Envisioning a Successful New Year

This is my last post of 2011.

Perhaps it should be memorable. Maybe pretentious, as most pre-New Year’s messages are; Yielding promises of changes and resolutions. This is not such a post.

Last night I stayed up until 2a.m. I was at a Vision Board party. My cousins, a friend, an myself all worked on our vision boards from late evening until way into the wee hours of morning. Inspiration struck me mid process, after some laughs, a glass of cheer and a few crazy episodes of Real Housewives of Atlanta, I finally gained some focus. Then, I got to work.

My board is filled with pictures, words, symbolism, and things that only I understand. When I was hands down, kneeled on the ground, giddy about the completion of my board, I realized that I had fallen in love with my goals, and that I was in need of expressing myself.

I’ve never felt so free, creative, and empowered than when sitting on that floor, poring over clipped out words and images, and breathing life into my hopes and dreams for the future. I have never made one before, but I’d heard of the way these creative outlets can change people’s lives.

According to a website: Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life. There are celebrities, like Oprah and Ellen, who have featured these boards on their shows. In face, according to the aforementioned website, “In recent history some of the brilliant minds who have effectively used these same principals include author Napolean Hill (“Think and Grow Rich” – 1937), inventor Nikola Tesla, and Albert Einstein.”

I’ve also read theories, like Plato’s Theory of Forms or Theories of Ideas, that says that no one’s seen a perfect circle, except in one’s mind. This makes me think that the mind is a powerful means of bringing its seeds into fruition.

Things that I aspire for:

Health
Happiness
Financial Control (a.k.a. “Diddy/Dirty Money” money)
Love
and improvements in various aspects of my character, like being a bolder person and being punctual.

So, will these things become realized? In short, I believe the answer is a big, fat, greasy YES!

Why? Because life as we know it is a representation of how the mind works. The technology and opportunities we have in 2011 that were not available in the Stone Age goes to show that innovation, imagination, faith, and works go hand in hand (in hand). I recently had an epiphany. As an employee, I am but a medium, a means for my company’s goals/ideas/vision. My company comes up with ideas, I implement their instructions, and my labour creates the result. In short, my works are a product of my company’s vision. Vision is a very important word to me, especially since this summer, when I found that dreaming big pays off handsomely.

I have a vision that came to me as I was making my board. These things are right in front of me, and are attainable. Hard work, failures, and disappointments should be expected, but if you don’t go forward with your dreams, you never know how far you can go. With these goals, I will reach high, expect the best, accept the outcome, and get better.

This message is for readers with goals: Be relentless with your vision. These things work, and sometimes we need tangible evidence that the things we hope for can become reality.

A Tribute to the Late Dr. Rev. Wesley A. James

As members of Franklin Street we are part of a rich legacy.

The ones who came before us so carefully preserved and taught these values.

Franklin Street has a history of birthing and hosting great individuals:

People about their Christian business, people of substance, people of purpose.

We are here today to honor Reverend James and this legacy he is part of.

We gather here, not because he’s gone, but because he was *here.

I’d like to reflect for a moment with a poem I wrote inspired by this church and those who came before.

“The Measure of a (Hu)man”

What is the measure of a man?

To his or her family, peers, to the community,

Such that his or her legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of others, and in edifices that stand for generations?

Every statue, every placard, every revered gesture says something significant about the character of every lauded, or even unsung, hero.

The things about a person that we hold dear to our hearts, that intangible memory that sings to our souls—it uplifts and encourages, and often immortalizes an ordinary human being, making that existence as mysterious as myth.

To capture the essence of the measure of a man, to understand the importance of an ordinary person’s ascent to prominence, and to explore the environment such greatness is nurtured in—that’s a feat every human should embark on in order to find him or herself.

 

When we speak about the transition from good to great, I believe we are speaking of something that lies within us, that leaders like Reverend James spoke of and believed in.

When I think of Reverend James, these words come to mind:

 

Wise. He was a person people would call on for council.

Encouraging. He encouraged others to use their gifts and talents for God.

Selfless.A tireless community leader, he would often rise from his sick bed to help others.

Loving. I think of children’s dedicatory period of my youth, and I remember how he would call for all youth to come to the front, we would gather around, and he would relate Biblical stories in a manner we could understand.

Everyone considered him a friend. Reverend James had friends in very high and low places.

Youth oriented. He understood the importance of training up children in the way they should go. He watched me and many others grow, helped groom the youth of the church in a Christian manner. Those that grew up under him are better for it. He has played a very important role in my life.

 

These and other things that encompass the many facets of a man—husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, leader, pastor—that we will always cherish, are a testament to how God will favor us if we live our lives according to God’s will.

 

As we reflect on the tremendous impact left by Reverend James let us not forget the songs he sang, the laughter, and the love that continues to resonate. What lies between the walls of this church encompasses a lifetime of worship that began generations ago—and today, we honor the visionary leader who has faithfully ushered us into what is to come.

