More

There's more. I want more. I need more. I should be doing more. There's more to life than....What? What is that in us that can't appreciate the now? What is that in us that makes us think that what we have is not enough especially since there are people who live in unspeakable poverty. There are war-ravaged countries where combat is the norm. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with goals and dreams, but there needs to be some balance. We need to learn to appreciate what we have now. Sometimes, that promotion means less quality time with your family, but it does mean more money. Which one takes a priority in your life. Sometimes, what we want costs us more than we can afford...literally and figuratively. Ask yourself if your "more" is a blessing or a curse. Will it hinder or profit you in the long run? Sometimes, sacrifice is necessary for the greater good. Sometimes, you do need a bigger house or a bigger car. Sometimes, you do need a better job with better benefits. Sometimes, you absolutely do need more. Make sure you are seeking after the right "mores." Make sure you evaluate what "more" is going to really cost you, and if it's really worth it.

Mother!

I assure you this is not about the psychological horror film written and directed by Darren Aronofsky. I am sure some of you would describe motherhood as a psychological horror. I can admit that I have compared childbirth to scenes from the Alien franchise. I have daydreamed about my own nuclear family. However, as God would have it, I became a mother. No, I am not pregnant. I willingly chose to love, care, protect and nurture two little girls. I willingly chose to be present in their lives. Motherhood is a choice to be present even when all parties involved don't make the same choice. I am a mother. Many of you are mothers. Motherhood is defined by presence not presents. Its definition is not always nuclear. Sometimes, it's blended. Sometimes, it's mended. Sometimes, it's complicated. Regardless, it doesn't negate the fact that you are a mother. 

Gain

The end of the year always makes me reflect. I reflect on the past year. I think about my victories and my losses. I think about my loved ones. I think about what I want to change, and what I can improve in the upcoming year. I try to set S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant/results focused,time-based) goals. I really try to drive home all of the lessons of the previous year. Most importantly, I ask myself what have I gained? As you prepare to embark on this new year, how have you grown? What have you gained? 

Mark 8:36 (KJV) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Jubilee

Celebrate the small victories. You woke up this morning. You made it home safe. There is food on your table, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head. You didn't get in that accident you should have when you were paying more attention to your phone than the highway. You didn't get sick when you ate what you weren't supposed to have in the first place. Your co-worker didn't work your last nerve today. You actually made it to the gym. Every day is full of blessings, we don't always acknowledge. Every day you wake up is a jubilee, because someone didn't. Don't be so hard on yourself. Cherish the time you spend with family and friends. Savor the life that God has given you. 

Party

'Tis the Season. It's Christmas Time. It's my favorite time of year. The invites should be rolling in for Christmas parties. The family Christmas cards should be arriving any day now. Kids are peeking under the tree. The sound of Christmas is everywhere, but sometimes I want to ask what are we celebrating? What are all the parties for? Have we forgotten the real reason for the season? Does our Christmas list include the less fortunate? Does our giving include our service or just our money? Sometimes, I feel like Christmas is a bunch of strangers crashing a birthday party for someone they don't even know. Sometimes, I want to ask were you invited to the party or are you just a plus one? 

Charity

1 Corinthians 13: 13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

First Corinthians 13 is a very popular book of the Bible that references love. Verses 4-8 specifically references the characteristics of love. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth. Does our love have the same characteristics? Do we have the same expectation of love? Is it long-suffering or short-tempered? Is our love jealous? Does our love have an ego? If love never fails, why are divorce rates climbing? Maybe what we call love is not love at all. Maybe what define as love doesn't meet God's standards.  Maybe it's time to re-evaluate our charity.  

Narrative

Growing up in New Orleans was a fascinating story all by itself. Add in Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence, and Bayou Classic and you've got stories for days. I went to a very Afrocentric Baptist Church that had the seven principles of Kwanzaa on the wall. I knew what the African Diaspora was before I learned American or Louisiana History. Adella Adella the storyteller visited my school and told me stories about Flying Africans. I read all about Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. I learned all about my rich history, and what the African American narrative had been in this country.

Currently, that narrative is changing. We are reconstructing that story. We are our ancestors wildest dreams, and we have the ability to rewrite our narrative. We no longer have to stay within the confines of the page. We are telling our own stories in film and television. We are launching lucrative businesses. We are entrepreneurs. We are writing our own narrative. What's yours?