Jul 30, 2008

Forgiveness

Sometimes items for my journal are easily decided, other times they are forced upon me by people, places or situations. Today’s topic just came by my love for reading; it was the last item I read before bed last night and the first topic on my way home, in different medias. BTW I know this topic is for myself as well as a few people who are dear to me. So go ahead and “give the gift of non-retaliation, and in that gift you, yourself, receive healing.”

Forgiveness Is Unfair
By Philip Yancey
At its core, forgiveness remains unfair. There is something unjust about a person’s dastardly deeds going unpunished.
Such thoughts nagged at me until one day I came across an admonition from Paul tucked away in Romans 12. Hate evil, be joyful, live in harmony, do not be conceited… Then this verse: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (v. 19)
Finally I understood: In the final analysis, I am simply trusting that God is a better justice maker than I am. By forgiving, I leave issues of fairness for God to work out. I defer to him the scales of justice.
Wrong does not disappear when I forgive. But it loses its grip on me, and is taken over by God. He knows what to do.

Learning to Forgive
By Lori Erickson
So what can we do when we’re seething with resentment against a domineering spouse or faithless spouse? Firstly realize that forgiveness takes time. For deep hurts, we may need to forgive over and over again. It may feel forced, but as time passes it will become deeper and long lasting. Here are some tips to help you get to a place where genuine forgiveness is possible:
Practice Gratitude. Instead of focusing on how you’ve been wronged, keep reminding yourself of all that you have to be thankful for. Throughout each day, look for reasons to be grateful, from the food on your table to the air that fill your lungs.
Teach your body to relax. Learn a stress-management practice that you can call on when negative thoughts flood your mind or you are hurt by someone’s actions. The key is to calm your emotions and disengage the body’s response to stress
Acknowledge your own faults. It’s a rear person indeed who has never hurt someone else. Don’t judge other people more harshly than you judge yourself.
Rewrite your story. Stop thinking of yourself as a victim. A woman whose husband left her, for example, shouldn’t think of herself as abandoned, but focus on the ways she is courageously creating a new life.
Seek understanding. Think of the one who hurt you as a good person who did something bad, not as a bad person. “Try to see the worth of the person and view them with empathy and compassion,” says Enright.

Relationship Builders
· Why is it hard not to “get back” at your significant other in small ways when her or she has hurt you?
· How can you trust God to handle the situation when others wrong you?

Jul 28, 2008

Black In America follow-up

Please tell me you saw it. As Murphy's Law would have it, the same time the program was scheduled to start a storm started, so the dish went out. However, I did see a little bit and I couldn’t figure the plot or the target audience. So until such time that I am able to see it in full I will resist from given any proper review. By the way was it just a moment for some buffoons to have their moment of fame? Who was the message/information for? Was it that important for us to be reminded of the challenges we face as a people? Or was it an information session to educate whites who are not aware or for those in denial. Please tell me your views and opinions until I see it.

Jul 21, 2008

Black In America Series starting July 23rd

Greetings: I trust that you had a fantastic weekend. Mine was; I enjoyed my trip to NY and love the time spent with the family. However I am still sad because I missed the "Black in America: Reclaiming the Dream Forum." Which I guess is a good example of not being able to eat your cake and have it. But I am glad that there is still some left, so I'll be able to see the following and trust you can tune in too. Take care and stay well Del.

Jul 16, 2008

It will come back to Haunt you!

Do you remember the elderly saying "it will come back to haunt you?" I recently had a tragic incident that happened in my life almost a year ago do that to me. I happened upon an article and with my inquisitiveness and love for children I had to read it. The article which was very detail caused me to experience Déjà vu. The subject did not bother me, but it was the moral of the story that caused me to have a very emotional moment. It was very transparent when I realized some of the divides that exist in this “great country”.

On that note, I would be remiss not to say thank you for all the wonderful people who were there for us (I and DH) during that time. So what was is it that I was making much ado about, check out this article Part I: Dad Recounts Preemie Twins' Struggle and maybe you’ll understand. Just know that while we share the same experience, the outcome are different and my arms are still empty!! Take care, Del.

Jul 10, 2008

Is It Really Worth It?


It seems as though my little country is becoming famous. Did you read the article about the passenger who opened and used the emergency exit door on a Delta flight after landing in Guyana? And everyone is talking about us now Here, Here, Here and Here. But what did it cost him for his fifteen minutes of fame? This might be a very high price.

The last time I checked the price for a 1st class ticket was $1864 on Delta. But what will it be when Delta presses charges against him? I guess this saying really speaks volume, “Money is like a sixth sense - and you can't make use of the other five without it.”

So I’ll ask the question you the question I usually ask myself before I fuss about a person, circumstance, or thing. Is it really worth it?

Have we as people become so impatient that it kills to lose a few minutes. Especially if we’re on vacation with all the time in the world. I trust that this serves as a reminder that “patience is virtue” and cutting corners to save time always cost more.

Jul 7, 2008

Put your hands where your mouth is

My DH tending the garden

Another variety of calaloo
Malabar spinach
Plenty salsa, pizza, tomato sauce in the future

I often hear people say "put your money where your mouth is." But today I would like to say put your hands where you mouth is. Many of us are complaining about the cost of living and food today. But I have a burning question, what are you doing about it? I’m proud to share with you what me and my family is doing.We have planted our first kitchen garden and we now use a clothes line to dry our clothes.
We are actually beginning to enjoy the fruit of our labor. I boiled some corn in coconut milk and steam some of that delicious "Malabar Spinach".
So enjoy!