NELSON MANDELA, 1994 INAUGURAL SPEECH

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are adequate beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, which most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented, and fabulous?"

Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so thatother people will not feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciouslygive others permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,our presence automatically liberates others.

Many people will walk in and out of your life.
Only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
To handle yourself, use your head;
To handle others, use your heart.

The most destructive habit.......................................Worry
The greatest Joy......................................................Giving
The greatest loss..................................................... Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work.........................................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait...................................... Selfishness
The most endangered species................................ Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource..................................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm".................................Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome.........................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill................................Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease...........................Excuses
The most powerful force in life..................................Love
The most dangerous pariah.....................................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer.....................The brain
The worst thing to be without.... ...................... ........Hope
The deadliest weapon..............................................The tongue
The two most power-filled words............................. "I Can"
The greatest asset....................................................Faith
The most worthless emotion....................................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire...........................................SMILE!
The most prized possession........................ .Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication........Prayer
The most contagious spirit.......................................Enthusiasm

Celebrate Blackness every month of the year!

Lord, Lord

Why did You make me Black?Why did You make someone the world wants to hold back?Black is the color of dirty clothes,The color of grimy hands and feetBlack is the color of darkness,The color of tire-beaten streets.Why did You give me thick lips,A broad nose and kinky hair?

Why did You make someoneWho receives the hatred stare?Black is the color of the bruised eyeWhen someone gets hurt.Black is the color of darkness,Black is the color of dirt.How come my bone structure's so thick,My hips and cheeks are high?How come my eyes are brownAnd not the color of daylight sky?Why do people think I'm useless?How come I feel so used?

Why do some people see my skinAnd think I should be abused?Lord I just don't understand.What is it about my skin?Why do some people want to hate meAnd not know the person within?Black is what people are "listed"When others want to keep them away.

Black is the color of shadows cast.Black is the end of the day.Lord you know my own people mistreat meAnd I know this just ain't right.They don't like my hair.They say I'm too dark or too light.Lord don't You think it's time for YouTo make a change? Why don't You re-do creation and make everyone the same?

GOD ANSWERED:

Why did I make you Black? Get off your knees and look around. Tell me, what do you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness,I made you in likeness of ME! I made you the color of coal from which

Beautiful diamonds are formed. I made you the color of oil, the black gold that keeps people warm. I made you from the rich, dark earth that can grow the food you need.Your color's the same as the black stallion, a Majestic animal is he.I didn't make you in the image of darkness.

I made you in likeness of ME! All the colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation. But when all of those colors were blended, you became my greatest creation.Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool. Such a humble little creature is he. I am the Shepherd who watches them.

I am the One who will watch over thee. You are the color of midnight sky. I put the stars' glitter in your eyes. There is a smile hidden behind your pain. That's why your cheeks are so high.You are the color of dark clouds formed, When I send My strongest weather.I made your lips full so when you kiss the one that you love, they will remember.

Your stature is strong, your bone structure thick to withstand the burdens of time. The reflection you see in the mirror... the image that looks back is MINE.

by RuNell Ni Ebo

Bring out the positive

On any given day, there are many more positive things that happen to you than there are negative things. Yet often it can seem very much to be the other way around.

Ironically, that's because the good and positive things are so common, so much a part of life, that you often fail to even notice them. In contrast, the negative, troubling things get your attention precisely because they are relatively unusual.

Unfortunately, by giving so much awareness and attention to the negative things, you also give them strength and support. Obviously that's not really what you want.

Instead of letting the small number of difficulties grab all your attention, work to become more aware of the overwhelmingly large number of good things. Challenge yourself to compile a list in your mind, as the day goes on, of at least 20 good, positive, valuable things that come your way.

Most people, when asked to make a list of their troubles, would quickly be able to name dozens of things. Yet when you start looking instead for your blessings, and keeping a mental record of them, what you discover will positively amaze and delight you.

Put a little effort into bringing out the positive, and it will bring out the best in you.

-- Ralph Marston

This will help us to reflect on what is important and how to achieve happiness, TODAY, instead of WHEN. Enjoy.

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life".

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one... So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy...

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.Thought for the day:

Work like you don't need money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

And dance like no one's watching.

20 Rules of Wisdom:

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's me.
3. Growing old is inevitable, growing UP is optional.
4. There is no key to happiness The door is always open.
5. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
6. Do the math....count your blessings.
7. Faith is the ability to not panic.
8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
9. If you worry, pray. If you pray..don't worry.
10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.
11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.
12. The most important things in your home are the people.
13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still; God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead
16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life is moving too fast? So enjoy your precious moments
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.
18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out it's neck.
20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think


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