My Beautiful One

How lovely are

My thoughts of you today

As you go about

Your daily activity

There will be several voices

Some for and some misconstrued

Also many guesses

Concerning your value, true

Whatever is noble or kind

However mean or brush

Remember to not be confined

Or conclude in a rush

Keep your head up child

Shine and be a beacon

All your fears exiled

'Cos you're my beautiful one

The Burden of Representing...

Have you ever experienced role conflict to the point where you need a new name for role strain? Have you ever felt like you need to represent everywhere you go? Case scenario: you start a new job and you're the only black/white/asian/middle eastern/christian/young/old etc person in there. Everyday is a struggle to wake up, find your work gear and get your behind to work. Everyone has prejudices and stereotypes and so you feel the need to represent all black people whether African American, Caribbean or African. In that work place you have become the black person. In certain places you might feel the need to represent all women or all men depending on your gender.

I sometimes wonder if anyone has felt like that before. I remember back in college when they would talk about issues concerning Africa or black people in general and I'd feel like a million eyes were on me. I always felt like I had to push myself extra hard because I was the only dark skinned girl in a class of 60 students. Should I have been stressed out?

Growing up I was the pastor's kid and you know "you gotta represent!" You can't be like any of the "other" kids and throw a tantrum when you can't get your way. No marm, that is absolutely not acceptable. You had to be on your best behavior everywhere you went. No wonder some PK's (pastors kids) eventually cracked open and it was not a pretty site when they did!

Right now, I still am the single black female in a certain role. I see myself as older and wiser and don't feel the pressure to represent anyone but myself and ofcourse to bring glory to my maker. There are times when I feel the burden of representing everyone of the groups or roles which I associate myself with but at least now I understand that to be my best or for a certain defined role to bring out the best in me is not so bad after all :)

brainless

A tweet by Rick Warren went like this: Some people are so open-minded their brains fall out! I laughed for almost a minute as I tried to visualize opening up your mind and having your precious brain escape out of that insane asylum! I have a very active imagination. Almost every sentence I hear conjures up images in my mind. It is quite a blessing most of the time. Anyways, back to the initial tweet.

Is our society becoming too open minded that we embrace any and everything in the spirit of being the most understanding, the worldliest or the most learned? I sometimes wonder if half the things we accept are as a result of wanting to fit into today's world. We all know the world is fast becoming a global village but is this globalization costing us our values and morals?

Of course I want to be open minded. Actually, I am open minded but in the way that I want to love and serve without restraint and not compromise who I am. I know that in doing so, I allow others to influence me as well but I hope that in my contact with others, I would leave  a lasting and profound impression.

My favorite book says that everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. In every single act you engage in, make sure you limit your freedom so that another person's freedom is not infringed on. As I've stated before, your freedom ends where another's begin.

So go ahead and be open minded but be careful you don't lose your brain or yet still that another's brain jumps into the space left! After all, garbage in, garbage out! Word!

excitement

As the title reads, I am way too excited to blog! My parents have been here since the 3rd and it has been such a blessed time! They rock my world absolutely! I have been reminded of His grace and mercies! The lyrics of this song sums up what I'm feeling! Thank You Lord!

I’m running back to your promises one more time,
Lord that’s all I can hold on to,
 I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises you.


Before a heartache can ever touch my life,
 it has to go through Your hands,
 And even though I keep asking why,
 I keep asking why.

No matter what, I’m gonna love You,
No matter what I’m gonna need You,
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not,
I’ll trust you, no matter what, no matter what.

When I’m stuck and there’s nothing else by myself,
 I’m just sitting in silence,
There’s no way I can make it without Your help, I won’t even try it.
I know You have Your reasons for everything, so I will keep believing,
 Whatever I might be feeling, God you are my hope, and you will be my strength,

Anything I don’t have You can give it to me, but it’s OK if You don’t,
I’m not here for those things, the touch of Your love is enough on its own,
No matter what I still love You and I’m gonna need You

Kerrie Roberts =)