The Struggle

I had an interesting conversation today about the struggle. Life struggle that is!!! It seems that if you are a felon, you can’t receive public assistance at least here in Georgia, so I asked if you are a felon who more than likely gets looked over for a position in which would not require you to need public assistance and if you are fortunate enough to land a job that pays you close to minimum wage and that is a stretch because truly you will most likely just be passed over for that job too, especially now with so many of us with a higher education that still cannot migrate beyond the working poor. Then why is it that you must retreat to the back woods, breeze ways or bridges only to surface at noon when the shelter opens for your one free (donated) meal. I start off with the felon scenario, but this is more about the less fortunate as a whole, not just former criminals.

I get that tax payers are tired of supporting the poor, but if the rich are only motivated by greed and not willing to share a dime, why can’t they share simple time? Time to help the less fortunate formulate a plan, because from just volunteering at the shelter and listening to the struggles; I have learned that it is not from lack of will, motivation or drive that the poor stay poor. It is the CHANCE that they are missing. Mind you I did not say OPPORTUNITY; given the chance they would take the opportunity to turn their situation around. It is more likely that an average athlete will make it to the pros before the homeless will make it off the streets, but we would rather invest in box seats to support the rich (making and keeping the wrong people rich, but that is another topic for another day) instead of volunteering our time to mentor those that society deems defeated.

Living a life so close to being one step removed; I OVERstand the struggle because I am not a lazy person and I am an educated person. I work hard everyday; I look even harder for ways beyond the struggle. Not a get rich quick scheme, but for an honest way to share my gifts with the world that will also move my family forward. I understand that money is energy and giving is the easiest way to attract a living. I just ask what does the Lost have left to give and where are those that have it to give? Must your club be so small, members only willing to pass those that beg on the street, because his shoes don’t shine like yours or he has never seen the inside of a Gucci store?

I guess God decided who should be rich here on earth, because Lord knows I would just go broke trying to help the poor.

Dont ask...

You can't handle the truth is not just a popular movie line, it is a hard core fact. People ask, but don't really desire to hear or they have their mind so made up that if 100 people told the same truth they would stay stuck in their lie. Your version is easier to swallow than what really is. Facing reality may require change and no one wants to be forced out of their comfort zone. People know they are wrong before they look to you to cosign, but for some reason wrong needs the strongest validation. When people are right they stand on that alone, but when folks are wrong they have to relive the story until they are convinced others believe. My suggestion would be, don't ask if you can't handle the truth.

Sista-friends

Sista-friends are the women you invite into your life. A blood relation not required, but a plus. Women that support you, dry your tears and ease your fears. Strong women that have a life and still manage to fit you in. Not a pity party, tell you how it really is, but support how you feel. Not just the fair weather friend available only when it's good, but that lifetime friend that will beat you to your own fight. A Sista-friend doesn't need the title bff, as they specialize in different areas. This one is your best prayer partner, that one your relationship counsel. Another a child hood friend or maybe career advisor. Don't forget Ms. I'll meet you at happy hour. A Sista-friend graciously accepts the other women in your circle as they understand their purpose is to close the gap, they enter your home with smiles and hugs because their love is the unbreakable bond. For my Mom, sister, aunties, cousins and friends. Thank you all for being my Sista-friends.

Love will win any fight

I so understand what Jesus meant by turn the other cheek or to love thy enemy or treat others as you would like to be treated. When two people are at a stand still because neither is willing to surrender their position all else fails. If no one is willing to show love first, then it just dies with two strong headed people acting stupid. What are you standing up for if you lose everything? What relationship works without compromise, you tell me where only one person is ever right in a fight? Taking ownership over your own mess is one of the greatest self evaluation test. We all desire love, but are we lovable and more importantly do we show love? Love really does not keep records of wrong, it forgives in order to let the relationship live. Of course not all situations deserve a second chance, but even in letting go love can make the difference between a peaceful goodbye or a resentful fight. I just believe that if love was ever shared no matter how bad it can take down any fight. If you exit with love you will not have to travel far to receive love again, because you are not left fighting bitterness that prohibits you from letting love win when you begin again.

Life goes on...

This day has been too full, I cannot stop the pounding in my head to sort my thoughts so this will be short. What I will say is being in the presence of black love is precious and that after all the healing is done, my heart will open again. That having an amazing bond with a sister-friend with an open door and arms is priceless and when the conversations done still a text message filled with love reminding me that I deserve better. I've had a full day beginning with an amazing instant message from my cousin that helped me remember we all go through, but God holds you. To a very important phrase from my sister friend "we all lose somebody, but we must go on." Life doesn't stop at disappointments door, a broken heart or even death. At the end of the day life goes on, so we might as well keep living.

Dusk before Dawn

A stranger saw my tear drenched face today and promised that the light would shine again tomorrow reminding me that there are only 12 hours assigned to darkness. A co-worker held me in her arms daring me to praise God anyway; challenging me to only show the God in me. To trust you Lord and lean in close gathering my safety from the knowledge that you will never say goodbye. Dusk seemed so long today pushing dawn away, hanging over head like a potential storm cloud. My heart died a little more today as it slowly began to follow my mind. Let it go, it instructed if it's peace you seek. You've overstayed this visit eight years making a figure eight no beginning or end just a delusional set of circles. Seeking a verbal hug my Mom decided instead tough love closing with a whisper you've tried everything else see what letting go feels like. My gtalk friend living a lateral life shed light on the fact that we matter and if we get busy living our lives we'd only attract what's right. If we just believe that dusk can't keep hold of a broken heart before it is captured by dawns light and restored whole.

Math Blues

We as adults manage to survive our bad days and if we are masters of our many roles the people we encounter may never even know. When your child has a bad day unfortunately it shows and touches a parent deep to realize its more than just teens woes. No petty gossip or backstabbing friends; nor did her boyfriend make her sad. She's stressed over school, math to be exact. Determine to get it she'll spend all evening tutoring. Still a junior she already knows that after this semester she only has four classes to go. Early graduation an option indeed, but of course she's not ready to leave. This is serious stuff that makes my heart bleed, because I watch how hard my daughter works to succeed!!!