2010: My Year End Review

Ah, 2010, is almost over. What a year! As I reflect back on the year, I realize that I have so much to be thankful for. For the past few years, I always make a list of goals that I wish to accomplish throughout the year, and towards the end of that year, I look back at that list to see what I have accomplished, what is still in the works, and what I really need to re-focus on. I can say from that list, I was able to accomplish many of my goals. Through hard work and dedication, I was able to complete my Associate Degree from Empire State College in June. I was able to work on my credit and pay off some final bills (yeah!!!). Learning more about myself and enjoying my life the way I see fit, is always an accomplishment, but is always something that I strive to work on daily. I was also able to finish my documentary (December 2010) that I was working on for about a year prior. I was so relieved when this was done. I also started back at Empire State College in November to pursue my Bachelors Degree (can't stop won't stop).
Although, those are just a few accomplishments, there are some areas that I still continue to work on. Areas such as, eating healthier, & getting to work on time. See, the issue is knowing your problem, admitting it, and working on doing better at it. These I will continue to focus on in 2011 as they are a carry over from my 2010 list. I also strive to continue to work on my Entrepreneurial Business, Unique Vizunz. The documentary was completed and now I am working on my t-shirt line along with many other ideas that are in the works.!!!
Each year I always place on my list, which should be the first thing in this blog, is keeping God first, continuing to believe, and always count my blessings. At Memorial AME Zion Church, there are two magnet boards on each side of the church, one is called a request board, and the other I believe (don't quote me on this one) is called an answer wall (or something of that nature). A few years back I placed my magnet of the prayer hands on the request wall, as I needed a lot of guidance and prayers answered. Well, as those prayers were answered, I got to thinking and I realized that I didn't want to go over and switch those prayer hands to the answer board because for me, I will always have a request for God, so I will continue to keep that magnet, with my name on it on the request wall.
2010, wasn't just about me. I was able to witness my brother Rashad, graduate from JCSU in May with a Bachelors Degree. What an accomplishment! I am so proud of him. I pray and hope he continues to grow into a successful young man that will make a difference in whatever it is that he pursues. I was able to witness my young cousin Ashley graduate from high school and go on to attend Itacha Community College. Hopefully, one day she will follow her dreams and become a Chef. I witnessed my cousin/Goddaugher, AaTani turn one years old in November. As her mother may have some struggles, she knows that her family will always be there to assist. I finallllly got through to my cousin that the corporate world isn't for him. He is now on the track of pursing his dreams and utilizing his many talents to become his own business owner. I was able to gain some new friends (hi, Nan), and at the same time lost some.
Well, in short, these are some of the things that has taken place in 2010. I pray that my family, friends, and I have continued blessings, good health, and prosperity in 2011. Sky's the limit!!!

ABUSE

Often times throughout our lives we experience many daunting tasks and situations. Some of them because of mistakes that we make, others which have been brought on by others for reasons unknown to us. I myself have experienced this in my life. It came at the hands of someone very close to me. It took years of pain, regret, and fear before I was able to come out of that "abuse" stage of my life. Fortunately for me, I was able to come out of that dark area of my life through the grace of God along with other intervention methods. I write this with the hope that it finds its way into the soul of someone whom may have been abused-sexually, physically, emotionally or whatever the case may be, to greater heights to overcome it. For me personally, I have taken many steps. One of my most recent steps, that took over a year to make technically, but even more time mentally, will be televised on the local community cable access channel; RCTV 15 (Rochester Community Television-Channel 15) on Monday December 6, 2010 at 9:30 pm and again on Wednesday December 8, 2010 at 6:30 pm. My hope is that this meaningful documentary will help someone take the proper steps to overcome their abuse or help someone that maybe going through it. Please, take the time out to recognize, understand, reflect, respect, and listen to that someone who may be having a problem. You never know, you maybe that missing link that will help them overcome the situation. Never be too busy to help. Reach out. You may save someone's life.

