Interest
The year is 1995. The New York hip hop scene is blowing up. Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G dropped his LP "Ready to Die" the fall of the previous year. The single "Big Poppa" peaks at number six on the Billboard charts. Every hip hop head from New York to Miami memorized the lyrics to this anthem. It was an ode to overweight lovers everywhere, that dripped of confidence and swag. One of my favorite lines was, "ask what your interests are, who you be with, things to make you smile, what numbers to dial, you gon' be here for a while, I'm gon' go call my crew, you go call your crew, we can rendezvous at the bar around two."
The year is 2017. It's been 20 years since Biggie's death. The music scene has changed drastically since 1995. Love songs are sexual innuendos. Gender is fluid. Trump is president, and we have little interest in anything. Relationships don't exist. They are situationships. Courtship is a thing of the past, and chivalry is almost dead. When was the last time someone asked you what you were interested in? When was the last time you spent hours on the phone instead of sending a text or a snapchat? When was the last time you wrote a letter instead of sending an email? Technology has its advantages, but it has changed the way we communicate. We have replaced nicknames with handles. We have substituted quality time for FaceTime. We have simplified our existence to 155 characters or less. We have lost interest in each other.
Concord
One of my favorite bible verses poses the question, how can two walk if they don't agree? Now imagine two people walking in opposite directions. Many of us find ourselves in relationships, friendships, and career paths that are polar opposite to the direction we want to go. Why? Some of us have a fear of being alone. Some of us have a fear of failure. Some of us don't have a clue about what we really want. It's okay if you don't have all of the answers, but don't be pulled down a path you don't want to travel. Sometimes, it is easier to be still and wait. The right person, the right friend, and the right job will always exist in concord.
Humility
There were two times I was reminded of how small we are in this universe; when I looked out of a window of a plane, and when I looked at the night sky. I thought about God's meticulous craftsmanship. I was humbled by the fact that just like those stars and planets, he made me too. God formed me in my mother's womb. God ordered my steps. I was fearfully and wonderfully made. Armed with all those affirmations, I am still called to serve, and you are too. What have you been divinely gifted with? How can you make someone else's life better? When you recognize your gifts and how they can be used to serve others, you honor God and tap into true humility.
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." -C. S. Lewis
Revelation
rev·e·la·tion ˌ revəˈlāSH(ə)n/ noun
a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.
the divine or supernatural disclosure to humans of something relating to human existence or the world.
Oprah Winfrey has popularized "Aha! Moments." There is a whole section of her website that is dedicated to these moments. If you are unfamiliar with "Aha! Moments," they are considered a moment of insight or discovery. I would refer them to revelations. Have you ever experienced a revelation about your life or a loved one? Did God reveal something to you? Do you ever just have a gut feeling about something? It's revelation. I knew that I was going to marry my husband within months of dating him. I listened to the voice. I didn't say anything or move on that notion. I waited patiently for that word to manifest. It did three years later. Be patient. Pay attention. Listen closely. Trust your instincts. Trust the revelation.
New Heights
"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude." -Zig Ziglar
Perspective is everything. The closer you are to a situation, the less you see. Give yourself some distance to get a better perspective. Open your mind to something new. Do something you've never done before. Try a new food. Take a class. Go somewhere. Make a new friend. Open yourself up to new experiences. Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone. Love may be waiting for you on the other side of your fears. Climb to new heights and enjoy the altitude.
Just Coast
The gears have been set in motion. There is no need to kick or push. Just coast. Enjoy the place that you are in currently. You will never be here again. You will never experience this day again. We rarely take the time to enjoy each day as if it isn't a blessing. We ignore monumental moments as if they aren't a rarity. We don't relish in life's pleasures. We don't savor life or love. Stop kicking. Stop fighting. Stop pushing. Stop forcing it. Just coast.
Life Support
We all need help at some point. Most of us struggle with asking for help when we are in need. Pride keeps us from missing out on the true blessings of friends and family. We are not mean to live life alone. We need to hear an encouraging word. We need a smile from a stranger. We need a hug from a loved one. We need to laugh with our children. We need each other. Life is better when its done together. Don't take your loved ones for granted. Pick up the phone. Send a text. Encourage someone today. We all need a little life support from time to time.