Awareness For You & Me

It's October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Although this is the month that is designated for Breast Cancer Awareness, people we can not stop here!  We need to recognize and be aware of breast cancer and all other cancers at all times.  Did you know that men are not exempt from getting breast cancer?  Although it is not very common in men, but they can get it too.  Yes, breast cancer has become a widespread disease.  Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States.  About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in the course of her lifetime.  That's 12%!  We have got to do something to help cure this disease.

BREAST CANCER POEM

"You have breast cancer" -there is nothing like those words;

You stare in a state of shock and wonder if that was what you really heard.

So you start your treatments and realize that it's not just you;

You see, now your love ones are affected by this too.

When it's all over and you are blessed enough to be still standing and you want to support the cause;

So you contribute, joining races and walks against breast cancer and everyone seems to applause.

Now, enough of saying "you" because this story is about me;

When I participate in these races and walks each step I take is personal you see.

Because I am celebrating survivorship and how good it feels as I cross the finish line;

Also knowing in my heart that I've walked for those that can't so they are not left behind.

So hearing the words, "you have breast cancer" doesn't always mean it's the end;

Do what's needed for you, pray and trust in God, he'll be your biggest friend.

I know this firsthand because that's how I got through;

Today, I show support by contributing and walking not only for me, but for you too!

Help! Join Me In The Fight Against Breast Cancer

Perserverance and You

I'm pretty sure that there is something in life that you want to go for...something that you have always dreamed of doing or being.  I bet that there is something out there somewhere that you want to be successful in but for some reason or another you haven't gotten up the nerve to go for it.  Therefore, you have become complacent or have convinced yourself that it's not important and you will probably fail at it anyway or you are just too "scared". 

Well, guess what?  I encourage you today to dig deep inside of yourself and pull out that "thing" that you want to do or to be that's buried and set the wheels in motion to follow it through.  If there is something or someone standing in your way and can't be moved then go around it.  You just have to take another route.  Alot of times, we are the ones that are in the way of ourselves.  If that is the case, get out of your own way and go for it!  You only get one shot at life so live it to the full potential.  If you tell someone of your ambition and they laugh and say that you can't do it, that is all the more reason that you should do it.  Laugh with them and think of it as a challenge (a challenge that you are going to make happen).

Again, I encourage you today to go after your success, your dream, your ambition.  Although, it may not be easy, it is not impossible!  (What if Michael Jordan or Oprah Winfrey thought it was impossible?  Where would they be today?  Certainly not a famous legend, I bet).  You can do it, come out of your box, dust yourself off, get your mind right, free yourself and keep pressing on.  Press through those barriers and claim your victory!  You will feel alot better in the long run.  Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement - yeah, that's Perserverance...yeah, that's You.  Now make it happen!

"Our Greatest Battles Are With Our Own Minds"  
 "A Desire Can Overcome All Objections And Obstacles"           

Pain At The Pump

What is going on at the pumps?  Gas prices are ridiculous!  They have skyrocketed nearly 28% over last year.  In some places in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, they have gone up to $5.00 a gallon!  The gas price hike is not just affecting those that travel by car.  In the U.S., we consume millions of barrels of oil daily in the form of the gasoline that powers our vehicles, jet fuel for air travel and a multitude of other oil reliant products.  As a result, most airlines have already increased their fares.
President Obama stated that we are going to make sure that nobody is taking advantage of American consumers for their own short term gain.  He also announced forming a task force led by the Justice Department to determine if gas prices are spiking because of fraud.  I mean...really...why should we, the American people, have to pay for others' mishaps?  It's not fair.

Unfortunately, the only suggestion that has been giving to us is to "drive less".  As you can see, that has already been happening.  People are riding bikes and scooters more, carpooling, walking, etc.  However, it is just not fair.  Something needs to happen to put a stop to these rising gas prices so we, the American people, can stop feeling the pain at the pump.

Time For A Change

Change simply means to make different; cause a transformation.  So why do most people fear change?  People fear change because they are scared of the "unknown".  Most people like things to remain the same.  These are things that they are use to and have their own way of handling.  They have become comfortable and complacent in their situation.  Change makes them uncomfortable because it requires adjustment and adaptation. 
Needless to say, people don't always like to be taken out of their 'comfort zone' or taken away from what they know to expect.  However, they should not be fearful of change.  This can alter dreams and slow up or stop progress in their lives.  So to get past the fear they need to decide to move on in the direction of the unknown on the promise that something will be better for them.  Making this change requires a leap of faith.  Remember this saying:  "If you always do what you've always done then you'll always get what you've always got." 
Just like Barack Obama said during his campaign, "Change We Can Believe In", and you see where that got him, the First African American (in other words, Black) President of the United States!  If it was good enough for him then it's good enough for you.  So don't be afraid to change within hopes for the better.  You won't know if you don't try -- take that leap of faith, make that change!

