see beyond earthly realms and embrace the fullness and wholeness in me.
His eyes didn’t define me nor will they break me
but I am a better me
He said he only had eyes for me but I was ready to be rid of his eyes and his storm.

(c) copyrighted 2010 LaToyur Tisdale

Behind the Mask of One Man’s Mind

2010-12-27T09:50:00.004-06:00

Behind the Mask of One Man’s Mind

When I sat down with poet John Mask, I really didn’t know who to expect. This author, poet, and motivational speaker has one of the kindest spirits that I have ever come across. Originally from Gary, Indiana now residing in West Tennessee, John Mask has been traveling the country spreading messages of faith and healing with the active promotion of his new collection of poems entitled “One Man’s Mind”. John has been speaking everywhere from the churches to the local open mics. He has taken this book of poetry and created a platform to inspire and motivate men and women throughout the nation.

One of his poems that speak volumes is the piece entitled “I Hear the Screams”. This poem is brimming with compassion of a person reaching out to a victim of domestic violence. Mask’s poetry covers topics from faith, spiritual hypocrisy to ups and downs in relationships. Poems like “Mother “and “My Heart Cries” speak to the soul of the reader and express the vulnerability of real emotions.

My Heart Cries

The More I look into the mirror
Nothing seems any clearer,
Why do I cry from all the pain inside?
When I’m happy, that’s when I’m sad.
When I’m upset, that’s when I’m glad.
Things are all mixed-up; yet I can’t fix them up.
My heart still cries,
Trying to pick up and start all over,
The more I try to stand up straight,
The more I bend my shoulders,
Why oh Why does my heart still cry?
The more I try to stop the pain, the more I die inside.
I pray everyday for the pain to go away
But I can’t lie, nor would I deny; the more I pray
The more my heart still cries.
By John J. Mask © 2009

Transparent in his message and on paper and person, John is genuine with his readers and fans. In a conversation with YUR Magazine earlier this year John stated that he never imagined his poetry would impact people the way that it has. He has been contacted by both men and women who’ve been moved by his words. This may be “One Man’s Mind but his message is reaching the masses. In November 2011, Mask is due to release another book entitled “Revealing the Mask”. His readers are anxiously waiting the revealing of this new work of revelation and enlightenment that all began with one man’s mind.

Both books will be available for purchase at Amazon.com.

One Man’s Mind (ISBN 978-0-9818956-3-5) was published through Curry Brother’s Marketing and Publishing . http://www.currybrotherspublishing.com/

Revealing the Mask was published through Feel Me Inc. Publishing Division. http://www.feelmepublishing.com/

**** For more information on John Mask, contact the websites below. ****

http://www.facebook.com/ (Keyword search John Mask)
http://www.google.com/ (Keyword search John Mask or John J. Mask)

2009

2010-01-04T12:53:00.003-06:00

2009

Arriving in a chariot pulled by horses of promise,
promise of wealth, good health and a long awaited success,
each New Years Eve praying the same prayer and making the same proclamation.

This is My Year, last year almost took me out but this is the year.
365 days lead to 10 years.
10 years, 3 months and 20 days later of the same proclamation,
now anger and discouragement sets in,
bitterness towards “passa” for saying your change is gonna come.
Well my change has been coming since Sam Cooke bellowed those notes.

A degree, house, 3 cars and 3 death certificates later,
feeling as stable as a mobile home on a vault line in Cali.
Heart been broken so much from disappointment that its consistency can be sifted like sand be the sea shore.

Perfectly wearing that smile written about by Hughes,
faking the funk so much that even I began to believe the lies that rolls so sweetly off the tongue,
fooling surface friends and concerning those who know me too well,
unaware of the rise and fall of the sun and moon,
stars go unnoticed,
even the trees and flowers are ignored for more important things like
bills and bill collectors
late mortgages,
and notes that were not left by ones of unconditional love,
shivering with fear at the buzz of the phone,
buckling at the knees with the open of mail stamped with last notice.

You see it was divine in 05, fixed in 06, clever in 07, late 08, left behind in 09 and now we stand at the threshold on twenty ten
baggage in tow
every dream, vision, and promise
tucked neatly in K Mart luggage awaiting for it’s time of exposure to light
shaking with anticipation of manifestation

I feel like a soldier
battle scars and war wounds
memories of yesterday haunting me,
got people in my ear telling me to forget about it and
focus on a brand new tomorrow.

The day I had to pick up 3 death certificates, were once tomorrows

brand new tomorrows

As I take one step to the door of 2010 and reflect on 2009
I can’t help but remember soulful songs that pricked my heart and drew tears of happiness,
words of poetry from the lips of homeland soldiers in community trenches that
spiritually see the bright future of a discarded generation.
familiar gestures of kindness acted out towards a stranger,
friendships bonded,
and blessings of the Almighty coming forth from unfertile stones.

