Nudges from Above

I received an email from a family friend that contained a selection of inspirational thoughts that are more than apropos in these trying times. Some of them were corny or grin inducing, others had me co-signing in agreement out loud. Then there are the ones that were so on point it was scary.

“You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage her.” I like this but one of my issues is weight so I really wasn’t feeling the size reference.

I fancy myself as a humorous person so this one hit home: “When you get to your wit’s end, you find that God lives there.” Yep, this is worthy of me. However, given my story-line of late, I’m glad God is at my wit’s end. It could been really ugly.

“The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.” This is a necessary reminder as I muddle through the madness of my life.

Coping is a skill I really need to get a better grip on, so this one really resonated: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”I’ve being so busy dodging raindrops; this could be one of those signs that I need to embrace.

Now this one brought me to a complete stop: God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. I thought I deserved a smooth ride; especially since I’m a chronic good-deed doer. Although I could have managed without all of the drama and uncertainty of the past few years, I should take my own advice: if it doesn’t kill you it will make you stronger. A lot easier said than lived.

This next one is the one that I’ve missed for quite a while. “The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.” Exhale.

I chuckled to myself as I thought it was a neat coincidence to receive these messages. But I was wrong:

“Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.”

Please continue to pray  for Haiti

C. Denise Johnson can be reached at cdenisejohnson@gmail.com

The story continues...

Originally posted Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Decades come and go as countless people pass through our lives. Each one touches us for a specific reason, known or unknown. I've been privileged to have many incredible people to contribute to my worldview and I'd like to think they all have in some way made me a better person. This has not been the smoothest ride but it has definitely been an adventure. I've been blessed to  experience incredible highs and to crawl up from some very deep depths. Although I have no idea of what is ahead or how it will end, I thank you for your participation in my storyline. 

There have been some sections and paragraphs I'd love to delete, but they  add to the structure for the the rest of tale. As I begin Chapter 53 please know that every phrase you've said, every laugh we've shared and every spoken word will contribute to make the narrative of my life fuller and richer.

(c) C. Denise Johnson

Do we get it now?

Originally posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2011

So much to consider - the death of an innocent child born on 9/11/01, the anniversary of the police beating of Jordan Miles and the anniversary of Haitian earthquake. With all the vitriol, fear, ignorance, intolerance, violence and uncertainty we must remember that we are all in this together. As one goes, we all go. 

NOW, this is time to stop the madness and let the healing begin. We don't exist to hurt, maim or kill one another, otherwise the human race would be extinct. If we can't make things right for ourselves, let's make it right for our children and their children and their children's children.

A Boot to the Head ...from Michael Moore

I do not want to wake up violently ill on Nov. 3, so I am reposting this email in hopes that you will also acknowledge the urgency and importance of you vote. Do you really want to live with regrets?


