Sunday, July 14, 2013

On The George Zimmerman Trial Verdict: Not Guilty???

Tonight I have gone back and forth between several emotions. One moment I'm sad. The next minute I am angry. The jury in the Zimmerman Trial sent a clear message tonight. As far as I am concerned the message was two-fold. #1- It's still open season on the young black seed. #2 The life of a person of color does not hold as much value. I reject that message.

I honestly see this moment as our generation's "Emmit Till" moment. Emmit Till's murder in 1955 is often cited as being a critical Tipping Point in mobilizing the Civil Rights Movement. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/ This has to be a wake up call and a call to action. Just last month, the Supreme Court invalidated a key provision under the Voting Rights Act that will make it even easier to restrict the votes of minorities. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/supreme-court-ruling.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

As our thoughts and prayers are with the Martin Family, I can not help but hope and pray that we do not let this moment just pass us by. I hope that we do not return to business as usual on Monday Morning. I hope we each search for all means available to get active and defend our liberties. We owe it to the generation coming up after us as well as the generation that fought to secure the rights that are often taken for granted...until days like this. http://newjimcrow.com/

“The Eyes of the Future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time.” ― Terry Tempest Williams

Monday, February 11, 2013

Peace of Mind

In Herbert J. Hall, M.D.'s book, entitled "The Untroubled Mind", he makes the argument that in order for humans to find true peace of mind, they must be focused more on the development and integrity of their character than what they have.  He also make the case that when a person is pursuing a purpose, which they believe to be theirs, then they will experience the untroubled mind as well as fulfillment.

In my own life, I have experienced these points to be true for me.  When I have found myself hung up on the minutia of life, rather than the big picture of what my ultimate objectives are, that's when I have found it most difficult and stressful.  When I am focused on my personal development and entrepreneurial pursuits, for the sake of fulfillment of my God-given purpose, it is then that I experience a peace beyond understanding.  Hall also writes of the importance of constantly moving forward to the next challenge rather than regretting past failures.  It is in this mindset that I believe, a person opens themselves to true accountability.  Being truly responsible for ones' self, requires a willingness to leave the past behind, with the purpose of having learned from it.  The critical position must be an emphasis on where one is now and where one is going.  With proper character and purpose people are able to face the future with courage and determination, and experience what Herbert J. Hall M.D. called "The Untroubled Mind".

Peace and Blessings!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Stretch Yourself....

"If we all did the things we are capable of,
we would astound ourselves."
-Thomas Edison



I really love this quote by Edison.  It is a reminder to me of how critical it is that we do ALL that we can, in our efforts to reach our goals.  It is important to be able to look yourself in the mirror and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are giving it all you've got and making use of all available resources. It is when we are being stretched that we are being made stronger.  It is in those moments that we often surprise ourselves, in that we again confirm that we truly have limitless resources to draw on, which are bestowed on us by our Creator. 

Monday, November 28, 2011

Practice Makes....

Many people are familiar with the saying, "Practice Makes Perfect".  The idea being that if you practice something long enough, your skill level in that area is being perfected.  This concept is often taken for granted.  In fact, practice can be beneficial; however, what is critical is that the practice be correct.  In other words, practicing incompletely or incorrectly is of little benefit, if not harmful.  

In the book "Outliers", Malcom Gladwell, the author of "The Tipping Point", goes to great lengths, in laying out the findings of his research, regarding successful people and why they tend to be successful.  Rather than focusing on the personal traits of successful people (such as intelligence, drive and determination), Gladwell instead studied the environments and the conditions surrounding and shaping the lives of those successful people.  In one chapter, the author focused on the fact that so many renowned athletes, performers and even great technological engineers held in common that they had each had the opportunity to practice their crafts for at least 10,000 hours.  Engaging in any activity for that length of time is bound to accomplish several things.  Primarily 10,000 hours will sift and weed-out the strong believers from those that doubt themselves and lack passion for the said activity.  If the activity is performed with other team members, synergy is produced within the group.  

More than practice making perfect, practice is making the person.  For anyone that is or has been in hot pursuit of a dream, a vision or a goal, they know that the person you become as a result of the pursuit is as fascinating and rewarding as reaching the goal.  The journey toward that destination typically detours through some period of disappointment.  It is in confronting that "thing" that would typically make us stop and give up and then finding the resources to continue to press on anyway, that we are being perfected.  In that mindset, success can be delayed but never denied.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Be Powerful Everyday….

In describing his thoughts on the subject of “Power”, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “There are men, who, by their sympathetic attractions, carry nations with them and lead the activity of the human race.” 


In this statement, Emerson described how powerful individuals can be when they follow and are in tune with their passions. Whether one is developing or promoting a product or making any number of critical decisions, it is important to remember to be led in the direction of what you are passionate about and believe in. 


Integrity of action starts with integrity of mind and both are essential for meaningful success. When people are witness to the massive action taken by a truly passionate individual, that person is more likely to attract like-minded individuals toward them and influence them to take action as well. 


The wonderful thing is that regardless of where you are today in the course of your self-development, small steps taken on a consistent basis, will inevitably take you where you desire to be. Choose to be powerful.