OTHER PEOPLE GOTTA LOVE 'EM

A former pastor often said "my life would be perfect if it weren't for other people." The entire congregation would burst out laughing as he lamented on the challenges presented by "other people." I laughed so hard because I agreed with his erroneous summation. Just who are these other people? Well more often than not they are called relatives and you know them well. In New Orleans we have a catch all category called: Ya Momma and Dem. Other people have the worst timing in the world. They routinely have a list of needs and frequently solicit your assistance. Caller ID is a wonderful monitor of "other people". I am convinced the inventor of Caller ID had an abundance of "other people" in their life. Another thing about "other people" is their proclivity towards being opinionated. They have a commentary on every issue especially those concerning you, your life and your decisions. "Other people" also tend to get angry if you do not respond to their manipulative tactics on cue. God forbid should you proceed with life as if they do not exist and laugh out loud. "Other people" detest laughing when their needs are not being met. They slam doors, use profanity, gossip, and have entire conversations using innuendo. "Other people love drama. Their mantra is I have drama; therefore, I am. Remember, beware of your comments about these bothersome "other people" because you are the "other people" in someone's life.

JUST ANOTHER TUESDAY

Mardi Gras is officially over in New Orleans. The weather was beautiful, and the atmosphere seemed festive. I viewed the parades from the comfort of my living room. The local news stations do an incredible job of live streaming the parades and sights that are not rated X. Our Mardi Gras menu included hot dogs with chili, red beans with sausage, king cake, chips and sodas. We had an enjoyable time. Growing up in New Orleans all we knew were parades and lots of them. We lived one block off of historic St. Charles Avenue, so parades were like breathing. What I didn't know as a young child was that not everyone had Fat Tuesday celebrations in their hometowns. For most people it was just another Tuesday. My brother Kermit met a tourist today who took a picture with him. No doubt the words on her sign resonated with him as they did with me. Well, it was anything but another Tuesday for those of us blessed to live in New Orleans. Yeah, ya right!

THE DAY THE WORLD WENT TO CHURCH

Whitney Houston Funeral Service: Stars Come Out in Newark, NJ, to Honor Late Singer

Whitney Houston's mother Cissy only wanted to bring her baby girl home. She only wanted to honor the tradition Whitney grew up in. She had no particular agendas or motives. She only wanted her baby girl to transition in a familiar setting. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever realize without intent that she had arranged the largest Saturday morning church service and alter call ever. I know Whitney is so proud of her mother and she would have changed nothing if given an opportunity. Whitney indicated to her mother days before she transitioned to life after life that she was going to visit her soon. On last Saturday, Cissy Houston reported that on three separate occasions the doorbell of her home rang, but no one was at the door. I think it is safe to say that Whitney did come home and by doing so the entire world went to church this morning. Whitney's transition is a call to each of us to never stop loving someone while in the midst of their struggle. We have to be there for each other . Whitney, I will always love you. Thank you for sharing your gifts with each of us.

MANY FACETS OF BEAUTY

Being a child of color in the 1960's and 1970's I had few people on television who looked like me. Additionally, my early school books Fun With Dick and Jane were also void of people who looked like me. I never gave any significant thought to these blatant omissions. Fortunately, I didn't have to look outside of my home or enter into the portals of TV Land to find a beautiful strong woman of color. All I needed to do was look at my mother. She was youthful, intelligent, attractive, and hard working. She was like a mother and big sister rolled up in one. We always had fun. Playing Scrabble, Life, Old Maids, Jacks, Monopoly, Shenanigans, and playing school were part of our regular routine. She had a great figure and watched her caloric intake while exercising daily. Today, as a women in her 70's she is still youthful, intelligent, attractive, and hard working. She is proof that beauty like a flawless diamond has many facets.I love you Ma. I am eternally grateful to you for being everything I needed as a child and as a woman today.

I BRING OUT THE BEST IN ME

Countless songs have been written for years giving credit to another for causing the best character traits to surface. Visit any bookstore and the self-help section has all the answers, methods and techniques to bring out the best in children, employees, managers, and a barrage of additional areas. I have invested a small fortune on leadership books. My passion for being current on styles of organizational leadership and methods of creating team synergy consumed me for years. I also had a small howbeit growing library of books and DVD's on following your intention, passion, and bliss. I became the go to person if your employer, employees, spouse, or children were acting out. I would always end "counseling" sessions with these words: all of your answers are located inside of you. I totally believe if we quiet our minds Holy Spirit downloads all the data we need to help us navigate the sometimes rough waters of life. I am thankful for all the media formats I've been blessed to use over the years. However, at the end of the day there is not a book, conversation, or person who can cause the best part of me to surface. The previously referenced elements serve as catalysts. In other words they provoke us to shift or change. The only person who has full power and authority to expose your/my awesomeness is you and me. It's the invisible part of us; our essence. When we grow to love ourselves and stop trying to fix ourselves we become whole. It's not out there it's in you and me. Only you can bring out the best in you. For today I lovingly embrace the fact that I bring out the best in me.

GET THE FOG OUT OF YOUR VISION

In 2008 I started a faith-based not for profit organization with a simple intention of teaching people how to get re-connected with the person God created them to be. I had no purpose or mission statement everything evolved from Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Everything fell in place however, I always felt something was missing. We had achieved significant gains in a short time and recognition within the community from more established organizations. However I did not feel anchored. We were doing great things and had the confidence of donors from various parts of the country. Something still was missing. A few weeks ago, I said to my sister "when I really know what I want God will give it to me." I'll decode the message: when I stop going here and going there, doing this and doing that, the core purpose of the organization will rise to the top and everything else will revolve around that purpose. I really didn't focus on the comment made to my sister until last week while in Home Depot with my husband looking at flooring samples someone called me and asked if I would consider providing a particular service in the community. Her question was so matter of fact and natural because it was something I had been doing for twenty-five years. I never thought or wanted to do the service on my own. However, her question has resonated with me for several days and everything inside of me is saying yes. Our organization [THE ME GOD SEES, INC] will not discontinue doing any of the things we've done for the past four years. We will now have an anchor and all other efforts will revolve around this core service. God is always speaking and most of the time His messages are not clear. However, when we are truly open and desperate enough for an answer it always comes.

DO NOT GET DISTRACTED

Last year I made a decision to move into the direction of my life's calling. As 2011 entered I was energetic, positive and ready to do the transition work. A few weeks into 2011 I became sick and had to be away from work for two weeks. The day I returned to work my supervisor informed me that he was resigning. The next few months were filled with key employees having unplanned surgeries with lengthy medical leaves. In October I had surgery and joined the ranks of my staff with a lengthy medical leave. While recuperating I became clear on how changes needed to occur in my life. I returned to work in mid December and went through all the festivities associated with the holiday season. Then a little past the stroke of midnight I did it. I wrote my resignation letter to the company I worked with for 28 years. I had a meeting scheduled with my recently appointed supervisor for January 4, 2012. The morning of January 3, 2012 I received a call from a family member complaining of illness. We headed off to the emergency room and the ER visit soon became a hospital stay. The day of my meeting to announce my departure was mentally overshadowed by my family member's medical condition. I met and revealed my plans to leave and headed to the hospital. Within thirty minutes something I wanted to do for three years was done and my family member's test results indicated there was no pathology. I had to fight hard against getting distracted and shelving my plans to announce my resignation. It is scary leaving the security of a nice regular salary and moving towards living a life guided by passion. I am so happy. I feel uncertain yet free. God I left a flowing stream and moved into the ocean but I know you will not let me drown. All is indeed well.