Sunday, December 30, 2012

What About Our Youth?




A new year brings a new beginning.  It marks a chance to set new goals for the upcoming year.  For some, it’s the count down towards finishing high school, or your last semester in college before graduating and receiving your associates, bachelors, masters or even doctorates degree.  And for others, this new year will mean setting personal goals like getting into excellent physical shape and spiritual health, becoming more financially stable, traveling, or starting your own business, just to name a few.

In the year 2013, I challenge our parents, communities, leaders, schools, youth servicing facilities and faith-based organizations to “Take a Closer Look at Our Youth.”  Find out what their needs are and really listen to their point of views so that we can assess the different situations and begin laying the foundation for problem solving some of the deep seated issues and concerns that surround our young people today.  

In order to do this, we as adults must lay aside what we perceive to be the case and create a forum for open and honest communication between the adults and the young people in our communities.  We will also need to ask for the input of those who are in the mist of these ill situations and those who are being affected by these difficulties.  (I.e. Taking a More Collaborative and Cooperative Approach.) 

We can’t continue on with the projected mentality of “A child being seen and not heard!”  We must establish a meaningful dialogue between the two groups, if we are going to successfully combat many of the challenges our youth are facing today.  No matter who we are, what positions we hold or where we are in our lives, at some point we are all directly or indirectly responsible for our young people…  

Remember, they will eventually become our leaders of tomorrow.  What more can we do today, for a better future for their tomorrow?   So, “What About Our Youth?”


Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Day After...



So much for the world ending aye…   There had been a great deal of talk about the world ending on 12.12.2012.  Well, we are still here!  How can MAN think they have the ability to know this information, when it was said that “No one knows when the day or hour will come, not even the angels, not the Son, but the Father (Mark 13:32 ISV).” 

It’s amazing how we can believe false information.  It reminds me of Y2K….  Do you remember that scenario years ago?  It was crazy; it kind of reminded me of this whole “world ending thinking.”  Why is it that we believe in such superficial things?  We exhort so much energy to nonsense.  We get all worked up over, what?  Nothing…

If we could put that much “activity” into factual things or things that have some real substance behind it, where would we be?  Fear creates all kinds of anxiety, worry and tension in our minds.  Once this takes place, many begin to act in a manner that supports those fretful thoughts.

So what can we do about it?  Since we become what we believe, then we should examine what we believe more closely so that it serves as a source of empowerment verses holding our minds in bondage.  In order to overcome things that make us fearful, we need to learn or inform ourselves as much as possible about the thing(s) we don’t understand or fear.

More importantly, one has to find out what is true for them…  Ultimately, believing what you want to become, not succumbing to the ideas and concepts of what is being made known to you.  “Try the Spirit By the Spirit” and SEE...  See with both your natural eyes and spiritual eyes.  

At the end of the day, our thoughts create things meaning what we think upon will eventually manifest itself before you, good or bad (if you focus your attention on it long enough)….  Note, it is the day after, and no the world hasn’t ended, so what are you going to do now?

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

BE True To You


The “Black Woman’s Hair” is under attack once again…  I’m sure by now, you have heard about the Meteorologist Rhonda Lee being fired from her position in Shreveport, Louisiana.  After intelligently replying to a derogatory comment posted on ABC’s Company Facebook Page, Ms. Lee was subsequently dismissed.

This is a very telling story about how “Black Women Who Are Natural” are viewed today.  It’s also apparent there are “still” different sets of rules that apply in our society to what hair styles are "deemed appropriate" for Black Women to wear in the work environment…  

I’m not being facetious about this statement, I’m merely pointing out how this particular incident attest to what we know to be true behind closed doors per say.  And Rhonda Lee’s wide visibility (like Hurricane Katrina) has shed light into the deeply rooted issues of what’s suitable to wear in the workplace with Eurocentric Standards being “The Guideline.”

Being true to yourself often times come at a price and standing up for what you believe in doubles that value.  Suggesting that one conforms to what the world perceives to be right as it relates to beauty is demeaning to one’s spirit.  It also doesn’t consider, nor honor, less known respect the ethnicity and culture of THE PEOPLE. 

And to focus on what’s on top of one’s head, as opposed to what’s underneath the hair and between the ears is insane to me…  Here again, society is judging individuals by exterior appearances and in this case, it’s “hair.”  Whatever happened to being qualified, being intelligent, skilled, or having morals and character?