Loving Who You Are & Where You Come From

True story...someone once told me that she was like a banana. What does that mean, as I am sure you all may be wondering? Definition: An obvious race/ethnicity on the outside but feeling like another race/ethnicity on the inside. I know, I know, sounds a bit crazy, huh? There are a few questions to ask here. One, does someone hate their culture so bad that he or she does not recognize where he/she came from? Two, which probably should be the first one, does this person hate themselves? Three, why would someone feel that someone or even an entire race or ethnicity group is better than their own? There are many pondering questions that could be asked here. Something has to be terribly wrong. My question is why? (I should have put this in my blog titled Why)
Every culture, every race, every ethnic group has its own history, trials, and tribulations. These things are a make up of who we are as individuals. We as people, no matter your ethnic background, should never have the "Banana Syndrome". Embrace everything about who you are. Embrace everything about your culture, race, and ethnicity. Learning about your racial history can bring someone so much pleasure and self vindication. Self Love is more important than any other love. You have to love yourself before your able to love anyone else. Ignoring your ethnicity/race, in my opinion, does not justify self love and does not give someone the apporpriate knowledge and insight for loving someone else.
Do you know anyone with the "Banana Syndrome"? If so, perhaps they need a big hug to let them know that you can have Blueberry Syndrome or Orange Syndrome..Definition...My race/ethnicity that shows on the outside is what I believe and represent on the inside!

DEAFinitely Worth Reading!

Often times people complain about the things they don't have in life. Sometimes we, and myself included, don't "look past our own feet," (an old wise quote from elders) to appreciate the things we do have.
For almost the past week, I have been training a deaf woman at my job. She will be taking over my position as I have been blessed to have been promoted to a new position. Prior to training her, I took an ASL class in the beginning of the year, as I thought learning sign language was an interesting feat. Little did I know, six months later, I would be using what I learned in the ASL class to help me with my training.
As I teach her throughout the day, I can't help but wonder what life would be like being deaf? Communication would be done more with my hands rather than my mouth. I would have to write things down so people could understand me. It could become increasingly frustrating having to communicate with the hearing population. Just as the hearing population may think the deaf population is difficult to communicate with, I'm sure the deaf population feels the same about the hearing population.
Fortunately, for those that are deaf and hearing impaired, Rochester has one of the highest deaf community population in the nation. Being that this is so, there are numerous outlets that the deaf community has access to. There is NTID, National Technical Institute for the Deaf at R.I.T., Rochester School for the Deaf. There is Deaf Women of Rochester along with many religion organizations and other clubs for the deaf community.
Perhaps if I were in that situation, I wouldn't feel as if communication were hard. As I'm sure deaf people don't feel that way. I have been blessed to be able to have the opportunity to train her as I am not only teaching her but she is teaching me too.
We have to understand that there is nothing promised to us, not even at birth. We will have trials and tribulations, shortfalls and shortcomings. But what we must realize is that our faith, strength, drive, conviction, determination, will, and want, can take us to heights unknown, no matter what physical aliment or other disability we may have. So from now on, I'll always look at the glass as half full rather than half empty. Stay blessed and remember; be greatful for what you have because there is someone out there who is less fortunate but lives life to the fullest each day.

Why???

When Jadakiss made the song Why?, the lyrics made you think and really wonder Why things are the way they are. I have a few Why thoughts that I would like to share as well.



Why isn't there better lighting on the expressway's when you travel long distances? Shouldn't safety(being able to see) be the first concern?


Why as of January 1st, 2011, the IRS is stopping employees that participate with FSA (Flexible Spending Account) from purchasing cough medicines with their FSA cards? In order to purchase cough medicine with your FSA card, you will need to visit your doctor so that a prescription can be prescribed. Is this because there has been increased cases of people using cough medicine as a drug or is it a way for insurance companies and doctor offices to earn more money ?



Why does it seem like President Barack Obama's entire presidency so far has been campaigning?

Why do people expect for President Obama to fix the problems that were created in eight years in only two? C'mon Son.


Why do we pay about a third of our salaries in taxes but the government doesn't pay a third of our monthly living expenses?


Why is Rochester such a conservative town with so much potential but seems to be held back by bad politics, policies, police, and people?


Why do some of the contestants on the Biggest Loser seem to weigh more than they look and the ones that seem to weigh more weigh less?


