Month: March 2017

“HE’S NOT MY PRESIDENT!”

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Hey, guys! How is everyone doing? Another week of sharing what’s in my heart.

I was watching the series “The Designated Survivor” with Keifer Sutherland (President Tom Kirkman) my Jack Bow-Wow. He’s not my President when I heard those words, I immediately thought of our current president. In this TV series, this man was sworn in as president because he was the designated survivor, the current President and entire staff had been killed in a terrorist attack.

He was not elected nor voted into this Presidency. Tom Kirkman, didn’t ask for the position of President and didn’t want it. He didn’t have any knowledge of running a nation. Never in the armed forces. No congressional background what so ever and Congress, the governors, and the people were so disrespectful towards him, would not address him as Mr. President,  but as Mr. Kirkman, just all kinds of rudeness. This man is a good and honest family man, trying to do what’s right by the people and for the people, but no one wanted to work with him. Every which way he turned he hit a brick wall. Eventually, he gained the respect and trust of a few aids. Not sure how this story will unfold. But this is just for TV.

Mr. Trump wasn’t a designated survivor, and this is no TV series. He didn’t have the background that many sought in a President-elect. I suspect that the people were seeking something different, someone, that would be for the people, for our country. You get so tired of hearing all the political speeches, the promises for our nation, blah blah blah…presidential choices were slim to none, but the people voted.

I see and hear these words “He’s Not My President” so often about the situation with our new president, President Donald Trump.  

Donald Trump!  People have got all upset depressed, ranting and raving about this man because of what they see of him on television or what they have heard about him in the media.  I do not know Trump.  I do know his words and tweets have a tendency to get a lot of people upset.  One reason why I don’t read his tweets or listen to his speeches.  I believe what he does and what he says are for one purpose – to rattle everyone’s cage.  They should ban him from all social media.

This congressional party unlike no other that I have saw, is a joke, a real circus act Among the Powerful. A bunch of clowns, jumping through hoops and juggling etc…

But I cannot, and will not, let this person get me upset; there is not a damn thing I can do about what he says or does as our new president EXCEPT pray for the best.  I understand he may not have been who we wanted in the white house, but what’s done is done.  Let’s move on, make the best of it and just focus our energies on those things which are within our control.  Otherwise, you’re just wasting your time.

But let me be clear, I may not like President Trump, and I can’t say that I don’t like the man,  don’t know him, but if he asked me to come work for him in the White House, Hell Yeah I would jump at the opportunity. Would look at as a once in a lifetime opportunity that may give me the opportunity to get to know the person within the President.   Honestly, I’ve never known of or heard of any past or present President until they became the President of the United States. Outside of that, I  wouldn’t be able to distinguish him from a can of paint.  It seems that they have just said the things they feel the American people want to hear to get votes.  We don’t know who will keep their word and do what is necessary to make the country a better place.

It’s almost the same as meeting someone new and getting into a relationship; we honestly do not know this person.  I had never heard of President Obama until he ran for office, but I had known about President Trump from his TV show “The Apprentice” and his hotels, but still I did not know this man. I don’t believe he is a political person, nor has he ever been a member of the armed forces but he is a business man with plenty of nothing to say. I don’t watch politics, and I try not to listen to it either. Not a fan.

It’s like starting a new job; they make it sound so wonderful that you can’t resist the offer and so you accept the employment.  Later you realize the job is nothing like they described it and not only do you not like the job, you find out you don’t like the manager either.  Now you’re at a job that you don’t like, working for someone you like even less, but you have to continue going to work because you need the income to survive, until you can find another job that you HOPE is better.  But you deal with it the best you can, especially when no one is there to offer financial help or pay your bills.

I said that to say this, it is the same viewpoint we should have for our current President.  We have to deal with the hand that’s  given to us; he is our President (for now).  Thank God for term limits in this case.  May not like him, or what he does, or what he says, but remember he is only a man.  He is not God, and he is not a god.  Only God has the power to change things and people and situations, so we should pray for our new President as we prayed for our old President and Kept It Moving.

Not saying we give him a chance; some may end up liking him or not, but he were elected. Or, we can just let this Presidency run it’s course and see how it all unfolds. You know those sayings, what goes on in the dark, will eventually come out in the light. Give em enough rope and they will hang themselves.

It is good and bad in all of us; he is just another one. It’s hard to believe anyone in politics. It’s not always WYSIWYG there are plenty out here in sheep’s clothing. We cannot let one bad apple spoil it for everyone although sometimes there are more than one.  Everyone can’t handle being in authority, but every person new to a job should be given a full and fair chance to either shine or to fall flat on their ass.  But, we the people, have to hold these elected officials accountable to do what is right for the majority.  Being president of the United States comes with a lot of power.  The power to do great things, but on the other hand, the power to destroy great things.

Just as Diddy stated, not everyone can handle power which could lead to a lot Bitchassness going on.  But I’m paraphrasing.