As I enter into 2010 I can’t help but awaken and shake my faith,
the size of a mustard seed but has the power of an unseen yet Powerful God,

As I move into a new decade,
I feel grateful for second chances,
thankful for joy, peace, protection and favor,
all of that overriding past hurts,

I am here
now
here
present
alive
here
walking
here
breathing
here
alert
here
I step forth
take another step
and another
and await for the new chapter to unfold.

Author: L. Tisdale

What Am I Going to Do?

2009-05-20T12:50:00.003-05:00

Last night I was on the phone with my friend, and she made the statement "When will shooting at a high school graduation becomes inappropriate?". I thought to my self "When did it become appropriate?". Recently there was a shooting at a local high school graduation. The people involved were not students yet adults. It was said that it was gang related, others say it was from a previous altercation at a club. Regardless of it conception, why was the situation handled at a high school graduation? A time when students should be reflecting on their past academic experiences and the future that they are about to embark upon, they should not be running and ducking bullets. I recall last year, a friend of mine was attending a high school commencement ceremony and saw of rival gangs exchanging words her "inner voice" told her to gather her things, her mother, grandmother and exit the premises. Shortly after she left, the young men erupted into a fight.

My question is "What do WE do as a generation?"What can we do? These are our young men and women (our children and future) being affected. I am not blaming the young men, young women, parents, grandparents, public officials or the school systems. I want to know what can I do as an individual to help regain our community and young people. I have seen the statement "If You are Not part of the solution, You are part of the problem?" Can someone tell me the equation, question.... anything? What can we do as one unit, one community, one people to solve or alleviate this problem?

I mentioned to my friend that we are all aware ( well some people) that this is more spiritual that physical. I mention maybe the people who are seeking change and a better tomorrow should fast, pray, and seek direct from God. Whatever it is, the time is now to do it. Most of us are at an age when leaders during the civil right era were peaking. It seems like most of us are stuck. An elder told me that marching and sit ins worked for his era but WE need to think of new tactics. With the technology today, we have the world at our finger tips. Don't get me wrong, we have a activists ( known and unknown) in 2009 taking on this battle one person at a time, but taking on the world's burden is too much for a handful of people.

Somebody Help Me. ( with this issue in addition to spelling and editing)

Why Do People Wear Shades Where There is No Light?

2009-05-19T15:08:00.004-05:00

Ok this is gonna be short and sweet. Why do people wear shades in places with no light. Now I understand if you are blind ( shout out the Stevie Wonder) but if you have perfectly good sight and no lazy eye ( no diss to Musiq) WHY wear shade where there is no light?!?!?! I went to a conference in a casino a few months back and there were this brotha. He was straight up no SUPA STA RAH and he had on the ChIps patrol joints on the entire time. NOW anyone who has been to casino knooooows that there are no windows and the lights are dimmed which confused the heck outta me as to why this joker got on shades. I was waiting for the head wave from side to side as evidence of no sight or mental disability, but no just foolishness rolling from his tongue cause embarrassment to all black folk even those that have gone up before us. I know they were looking down shaking their head, thinking to them selves "Look at This Fool, is this what we fought and died for???" Come On Brothas, we have to do better

Are WE Lynching Our Children???

2009-03-06T11:13:00.006-06:00

"Go head momma leave that casket open

let all the world see

it ain't just burning in Mississippi

hell is hot where ever you be"

a portion of the poem We Made It by Sunni Patterson

Sunni Patterson is one of my favorite poets. Her poem "We Made It" tells of past and present struggles of African Americans throughout history. Last night (03/05/09) I attended the play "The Face of Emmett Till", and I instantly thought of this portion of Sunni’s poem. The play (written by Mamie Till- Mobley & David Barr III, directed by Jacqueline Springfield, presented by Sista Style Productions at the Darkhorse Theatre here in Nashville) was completely sold out! Throughout the theatre there were faces of many racial and cultural backgrounds , all there paying homage or learning about a past that was only a few decades ago. The play stimulated emotions and responses of disbelief, anger, disgust, sadness and compassion.

I left there overwhelmed with questions and concerns. Questions of “How could this happen? What sick soulless person (or people) felt that this was a satisfying deed? This was a child, how could this be the norm or seen as justice in any society? The largest question that kept rolling through my mind was "Are WE (as people of color) lynching our own children today?

Not physically, but mentally, emotionally, and psychologically and I am using the word "we" for people of color as a collective...a community.

Have we justified so dysfunction that we are allowing a society that hasn't "fully" accepted us be responsible for our children and their well being? A place where people of color make up the majority (vastly) of all negative or degrading statistics? With that said WE allow people to place our children in remedial classes when they have no learning disabilities, we allow people at tell us what is "psychologically" wrong with our children when they may not have the proper training, experience or compassion for our children. Many of us spend more money on video games with “mature” content than on books to academically stimulate the minds of our children.

Emmett Till was murdered by racists monsters, presently are we physically and psychologically murdering our children?

I have no children but my heart and compassion is for every child in my community.