Why are all the good food spots located in the south? Damn...



Why is healthy food so expensive, and the bad food so cheap? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Doesn't it seem that the entire process of processing the bad food would be more expensive than the entire process of growing the good foods?


Why do people get into cages with wild animals and are surprised when they get attacked? WTF??


Why is everyone more concerned with Bishop Eddie Long and if he's innocent or guilty, but no one is concerned with the young men that this act has supposedly happened too? Is it because they are gay? Why should it matter?


Why don't we hear any pastor's commenting on the Eddie Long story?


Why are Americans still going over to Mexico, when the drug cartels are killing everything that moves an inch across their border? Do they have a death wish?

Why is common sense so uncommon?

Why is there a tea party? Why not a liquor party? Would anything get accomplished, lol?

Why do I still continue to like the Buffalo Bills? Why???

Why did everyone want LeBron to stay in Cleveland? All he wants to do is win baby win, a championship that is.

Why aren't the cops that work the club scenes racially diverse? Perhaps this would curve some of the racial profiling......perhaps....

Why can't Hip Hop artists have longevity like Rock n Roll artists?

Why can't I get to an Oprah Winfrey show especially when she's handing out those damn gifts?

This blog was just for fun and to get me back into blogging again. A little serious, but a little fun as well. Tell the next one.......

LOVE

What is Love? The reason I pose this question is because I am so tired of hearing people speak of love as if its based upon superficial, materialistic, matters. About a week or so ago I had a conversation with a male friend of mine and he commented on the Diddy and Kim Porter "situation". My male friend stated that Diddy loves Kim. Now I don't want anyone to misunderstand me, with the thought that he doesn't or should not love her. They have children together, so there has to be something there. Let me explain why have an issue with my friend's statement. There is no doubt that I feel that Diddy has some type of affection and care for Kim, but I question is it really love? Now the comment that made me question Diddy's love for Kim was when my friend says "Diddy loves Kim because he bought her a $5,000,000 home." This prompted me to ask my friend does he feel that this is what love is? He says, "well they've been through a lot together, and he bought her the home," blah blah blah.
Well, for me, and I'm speaking only for me and not anyone else, Love is not based on how much you can spend on someone. Love is your true dedication, commitment, understanding and loyalty, in which two people express to one another. The emotional attachment that each person has for one another. The maturiaty level that two people display, knowing that its going to be all or nothing. None of that going back and forth, we gonna be together this month, but the next month we are not. The unselfishness that must be displayed when two people are in a relationship together. The satisfaction of helping your significant other grow and achieve without feeling slighted. All this is love to me, and so much more.
Now don't get me wrong, I like to have nice things as well. However, my mentality is not to have someone try and buy my love. I will let you know that I can buy things for myself. Once I make this clear I then would pose the question, so what else can you offer me besides money and materialistic items? No, I don't have anyone buying or that is even close to buying me a $5,000,000.00 home, but if I did, please believe that I would definitely make sure that there is true love involved and not just a flash of cash.
People, and specifically women, lets respect ourselves more and understand that our worth is much more than what money can ever buy.

One Love.

Leadership

I remember attending elementary school, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School #9 to be exact, and writing an essay on Dr. King. The essay was of course about Dr. King and want he meant to me and what he has done for this country. I won a trophy for first place for that essay. That essay showcased how much I had learned from my parents, and from my school, about Dr. King. As I don't have children, but still I am somewhat aware of what goes on within schools today, I often wonder, are children obtaining the required knowledge about the leaders that helped shaped this country? I also wonder, where are the new leaders that will help shape the country and world for this generation and generations to come? Yes, we arguably have the greatest leader that our country has ever seen in President Barack Obama. As we all know, President Barack Obama would not be where he is if it weren't for those leaders that came before him and sacrificed there lives so that he can be the Leader of the Free World. I hope that for generations now and for future generations, leaders will arise, so that they can not only look back at early leaders such as Dr. King, and present leaders, such as President Barack Obama, but at leaders within their own generation.

I lead because I do not believe in following. I follow only when the leader has something to teach me that I do not know. You can not lead me if you don't have anything to teach me.