Michael Jackson made more musical contributions than any other performer in this generation. Last night the BET awards attempted to have singers and singing groups reenact songs from the King of Pop and the Jackson 5. Each performer fell in the shadows of his unbelievable talent. No one sang like Mike, no one danced like Mike and no one worked as hard as Mike.
When I was a child the family life my mom created for us was beyond lonely and very difficult for a little kid to feel loved. My 1st tape was Thiller. I would spend hours upon hours in my room dancing and signing with Michael Jackson. That is what I will miss about him. I am very thankful to have been blessed by his dance and his music. Even though he was not there physically he was there nurturing a child he never knew through his artistry.
I won't regret not being able to see him in concert. He lived in my life and will remain for the rest of our lives into our childrens lives.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Don't Judge This Book By Her Cover
I smile because no matter what has happened in life through ups & downs smiling has always been a positive coping mechanism.
Just within the past year I have experienced more joy and sorrow than I have my entire life. All of these experiences have strengthened new spiritual growth and each day I continue to pray, study, remain faithful and praise GOD for everything!!
Through it all I smile because smiles are internal gifts from GOD brought through internal joy through the faith everything happens for a reason, we are NOT alone and everything will be ok.
Recently, someone who doesn't know me labeled my smile as a weakness. The human mind likes to categorize people and fit them into these neat little cubby holes so it is easy to deal with them. I should not need to defend my smile and I wont. Of course things happen in life that causes sadness and pain but the events of my life are in a healing process. I smiled and cried through these experiences. I have also dealt with and am dealing with a very positive healing stage. In fact there is more healing in my life than there has ever been. I almost questioned my smile but after pondering and praying I will continue to shine through and smile. There is no reason to stop smiling!
The following verse was read awhile ago by my spiritual mother and this poem fits the situation:
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Maya Angelou
Just within the past year I have experienced more joy and sorrow than I have my entire life. All of these experiences have strengthened new spiritual growth and each day I continue to pray, study, remain faithful and praise GOD for everything!!
Through it all I smile because smiles are internal gifts from GOD brought through internal joy through the faith everything happens for a reason, we are NOT alone and everything will be ok.
Recently, someone who doesn't know me labeled my smile as a weakness. The human mind likes to categorize people and fit them into these neat little cubby holes so it is easy to deal with them. I should not need to defend my smile and I wont. Of course things happen in life that causes sadness and pain but the events of my life are in a healing process. I smiled and cried through these experiences. I have also dealt with and am dealing with a very positive healing stage. In fact there is more healing in my life than there has ever been. I almost questioned my smile but after pondering and praying I will continue to shine through and smile. There is no reason to stop smiling!
The following verse was read awhile ago by my spiritual mother and this poem fits the situation:
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Maya Angelou
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Back to Basics
Each week my family focuses on a scripture based on an event we have experienced. This week the kids were constantly at each other with tattling, bad words and saying hurtful things to each other.
This week as a family we are studying:
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
The kids grasped the concept pretty easily when being reminded of the things not only mom and dad want them to do but God requires of them, of all of us.
As their mom I find this scripture very important in leading a life pleasing to HIM. As a human I slip and thankfully it is a lot less than it was prior to re-claiming my Christianity.
My son asked "Does this mean that I don't talk to people who say bad words or cut people down?" The answer is no way! I hope he takes the high road and loves everybody the same. He should choose not to participate in the slander and profanity while leading as a good example by saying something positive when something negative is said.
As a family especially this week it is on our hearts to pray for saying helpful and good things to and about others. In addition, we are praying for those who struggle with being mean and offensive that God will guide them from the hurtful nature and into a kinder place of healing and acceptance.
This week as a family we are studying:
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
The kids grasped the concept pretty easily when being reminded of the things not only mom and dad want them to do but God requires of them, of all of us.
As their mom I find this scripture very important in leading a life pleasing to HIM. As a human I slip and thankfully it is a lot less than it was prior to re-claiming my Christianity.
My son asked "Does this mean that I don't talk to people who say bad words or cut people down?" The answer is no way! I hope he takes the high road and loves everybody the same. He should choose not to participate in the slander and profanity while leading as a good example by saying something positive when something negative is said.
As a family especially this week it is on our hearts to pray for saying helpful and good things to and about others. In addition, we are praying for those who struggle with being mean and offensive that God will guide them from the hurtful nature and into a kinder place of healing and acceptance.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Dad
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
When I was 11 my parents were going through a bitter divorce. I learned a lot about my dad's character during that time. As a confused little girl my dad taught me the serenity prayer. He could have said and done bad things to make the situation worse. Yet he had peace and was teaching me how to experience peace as well.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
My dad not only shared peace he shared laughter. He was full of comedy. People loved his jokes :) Hopefully, whoever is reading this can hear one of them right now and it makes you smile. No matter what anyone was going through dad always had a natural gift of making people feel better. My dad constantly reminded me that through each dark time a light will always appear if you stay positive and do the right things. He taught me to take the high road and keep my head held high. Again he taught me not only to say the Serenity prayer but how to live it each day.
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Everyday I woke up knowing dad was there for a joke and a smile and his wonderful hugs. I could tell him anything. He would always lead me to prayer. Never did dad ever tell me that I was not capable or able to do something. His optimistic outlook amazed me. Yet he always reminded me to let God lead and everything will be okay. See that is the hard part for me right now.
On March 24, 2009 my dad had a massive stroke we found him unresponsive in his room in the home we shared. My dad is alive. His quality of life has been reduced to not being able to say more than a few words. He is bed ridden. He will be in care centers for his remaining days on earth. I know all of this stuff I can't change. I have to trust God's will and accept it..oh wow it is hard to do. I feel honestly at peace and upset at the same time. This for sure is my new level of growth into being who I was meant to be.
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
When I was 11 my parents were going through a bitter divorce. I learned a lot about my dad's character during that time. As a confused little girl my dad taught me the serenity prayer. He could have said and done bad things to make the situation worse. Yet he had peace and was teaching me how to experience peace as well.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
My dad not only shared peace he shared laughter. He was full of comedy. People loved his jokes :) Hopefully, whoever is reading this can hear one of them right now and it makes you smile. No matter what anyone was going through dad always had a natural gift of making people feel better. My dad constantly reminded me that through each dark time a light will always appear if you stay positive and do the right things. He taught me to take the high road and keep my head held high. Again he taught me not only to say the Serenity prayer but how to live it each day.
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Everyday I woke up knowing dad was there for a joke and a smile and his wonderful hugs. I could tell him anything. He would always lead me to prayer. Never did dad ever tell me that I was not capable or able to do something. His optimistic outlook amazed me. Yet he always reminded me to let God lead and everything will be okay. See that is the hard part for me right now.
On March 24, 2009 my dad had a massive stroke we found him unresponsive in his room in the home we shared. My dad is alive. His quality of life has been reduced to not being able to say more than a few words. He is bed ridden. He will be in care centers for his remaining days on earth. I know all of this stuff I can't change. I have to trust God's will and accept it..oh wow it is hard to do. I feel honestly at peace and upset at the same time. This for sure is my new level of growth into being who I was meant to be.
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