A Personal Perspective of Your Heritage & Your Pride

Imperative to the holistic development of an individual or a culture is its identity. An adequate understanding of foundational precepts, values, mores, ethics and beliefs are essential to establishing ones identity and image.

In consideration of your heritage, I have come to understand that it is the summation of generations of intellect, inspiration, aspiration, and vast contribution. The emergence of a people whose internal wealth and treasure is replete with a divine creativity and ingenuity that is ever evoking. The essence of a person which continually shapes and further defines your identity and ultimately your destiny.


In architecture, the strength and stability of a building is based on its foundation. Similarly, awareness of our heritage becomes more securely anchored in access to foundations of truth, opportunity and application. In so much as determination and diligence are central to achieving ones desired destination, gaining knowledge of who you are is essential to your internal infrastructure.


The marrow of life is found in goodly esteem. Adequately determining one's intrinsic worth and value are the components that will permit personal and collective prosperity. Our pride is therefore sourced in the proper application of the unique gifting and talent that lies within each of us. Being able to tap into the reservoir of a natural endowment of strength requires complete confidence in your capacity and ability.


Pride is a destination in and of itself. By being cognizant of your rich heritage is the structure from which pride and esteem can not only exist, but also thrive.


The substantive components of PRIDE are:
P ~Perception - having the proper thoughts that give true perspective.
R ~Respect - accept your value along with the worth of others.
I ~ Integrity - conducting oneself in a manner that best reflects yourself and your heritage.
D ~Determination - devotedly applying the knowledge gained to reach your goals.
E ~Edify - build and esteem the needs of dreams of others of mutual concern.


The maturation of an individual or a people is steeped in receiving qualified instruction and information of both history and hope. Holding dear to that which is proper, proficient and profitable for the good of the collective cause.

There is nothing that can deny or defeat a person who clearly understands and is fully persuaded that he or she is created for success. Attainment of your destiny has already been established in your heritage. It is from this truth that you stand in great pride.

Love ~ Work It Out!

Love ~ Work It Out!                                                  

“There is no excess to love” Ralph Emerson

Getting regular exercise is important to our physical and psychological well being. Even though it had been a while since I last exercised, in my desire and determination to continue achieving my fitness goals, I recently started to work out again.       

I actually love exercising. I like to perspire. I love the feeling of calories being released from my body through my sweat glands. I even like the pronounced soreness that results when initiating or resuming an exercise regimen.

After a few days I was very conscious that my morning workout was especially rough. As I completed my first quarter mile, my legs were aching so bad that I wanted to sit down between steps. I kept saying to myself, "keep walking and the pain will subside"...it didn't.

It hurt so bad that I wondered if something was wrong. Had I stretched enough before walking? Was I about to get a leg cramp? Whatever it was, I seriously considered turning back but I knew deep within me that if I quit, it would have been even harder to get back out there again the next day. I had to persevere.

I stopped for a moment to re-stretch my legs and continued walking. As I pressed forward, I began to feel good inside. I was glad that I did give up on what I knew was good for me. The pain was real but I did not give in to it. I kept my goal in mind and kept going. To my delight and quite frankly my surprise and relief, I felt my legs becoming stronger. The added strength gave me a second wind. At this moment I felt inspired.

In my euphoria for not giving I up, I had an “aha moment” There was revelation in "pressing pass the pain".  It occurred to me that such is love. I began to analogize the principles that could be gleaned and applied in building stronger love relationships.

As with exercising, we have to be willing to work out our love relationships. Love has delights, demands and difficulties. The strength of love is demonstrated in our ability to work out the challenges that arise. The absence of pain or struggle is not necessarily an indicator that love has gone awry. To the contrary.

All love relationships have growing pains. There are times when love is uncomfortable and unpleasant. Your head and heart may sorely ache as you deal with relational challenges. If the relationship is worth it, you have to press pass the pain. Never give up on real love. Just as with my morning workout, you will be tempted to give up too soon because the pain of love can seem too daunting. Good cardio vascular health requites increased stamina so does a healthy heart of love.