Give Me My Flowers While I Yet Live

I am sure that you all have heard the song, Give Me My Flowers While I Yet Live, So That I Can See The Beauty That They Bring.  Believe it or not, that song is so true.  Often times, people die and we spend a lot of time saying, "I could have, I should have, I would have" and end up feeling bad, guilty because we didn't and now the person is gone.  There is nothing that you can do.
 
Well, I just stopped by to tell you that if there are people in your life that you plan to do something for or say something to, etc....please Give Them Their Flowers.  This is the reason that it is so important to do things for people and say things to people while they are living.  We were not put on this Earth to live forever.  We are all going to go away from here at some point and time.  So please don't hold back.  If you want to take your parents on a vacation, do it!  If you want to tell someone that you love them or apologize to them for something you did, do it!  If someone has been on your mind and you intend to call them, start dialing!  Don't hold back, saving it for a rainy day because...guess what?  The rainy day may not come and it will be too late.  We never know when our time is going to come.  Please...don't fall prey to this and end up with a guilty conscience.  Be careful, watch how you treat people and Give Them Their Flowers while they are living because it will not matter how many flowers you have on display at the funeral or how many you put on the grave site.  They can't smell them and the flowers can't put a smile on their face or brighten up their day.  There is nothing that they can do with them while they are gone.  So I urge you to Give People Their Flowers now so that they can see the beauty that they bring, and maybe...just maybe your conscience will be clear of everything.

The Love For Our Children Or Is It Really Love?

We love our children dearly as we should, but sometimes do we, as parents, go just a little overboard and "misconstrue" the meaning of the word love when it comes to our children into something else?  Do we make it out to be something totally different by going above and beyond the call of duty until alot of our actions become senseless and utterly ridiculous?!

How Much Do You Love Your Children?
Do you love your children so much that you believe every single word that they say and not wanting to     listen to the other side of the story, just your child's side because deep down inside you don't want to even phantom the thought that your child may not be telling the truth?  Everyone else is wrong, but your child is always right, huh?
Do you love your children so much that you go out and buy them each and everything that they ask for and/or want, such as: the newest, latest model cell phone (4G), $200+ sneakers, etc.  Oh, not to mention a new model car that carries a pretty good monthly note while you are still driving the older one?  Why?  All because they want and/or ask for it?
Do you love your children so much that you allow them to come and go in and out of your house as they please, sometimes bringing company that stays as well, just running the entire house like it's theirs and they don't pay not one bill in there?  Why do they have so much say so?
Do you love your children so much that you allow them to just "run" you: "disrespect" you in any way that they please: talking back to you, disobeying you, fighting you, calling you out of your name, just plain "regulating" you, etc. with no regard for your parental authority?  Are you letting them take control and play the parent to you instead of you to them?  Who's parenting who?

So Parents, What Are We Doing?!
Please don't "misconstrue" the word love from a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection to something that doesn't make sense and utterly ridiculous!  With that being said, ask yourself...
Just How Much Do You Love Your Children?

He must manage his own family well, and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.  (1st Timothy, 3:4)

Ballin'!

Counting down, it's almost here!  In approximately 24 hours, it will be Super Bowl XLV...Super Bowl Sunday!  Some of us wait all year for this day; having parties, buying food and drinks, playing football pools, and gathering in large crowds for this "big" event.  But...what does this day really mean?  What exactly is the Super Bowl?  Well...it is only the highest level of professional American football in the United States.  It is the championship game of the season of the National Football League (NFL).  The game was created as part of a merger agreement between the NFL and its then-rival league, the American Football League (AFL).  It was agreed that the two leagues' champion teams would play in an AFL - NFL World Championship Game until the merger was to officially begin in 1970.  After the merger, each league was redesignated as a "conference" (the AFC and NFC), and the game was then played between the conference champions.

So now that you have the "skinny" on the Super Bowl...are you ready for some football?  I am!  Which team do you think will take it all home: the ring, the trophy, the money, the celebration of happiness?  Will it be the AFC - Pittsburgh Steelers or the NFC - Green Bay Packers?  Guess we will have to wait and see!  So go and get those chips, wings, favorite beverages and Stay Tuned 'cause they're going to be Ballin'!!!