For Us Who Celebrate Easter

Embrace and experience a double dose of JOY

Just
One
You

because

Jesus
Owns
You

L.O.V.E.
Let Ourselves Value Everyone

It is so important not to inherit other people’s relationships. If someone wrongs you, don’t dislike everyone of that race, gender, economic status, background, educational level, height, weight, hair color, model car (yes, it gets that bad)…. Everyone has value, no matter how deep you’re willing to dig to believe that.

More importantly, you are an important piece in every puzzle, as is each person. And sometimes life is about fitting into the many puzzles we belong to as a small, medium or large piece. No matter which size you are for each puzzle, that puzzle is incomplete without you. Understand that, and be willing to understand the same about others. Find the value, and get your personal relationship.

And if you're wondering why LOVE is in black... it's because love isn't red. It's simple: you love or you don't.

OK, I’ve moved the move-date to July 6.

As mentioned, I've wanted to move to Charlotte for a long time. Both of my relocations have been career moves through Wall Street Journal. I've never moved for "me," just because I wanted to. And doing what I want to do is important to my spirit and psyche. So I'm moving to Charlotte because I want to and because I can. I give everyone free reign to attach as many alternative reasons, good or bad, as they want to. But let me tell you what God has been doing….

Remember, he is the Planning Committee, while I am on the Implementation Crew. Enter one of my favorite acronyms: F.E.A.R. (Faith Eventually Attracts Resources). Since I announced this move I have reconnected with a friend I’ve known since 5th grade, who has let me know that I do have ‘family’ in Charlotte. She will help me find a place to live. Another friend whom I met through an annual speaking engagement with the National Black MBA Association has offered business connections. Following up on his lead, I have a meeting with the Urban League April 6, when I go down (April 3-6) to choose housing.

I mentioned to my Job/Life Skills Training class that I was going to stay in Chicago May and June, while living as “bill-free” as possible to have some starter cash. One of the students asked if I had friends like that. (Because I hadn’t thought about it in any detail) I told him that I didn’t know… but that my friends had a person willing to ask. :-) I asked my friend, whom I met my 2nd week after moving to Chicago, if I could stay at her place in June. She said yes, while adding that since I’ve been volunteering to count and sort her Taste of Chicago tickets for 3 years, I am not released until July 4.

Thus my July 6 move date.
Back up a step… and let’s put this puzzle together.

I’ll PICK a place to live in April… sign a lease that begins in June… drive my stuff down the first week of June… put it in my new place… drive back to Chicago and live out the last month. WOW, this relocation stuff is no joke. A lot of detail, and I can see why they have departments dedicated to it. I'm doing a great job of connecting the dots. And the vision is growing each day. Still adjusting and creating my time lines.

Too Much Information??? Not really.
Too Much Excitement!!!I appreciate you,

F.O.C.U.S.
Finding Ourselves Creates Unlimited Success

The true answer to clicking into who you are is patience. As we live in the moment, we do what the moment calls for in terms of our reaction and belief. I always say we can't be positive 365/24/7... but we can be positive more than negative; up more than down; moving forward more than backward. Yet, it is the stepping back that nurtures the wisdom to bolster the others.

When we step back and look at what we've done and gone through, we get the chance to see how blessed we are, even if the results weren't favorable. We get the chance to make the adjustments to our decision making process that ultimately defines who we are. Even when the results are not favorable we replant our spiritual belief of how we'll handle the next situation... sometimes needing to pray that we'll get another chance.

And in that prayer for another chance we can find Positivity in believing that there will be one. While we're waiting for that chance we have to stay up, to be ready to respond as who we've now defined ourselves to be. After our response we step back again and recreate the Victorious Cycle.

Patiently we find the moments are not as wide apart as they once seemed... because we start to see how each incident connected to the first, and the part we played...

Click! That's who I am!

