Some of us may be old enough to remember playing a scratched record. Others have to refer to a scratched CD or DVD. What happens is still the same, when the needle (or laser) hit's the scratch, it jumps back to some previous point and replays the same music (or scene) over and over again. Some DVD and CD's just stop playing at all right at that point.
We actually do the same thing in life. As children we go along just fine. We play, experiment with and experience life until something traumatic happens to us. Maybe a parent always called us stupid, or we got whipped for things we didn't do or maybe never got picked for sports or were picked on by older siblings or bullies. Maybe we were physically, emotionally or sexually abused. Whatever the event (or sequence of events) they scratch our life. And that scratch makes us play an event over and over in our minds until it created a pattern in our lives.
Many of the patterns we experience in life are replays of an earlier trama that we experienced but had no control over. Later in life, we subconsciously recreate the events with a different cast of characters. Once we understand our creative power in life, we can press stop on that old story and create a new life.
We are the creative force behind our lives, but we forget this spiritual truth as we learn to play the victim and blame others for our disappointments. And while we didn't ask for the initial event, the replication of that event in our lives is something we can do something about. And it starts with taking responsibility; not for the initial events but for our role in replaying them now that we have a better understanding of who we are and the power God has gifted us with.
Taking responsibility is like finally waking up to the unconscious patterns we have allowed to replay in our lives and consciously learning to make a change. It allows us to see that what we fear isn't real anymore. It has already happened and doesn't have to continue if we are dedicated to writing a new chapter in our lives. Now we can pay attention to the decisions we make that lead us down the same path and the people we draw to us to play the perpetrators in our drama. Now we can say NO to playing the role of victim and take our rightful place as VICTORIOUS creations of God.
We can move the needle to the next song, forward to the next scene or change the music or movie entirely. It's our choice and being responsible for the choices you make now will open the door to abundance, happiness and success that you never thought possible.
So what will you do, continue replaying the drama or move powerfully forward. The choice is yours.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
May the Face of Death Teach us to Live
This week has been burdened by death. For those in the DC area, we have lost 9 souls in a devastating subway train crash. In the midst of that, the nation mourned the loss of Ed McMahon. Yesterday afternoon, we were greeted with news of the passing of Farrah Faucett. And as I ended my work day yesterday evening, Michael Jackson suddenly bid us farewell.
In the wake of these terrible incidents, the news was flooded with stories of the lives these people lived. Stories about dreams they chased, goals they accomplished and lives they touched. And I started thinking about life, my life. What legacy did I want to leave behind? What did I hope people remembered most about me? What did I want to have accomplished when my time to pass on came?
And most importantly to me - What am I doing now to make these things reality?
Despite the troubles any of these people faced, or any negativity they were apart of, they made an attempt to truly live - To discover and express their passion and purpose in life while they were with us. In music, activism, acting, hosting, serving our country in war, doing hair or even fulfilling a goal of driving a subway train, they made their own indelible mark on the world or at least their small portion of it. And even those who were "taken away too soon," we will never forget how they touched us with their compassion, creativity, hope, joy and love.
And even in death, they teach us how to live. They show us to live each day like it's our last, achieve our hearts desires, leave no word unsaid and no deed undone, let go of any grudges and express our love and appreciation for those we care about while we have the opportunity. They teach us to live without regrets and to excel in spite of our fear to be the best we can be.
Then when we reach that final day, whether expected or unexpected, it will all be well with our souls.
Don't hold back your passion, purpose or promise. You are here to leave a mark on this world in your own unique way. Release your maximum potential, changing your life and showing those around you how brightly they too can shine if they just expose the light of their gifts, the light of their spirit. Then we are sure to hear these words in our souls, "Well done my good and faithful servant."
In the wake of these terrible incidents, the news was flooded with stories of the lives these people lived. Stories about dreams they chased, goals they accomplished and lives they touched. And I started thinking about life, my life. What legacy did I want to leave behind? What did I hope people remembered most about me? What did I want to have accomplished when my time to pass on came?
And most importantly to me - What am I doing now to make these things reality?
