Happy Holidays...Grateful

This is written for those who find Christmas a difficult time of the year for whatever reason.  One day, I heard Steve Harvey talking about gratitude.  He reminded me to be mindful of those things that I have instead of focusing on those things that I don't have.   Regardless of what is going on in our life, we all can find a reason to be grateful.  Some have more than others to be grateful for, but as Mr. Harvey said, sometimes we don't have more because we haven't expressed gratitude for what we do have.   Why would God give us more when we clearly don't appreciate what he has already given us?  Made sense to me.  Every year at Christmas, when I start missing my family, I am encouraged by the reminder of how many years God allowed them to bless our lives.  We were one of the few who had both parents throughout our lives.  That, in and of itself, was a blessing.  I will always be grateful for their sacrifices, because they didn't have to do it, but they did.

Counting My Blessings

I remember a song from when I was growing up long ago.  The song was entitled, Count Your Blessings.  As a nation, that is something we seem to have forgotten to do.  Everyday God blesses this country with peace that is not found in many parts of the world.   We take a lot for granted.  This Thanksgiving, let us remember just how much we have to be thankful for.  Also, remember those who are away from family and home risking their lives to give us the gift of peace.  We pray for their safe keeping.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God has done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

*alternate text

Johnson Oatman, Jr. / Edwin O. Excell
from library.timelesstruths.org

 

You Define Your Place

You define your place on this earth.

Where you are from does not
determine your worth.

Because you’re from the hood,

Doesn't mean you have to grow up
angry and misunderstood

Life is not about where you’re at

You don’t have to relate to that

You have control

You define your own goals.

Success is not confined

To a person, place, or race.

You define your own place.

If you want to succeed,

Plant your own seed

In spite of the cards you're dealt,

You can have wealth.

If you never play your hand,

You’ll never prove you can stand.

You can create a positive outcome

With purpose and vision for your life

And a willingness to sacrifice.

Whether you’re from Beverly Hills, Watts or East L.A,

You have to make your own way.

Define your own direction.

Life is like an election.

You have to cast your vote

Or you’ll miss the boat.

You have to make your life count for something.

It is said, "Nothing from nothing, leaves nothing."
If you do nothing, you get nothing.

Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do.

That’s up to you.

Ask  President Obama about the negative things he heard.

He proved to the world, he didn’t believe a word.

He pursued his dreams with all his might,

And he won the fight.

Speak life into your dreams and you will see

Your dreams become reality.

Copyright:  P. Newman-Harris

Looking at the situation in this country, can cause you to be discouraged.  Don't give up,
don't give in.  You can win. 

I heard T.D. Jakes say something profound that I'd like to share with you.

"Don't settle for less when God has made you more."

Celebrating Veteran's (Thank you for your sacrifice) We have not forgotten you.

Sometimes, in the midst of our daily lives, we forget those who voluntarily interrupted their lives so that we may proceed with safely with ours.  We thank each and everyone of you for all you have done for us and for our country.   To those, who are away from home and family we send you our prayers and the hope that one day soon, you will return.   We may, at times forget, but there is one who never forgets.

Martin's Vision for the World

I wrote this way before we began the path to the
Presidential election of 2016.    Martin’s dream
for this nation is still relevant today, more than ever.
More than ever, we need to reflect on what we value as a
country and what we want to continue to value in the
future.

Martin, when I think of you,
I think of how you courageously stood tall
Fighting for us all.
Your ability to envision the world as it should be,
reshaped our history.
You placed yourself in harms way
So we could enjoy the freedoms we have today.
We are thankful for your faith, your conviction,
and your continued belief that one day, we'd be free
Free, from the chains of adversity.
While we have come a long a way,
It is evident that, for some, the struggle
for freedom is never done.
It will never be over until we learn to live as one.
It will never be over if one man's dream is shattered.
It will never be over as long as we have need to remind
America that black lives matter.
It will never be over until we, as a nation,
can lift the rug of injustice and sweep away
the dirt that has remained hidden for years.
It will never be over as long as we hesitate to
acknowledge our doubts and our fears.
It will never be over as long as we allow
a President to be blatantly disrespected to his face.
It will never be over as long as one American feels displaced.
It will never be over as long as one man's dream is deferred.
It will never be over  as long as boundaries are imposed upon the just. 
It will never be over as long as the doors of opportunity
are systematically closed.
It will never be over as long as this country
continues to rob the poor man and line the
pockets of the wealthy.
It will never be over as long as any man
is denied the medical care he needs to remain healthy.
It will never be over as long as one person
is harmed by terrorists, extremists,  or supremacists.
It will never be over as long as annihilators and haters are killing the innocent.
It will never be over as long as there is injustice anywhere.
It will never be over until black and brown boys and girls
are provided adequate tools with which to learn.
It will never be over until, in this nation,
there is equity in money earned.
The work will never be over,
and America will never be the America of our dreams
until we finally understand what freedom and justice for ALL
really means.
It will never be over until every man can live not only freely
and equally, but safely in this world.
It will never be over.
No, it will never be over.

copyright 2016, Patricia Newman-Harris

Are We Losing The Personal Touch?

I came across a video that conveys so much
of what I feel, that I thought I'd share it with you.
I hope it provokes some thought.

As much as I enjoy the benefits technology affords me,
I am concerned about the loss of what I call the "personal touch."
I had to learn how to text just to find out what was going on
with my younger family members.  If you don't text, you are
excluded from a lot of things.  I don't feel I was left out
intentionally.  Texting has simply become the way to communicate.  
Texting is okay with me as long as it is not used as
an escape for conveying a message that really should be
conveyed face to face.  I don't like the idea of breaking up
with somebody by text or through Facebook.   Come on now.   That
is just not right.  I don't want to get into anyone else's business,
and I understand that everyone has their own modus operandi.
That will never be mine.   If it were up to me, I'd still be writing
letters instead of emails, and sending more cards by mail than e-cards.  
Though I do send e-cards and emails, I still enjoy writing letters.
If I mention writing a letter today, I get some weird looks and a
downright disconnect.  It's funny to me.  I have been dragged kicking
and screaming into the age of the new technology, but I'm in.