Do we have the noose around the neck of our children, if so how can we remove it and bring them back to greatness?

This Is IT!!!! 2009!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-07T13:52:00.001-06:00

THIS IS IT!!!! WE MADE IT!!!!

2008…..can be best described best by Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities "It was the best of times and the worst of times"

This year was definitely one packed with lessons and growth. I have learned (am learning) that sometimes it’s good to get back to silence to hear your own voice. Having "me time" is not equivalent to being in a funk and that it is ok to maintain sanity (or in my case what’s left of it). This year I have learned that there is no such thing as normal and normality like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have learned that any and everything is possible and the greatest accomplishments in life are sometimes unexpected and unplanned. 2008 guided me through journeys of the unknown that worked out for my good. Believing in the goodness of God and leaning not to my own understanding gets the best results and requires less stress. 2008 year has truly been remarkable. Like everyone I had my share of trails, tests and tribulations but I made it through, and through those times there was a blessing. 2008 truly tested my spiritual, mental and emotional being, I found out how strong I truly was (in some case wasn’t). I had the honor of being in the presence of so many people that have a power and strength about them that feed those around them. 2008 was an unforgettable but I know 2009 will be one I will never forget. It is Harvest Time!!!!

I'm Concerend that My bills are PAID.

2008-11-13T11:59:00.004-06:00

OK, I have a question. Whyyyy when you tell people you would like an increase in your finances ( more money) they say “Well you know what they say…Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems.”

Get the smuck out my face!! People sang and live by this theology of "More Money More Problems" but I bet Oprah or Bill Gates are not humming this tune. And if having more money was that bad it's seems that rich people would try to "rid" themselves of the almighty dollar...but they are not. That Jedi mind trick does not work on me. Biggie had problems because he was “keeping company” with his wife and “others” at the same time....if you fooling round with all them chicks (especially lil Kim) you have more problems too ...rich or poor. But why are people stuck and comfortable with being at the bottom and barely making it. I watch my parents work and worry themselves in to an early grave and they had more problems and no money. LEMME experience the perils of too much money!!!! Let me suffer this great challenge of the abundance of financial gain. It’s a tough job but I am willing to sacrifice a mailbox full of past due bills and late notices for the greater good. Some one please take this theology of more money more problems to some one who can barely keep their basic utilities and rent paid, or to some one with no insurance and medical bills pilling high or to the single parent who is working 2 jobs and have mouths to feed. I'm not delusional and think all the problems and issues of the world desolve once I began to acquire more financially, I know "to whom much is given much is require" , also wisdom, discernment, all that good stuff will have to be strengthened. But I am willing and ready to take on that challenge. I am the woman for the job.

I am Special and I approve this ramble.

This Season

2008-10-27T12:40:00.002-05:00

Today began for me at 3 am. I was awakened out of my sleep and something told me to get prepared. Ionknow what I am getting prepared for but it said get prepared. I was like where do I began? It said began with what’s at your fingertips and work from there. So I began to organize my upstairs area. Why? Ionknow, I just did it. I was instructed to clean house (literally, emotionally, spiritually and mentally). Get rid of junk. Kroger receipts from last week, slips of paper with nothing important on them, church programs with out dated information on them …junk. Get rid of junk left by people and places. Discard negative comments, people mistaking kindness for weakness, blatant disrespect, junk…snit (that’s an “N” and not an “H”) that people have said and done that can not be change. But get rid of the tangible and intangible foolishness because a new day is rising and there will not be room for junk.

All day today I have been looking at and look up things I have neglected for the past 4 months. Busy helping some one else’s dream manifest while mine lay on the back burner…well today the pot has been move to the front and it is beginning to boil.

I heard somewhere that life is like driving a car; you are mean to glance at the rear view mirror (past) and focus on the windshield (future). If you spend too much time glancing in rear view mirror, the ending results can be harmful or deadly. It can also delay your arrival to your intended destination.

All of the junk I had to release and discard represented things of yesterday that I was holding on to. I didn’t know where it belong so I placed it wherever. But like life it is meant for me to discard the junk and file the important things (for future reference). So today my life is a little less cluttered and things are a lot clearer.

Special

Somebody Take My Hand

2008-03-24T19:49:00.000-05:00

Won't somebody answer this for me...Whyyyy do my supervisor listens to me type. Not like this is a fetish or anything but listens to me type to see if I am typing a personal email or not.

Now I know personal things should be done on personal time but come on. This heifer sits and day dreams all day long, does her child's home work, and paints her fingers and toes ( yes literally). Why listen to me type? How I know she is listening because she states "What are you typing? I hope it's not personal because that could be a reflection on me."

Yep

Shole Did

I then got in a foul mood and became 3itch from another planet. I know we are suppose to be nice ( see i am smiling ...clinching my teeth) but this kinda pissed me off today and last week when she mentioned it.

Somebody ...t-t-t-take my hand. I need help...I'm a Gemini and ya'll know we are a little abnormal.