Socially Unacceptable….

I applaud Rhonda Lee for the position that she took.  It never seems to amaze me that when we as “Black Women” or “African Americans” take a stand for what “We Believe In,” we’re ostracized, shunned, ignored and even blackballed…  Not to mention being seen as aggressive and arrogant too.

Rhonda Lee exuded “strength and courage” maintaining professionalism all while Being True to Herself.  She has also exemplified dignity and pride throughout this entire process, starting with her decision to make the “Big Chop” to intellectually addressing a negative comment made about her via the company’s Facebook page.

 Know, this isn’t about “Hair,” it’s about “Our Culture Identifying with Their God Self!”  It’s about those of us who have chosen to “Return to Our Natural Rootz Embracing WHO WE ARE and Celebrating Our AfriKan Heritage.”

This is not a TREND; I Strongly BELIEVE that it’s a CONSCIOUS AWAKENING in those of us who have chosen to “Honor Our Natural Hair Texture” Pay Tribute to Our Ancestors, but more importantly ACCEPT Who We Were NATURALLY CREATED TO BE,” HAIR and ALL. 

 “No Matter What the State of Affairs Are in One’s Life,   BE True To You!”


Google Photo: Politic365.com


Thank You Rhonda Lee for Taking a Stand, Honoring Your Heritage and Being True to Yourself.  May You Be Blessed Beyond Measures for Not Compromising the “I AM” within You.


From The Heart,

“Miss Yah-Tay”

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Time To Move




When it’s time to move, many things go through your mind because there are a lot of things that need to be done…  

I just recently moved, and boy was it exciting and whelming all in one…  In the very beginning, I found myself looking around saying, “Where do I start?”  Just the thought of packing made me take a deep breath because there was so much to do.


I’d been in this particular location for quiet sometime, so you know what that means…  Yes, LOTS of PERSONAL BELONGINGS!   Besides, I’d grown, evolved and cherished lots of quiet moments just being in my home.  And out of all the rooms, my office space was very sacred to me in that I spent many hours in there reading, writing, thinking, sitting quietly and creating amongst other things.   

So naturally, when it came time to pack-up, I had mixed feelings.  On one hand, I began to feel a sense of loss because I had received revelation and inspiration there.  On another hand, I dread tackling the packing part of moving, especially overhauling my office, because I had over 350 books that needed to be boxed up.  

But the most empowering feeling about my move was realizing that my home, more specifically, my office space had been the nucleus for formulating and incubating ideas and concepts that are now being birthed…  So there was a sense of accomplishment in that I’d used the space and time therein wisely…

Moving on can take one through many emotions very quickly.  It causes you to really evaluate those things around you and within you.  But, the one thing I learned most from this particular experience was moving on “requires one to do some deep soul searching” in order to get ready for the next phase…   Now I’d move many times before as being in the military requires one to be constantly ready, but this move was like none other.  This is what I learned and want to share….


Symbolism of Moving

The importance of MOVING from a symbolic standpoint is threefold…   It impacts one “Mentally, Emotionally and Physically.” Mentally, you have to prepare yourself for the “MOVE” and ready yourself for what lies ahead (as best as possible).  Emotionally, you have to ensure that your heart and soul is engaged in the process of moving forward, which will enable you to deal holistically with the highs and lows of moving.  The physical aspect comes into play, once you’ve made the decision to do what needs to be done…   

Looking at moving from a negative perspective and depending on what “the move” is associated with, could signify failure, nonsuccess and unfulfillment or disappointment in the eyes of the mover.  But, if one looks at moving from a positive perspective, it signifies advancement, personal growth and development, as well as progress…  As, moving brings about new vision, adventure and renewed hope.  Here, you begin to see the manifestation of your efforts.

As you embrace “The Move,” know everything that’s needed for you to follow-through with the move will show up, manifesting itself as next step processes to help you advance into the direction you desire to go and/or called too.  Remember, Forward MOVEment is GOOD!!  Only when YOU are Properly Prepared “Mentally, Emotionally and Physically, will Your MOVE BE SUCCESSFUL.  Get Ready, because It’s Time To Move On To The NEXT LEVEL