Despite the troubles any of these people faced, or any negativity they were apart of, they made an attempt to truly live - To discover and express their passion and purpose in life while they were with us. In music, activism, acting, hosting, serving our country in war, doing hair or even fulfilling a goal of driving a subway train, they made their own indelible mark on the world or at least their small portion of it. And even those who were "taken away too soon," we will never forget how they touched us with their compassion, creativity, hope, joy and love.
And even in death, they teach us how to live. They show us to live each day like it's our last, achieve our hearts desires, leave no word unsaid and no deed undone, let go of any grudges and express our love and appreciation for those we care about while we have the opportunity. They teach us to live without regrets and to excel in spite of our fear to be the best we can be.
Then when we reach that final day, whether expected or unexpected, it will all be well with our souls.
Don't hold back your passion, purpose or promise. You are here to leave a mark on this world in your own unique way. Release your maximum potential, changing your life and showing those around you how brightly they too can shine if they just expose the light of their gifts, the light of their spirit. Then we are sure to hear these words in our souls, "Well done my good and faithful servant."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ade And Melissa - SYTYCD
Ade surely has a ... um "following" just look BEHIND him....lol
Untitled
Uploaded by greateggs. - Watch feature films and entire TV shows.
Story of a African King and His Friend
A story is told about a King in Africa who had a close friend that he
grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation
that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) by
remarking, "This is good, God knows best"
One day the King and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The
friend would load and prepare the guns for the King. The friend had
apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for
after taking the gun from his friend, the King fired it and his thumb
was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!
God knows best."
To which the King replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and ordered his
soldiers to put his friend into jail.
About a year later, the King was hunting in an area that he should
have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured the King and took him
to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a
stake and bound him to the stake.
As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the King
was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone who
was less than whole. So after untying the King, they chased him out
of the village.
When the King reached his Palace, he was reminded of the event that
had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend.
He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend.
"You were right" the King said, "It was good that my thumb was blown
off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just
happened. "I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It
was bad for me to do this."
"No," his friend replied, "this is good…God knows best"
"What do you mean, `this is good'! How could it be good that I sent
my friend to jail for a year?"
The King's friend replied: "Remember that the Almighty knows best and
if I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you on that hunting
trip."
........
Do Not Judge Things or Events by their immediate Outcome!
grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation
that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) by
remarking, "This is good, God knows best"
One day the King and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The
friend would load and prepare the guns for the King. The friend had
apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for
after taking the gun from his friend, the King fired it and his thumb
was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!
God knows best."
To which the King replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and ordered his
soldiers to put his friend into jail.
About a year later, the King was hunting in an area that he should
have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured the King and took him
to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a
stake and bound him to the stake.
As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the King
was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone who
was less than whole. So after untying the King, they chased him out
of the village.
When the King reached his Palace, he was reminded of the event that
had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend.
He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend.
"You were right" the King said, "It was good that my thumb was blown
off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just
happened. "I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It
was bad for me to do this."
"No," his friend replied, "this is good…God knows best"
"What do you mean, `this is good'! How could it be good that I sent
my friend to jail for a year?"
The King's friend replied: "Remember that the Almighty knows best and
if I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you on that hunting
trip."
........
Do Not Judge Things or Events by their immediate Outcome!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Taking Responsibility
Life can be a bitch.
Not because it's really all that hard, but because most of us are never taught how to deal with and change the circumstances in our lives. We blame and become the victim of people and circumstances and most of us, if we really step back and take a look at the over all themes of our lives, go though the same things over and over again just with different people.
I am at that place where I am forced to look at the themes I have been dealing with and the feelings these situations triggered in me. One big one is Love. As much as I tell folks, as a life coach, to recognize that love comes from within first and radiates outward, I look for love outside myself to make me feel wanted and appreciated. Having never been taught otherwise, I know in my head the correct way to handle things but my heart is trained to habitually do things the wrong way.
So today's lesson is to take responsibility for loving me first. But to do that I have to take a good look at the anger, sadness and resentment inside me because I looked to others to love me for me. I have to face what I feel about myself and towards myself. And I have to take back the power I have given away to do the best I can for me and treat myself with the utmost respect and care.
My heart has always been my own responsibility and now I relish the idea of cherishing it and sharing it.
Not because it's really all that hard, but because most of us are never taught how to deal with and change the circumstances in our lives. We blame and become the victim of people and circumstances and most of us, if we really step back and take a look at the over all themes of our lives, go though the same things over and over again just with different people.
