Wake
There is beauty in destruction. There is peace after the storm. There are lessons in the wake of despair. Life has a way of teaching lessons in the valley. Once we get past our own emotions, we can learn and more importantly we can grow. What lessons have you learned after in the wake of tragedy?
Perform
Today, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though it may not be the exact date this event occurred, we acknowledge what his birth means to us. It means redemption. It means restoration. It means renewal. It is a time for reflection. It is a time to recognize the gift we have already been given.. So, as you open the gifts under your tree. Remember, that God has already given us the greatest gift…son. His son came down to perform on the stage of humanity. He performed miracles. He lived a blameless life- and gave that life that we may perform in his image. Celebrate! Acknowledge! Perform!
Gifted
I was introduced to Nina Simone at a young age. I loved her raspy voice. I loved how she sang her politics and called it all jazz. I loved how this unapologetically big nosed black woman was able to leave us feeling good, spellbound, all while telling stories about four women and strange fruit. She was one of the first to tell me that I was young, gifted, and black. I learned that my youth was a gift. I learned that my blackness was a gift. I learned that my ability to write and express myself poetically was a gift.
Your intellect, your sense of humor, your business acumen are all a gift. Be unapologetically who you are because you are a gift. You are gifted. You are blessed. You are a blessing. To truly be young, black, and gifted is to recognize that you are the gift. Your complexion, your hair, your smile, your hips, your thighs, your nose and your eyes are a gift. Your sincerity, your peace, your joy, your faith, your heart, your spirit are a gift. You are gifted! Your talents, your treasure, your pain and your pleasure are a gift. Your desire, your dreams, your plans and your purpose are a gift. You are gifted.