In conclusion, I try hard to take life one day at a time and pray for the best outcome. I cannot and will not sit around worrying about what our president is or is not doing – that is out of my control.  I don’t claim to like political stuff and have never really understood politics.  In my humble opinion government has a tendency to look out for the government which is why we should look out for one another.  I just pray that the majority of governmental decisions are made for the people and not for the government. Stayed prayed up, it’s all we have.

A nation as great as ours has to have a strong government to ensure our high standards are, and continue to be upheld.  There is so much going on around us in the world today; it is as if the bible’s predictions of the end are starting to come true.  Everywhere you turn, there’s crime, senseless killings, homelessness, and poverty. But, my question to each of you is so how do we fix it?

He is your President!

I’ve always pondered this question, is the president actually for the people or themselves?

Again, there are just my feelings and opinions. Be nice; I know some of you will want to lash out.

Freedom of speech is AWESOME!

Share your thoughts and comments.

ALL LIVES MATTER!

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Hey, all! I am back for another week to share with you what’s in my heart.

Although, I am a Black American of African descent. Despite my ancestor origins, I was born and raised in America.  I am no less American than any other race that was born and raised in America.  And I am no more American than those from other cultures who have chosen, against enormous odds and at incredible costs, to make our great nation the place they call home.

I believe that all lives matter – all races, creeds religions, and colors. We all bleed the same color blood and, whether American or some other nationality, we have to live with one another on the inhabitable planet I know of.  Becoming united as a human race should be everyone’s goal because, let’s face it, no one is born a racist, a bigot, a feminist, etc.   This division that we may sow, cultivated via our upbringing and feed by indifference and the company we decide to keep, is as devastating and silently traumatic to the bearer as it is the recipient of such nonsense.

Surely we can “act” like it doesn’t matter, but it is acting nonetheless which is sometimes so well played and well versed, even the actor has himself or herself fooled into believing that it doesn’t matter.  As Americans, we cannot afford “take the low road” lest we self-propel ourselves into the likes of a third world country.   Yes, America is the land of the free and opportunity, but our laws, our government and our justice system is all unjust, bias, and unfair.

My hope is that we, as Black Americans / African Americans, make a greater effort to come together to help one another instead of being jealous of one another or tear each other down rather than building each other up.  Yeah, we bitch and moan when someone of another race shoots one of our kids, but if you look closely, it is we who kill the most Black Americans / Africa Americans.

Yes, I am pissed at educational and economic inequality which leads to fewer opportunities which lead to despair and lost hope.  Then, we have the audacity to have kids and, by example, put them on the same course in life.  But change starts with us – now – in America. We have to start holding ourselves accountable, but more so, we have to start holding each other accountable to doing what’s right instead of doing what’s easy.  We are large in numbers, so if we do this, we may be able to reset the racial tone for our entire nation.  Just imagine.

Sometimes I hear people talk about coming from Africa and how we were brought over here on slave ships.  All that was back before my time.  I didn’t come over here on any ship.  As a matter of fact, there are some of Africans that do not care for the Black American cultures.  Sure, we may have the complexions and hair textures born of Africans, but those born in Africa and us born in the United States are two different cultures.  But I would no more be able to go to Africa and fit in with my traditional Black American ways than Africans could easily fit in America.  But I still consider Africans as my sister and brothers because this is where both our roots began.

Watching the Mandela story, even while in prison he requested that all Africans and colored were treated as that of the white prisoners. Also, when he gave his speech, he sought equality for all Africans, Colored, Indians and Whites. Therefore, we are of the separate culture. Don’t forget there are those who consider themselves white Africans, maybe not born of African descent but born in Africa. We have others that are the same shades of brown complexions, same hair textures, but of different cultures, to name a few: Britain, and London, and the UK, and Jamaica, and Haiti, and Spain and so on. Still, as an American, you could not go to any of these countries and expect to live in your traditional American ways.  Hey, I am just saying.

 

 

Which box do you check? We all mixed up in here one way or another.

 

And, by the way, I noticed while Mandela was in prison their daily prison routine was sitting outside chipping away at white rocks, why was this?

Can someone answer this question for me? 

 

 

 

And speaking of slaves, I cannot image what the slaves had to endure and suffer through to survive.  But will the struggle and the fight ever end?  It seems like we are still fighting that same many of the same things as we did 50+ years ago – racism, hatred, and injustice.  But we must continue to hold on to our hopes and dreams that, one day, all the fighting will finally make a difference. I know it’s sickening to hear almost every time you turn on the TV that another black life was taken or the unfairness of the justice system.  But the answer is NOT realized by going out in anger, hurting others, rioting or burn down our neighborhoods. Just another way of how we destroy ourselves.  Was this the ultimate plan by the powers that be?

