Are You Living or Existing...

Last night, a friend and I saw the new Tyler Perry movie, The Family that Preys, a must see movie. There was a phrase in the movie that asked the question "Are you living or just existing?” I went wow! Am I, living or just existing?

Before the movie, at dinner we were talking about how people live to put on shows. They want everyone to believe their lives are perfect, that they have no problems. They carefully orchestrate their lives, so that it shows perfection, not a flaw in sight. They have to be careful not to show any emotions, they have to be careful not to show their sadness as well as hide any pain very carefully. To me, that is just existing and not living at all.

Unfortunately, the people we were talking about are Christians. They think that they are helping people, really, they do, and they have the best intentions at heart. They think that people will see their imagine and want Christ but I think 99% of the time people think those people are special and they will never be able to achieve that. What people want to see is "everyday folk" working through the problems of life with the Word of God. People are not looking for an imagine; they are looking for solutions to their reality...

Therefore, I ask you... ARE YOU LIVING OR JUST EXISTING!

Trying To Relax

What does that mean? I am just trying to relax... I have a friend that says that to me all the time. And when I ask how, they never know how to answer me. Well, I want to relax too but I am not always sure how to accomplish that. So.... I have decided to start with, what is the best decision for me in the moment. Well what does that mean?

You see, one of my issues is I give away of myself way too freely, I do not charge enough. I normally think of everyone else and never consider my own needs. Then after a while, I feel stressed and up tight, not at all relaxed. To remedy this problem, I have committed to stop, think and consider before I make a decision to come to any one's rescue. I must think, is helping this person right now, the best choice for me. I have committed to, before I choose to eat something, stay up late or make any decision; I will ask, is this, the best choice for me.

Now, this is very scary to me because most of my life, the people surrounding me, often made choices that were in their best interest, not necessarily mine. My fear has always been that I would become an extremely selfish person. So, my task, find the balance. To find that sweet spot where I can be the giving me, while taking care of myself at the same time.

Wish me luck...

What Kind of Day Is It?

What kind of day is it for you? Really, what do you see?

I was born in 1969, after President Kennedy and Dr. King were assassinated. Oh, but I must have heard dozens of stories of what the presence of those two brought to this country. I remember my grandfather told me that he for the first time felt that there was going to be a country where 'blacks" did not have to fight for basic necessities or they could feel safe (feel safe). I remember being a little girl looking into my grandfather's eyes trying to catch the excitement he must have felt during those times. As I watched the Democratic Convention last week, I think I caught a glimpse of that hope, my grandfather spoke of. I think I have always been searching for that excitement, that opportunity to make a difference, that chance to be different. I think my life successes have been because of that hope my grandfather felt and was willing to share with me. Oh, do I wish he was here today, I wish he could experience the excitement that is upon us today.

Regardless of your political affiliation, you saw a couple that did not have all the advantages in life; choose to make something of their life and the lives of others. You saw a women support her husband and a husband appreciate it. You saw two children without a care in the world because their parents love each other, love them and this country. You saw the state of this country, a country that needs change.

Mr. Biden is the picture perfect view of a loving and supportive father, grandfather and husband. We saw an elder statesman in Joe Biden, as we should have seen in the Rev. Jessie Jackson. Early in the presidential election, Mr. Biden also ran for that top seat but now with grace and pride he is running for vice president. Mr. Biden has been on this earth longer, in the Senate longer and probably has had more life experiences than Mr. Obama, but yet in his wisdom he sees that the much younger Obama is the right leader for this country.

We see a country ready to elect a man regardless of his color and an elder willing to say someone younger may have the answer. One day, my grandchildren will look into my eyes hoping to catch my excitement, just as I looked into my grandfather’s eyes almost 30 years ago. It is a beautiful day.