it's a fantastical (my special word) day in the neighbourhood

This is a day like no other. It's the day when the 44th President is elected into office. Not just any 44th President, but the first black/bi-racial one and one who the United States of America elected into office proudly. While I wish I could be in D.C to be in the midst of this historical moment, I'm still happy that I'm alive and well to live this day in history and with God's blessing the entire term of Barak Obama's presidency.

I'm proud that this nation and the world has come out to rally their support for Barak Obama, Joe Biden, and their respective wive and families. I truly hope and pray that change will come and that nationally and globally we will all be effective in making this world a better place.

I love that Barak Obama truly is African-American. I love that Barak is proud of his bi-racial/bi-cultural background. I love that he has a black wife and is a great father. I'm honored to have a First Lady that looks like me; that shares the same values as me, and who'll be a fantastic role model for the young ladies out there. The Obama's are The Black Family that we should want to be and be a part of; however, this is not solely about blacks or people of color to aspire to, but for ALL people.

This country needs guidance, a good moral foundation, and the ability to believe that whatever you put your mind to is achieveable and I think we've got someone who's going to provide that which we need, but we have to play our part too. We elected Barak Obama & Joe Biden into office so we have to step up; step up; step up! Now is not the time to become complacent because we've finally gotten something we feel we deserve or were owed. We as a people; as a nation; and as a collective need to pray for our leaders, lend our support where necessary/applicable, and do something that exceeds what we've grown accustomed to. Stand for something, be a part of something good, lead, feed, and if you seed; take care of your children. We've shown we can come together as a people; hence, our current President-elect, so let's stop the fighting, killing, and negativity and walk tall and proud.

Swaggarlicious is how I recently described Barak Obama as I watched the Innaugaral Concert while talking to my cousin on the phone. He's got what it takes; do you?

Love to live; live to love!

Take charge!

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important that any other one thing". - Abraham Lincoln

I can't speak for all of you, but I can say that I'm claiming 2008 to be MY year. I've got dreams, goals, plans, etc and I want to see them come to fruition. I know it's said, that if you want to make God laugh; make plans, but His a part of all my plans, so I'm good.

Although I quit my then decade + relationship with Essence Magazine because I no longer found that it contained the resources and information that was conducive to how I life and the woman I am; I still check it out from time to time. I came across the following (and retyped it) in the January 2008 issue and wanted to share it with you all. It's obviously geared toward women seeing as Essence is a women for/about black women, but I tweaked the woman reference to include me as I feel this is something each gender can use.

This is my year to be the wo/man I’ve always wanted to be. This year I will put ____________(your name) first. Staring with ___________(date), I will focus on taking the steps to achieve my goals. Ever since____________ I’ve know that I want to_____________. Today I will create a plan to realize my dreams.

This is my year to achieve four goals:

1.______________________________

2.______________________________

3.______________________________

4.______________________________

Negative factors, real and imagined, will no longer be obstacles to my success. To get over____________________, I will stop_______________________. To get over____________________, I will pray that___________________. To get over____________________, I will plan to_____________________. I know that I Will be successful because it is my dream to_______________________.

To stay on track, I will have my friend___________________________ check on my progress every week/month/quarter (choose one) and hold me accountable. This is my personal 2008 pledge to myself so that I can realize my dreams and live the wonderful life I fully deserve.


________________________(your signature)


We can't claim that which we are not committed to receiving, so I implore you all to copy/print this pledge and use it in your lives. Having something in writing makes it more real and certainly more effective. Find that friend who'll always give it to you straight no chaser and let them be your mentor for this exercise. I'm going to share this with a person of each gender as I feel the male/female perspective will provide great insight and achievement toward my success. Whomever you decide is your choice. Wishing you all well and feel free to email me interim reports if you feel so inclined.

Love!

Emancipation

I haven't been checking my mail regularly and didn't realize that this lil tidbit was just sitting there waiting for me...

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power -Alan Cohen

After what I've been dealing with lately, I'm actually glad I hadn't read it sooner because I don't think it's meaning would have been so profound to me at the time. After some much needed release and some at work church, I embrace this quote and look forward to the endless possibilities that are in store me for and I know the journey will be an abundant one.

Hopefully, we can all release ourselves from the mental and emotional bondage we're in and willingly work toward a more productive and resourceful future.

Stay blessed!