Whole World

I grew up in the church. I went to Sunday School. I sang in the youth choir. I memorized my Easter speeches. I sang, "He's got the whole world in his hands" loud, so everyone could hear. I remember thinking, "how big are God's hands?" I never remember having any doubt about who God was or if he existed. I just wanted to know more about his size. It was hard for me to imagine anyone being that big. Sometimes, I wish I could go back before I knew fear and doubt. I wish I could turn off my intellect. I wish I could go back to when I believed in this big God. I still do believe in this big God, but my actions don't always match my faith. I still do believe that He is in control, but my actions don't always show my surrender. I still do believe that my life and times are in his hands, but sometimes I forget how big his hands really are. They are big enough to hold the whole world, me and you, yo' momma and yo' cousin too! 

Zenith

Every great story should include an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and a denouement. Our lives are the greatest story ever told. Most of us get caught up in the exposition, miss the climax, and before we know it...it's the end. The climax is the best part. It's the zenith. It's the high point. It's where all the good memories are made. Don't miss out on the zenith of your life. Seize the moment. Take a chance. Forgive. Forget. Love again. Your zenith is waiting....

Yearning

I'm an 80's baby. I played with my mother's records and thought an 8 track was a hybrid of a Nintendo video and a cassette. I listened to L.T.D and the Commodores like I was a P-funk all-star with a hot buttered soul. Isaac Hayes, George Clinton, Lionel Richie, and Jeffrey Osborne were household names like Madonna and Michael Jackson. I loved music. One of my favorite Saturday morning tunes was "Yearning for your Love," by the Gap Band. I would sing that chorus like I was truly a heartbroken, lovesick eight year old. I can't help, but to think that most of us are yearning for something too. Some are yearning for love. Some are yearning for attention. Some are yearning for success. Some are yearning for help. What are you yearning for?

For your enjoyment: https://youtu.be/X1eiAPKfAVY

Xenagogue

There was an exhibit called "Dialogue in the Dark." Blind guides lead visitors in small groups through different settings in absolute darkness. Some of the settings included a busy street, a restaurant, a grocery store and a park. The purpose was to raise awareness about what it means to navigate daily life being vision impaired. We had to rely on our guides and our other senses to explore each exhibit. Most of us navigate life in the darkness without a xenagogue. We don't have a plan, a road map, or a guide. We need help. We need guidance. We need a mentor. We need someone to help us navigate. We need someone to show us the way when we find ourselves lost, stuck, or just searching for answers. We need someone who has traveled the road we desire to travel. We need a xenagogue. 

Quintessential

What are you made out of? At your core, what is your essence? What word would be used to describe you? What's your legacy? If you were to die today, what would they engrave on your tombstone? You were created to become your best self. You are the archetype. The original. The one, the only. You were created to the quintessential version of you. Be great!

Optimize

Businesses are always trying to optimize their profit margins. They try to optimize their website for search engines. They try to make sure they get the most bang for their buck. Optimization is all about efficiency. It's interesting that we optimize every aspect of our professional lives, and fail to be as efficient personally. We must make sure that we maximize every opportunity. We must exhaust our resources to ensure that we are taking advantage of every situation. I believe that if we truly optimize our relationships, friendships, and personal network that we could build the impossible. We have the capability to overcome obstacles. If we truly optimize our potential, the possibilities are limitless. 

Perseverance

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." -Maya Angelou
 

Sometimes, we just need a reminder of who we are and what we are really capable of accomplishing in this life. Truthfully, we don't really find out what we can endure until we have to endure the unthinkable. We are stronger than we think.  We have grit. We have strength. We have steadfastness. We have perseverance.