We have to change our way, we have to change our attitudes, and we have to do the unexpected.  I can talk about this, but I have no plans to go out and protest for fear of the uncertain.  Things have a tendency to get escalated unnecessarily, and peaceful quickly turns to unpeaceful.  Dr. Martin Luther King promoted peaceful protests of non-violence so that our voice and our issue are heard.  Something we should all strive for as we collectively make our thoughts known.  It is not just a “black thang,” because many other races face the same or worse struggles with homelessness, poverty, deplorable living conditions, lack of clean water, adequate clothing, unemployment, etc.

If we take the time and make an effort, to look beyond skin color and really get to know one another, we just may find that we have more in common than you know.  Isn’t this the same thing that Maya Angelou quoted?

I do not see skin color.  However, I do see people.  And if another person who doesn’t know me don’t like me, I DON’T CARE – they just don’t know me.

Again, there are just my feelings and opinions. Freedom of speech is AWESOME!

Until next week when I speak of more what’s in my heart.

Be safe and have an enjoyable weekend.

Share your thoughts and comments but play nice.

 

 

SETBACKS, HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT?

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Hey y’all. I know most of my blogging hasn’t had much to do with writing or books, but sometimes, I feel it’s important also to share what is in my heart. Hope that is okay with ALL of my subscribers 🙂

This week I registered online with http://www.dailyom.com to get advice on improving my health, fitness, and meditation. Ironically, I ran across this.

If you remember last week’s blog, I focused on accepting compliments. Anyhow, moving right along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although it wasn’t supposed to be a part of this week’s write-up, I must share a recent experience I had.
Monday was a sad day guys; I took my laptop to the Geek Squad (Best Buy) for servicing and was assured it would not affect any saved document files. After a couple of days, I opened the software I primarily use for all my writing only to find that my files were no longer available. It was so disheartening. I spent hours searching my laptop, looking for every file, every document, and every source to find my files, but no luck. After reaching my frustration maximum, it was time to take the laptop back to the Geek Squad to see if they could locate the files that were there before they did the “repairs.” The person at the customer’s service desk was very nice and patient and searched my laptop thoroughly, but to no avail. None of my files were found. I mean nothing – no previous versions… no restore points… NOTHING. It was clear by the look on my face how sad and devastated I was. The service rep was as very empathetic to my situation, but there was nothing else that he or I could do at this point – my files were gone. My five short stories in the making – GONE. And my novel-in-the-making – GONE. 
It was all I could do to pick up my laptop, hold it close to my chest with my arms wrapped around it, said thank you, turned and walked away slowly with my head held down. I was in deep thought, I was sad, my lips and chin trembled, and my eyes were starting to water although no tears fell. I said to myself I wouldn’t cry, but I also told myself that I just wouldn’t write anymore. After such a horrible loss, I convinced myself that 1) I don’t have it in me to begin all over again, and 2) I don’t have any backups or notes from the files I had lost. That was the purpose of the application I was using – to document and keep track of everything – my every thought and my every idea.
I got in my car, eyes welling up but still, no tears actually flowing, I drove home in a trance. My heart beating fast and in pain. Walking in the house numb and in disbelief, I began wondering and wishing, maybe the files are still in there somewhere. I walked inside just wanted to scream or hit something really hard – but I didn’t. Then I thought about getting in the shower, turn on the water and slide down the shower wall to the shower floor as the water runs down all over my body while I scream and cry my eyes out – you know, just like you see on TV. It always seems to make the ones on TV feel better. But, I just could not cry today for some reason; the tears simply would not come.
Accepting my reality, I took some deep breaths, put my big girl drawers back on and vowed I would just rewrite all my stories again; I will start over. After the initial shock had subsided, I adjusted, adapted and decided to move on. I remembered that this was just another one of life’s setbacks – another obstacle and another hurdle. I am stronger than this. I will suck it up and move on, but I will not forget how disheartening it all is. And I will be writing a letter to Best Buy Corporate office about how they fell incredibly short of living up to the service that they claim.

Found out that had to write my complaint on their website forum, which I did. No satisfactory there. I was told that if I were to read #’s 11/12 on the service order, I would have read that its the customer’s responsibility to back up all data and they are not liable for any loss of data. Well, part of this could be my blame for not reading the order, as I am always asking my children, did you read what it said first?
But I was told by the technician and assured that this was not needed because the repairs that would take place would not have anything to do with my files. When the service order was handed to me, the tech did not point out any language of the service order, he just folded up my copy and put in a sleeve and gave it to me. So, that is that.

I will look into purchasing a new laptop when finances are in order, but the good news is that I am writing again, starting over from scratch. I can say, it’s all behind me now.

Oh, on a funny note, if you read my book The Whispering of My Heart, This is what Chloe has been up to. She is reading now. Hahhahhhhh!!!!!!

 

I will share some other important thoughts and issues that have been on my mind with you next week. Until then have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

 

I want to leave you with this one thought: Isn’t it funny how people need you until they don’t.