I am at that place where I am forced to look at the themes I have been dealing with and the feelings these situations triggered in me. One big one is Love. As much as I tell folks, as a life coach, to recognize that love comes from within first and radiates outward, I look for love outside myself to make me feel wanted and appreciated. Having never been taught otherwise, I know in my head the correct way to handle things but my heart is trained to habitually do things the wrong way.
So today's lesson is to take responsibility for loving me first. But to do that I have to take a good look at the anger, sadness and resentment inside me because I looked to others to love me for me. I have to face what I feel about myself and towards myself. And I have to take back the power I have given away to do the best I can for me and treat myself with the utmost respect and care.
My heart has always been my own responsibility and now I relish the idea of cherishing it and sharing it.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Weekend
This was the one of the best weekends I have had in a while. Mostly because it was mine. I took back my life and time from someone that I had been allow to spend time with me, even though his presence was draining my energy. So to finally have my time actually be MY TIME, felt good.
I did a lot of things different this weekend. I spent Friday night in the house. Saturday, I washed clothes in 2 hours at the laundrymat instead of spending 7+ hours at a friends house only to leave with damp clothes.
Saturday night I went to a cookout with someone that I don't normally hang out with and had a really good time. My buddy Barry is someone I have known for years but we fall in and out of contact. Well he invited me to a cookout and I decided to go. I cooked some Mac & Cheese and we hit it out to his buddies house. He also invited another friend of his, Joshua. I had met Joshua at Barry's birthday party a few months ago.
Now what I didn't know at first was that the host of the cookout was someone Barry had been seeing. But not the only person Barry was seeing. Actually after picking me up, he dropped off another date first! AIN'T THAT HOTT!!!
Well when we drop off date #1 to head to date #2's house, that's when I get the scoop. The guys name is Jeremy and he is in the military. I am told he is supposedly new to the life and a top but willing to try taking willie from Barry. (How many times have we heard that story in DC? But I don't know the guy so who am I to judge...)
On the way, I am introduced to XemVanAdams. A YouTube celebrity who gives a run down on popular gay terms. So as we ride down the road we are getting an G-english vocabulary lesson and learning how to use these terms in a sentence. I felt so educated and well informed... I think I may be bilingual now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBZgUn4b0w0 (check it out)
Now Jeremy was a cool guy. I think I have seen him before. Probably saw his picture scroll by on some sex site online. He's got some music playing and he has pictures scrolling by on the television. He is still putting food on the grill and I start playing with his dog. We are the first people there. Barry makes us some drinks and we just chill. It's about an hour or so before other guests arrive. And another 4 hours before we eat - and I was HUNGRY.
But it's when the other guests arrive that things start getting interesting. Someone Barry used to date or screw or some combination thereof shows up and Barry asks "How do YOU know Jeremy?"
"From online"
Barry looks at me and Joshua, "Oh and he says he's new to this stuff." Of course the assumption is that if the met online, there has been some sexual interaction.
Then someone else comes in and Barry overhears something to make him think that this is another of Jeremy's "pieces." Barry clearly starts to get flustered. And even more so when the dude goes out to his car and comes back with a bag and proceeds up to the second floor of the townhouse as if he may be staying over - oh and did I mention that Barry has seen an empty condom wrapper in the back yard?
Barry was undone (and the drinks didn't help). But I was sitting there looking at Joshua saying "Wait, didn't Barry just drop of his other dude before we came over here?" In my mind, even if dude is inviting all of his conquests to the party Barry is playing him too so why be mad?
I go over to Barry and try to calm him down. I even tell him in his ear that he was only mad cause he was felt like that player (himself) just got played. And then the guy who went upstairs came back down with his bag in tow, after having changed his clothes. Then he said his good byes and left. I look at Barry and say "looky there, and you got all upset for nothing."
We finally start eating and the food is really good. The only problem was that as Jeremy cut into some of the ribs, they started bleeding. I was looking right at him at the time but no one else seemed to have noticed. So before he threw them away, I ran in found a pan and put them in the oven to finish cooking.
