I'm Grateful

My birthday was a few days ago. As I do every year on my birthday I became very nostalgic about the last year of my life. What I came up with was the opening line from Charles Dickens's, A Tale Of Two Cities: "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." I have never understood this line the way I do now.

After a year when I lost my mother and also celebrated the birth of my daughter. I can truly say, it was one of the best and worst years of my life.
Having a loving daughter and learning, laughing, and growing with her was the pinnacle of most of my days. She is such a joy to be around. Watching her grow showed me that children are a miracle. It seems like I just brought her home and she is already talking and trying to walk.

On the other hand, as I was learning to be a mother, I lost my mother. This was a serious blow to me. I never thought that my daughter would grow up without her grandmother. Nor did I imagine a life where my mother would not be here to guide me. Yet, I am faced with both of these realities.

As I reflected on both of these major life events, there were only two words that I could say. "I’m grateful." I am grateful for the gift of life. The life of my daughter and the life of my mother. I am grateful that my mom is in a better place. I am grateful that she is no longer suffering. Grateful, for the time I had with her and the things she put in me. I am grateful for my own life; grateful that God allowed me to see another year. Yes, even though last year was trying, I am yet grateful. And I believe that the best is yet to come! What is it that you believe about the life that is ahead of you?

Despite what kind of day, month, or year you’ve had. When you really think about it you too have something to be grateful for and about. If nothing, be grateful that you have the mind and eyes to see and comprehend this blog. Many people don’t. You have life, so you have something to be grateful about.

When your life seems to be filled with the best and the worst of the times, remember that it only gets better from here. Regardless of how you feel, open up your mouth and say these two words, "I’m Grateful." And that's all I have to say...

Hope Is In The Air

As January 20th approaches, I am giddy with feelings of exhilaration, knowing that soon, America will swear in her first African American President. Barack Obama has proven not only to America, but to the world, that hope is alive and well.

It was Jesse Jackson, Sr. who coined the phrase, “Keep Hope Alive.” Yet, I believe it was Obama who revived “our” hope. When I say “our” hope, please know that I am not just speaking about African Americans. I am talking about people; red, yellow, green, purple, black, and white. I am speaking specifically about everyone who has dared to hope for anything in life. I hope that I am speaking about even you!

Our hope in our nation, our government, humanity, and our leaders has been revived. However, what about the hopes for ourselves? Our hopes for our children? Our hope for our futures? This is an historical time, a time to not only reflect on the hope of our nation, but also for the hopes of our lives.

In a time when our economy looks bleak and unemployment is at its highest rate in decades. What lies before us is hope. It was Barack Obama who said, “There has never been anything false about hope.” Hope is real because no one can take it away from you…except you!

So regardless of your situation today, I dare you to choose hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for a better job. Hope that your business will get off the ground. Hope that you will get married. Hope that your finances will change. Hope that your health will improve. Hope, because when you stop hoping you give way to your fears. When you give way to your fears, you die to your future.

Over the few weeks as we move toward inauguration day, I am asking you to do one small thing. Just hope! As you hope, I pray that you are inspired to change something in your life for the better. I pray that your hope will lead you to take action toward your dreams.

Moreover, if you are having trouble finding hope for you, then just look at what is getting ready to take place in our nation. It is a living example that hope is truly in the air!

And that’s all I have to say…