Mean What You Say!

Every year as we draw closer to the "New Year," I cringe at the sound of the many cliches that folk begin to spew. You know the one's that assert that next year is going to be better than the current one. Need an example? Well this year it was something about... "life being great in 2008." Oh, and It was something about heaven in 2007. Are we on the same page now?

Now, y'all know that I am all for positive affirmation. I am an avid believer that your life follows your word. What you say is what you get. Yet, I am always taken aback when I hear these cliches from loved ones and friends with no real passion, purpose, or plan to accompany it.

Passion-It's one thing to profess that this upcoming year will be different. It is another to profess it with passion. It is our passion that ignites our belief. When we just repeat words because we heard them or someone told us to, we are doing so in a mindless manner. With passion we can take charge of the words that come out of our mouth. Passion allows our words to take on life and meaning.

Purpose-When we speak words over our lives we must do so with purpose. We must be purposeful! Your purpose is your why? Ask yourself why you are saying the words and what your expectation is from speaking them over your life. Don't speak rhetoric over your life, your future, or your family. Speak words of purpose that justify the end you desire.

Plan-Cliches are just mere words. Yes it's fine that 2008 is going to be great, but what are you going to do to make it as such? What are you going to do that makes 2008 any different from 2007? In order for the words to work we have to work the words. By working the words, I simply mean we have to put in some work. Sit down and create a plan for the year. That plan should outline specifically what you can tangibly do to make this year better than the last. It's one thing to say a thing, it's another to say it, mean it, and make plans to see the words come to fruition.

As I said earlier, I am not against positive affirmation, or cliches for that matter. I use alot of affirmation and call and response in my presentations. What I do have a problem with is the belief that we can just speak mere "words" and our lives will somehow change overnight. I take issue with the rhetoric that benefits no one in the end. Rhetoric is good for the politician, but even he comes to the point when he must take responsibility for his words.

So as you approach 2009, don't believe the "word hype." Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Then go out there and make it happen. I don't know about you, but as for me, I'm going to get mine in 2009.

And that's all I have to say...

Who Are You When No One Is Watching?

Seven Pounds, the newly released Will Smith movie has received mixed reviews. So of course, I decided to see it for myself. After spending my $4.00 at a matinee show, I came to the conclusions that it was money well spent. Not only that, I am dubbing it the "must see movie" of the year.

While I am no movie critic, I am an everyday person who loves to get lost in a good movie. This movie in particular struck me because of its moral message. Yes, it is "just"entertainment, but I find great joy when I am able to walk away from a movie that makes me think about my life and what it means. One that stirs a dialog long after I have left the dark theater. Seven pounds is one of these movies.

In the movie, Smith asks of a certain character ,"Are you a good man when you don't know that anyone is watching?" As I sat and watched the movie, I pondered this question. How many people can truly say that they are "good hearted" even when no one is looking at them?

I gather that many of us, including myself, would answer this question with a resounding, "YES!" Yet, when we stop to think about it, and take a closer look at ourselves, we realize that there have been times in our lives when we all could have answered "NO" to this question.

Though I walked away from the movie with mixed feelings and emotions, I also walked away with the notion that despite my best efforts, even I could be a better person. I could be a better mother, wife, friend, etc...

The movie caused me not only to look at myself but also at the struggles I have been through in life. As the movie played out the struggles in the lives of seven people, I reckoned that the characters trials were no different than the person sitting behind or in front of me.

Just like the characters in the movie, we all have had or will have trials in life. Yet, it is how we go through, how we act and react that will determine the outcome. This is what makes up our character, the person we become in the most difficult times in our lives. Our response to life's tragedies is a more accurate picture of who we are than our response to a life that is "perfect." When the rubber meets the road, the person that we truly are will without a doubt surface.

So I ask you, who are you when no one is watching? Who do you become when you feel helpless and hopeless? As you will see from the movie, Seven Pounds, your answer to this question could be a matter of life or death.

And that's all I have to say....