I don’t know about you, but I’m still in the starry-eyed wonder of the holiday season. Christmas has come and gone, yet I’m still swept up in the majesty and peace of the season. Not that there hasn’t been some serious malicious opposition to my unspeakable joyous mood (primarily the ridiculous state of race relations in this country, the daily subjugation and degradation of black, brown and yellow folks in the media as well as the ignorance one must be subjected to once you announce publicly that you not only condone but stand up for the #BlackLivesMatter movement). Nevertheless, I am still loving life, speaking my truth and enjoying everything that God has provided. Everything happens for a reason. It just does. Which leads me to the point of this post: I’m so thankful for every single thing that has happened to me this year, good, bad, unthinkable and unimaginable.
Why? Well, why not?
I’m thankful because I learned that although I’ve had some pretty awesome things happen to me in 2015, it’s not about me, it’s about what God has for me and ultimately it is about you. Yes, you! It’s about what I can give back to my community, to my family and to my friends to make this world a better place.
I receive blessings so that I can be a blessing to others. Earlier this month (December 4), I had the absolute honor of receiving the Red Ribbon Leadership Award from Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) during their annual World AIDS Day Luncheon for the work I do in conjunction with The Red Pump Project for HIV/AIDS Awareness here locally in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. I was so shocked that I was getting the award because I honestly didn’t think I was doing enough to warrant such an honor. At the time, I was going through some personal/family issues and emergencies that were truly testing my faith. Although I was happy, I still felt like I just wasn’t enough—professionally and personally. Then I prayed, and the answer came. If you can make the difference in just one person’s life, brighten just one person’s day, or be a shoulder to lean on for just one person, then you are living in your purpose. There is always more work to be done, and we should always strive to be our best selves, but you have to take it one day at a time. And helping even one person makes a difference; it does make an impact.
So ladies and gents, I don’t do this work to edify myself. I do it because I’m doing my best to follow the example of Christ and also to be of service to my fellow human being. I’m a work in progress so I do hope you’ll continue to rock with me.
Until later,
J
“Creativity is a Drug I can’t live without”
Kudos!
Thank you!!!!