After playing some cards and getting tired of the scene, we left about 11pm and went to this club called Remingtons. It's normally a country western club but now it will have a hip-hop night. So we got to see the line dancing couples do their last few turns as the music went from Garth Brooks to Jay-Z. I haven't danced that much in a long time. And was glad to see a few other friends show up.
It was a good night. Well maybe not so good for Barry - his #2 quit that night.
I did a lot of things different this weekend. I spent Friday night in the house. Saturday, I washed clothes in 2 hours at the laundrymat instead of spending 7+ hours at a friends house only to leave with damp clothes.
Saturday night I went to a cookout with someone that I don't normally hang out with and had a really good time. My buddy Barry is someone I have known for years but we fall in and out of contact. Well he invited me to a cookout and I decided to go. I cooked some Mac & Cheese and we hit it out to his buddies house. He also invited another friend of his, Joshua. I had met Joshua at Barry's birthday party a few months ago.
Now what I didn't know at first was that the host of the cookout was someone Barry had been seeing. But not the only person Barry was seeing. Actually after picking me up, he dropped off another date first! AIN'T THAT HOTT!!!
Well when we drop off date #1 to head to date #2's house, that's when I get the scoop. The guys name is Jeremy and he is in the military. I am told he is supposedly new to the life and a top but willing to try taking willie from Barry. (How many times have we heard that story in DC? But I don't know the guy so who am I to judge...)
On the way, I am introduced to XemVanAdams. A YouTube celebrity who gives a run down on popular gay terms. So as we ride down the road we are getting an G-english vocabulary lesson and learning how to use these terms in a sentence. I felt so educated and well informed... I think I may be bilingual now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBZgUn4b0w0 (check it out)
Now Jeremy was a cool guy. I think I have seen him before. Probably saw his picture scroll by on some sex site online. He's got some music playing and he has pictures scrolling by on the television. He is still putting food on the grill and I start playing with his dog. We are the first people there. Barry makes us some drinks and we just chill. It's about an hour or so before other guests arrive. And another 4 hours before we eat - and I was HUNGRY.
But it's when the other guests arrive that things start getting interesting. Someone Barry used to date or screw or some combination thereof shows up and Barry asks "How do YOU know Jeremy?"
"From online"
Barry looks at me and Joshua, "Oh and he says he's new to this stuff." Of course the assumption is that if the met online, there has been some sexual interaction.
Then someone else comes in and Barry overhears something to make him think that this is another of Jeremy's "pieces." Barry clearly starts to get flustered. And even more so when the dude goes out to his car and comes back with a bag and proceeds up to the second floor of the townhouse as if he may be staying over - oh and did I mention that Barry has seen an empty condom wrapper in the back yard?
Barry was undone (and the drinks didn't help). But I was sitting there looking at Joshua saying "Wait, didn't Barry just drop of his other dude before we came over here?" In my mind, even if dude is inviting all of his conquests to the party Barry is playing him too so why be mad?
I go over to Barry and try to calm him down. I even tell him in his ear that he was only mad cause he was felt like that player (himself) just got played. And then the guy who went upstairs came back down with his bag in tow, after having changed his clothes. Then he said his good byes and left. I look at Barry and say "looky there, and you got all upset for nothing."
We finally start eating and the food is really good. The only problem was that as Jeremy cut into some of the ribs, they started bleeding. I was looking right at him at the time but no one else seemed to have noticed. So before he threw them away, I ran in found a pan and put them in the oven to finish cooking.
After playing some cards and getting tired of the scene, we left about 11pm and went to this club called Remingtons. It's normally a country western club but now it will have a hip-hop night. So we got to see the line dancing couples do their last few turns as the music went from Garth Brooks to Jay-Z. I haven't danced that much in a long time. And was glad to see a few other friends show up.
It was a good night. Well maybe not so good for Barry - his #2 quit that night.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
God Grant Me The Serenity
So I decided to skip the gym and come straight home today. Well not straight home. I did need to stop by the grocery store for some things and it was supposed to storm. I didn't want to get caught in the rain waiting for the bus and walking to my apartment after that, so I left the office on time and headed for the subway.
When I get to the station, I am greeted by hundreds of disgruntled passengers on my platform. I have my headphones on and my book, so I don't worry about it.