Learning in Economic Quicksand

J.O.Y.
Just One You

There are few things more worth celebrating than being who you are… sharing your gift with those who love you, and those who will learn to. You see, though it’s a cliché, there is total truth to the fact that there is absolutely no one else like you. So as people meet you, they are learning about you… experiencing you for the first time. Teach them to enjoy you by radiating the joy you have for yourself, as well as how you seek to appreciate their light. I believe we can show this light through how we celebrate ourselves… which is what ‘sharing’ is all about.

January 22, 1975 I started working as a Messenger at The Wall Street Journal, picking up and delivering advertising material. I would retire as a Regional Classified Advertising Manager, 18 years later. Today I am a Messenger for R. King & Associates (I am “R. King,” and my “Associates” are my bills), picking up and delivering inspirational material to important people like yourself. Think about some of your anniversaries and continue to celebrate you. There are few things more worth celebrating than being who you are.

Learning in Economic Quicksand

B.O.L.D.
I’ve heard that word attached to my recent announcement that I will be relocating to Charlotte, NC on May 27. Why so specific on the date? Because God is specific on the blessings. I’ve actually wanted to live in Charlotte since 1986, when it was part of my sales territory while working at The Wall Street Journal. I even gave my boss a formal request to open an office there. They didn’t have the NFL, NBA or WNBA… there was just something I liked about the city.

As I continue to grow to become a more spiritual person, I get better at looking back at when I’ve been the most personally successful. It has been those times where I listened to and took a chance on myself. I’m not statistics and research… I’m action, appreciatively connected to stats and research. I’m creativity, faithfully attached and committed to excellence. Thus, as I connect to the following scriptural interpretation from my Bible I look forward to sharing this journey with you…

FAMILY
Exodus 10:2
What stories Moses had to tell! Living out one of the greatest dramas in biblical history, Moses witnessed events few people would ever see. God told Moses that his miraculous experiences with Pharaoh should be retold to his descendants. It is important for us to tell our children about God’s work in our past and to help them see what he is doing right now. What are the turning points in your life where God intervened? What is God doing for you now? These stories you share with your children will lay the foundations for their belief in God.
- Touch Point Bible (© 1996, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.)

… So much so, that I ask which acronym you like best for B.O.L.D.?
1) Believing Our Lord’s Destiny
2) Believing Our Lord’s Direction
3) Bound by Our Lord’s Direction
4) Bravely Obeying… Loyally Doing
5) Being One with my Lord’s Desire
(try your own mixture)

Learning in Economic Quicksand

This poem was inspired by, and written to a 7th grade class in 1998. It is the message we must continue to send out to our children in reminding them that they are not our future. They are their future... our present.

CLASS ACT

... What each of you truly are ...

What most of us strive to be ...
I thank you for bringing new challenge into my life
Your affect was far more than you could see.
For, each smile, every round of applause (even the teeth sucking)
Reminded me of my youth ... A memory that confirms my growth.

Sure, it may seem like 100 years ago
And what you call ‘Bout It ... We called Cool.
But the message that never changes

is the reminder of hope and success:
To learn life’s best lessons ...

You have to stay in school.

But don’t just stay to take up space ...

Because the joke will be on you.
And it’s a joke that has no punch line,
Just confusion about what to do.

You see, right now you don’t need all the answers
You need questions, faith and love.
You need to believe in yourself more and more each day
And your true gang leader - the Lord up above.

For, from musty little 4 year old kids

to mellow 70 year old adults
He has truly welcomed us into this family and world.
His guidance will make strong men out of little boys,
And even stronger women out of little girls.

We don’t have to behave like clowns ...

but we choose to sometimes,
It’s safer than admitting how we feel.
At times it gives us the chance to exercise our imagination
And other times, it’s just a way of keepin’ it real.

Class Acts
... What each of you truly are ...

And the secret to maturing and living to be old ...
Stay focused on being your best

and making your choices right for you,
And thanks for letting me be a part of your life

During my day at the proud Black and Gold.