When love aches, you may find yourself postulating that something must be really wrong. But like exercise, love will sometimes hurt. Please note that I did not say “harm”, for true love does no harm! It is imperative that you clearly define this difference.

When you persevere in love, there are wonderful benefits that will result because while you addressed the issue, you did not acquiesce to the pain or problems. Rather, you chose to work out your love.

Consider these eight motivators that can help you to build your strength and stamina as you work out love:

• First, it is important to have clearly defined love goals. In order to have love relationships that are satisfying, successful and sustained, you have to know what you want and have a plan for how you are going to achieve your shared goals.
• You must establish accountability. Because of the challenges of love relationships, sometimes it may seem easier to just give up. When you have established parameters and people to whom you are accountable, it gives you added reinforcement to press through the tough times.
• Be prepared to stretch when it hurts. When you are feeling the pangs of love it is time to stretch. Be ready to go beyond what restricts your growth.
• Recall the goals for your relationship that you established together.
• Reflect upon the qualities in your mate that are most valuable to you.
• Envision the future joy of how great you will feel by overcoming the presenting difficulty.
• Quitting must never be an option.
• Emerge as a champion…in love!

When it comes to loving someone it is important to understand that there will be aches and pains through which you must be willing to work in order to succeed. True love has no limits..............work it out!

Concilation of Truth

I write tonight from a place in my heart that aches. While watching MSNBC's documentary on United States race relations, I found myself crying. My tears had many meanings. I cried for the joy of a world for which I hope and dream...one where race, ethnicity or class will not become weapons of destruction of destiny for anyone.

There are footprints in my mind that propel and lead me toward building a world in which I most desire to live. I know that many have paved the way for me ~ for us to walk a path that leads to peace, harmony and love.

As we recognize that only in accepting and celebrating the "spark of divinity" that lies within each of us will we be fully reconciled and redeemed.

Obliged to Love

Obliged to Love

Sourced, seeded and sustained by love, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. captured the conscious of the world by illuminating our inextricable interconnectedness. Profoundly prophetic in his scope, Dr. King, set the foundation and established the framework for generational reconciliation.

His dream for multi-dimensional parity launched the first “Yes We Can” campaign. The substance of Dr. King’s message was unbridled hope. He made a deliberate decision to sacrifice and serve without reservation to fulfill the hopes, dreams and prayers of the millions who lived before and after him.

As a certified trainer/practitioner of Dr. King’s philosophy and teachings, I am thoroughly aware of how strategically the civil rights movement advanced the cause of peace and justice. Armored in courage and insulated by his devotion to do justly, live compassionately and walk in humility, Dr. King and others, from all races and cultures, shared a common bond of faith, focus and fulfillment.

Fueled forward by and with love, Dr. King clearly understood that brotherly love is the most harmonizing and healing force in the universe. Love promotes better understanding, unity, accountability and cooperativeness.

Through a convergence of collective consciousness, we must never fail to recognize that the advances and advantages that we now enjoy are because of the generosity and suffrage of others.

As we reflect upon the 40th memorial of Dr. King’s assassination, we should all pause to evaluate our individual and collective obligations. We have all greatly benefited from Dr. King’s life and we are equally responsible for reconciliation.

We have come this far by faith. Much sweat, tears and blood were shed to pave and construct the way for great accomplishments, including, this historic opportunity to elect a woman or an African-American man for president of the United States. This deeply obliges me.

It is because of Dr. King’s tremendous sacrifices and great service that I am obliged to live a life that also leaves a legacy. I am obliged to live to give to others. I am obliged as an African-American to reach out and embrace others irrespective of their race, class or sexual orientation. My obligation flows deeply within my heart. In so doing, my life resonates appreciation for Dr. King’s sacrificial love, life and legacy.

……………..I am obliged to love.