No Justice, No Peace

Traditionally, having a son was one of the proudest things a couple could announce.  Not to shoot down the idea of having a daughter, but it meant different things.  It meant that their legacy could live on to at least one more generation.  The family name and values would be passed down and the bloodline would thrive.  Today, knowing that you are bringing a boy into this world is a bittersweet accomplishment.  Young African-American males are being slaughtered in this country much more often than before.  Now this was happening when I was growing up in Chicago and other cities as well.  I understood that there was usually some gang related reason for the deaths (that’s what the media reported).  Now that I’m an adult and a mother, I see that victims exist for so many other worthless excuses. 

With the recent murder and lack of resolution in the Trayvon Martin case, the security of our future is severely threatened.  If you know me, you know that this case hits home for me.  I look in the face of a “Trayvon Martin” everyday; all of us do in one shape or form.  I can only pray that God continues to protect the young males, especially African-American males in this country.  Prejudice, racism, ignorance, and probably some other factors took this boy’s life.  Fortunately, his death has already sparked the good in others.  Perfect strangers are speaking out about what is righteous and seeking justice.  Communities are becoming more aware of neighborhood security and proper law enforcement.  Parents are paying more attention to their children and preparing their sons for the ugly truths of man and how to overcome them.

So what to do?  How can we help make this country/world a better place?  Speak out and speak up for what is right.  Don’t judge a book or “hoodie” by its cover/color.  Understand that all young black males are NOT gangsters, hoodlums, delinquent, stupid, negative, deadbeats, and worthless.  A lot of them are driven, focused, intelligent, talented, respectful, valuable, and beautiful.  Most importantly, they are human.  They deserve to be treated with humanity and dignity.  Be an example and talk to them instead of always preaching or punishing.  Hold them to standards of integrity and accountability.  They have to be nurtured, will need practice to get things right, and deserve stability and our sacrifice to make them better.  After all, THEY ARE THE FUTURE.  Whatever we instill in them is the foundation for what is to come.

Please educate yourself, your children, and black males about the Trayvon Martin case.  Bringing awareness and sparking conversation will help to produce change.  Let’s make it positive change.  Feel free to post information to your contacts regarding the case or even this post to spread the word.  I have signed the petition to have the case investigated, see justice, and bring some peace to this dilemma of our country.  You can too at http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin

Be blessed and a blessing!

Until next time...Andrea M.

It's Coming...

It is difficult to watch “what you think your life should be” pass you by. You wonder what happened. Were you wrong all of this time? Have you really been off track when you thought that you were extremely focused and on target? That couldn’t be the case, could it? Now I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and people and experiences are in your life but for a season. It is all up to you to make the absolute best of it all while fulfilling your purpose. Sounds great reading the words here but it is so much more challenging to execute.

I encounter obstacles and detours along my journey often. A lot of that is growth and the rest is related to the fact that life, people, and business are ever-changing. The most important thing for me is staying motivated and clear about my role, how much I can control, how much I can’t, and giving it ALL to God in faith. I have stood still and watched changes occur around me. I have also waited for things to happen that never came to pass. After some careful observations, I believe that I HAVE TO CHANGE. Sometimes that is the only way. If not, I will sabotage my future and walk away with a lot of wasted potential.

So….I am looking forward to what the future holds. I am always optimistic about where God is leading me and I am eager to put in the work. With an open mind, I am putting one foot in front of the other. Leggo!

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Until next time...Andrea M.

R U N Love?

Oh the joys of being in love! The butterflies you have when thoughts cross your mind and the smiles that crowd your face. The shaky hands, rushed heartbeats, and nervous twitches that nobody else can see. All of these reactions to the anticipation of feeling loved through and through. Feeling adored, valued, vital, validated, and immortal. There is such a high that exists when you KNOW its real...

What happens to that passion after a couple of months, years even? What adjustments are made in the way that your passion is expressed? Do things continue to flourish or do they take a downward spiral? Do hard times, opinions of others, and selfishness take over? Do you allow others to interrupt the evolution of what seemed so perfect? Who/what is keeping you from being in love again? How much longer are you going to wait, avoid, fight, or deny the truth?

Be honest with yourself. Your future is waiting. You have to learn to love yourself again, maybe even forgive or ask for forgiveness, and give it another try. Giving up is not an option and it won't bring you to happiness any quicker. So continue taking one step at a time, focus on that person in the mirror, and learn how to be in love with you in every aspect of life. He is always ready and willing to help you along the way. Obedience is so much better than sacrifice...

If you are in love with yourself and are taking care of your greatest asset (you), High 5! If you know someone who needs to read this, please share. As always, please comment below.


Until next time... Andrea M.