--Get Here by Oleta Adams finishes playing where I left off this morning.--
I head down the escalator and get off behind a woman with a seeing eye dog. I don't know if she had just fed him or if the escalator or all the people spooked him, but he left a few turds in his wake as he exited the escalator... of course she didn't see them. So I just noticed, stepped over them as they rolled continuously at the bottom of the escalator and found me a place to stand on the platform.
Most people thought the shit on the escalator was funny. Some people even warned others. Someone wasn't paying attention, I bet they got funny looks all the way home.
--Take Me As I Am by Mary J. Blige plays--
The train finally comes. There is some switch problem somewhere on the line. The doors opened and no one got off. Most of the people on the platform were trying to get on. There was announcement "Please do not crowd the train. There is a train right behind this one." Most crowded on anyway, some people cursed and complained as the doors shut before they could get on. I just shifted to a more prominent position so I could catch the next train, which surely wouldn't have as many people on it as this one. I was right.
The next train came and I waited for people to crowd on first. Since there were less people on the train when it pulled in, there was room for me to get on and have a place to stand without bumping anyone. I took that spot and the doors closed.
--Time by Musiq Soulchild plays--
The train left the station and pulled partway through the tunnel and stopped abruptly, jostling us on the train. From the looks on peoples faces, things were going from bad to worse for them. I don't know for sure because I had my headphones on and only looked up briefly from the book I was reading. I was glad to have more time to read.
After about five minutes, the train continued its journey. People got off. More people got on. I was able to keep my spot in front of the opposite door and admire the cuties that entered the train. MMMMMMM Gooood! Was he looking at me? I bet he was. I just go back to reading my book.
The next few stops are non-eventful. Then we get to L'Enfant Plaza. More people crowd on the train. Many cuties pressed there way into the car. I wished I was pressed next to a few of them. Then this young boy and his girlfriend have to stand really close to me and bumped my book. I looked up. Said nothing, thought nothing. Shifted the angle of my book and kept reading.
--Save Me by Mary Mary fades out. Why by Anthony Hamilton comes on.
The next few stops the young boy is forced by the movement of the train to bump into my book continuously. Not enough to distract, just enough to notice. I noticed and kept on reading. He was enjoying picking fun at his girlfriend. And I thought it was funny too.
--Private Party by India Arie plays--
At Eastern Market, there is an announcement. "This train is now out of service. Everyone will have to exit here." This time, above the volume of my IPhone, I could hear the grumbles and complaints and cursing. I followed the crowd off og the train and walked around to the outside of the crowd. I didn't want to get caught in the press of people trying to get on the next train. People didn't look happy. "Oh, Well." I thought and went back to reading my book. The book was getting good.
The first train passed and I waited. People crowded onto the train as the announcement came on apologizing for the switch problem and saying that trains were backed up one behind another so the next one would be there as soon as this one left. The announcement was largely ignored.
The next train pulled in directly behind the one that pulled out. People pressed in and I found a place at the front of the car, right by the door. That was good since I only had one stop to go.
-- Be Without You by Mary J. Blige plays --
I got off at Potomac Avenue and it was raining. Not too hard though. So I pulled my hood over my head (my umbrella got broken over the weekend) and went to the store. I realized I left my shopping list on my desk at work. "Damn!" I said. Then "Oh well, I will just get what I can remember today and the rest tomorrow." And that's what I did.
-- Is She the Reason by Destiny's Child plays --
I got what I could remember, paid and carried my bags out the door. It was raining a little harder now. I pulled my hood on. I hoped I wouldn't have to wait to long for the bus. Less that five minutes later the bus pulled around the corner. I let the women board the bus first and follow. There was a seat that I was glad to get because my bag of groceries was heavy. I pulled my book back out and continued reading.
-- Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder plays --
My stop came up before I knew it and I was exiting. The rain had slowed up, thankfully. I walked up the hill and into my apartment, still feeling good despite all that happened.
-------------------------------------
Any time during this evening, I could have gotten frustrated by events that I had no control over. But instead I settled into the moment and accepted the situation as it was and didn't waste my energy on things I could do nothing about. I did what I could and just let the rest unfold as it would. I controled the only thing I could - My reactions to the events.
So I am thankful that God is granting me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen...
When I get to the station, I am greeted by hundreds of disgruntled passengers on my platform. I have my headphones on and my book, so I don't worry about it.
