Celebrating Black History Month

As Black History Month begins, I feel it is no greater time than now than to look back and remember the great contributors to our history, past and present, and to say thank you to them all.  One of the most important tasks we have as survivors and recipients of this great legacy is to always be thankful for the legacy.   As you walk your life's path, think of all the unfilled dreams you will be fulfilling for those who never had the opportunity to live their dreams.

You Have a Dream to Fulfill

Before you were birthed
Before you were placed on this earth,
God breathed life into your nostrils and said
You have a dream to fulfill.
I will supply all your needs
I am all you need to succeed.
You are mine
You will always shine
You were the King or Queen
of my heart
When he breathed life into your being,
It was your Spirit he was freeing
God, the designer of your fate,
Created you to be great.
Always shine your heavenly light.
Whatever you do, do it with all your ight.
Follow His plan
Hold fast His hand
Allow him to direct your life
You can do all things through Christ,
Exeedingly,
Abundantly,
Above all you can ask or think.
He will not allow you to sink.
Before you were birth,
Before you were placed on this earth,
God breathed life into your nostrils and said,
"You have a dream to fulfill."

copyright, 2014, Living the Dream

King Day Celebration Thank you (continued)

In spite of anything we see, we know that we can make it to the mountain top.

For we know who holds the world.  Martin, we miss you, but we know we will see you again.

Thank you

Martin,

Today, I just want to say thank you

Thank you for paving the way

I once was too young to understand,

I couldn’t phantom how much you willingly risked.

You put your heart on the line.

Lined your will up with the divine,

Just to save us all.

Now, I know just how hard you had to go.

Despite opposition,

You held your position.

Just to think you sacrificed,

You gave your life

For a day you knew you might never see

It blows me away

Your insight,

Along with God’s power and might

Brought us through the night.

You shined a light on man’s inhumanities

And made justice visible for all to see.

You gave us something on which to build

You enabled us to play on an equal field

You led a path way to freedom

That brought us where we are today.

Thanking you today is just a small way

To repay you for all you’ve done.

Because of you, generations of little boys and girls 

Have a chance to dream higher than we ever thought possible.

You changed the world.                               

Yes, you changed the world.

So, we thank you.

Yes,

We lift our voices towards the heavens 

And say thank you.

Thank you for being our Joshua,

Who made us fit for the battle;

Thank you for being our Moses

And helping us find our way to the promised land.

Thank you, 

Oh, how we thank you.

We lift our voices to the heavens

And say thank you.

Copyright Patricia-Newman Harris

2018

King Day Celebration

Thank You for the Dream

As we celebrate the legacy

You left behind

The light of your love still shines

The words, I have a dream

Still scream

Resonating beyond the grave

To the roads you have paved.

Though you are gone,

On the strength of your words alone,

One man stood strong

Declaring, “Yes we can”

With the passion and fire

that only you could inspire.

Because of you,

a dream came true

For a nation.

For every little boy and girl

Across the world,

The doors of opportunity opened wide.

So, we can stand with pride

Knowing anyone can climb the mountain

Until they reach the top.

You sparked an eternal flame.

There is no limit to what we can attain.

The legacy you left behind

Has allowed us to shine.

So, today, we just want to say thank you.

Thank you for the victories we have won,

For the triumphs we have seen

Most of all, thank you for the dream.

Your blood, sweat and tears

Brought us through the trying years.

Thank you,

Thank you

For the opportunities you provided,

For the doors that opened wide,

For every road you paved,

For the lives you saved

For the seed you have sown

For the wind you have blown

Beneath our wings.

For all these things,

We thank you.

Because of you, our dreams can come true

You have passed the baton

So, your dreams will live on.

For all that you left behind,

I just want the first thank you to be mine.

Because of you, no man need die

His dreams untried.

You died for that cause.

So, today we pause

And say thank you.

Thank you

For all the firsts achieved

Because you believed

For the lions of hate that were tamed

In your name,

For the victories we have won

For the triumphs we have seen;

For all that it means,

Thank you for the dream.

Thank you for the dream

For all that it means,

Thank you for the dream

copyright 2014 by Patricia Newman-Harris,  Living the Dream

Happy New Year...May it be Purposeful and Prosperous

May this be your year of purpose, direction and prosperity.  May you open your heart and your mind to new and exciting ideas.  May you look past your own circumstances to the circumstances of others less fortunate.  May this be the beginning of the best years of your life.  Most importantly,



The Lord bless you and keep you--the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.. Numb. 6:24-26.

Happy 2018

Live for Today

Say good-bye to yesterday,

Don’t let your past get in the way.

Cast regrets aside

Live today with pride

Give no thought to tomorrow.

A new day of troubles you will borrow.

That you will see tomorrow is no guarantee.

Why worry about something that may never be?

Say good-bye to yesterday.

Magically, your cares will slip away.

Live for today.

Then, trust God to make a way.

He who can account for every tiny grain of sand,

Will he not hold tomorrow in his hands?

He already knows what is around life’s bend.

He will help you find that rainbow’s end.

P. Newman-Harris

                                              copyright 2004

For those who are in the midst of a struggle, remember, in God, there is always hope for tomorrow.  

Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa begins: Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Kwanzaa ends: Monday, January 01, 2018

• The Nguzo Saba (7 Principles of Kwanzaa)

• Day 1. Umoja means unity.
• Day 2. Kujichagulia means self-determination.
• Day 3. Ujima means working together.
• Day 4. Ujamaa means supporting each other.
• Day 5. Nia means purpose.
• Day 6. Kuumba means creativity.
• Day 7. Imani means faith, especially faith in ourselves.

I tried to choose one principle that stood out more than the rest, but decided that they all are needed.   It is a combination of all 7 principles that leads to the results we need to seek to accomplish our goals.  I personally believe that for us to benefit collectively and function as community, we especially need unity.   We need to work together, and we need to support each other.  I think that is what we lack.  It is hard to support one another monetarily, when we, ourselves are struggling to survive, but support does not just mean monetary support.  We also need to support each other emotionally.  Instead of being jealous of our brother's success, we need to congratulate him on his accomplishments.  We have to seek more to work together, stop being critical of our black businesses and support them.  Then, business owners, you have to provide service with excellence.   This means, you go the extra mile for your customers.

It is clear that Blacks in America will always have to struggle, but we are not quitters.  We have to continue to fight to get what as Americans, we should have.  There is wealth among us, but we need a commitment from those who are able to pour into programs that will enable us to progress.  There are many who already do this, but not enough.

Then, churches have to set aside their individual agendas and come together as one, regardless of denomination.  I know they can have more influence within the community if they worked together.  Public schools are failing our children, and that needs to be addressed along with many other issues.

I read an article that criticized the celebration of Kwanzaa and it's founder.  I believe that truth can be found in many forms and from many individuals.  Just because you don't approve of the founder or the celebration, does not mean it is not valid.  It is valid to whoever sees it as truth.  So, to those, who accept Kwanzaa and believe in it's principle, I say Happy Kwanzaa.