Course Correct
I know we don't want to go into every venture or project with an expectation of failure, but it is always a possibility. Failure is sometimes out of our control. Market conditions, finances, supply and demand are all potential factors towards our success or failure. Truthfully, most of us probably know how to plan for success. The learning curve comes when things don't work out according to plan. We have to learn how to pivot. We have to recognize that sometimes success has many paths. We can always course correct.
Reform
re·form /rəˈfôrm/ verb
make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.
Reform. Say it. It’s not a bad word. It’s just hard. Change is hard. I get it. You’ve always done it this way. It ain’t broke. It still works. All of these are excuses. We keep justifying why we shouldn't change and ignore the fact we need to change. It’s bigger than statues and monuments. It's bigger than flags and protests. It’s institutional. It’s subtle reminders that justify the past. In order to grow, you must learn from the past. Glean and grow. Reform.
Civil
The Civil War was prompted because of the enslavement of Black people. The Civil Rights movement was prompted because of legalized racial discrimination, segregation and disenfranchisement of Black people. Neither of these events were civil and the next historical event of our time will not be either. We are at a precipice of change in America. Things are shifting. Race relations are being called out on a global scale during a pandemic. The death of a Black man in America is having a worldwide ripple effect. We are being forced to address our deep rooted history of racism towards Black people. Racism is America's original sin. Racism is the real classism. Racism must be eradicated for us to truly be Civil.
Condemned
Verb
1. express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure.
2. sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death.
There are parts of our society that need to be condemned. There are behaviors that should be called out and frowned upon. There are political views that stand juxtaposed to basic human rights and civility. We need political and social reform. We need crimes to punished equally regardless of race, class, or political view. We need an overhaul of our criminal justice system. We need hate crimes to be prosecuted to the fullness of the law. We need voter suppression addressed. We need allies advocates and abolitionists. We need our society's proverbial coattail to be pulled. We need certain behaviors to not be tolerated and publically condemned.
Deter
Do not be deterred. Do not be distracted. Do not lose focus. Distraction is a tactic of the enemy. The distractions may seem small at first. You might cancel an appointment or reschedule a meeting. You might oversleep. You might get stuck in traffic. Don’t be fooled. Keep moving forward one step at a time. There will always be a lot more reasons to give up than to press forward. Focus on the one thing. Streamline. Have tunnel vision. Recognize the trick to deter you.
Shift
Change doesn’t come easy. It requires us to do things differently, and think differently. It messes up our routine. It takes a little while to get used to before it becomes our “new normal.” Interesting enough, change is always happening. The Earth shifts. The wind blows. The seasons change. Its continual. Yet we act like change is sudden. There are often signs of a shift, but we ignore them. Get ready. Transition is God's way of helping us get ready for the shift that is coming.
Abundant Life
The bible speaks about God's ability to bless us abundantly. God's love is described as being abounding. God’s desire for our life is the exceedingly abundant. How do we get to live the life that God desires for us? Follow God’s word. Heed his instruction. Make prayerful decisions. Seek the counsel of elders. Ask for wisdom. Wait for godly answers. Accept the consequences of past decisions and make an effort to be a good steward moving forward. The abundant life is within reach, but it does require you to do things differently. Change is how we get to live the life God desires for us. Acceptance is the path to the abundant life. Obedience is the key to successfully navigating God’s will for our lives, because it won’t always make sense. God uses the foolish to confound the wise. Trust the plan, but more importantly, trust God.