Dreams Do Come True … Just Take The First Step

Tags

adult learning, Christian, Education, faith, Fear

Expressions

[These were prepared remarks that due to a miscommunication I did not get a chance to share at the 2012 Zion Honors, the Baccalaureate Celebration at my church on June 9, 2012 … I’m sharing them here as I know my dream may be that of some other adult, woman, or grandmother, who just needs to take the first step of faith.]  

            On this occasion to celebrate our graduates, I want to share that I’ve always been an advocate for education and mentoring young people.  In 1990, we had our first Baccalaureate Celebration at Zion which later evolved into The Zion Honors.  I planned and facilitated these celebrations for 18 years.  One year, inspired and proud, I casually stated one day I’m going to be in a graduating class of The Zion Honors.  In 2007, when I turned 50 years old, I decided to go back to school.  In the spring of 2008, I took my first class towards completing my degree, taking classes in the evening and online, and here I stand today, a graduate of the Class of 2012.  So with that I emphatically say to any adult in this room, you can do it too. Dr Martin Luther King Jr said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

 

            Lastly, I came across this quote by Richard Smucker, CEO and Director of the JMSmucker Company (who, by the way, makes $870.1K a year)

 

One.  Never compromise on your values of honesty and integrity.

Self-respect is the principal thing … if you do not respect yourself, no one else will.

 

Two. Set yourself apart from the crowd.  Always do ‘a little extra.’  (Be excellent; Be STAR QUALITY) … Which reminds me of an occasion in one of my classes … I provided handouts to the class for my presentation and along with my name, I put a “StarQuality Presentation” and someone asked about it … my response was that’s my moniker, everything I do is excellent. When I got home, someone sent me a FB message saying that inspired them so much, because that’s the perspective everyone should have.

 

Three. Say ‘Thank you’ whenever possible.  You’ll be noticed, and it’s the right thing to do.

And along with that, say “Please”, say “Excuse Me”, say “You’re welcome”.

 

Four. Remember, whether you know it now or not, your mother is almost always right.”

Ask my children, Terry, Brandon and Camille 🙂

 

At time of this post, 7.6.2012 … 

 

Next week, I will make my last presentation and submit my last paper for my BA degree in Nonprofit Administration.  If it is the Lord’s Will and I know it is … I will participate in the fall Commencement on Sunday, December 16, 2012! (And celebrate my 55th BD four days later.)

 

This hasn’t been an easy journey, but it has been mine, in God’s time for me. I’ve learned so much and broadened my outlook on life and overall I have become a better me.  I have learned to love myself, celebrate myself, and although I still get scarred sometimes, I’m not bound by fear in the way I used to be.

 

To God be the glory for the GREAT things He has done for me!  He alone is so worthy of praise! *Q

 

Standards Are Not Synonymous with Traditions

Tags

Apostolic, Christian, Holiness, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Motivation, Pentecostal, Teaching

            If I can and I do observe and ‘obey’ standards in the work place, institutions of learning, residential communities, entertainment venues, and for special occasions … Why not in the House of God?  Standards are expectations of distinction, cultural norms that distinguishes a higher state of existence from a lower one.  Standards are a distinction of reverence and respect. They are principles of “recognized excellence or established authority”. 

            As a leader, I certainly must uphold and exemplify a higher standard as an example to those who follow and need a positive image of excellence to model as they learn and GROW. It amazes me how the House of God has become a place where standards are challenged, put to debate, and elasticized to a ‘do your best’ code of conduct. “Sometimes doing your best is not good enough. Sometimes you must do what is required.”—Winston Churchill 

            The Jewish faith upholds its standards AND traditions: its distinction. The Muslim faith upholds its standards AND traditions: its distinction.  What has happened to the Holiness Apostolic Pentecostal Sanctified distinction?! 

            Why is this distinction so important? 

            God has commissioned us to go into all the world to compel men, women, boys and girls to be saved.  When people come into Christ and the Church, they are looking for new answers, a new way of living, new hope. If when they come, they only see and hear what they have always seen and heard, they become confused in their expectations.  People need to be taught, inspired and motivated to change (transformation), be different, and be better.  The Word of God also compels us to be IN Christ and to PUT ON Christ.  We must wear Christ and holiness as a well fitted garment without spot, wrinkle, blemish, or any such thing. 

            Standards AND traditions are guideposts, bench marks, preservation measures, they are necessary … not to hold people bound, but to teach the way of Christ and holiness.  Without them all we have is modernism and rebellion.  The Church must choose the more excellent way in the workplace, learning institutions, communities and wherever we exist, in behavior and conversation as well AND definitely in the House of our God. 

            Pondering some profound, theological, practical, easily digestible response to ‘How’ do we get back to our distinction? I keep coming up with JESUS … get back to Him, His Word in its purest sense, His teachings. Abandon the philosophies of men, the rhetoric of the world [people] who know not God, the bombardment of penetrating images of self-gratification, and get back to Jesus! #sagewisdom *Q

My 30-Day Water Challenge

Tags

health

Thomas Carlyle said, “Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.”

Accomplishment is a great motivator too.  On May 31 I noticed a post from one of my FB friends who is also a Fitness Instructor challenging her friends to do a 30-Day Water Challenge (drink only water, no other beverage).  I had heard of this challenge before (my god-niece, Katrice Mines of www.myvicariouslyfe.com  had done it) but this time something clicked with me.

After contemplating several insignificant reasons not to do the challenge: the first day was June 1, a Friday, the beginning of the weekend, who starts a deprivation effort on the weekend?! Then it is June, Summer!, special occasions, fun times, celebrations. For some reason, none of it mattered, I felt a pull. I put the challenge to my FB friends and several of them said they would join me.

(JeTaun Brown, Marja Freeman, Marie Rucker, Tameka McKinney … Thanks, my Sisters, LOVE YOU!)

That was it, I had support AND motivation. I made the commitment, my word was out, I was IN!

As the effort progressed, the challenge somehow didn’t feel that challenging. Although when I saw someone with a Starbucks cup, or any coffee beverage, a smoothie, juice or pop, I did briefly get a “WHATEVA” attitude.  I made my challenge FUN and less monotonous by drinking different brands of pure and sometimes sparkling water.  My husband said, “Only you could make drinking plain water bougie” … He loves me! 🙂  Prior to the Challenge, I drank water any way, but not as much as the daily recommended intake. Other beverages of choice included Ginger Ale and my Starbucks Lattes, occasionally juice and tea, but for the most part I had gotten away from assorted sodas and other punch-like drinks.

The biggest challenge would be not having my lattes … I love Starbucks, the culture, the caffeine, the cup, the pastries, the baristas who know my drink before I ask … I was (may still be) a junkie. 🙂  I had contemplated and prayed for an intervention. Perhaps this was it, only time will tell.

I think I may have lost a few pounds by not having that hot, creamy, sweet, delicious triple Grande extra-hot Caramel Cinnamon Dolce Nonfat Latte (or Americano), with Whip, Caramel Drizzle and Cinnamon Powder drink every day, but the most notable benefit was ‘accomplishment’ … I DID IT!

Accomplishment builds self-esteem and self-confidence; it also builds motivation and inspiration.  Having accomplished this effort, I feel like I can do more for my health and wellness. I’m pushing myself a little more, taking baby steps, and making better choices. Thanks for the challenge Kristie Duffy of Faithfully Fit Group Fitness Center, www.faithfullyfitcenter.com.

Now I need a challenge of no bread, potatoes, or sweets … that would be a real mood-altering challenge, but I BELIEVE I could do it.

Not today though LOL!