Troops Deploy on the 4th

AMID THE COOKOUTS AND TIME SPENT WITH FAMILY, MEMBERS OF VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY GATHER AS WELL.

THEY’RE HEADED OVERSEAS TO DEFEND OUR FREEDOM.

MANY LEFT OUT TODAY, MEANING NO PARADES, OR CELEBRATION WITH LOVED ONES, BUT THEY DO IT, KNOWING FREEDOM

COMES WITH A HIGH PRICE.

SOLDIERS ADMIT THAT IT ISN’T FUN OR GLAMORUS, BUT SERVING OUR COUNTRY AND FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM KEEPS THEM GOING BACK OVERSEAS.

Amazing insight into being a naturalista with weave!

Thank God I'm Natural

We’re excited to introduce our first guest-blogger ever, Lora , a natural, who from time to time wears extensions as a protective style. Lora, is a self-declared project junkie who takes great pride in keeping both her natural hair and her extensions in tip top condition. Lora is pictured here wearing Bohyme Brazilian Wave.

Okay, so you may have done the big chop and now you suddenly miss having the styling options that longer hair provides.  Or, you may have been natural for a while, and you’re just looking to give your hair a much needed vacation from  all the combing, twisting and touching that comes when we wear our curls out.  Maybe you want to experiment with color but don’t want to risk chemical damage to your fragile tresses.  What’s a natural to do?

Believe it or not, many naturals are turning to weaves and extensionsas a reliable protective style…

View original post 1,291 more words

Jasmine Anderson, Reporter Resume Reel

2012 Reporter Resume Reel

Making It Through the Storm

As we navigate through the stormy seas of life, we realize that life sometimes can be a “beach”. 🙂

Sometimes we shipwreck and are stymied. Whatever the case, don’t give up.

Hardships are the way of the world, common points to our existence that render us strong or defeated. Be strong. Be undefeatable.

One thing I’ve learned is that it is never too late to pick up and start over. So even if your course is rocky and rough, be steadfast in your journey, and true to yourself.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Yesterday I underwent tympanoplasty surgery. It’s an outpatient procedure done to patch a perforated eardrum. Basically, I had a hole in my ear until yesterday. I was so afraid to have surgery, especially after seeing that I’d have to be carted off on a bed/stretcher and put under anesthesia for one to two hours. I was holding back tears and gasping for air as a nurse put a plastic mask over my face and told me to take deep breaths.

I remember waking up, cold and with a sore throat. I tossed about a bit like a fish out of water trying to get comfortable on the twin sized bed/gurney. I heard the familiar music of the Wendy Williams show and finally woke up, praying that things were over. Yes, the nurse said, the procedure was a success. I woke up talking, then I asked nurse Rema if I was talking gibberish.

No, she said, I wasn’t talking crazy, but she figured that I’m talkative. That, I am. Somehow I had the balls to ask if nurse Rema was actually a nurse, then inquired where she graduated from. As it turned out, she and my mother both graduated from my new alma mater, the University of South Alabama. How she put up with my banter I’ll never know.

After a few trips to the restroom, some sips of Sprite and some kind of liquid/oily pain medicine, I was suddenly sleepy again. I remember telling my mom that “the pain has subsided” and she just chuckled at my diction. What’s wrong with the word “subsided”?! Anyhow, I wasn’t prepared for my scratchy sore throat and a busted lip, which I assumed happened during surgery. My mom told me its because the anesthesiologist stuck a tube down my throat…so that’s how they put me to sleep… Interesting.

Somehow after being escorted out, I scored a hug with nurse Ashley. How sweet. I must have really looked pitiful. And I must have really been delusional, because halfway through the parking lot I informed my mother that I’d greatly appreciate a victory dinner. A steak to be exact.

Instead, mother drove to Walmart to get my prescription (Loritabs!) and left the windows down, refusing to leave the car cranked up and flowing with sweet A/C because I “don’t need to operate heavy machinery”. What?! How? I was in the passenger seat and it was 80 degrees out. Her feelings were spared on THAT day only because I was impaired. It was the longest wait EVER.

Lucky for her, she acquiesced to my request for a milk shake. Later on that day, after a half bowl of chicken noodle soup, I realized why I didn’t need that steak (and was very thankful indeed). And after a failed attempt to eat mandarin oranges (acid and sore throats do not mix) somehow I survived on sips of ginger ale and apple sauce. Later on my mom went to work (What? You couldn’t call in after your daughter just defeated near death?). I found it cute that my grandma came back to my tomb/room to check on me and later my cousin Phyllis came over to spend the night.