--Get Here by Oleta Adams finishes playing where I left off this morning.--
I head down the escalator and get off behind a woman with a seeing eye dog. I don't know if she had just fed him or if the escalator or all the people spooked him, but he left a few turds in his wake as he exited the escalator... of course she didn't see them. So I just noticed, stepped over them as they rolled continuously at the bottom of the escalator and found me a place to stand on the platform.
Most people thought the shit on the escalator was funny. Some people even warned others. Someone wasn't paying attention, I bet they got funny looks all the way home.
--Take Me As I Am by Mary J. Blige plays--
The train finally comes. There is some switch problem somewhere on the line. The doors opened and no one got off. Most of the people on the platform were trying to get on. There was announcement "Please do not crowd the train. There is a train right behind this one." Most crowded on anyway, some people cursed and complained as the doors shut before they could get on. I just shifted to a more prominent position so I could catch the next train, which surely wouldn't have as many people on it as this one. I was right.
The next train came and I waited for people to crowd on first. Since there were less people on the train when it pulled in, there was room for me to get on and have a place to stand without bumping anyone. I took that spot and the doors closed.
--Time by Musiq Soulchild plays--
The train left the station and pulled partway through the tunnel and stopped abruptly, jostling us on the train. From the looks on peoples faces, things were going from bad to worse for them. I don't know for sure because I had my headphones on and only looked up briefly from the book I was reading. I was glad to have more time to read.
After about five minutes, the train continued its journey. People got off. More people got on. I was able to keep my spot in front of the opposite door and admire the cuties that entered the train. MMMMMMM Gooood! Was he looking at me? I bet he was. I just go back to reading my book.
The next few stops are non-eventful. Then we get to L'Enfant Plaza. More people crowd on the train. Many cuties pressed there way into the car. I wished I was pressed next to a few of them. Then this young boy and his girlfriend have to stand really close to me and bumped my book. I looked up. Said nothing, thought nothing. Shifted the angle of my book and kept reading.
--Save Me by Mary Mary fades out. Why by Anthony Hamilton comes on.
The next few stops the young boy is forced by the movement of the train to bump into my book continuously. Not enough to distract, just enough to notice. I noticed and kept on reading. He was enjoying picking fun at his girlfriend. And I thought it was funny too.
--Private Party by India Arie plays--
At Eastern Market, there is an announcement. "This train is now out of service. Everyone will have to exit here." This time, above the volume of my IPhone, I could hear the grumbles and complaints and cursing. I followed the crowd off og the train and walked around to the outside of the crowd. I didn't want to get caught in the press of people trying to get on the next train. People didn't look happy. "Oh, Well." I thought and went back to reading my book. The book was getting good.
The first train passed and I waited. People crowded onto the train as the announcement came on apologizing for the switch problem and saying that trains were backed up one behind another so the next one would be there as soon as this one left. The announcement was largely ignored.
The next train pulled in directly behind the one that pulled out. People pressed in and I found a place at the front of the car, right by the door. That was good since I only had one stop to go.
-- Be Without You by Mary J. Blige plays --
I got off at Potomac Avenue and it was raining. Not too hard though. So I pulled my hood over my head (my umbrella got broken over the weekend) and went to the store. I realized I left my shopping list on my desk at work. "Damn!" I said. Then "Oh well, I will just get what I can remember today and the rest tomorrow." And that's what I did.
-- Is She the Reason by Destiny's Child plays --
I got what I could remember, paid and carried my bags out the door. It was raining a little harder now. I pulled my hood on. I hoped I wouldn't have to wait to long for the bus. Less that five minutes later the bus pulled around the corner. I let the women board the bus first and follow. There was a seat that I was glad to get because my bag of groceries was heavy. I pulled my book back out and continued reading.
-- Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder plays --
My stop came up before I knew it and I was exiting. The rain had slowed up, thankfully. I walked up the hill and into my apartment, still feeling good despite all that happened.
-------------------------------------
Any time during this evening, I could have gotten frustrated by events that I had no control over. But instead I settled into the moment and accepted the situation as it was and didn't waste my energy on things I could do nothing about. I did what I could and just let the rest unfold as it would. I controled the only thing I could - My reactions to the events.
So I am thankful that God is granting me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen...
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