So, today was day one of recuperation and I’m less nauseous than yesterday. Hopefully that’s a great thing because my appetite is calling out for fried Churches chicken. I know that’s pretty random and quite unnecessary considering I’m supposed to stay on light food, but hey, it’s 99 cent Tuesday! However, once again I could barely eat a half cup of applesauce and I’d probably get sick if I pushed the issue by eating more. Maybe I’ll lose a few pounds.

Ear surgery is no joke. I’ve endured earaches since January I’m hoping that this is the last time I’ll be having major medical problems. This year has been a joke from entities above. First I broke my glasses (see no evil), then my ear started giving me problems (hear no evil), and last but certainly not least, I may need a root canal for my front tooth (speak no evil). Since these problems arose, I gave up things I was doing that I suspected God was unhappy with.

Now that I’ve gone through these trials, I feel that life’s problems are enough to go through without pissing God off in tandem. Yes, these issues suck, but I’m thankful that it’s not worse. If God is trying to tell me something, I’m all ears. I can hear Him loud and clear–even with a crusty, blood stained cotton ball stuck in one ear. It’s a long road to recovery, with a lot of uncomfortable moments, but as long as I follow God’s commands for my life, I know everything’s going to be alright.

Second Chances

Eight years ago when I was a college freshman, credit card companies would do anything to push a high interest card off on naive freshmen. CitiBank reps would post in front of our student center, our dorms, and our sandwich shops, enticing the new kids with a free shirt or a free sandwich simply for applying for a credit card. For me, the idea of something free was just as appealing as someone dangling a carrot in front of a really hungry rabbit, irresistible.

I’m older, wiser and more reflective. As much as I regret useless shopping sprees with borrowed money, I am proud to say that I’ve paid one of my two cards off, and have been working towards paying off debts that I owe. I’m still paying, though. My credit dictates a lot of things to people, like what type of home I qualify for, how credit lenders perceive me and even what kind of job I can get. It’s my virtual representative. When people are looking at a stranger’s credentials, those three numbers speak loudly for their owner. They talk about responsibility, dependability, and accountability.

I’m not new to working hard and taking care of my responsibilities. I recently quit a job I held for five years (I was offered a position in my degree field), paid off my car note and have taken care of myself for a while. With or without good credit, I’ve lived. But now that I’m looking for an apartment, I hear a little nagging voice that asks if I should fill that costly application fee–because of there’s a credit check there’s a 50/50 chance I’ll be approved.

Guess I should have read the fine print on that tee shirt, because I’m a walking red flag to potential lenders. And as for how I feel ? It’s like I’m wearing my credit score on my forehead like the Scarlet Letter. Look, all I have is my name. In this case, all I have is my credit. But I’ll keep my fingers crossed and continue to work towards a better life.

Who Knew

Three years ago I eloped with a man who I thought I would be with for the rest of my life.

I was on Spring Break so we went to the beach. It was in Shalimar county. I threw all caution to the wind, and started my new life as a married woman.

After the wedding, all hell broke loose in my mind. I realized that had just wed a man that neither my family or friends met.

I cried pitifully afterward, and determined to make things right, I finally and painstakingly introduced him to my family.

I wanted to redeem myself, make my loved ones proud of me, let them experience my new life. My guilty conscious caused me to set an “authentic” wedding date in September of that same year.

Three years later, almost to the date, as I reflect on time wasted in a space filled with so many tears, so much pain, and such little communication, I realize how blessed I am to be on the road to divorce.

Since separating almost a year ago, I have had time to quietly heal. I don’t speak much about him, I no longer have my rings, and the photo albums are somewhere in storage.

Most importantly, I am quite ready to start a new chapter in my life. I haven’t heard from this guy in about half a year, and frankly, I do wish him the best of luck in life. It’s only fair to do so, because I’ve been living a much better existence ever since I moved on.

What did I learn from this? How do I feel about marriage now? Well, the first is easier to address.

I learned that first and foremost, treat others as you’d like to be treated. I also find that moving too fast is detrimental for me in relationships. One more thing, love doesn’t hurt. I haven’t cried half as much since leaving.

Despite this, I now can fully relate to Pink’s song “Who Knew” with the verse: “If someone said three years from now, you’d be long gone. I’d stand up and punch their mouth, cause their all wrong.”

I feel that now, I do know better, and am a wiser, better person because of what I experienced. Who knew that such a negative existence could yield such a positive outlook on life? Who knew.

Valentine’s Day Made to Order at Waffle House

 Love is in the air, and you can smell it–at Waffle House?!

A few Waffle House restaurants in Georgia are turning up the romance!

Much like a 5-star restaurant, there will be tablecloths, alcohol free champagne, and even dim lighting.

Known for waffles, there will be a shorter menu available, including ribeye and eggs, pork chop dinner, and t-bone and eggs.

The even have reservations, 12 so far–and bookings have been going–like hot cakes!