Me

A Boot to the Head ...from Michael Moore
Tuesday, October 28th, 2010
Friends,
There she was, thrown to the pavement by a Republican in a checkered shirt. Another Republican thrusts his foot in between her legs and presses down with all his weight to pin her to the curb. Then a Republican leader comes over and viciously stomps on her head <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbnEy_U9pYk>  with his foot. You hear her glasses crunch under the pressure. Holding her head down with his foot, he applies more force so she can't move. Her skull and brain are now suffering a concussion.
The young woman's name is Lauren Valle, but she is really all of us. For come this Tuesday, the right wing -- and the wealthy who back them -- plan to take their collective boot and bring it down hard on not just the head of Barack Obama but on the heads of everyone they simply don't like.
Teachers union? The boot!
Muslim-looking people? The boot!
Thinking of retiring soon? The boot!
Living in a house you can no longer afford? The boot!
Doing a bit better with your minimum wage? The boot!
Stem cell research, the bullet train, reversing global warming? Ha! The boot for all of you!
What? You like your kids being covered by your health plan 'til they're 26? The boot for them and the boot for you!
In love with someone of your own gender? A double boot up the ass for every single one of you sick SOBs!
Hoping there's a few jobs left here in the U.S. when you graduate? How 'bout just a nice boot to your head instead?
And most importantly, the last boot is saved for the black man who probably wasn't born here, definitely isn't a Christian and possibly might be the Antichrist sent here to oversee the destruction of our very way of life. A boot to your head, Obama-devil!
Yes, one big boot is poised to stomp out whatever hopey-changey thing we might have had two years ago and secure this country in the hands of the oligarchs and the culture police.
And if they win on Tuesday, they plan to show no mercy. They will not speak of bipartisanship or olive branches or tolerate any filibuster threats. They will come in and do the job with a mandate they'll perceive the electorate will have given them. They will not fart around for two years like the Democrats did. They will not "search for compromise" or "find middle ground." They will not meet you halfway on the playing field. They know that touchdowns aren't scored at the 50-yard line. Unlike our guys, they're not stupid or spineless.
Make no mistake about it, my friends. A perfect storm has gathered of racists, homophobes, corporatists and born agains and they are on fire. Two years of a black man who secretly holds socialist beliefs being the boss of them is more than they can stomach. They've been sick to death since the night of 11/04/08 and they are ready to purge. They won't need a rope and tree this time to effect the change they seek (why bother when a nice shoe on another's skull will do just fine, thank you).
They simply need to get their base to the polls (done), convince enough people Obama is responsible for the fact they don't have a job or a secure home (done), and then hope enough of us Obama-voters are so frustrated, disappointed and downright mad at the Dems (done) that we'll either stay home Tuesday or, if we vote, we won't be carpooling with 10 others to the polls.
Done? Or not?
These Republicans mean business. Their boots are all shined and ready. But they've got one huge problem:
The majority of Americans don't agree with them.
The majority want the troops home <http://www.pollingreport.com/afghan.htm> . The majority want true universal health coverage<http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/25/politics/main6899989.shtml> . The majority want the thievery on Wall Street to be stopped <http://www.gallup.com/poll/142967/among-recent-bills-financial-reform-lone-plus-congress.aspx> . The majority believe that global warming is happening <http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/121241-sept-28> , that social security shouldn't be privatized <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-12/republicans-proving-unpopular-with-voters-prepared-to-oppose-obama-in-poll.html>  and that unions are a good thing <http://www.pollingreport.com/work.htm> .
Too bad the majority party has done precious little to bring about the change for which the majority voted. Yes, change takes time. But try telling that to someone who hasn't worked in two years. Or who hears the knock of the foreclosure sheriff at the door. The booted-up minority knows how to make hay in a situation like this. All they need is us, the disappointed, dismayed, disgusted us.
What say you? Stay home and punish the weak-kneed, sell-out Democrats? Or spend every free moment you have between now and Tuesday trying to protect what little progress has been made so we can live to fight another day (even if it is with "allies" like a Democratic Party that will more than likely still not get the message of what they need to do -- and has, in fact, spent much of the past two years giving progressives the boot)? Perhaps our job, post-election, is to provide a gentle but swift boot in the bee-hind of the party whose mascot is an ass.
Right now, we've got 112 hours. Seems like enough.
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com <http://www.michaelmoore.com/>
P.S. I'll be on The Rachel Maddow Show <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/>  tonight! Be sure to tune in to MSNBC at 9:00pm ET/PT. 

My current incarnation

I've developed a new attitude, but not a new job. Since I haven’t heard anything about an extension, my unemployment will soon be exhausted (in other words, “you ain’t getting no more loot”). Yet I remain grateful (and faithful and determined).

So how do I maintain a positive vibe with the deck seemingly stacked against me? By believing in myself – if I don’t one will. Redoubling my efforts couldn’t hurt either – which is why I sent revised resumes to my email list (didn’t get one – email me to let me know so I can remedy the omission).

Just because I’m not employed doesn’t mean I don’t need business cards. I have to have something to pass out should I run into my potential employer or a new client at a networking or social function (or even in an elevator). In addition to my name and contact information, my new cards bill me as “Wordsmith, Griot and Consultant” and have a tagline that reads “Creating for the greater good.” How’s that for a mantra? I mean after all, I always try to use my powers for good not evil.

Every day is full of opportunities to do my best, even better than the previous day. Opportunities to seize what I passed on before, to be more strategic and efficient in achieving my goals and desires, to move beyond regrets to accomplishments, and to appreciate what I have in front of me. I've resolved to be open to all the possibilities and blessings that will come in the days and months ahead.

I’ve lined up some freelance gigs and have other irons in the fire. I suppose the bottom line is I’m not rolling over in defeat – I ain’t going out like that! 


Instead I’ll count my blessings and live my life like its golden (thanks, Jill Scott).

More stuff about me...

Three jobs I have had in my life: Consultant, Managing Editor, Associate Editor




Places I have lived (chronically): Cincinnati, Bowling Green, OH, Guam (for 6 weeks in 1992) & Pittsburgh

Three favorite drinks: White Zinfandel, Johannesburg Riesling, Cosmopolitan




Three TV shows that I watch: News, "Private Practice," "Grey's Anatomy"




Three places I have been: Bangkok, Negril, Jamaica, Hong Kong




Three places I wanna go: Ghana, Brazil, New Orleans




Three of my favorite foods: sauteed zucchini, fettuccine Alfredo with grilled bell peppers, salmon




Three things I am looking forward to: No longer needing unemployment compensation and living abundantly, finishing my book(s), romance


Three fav movies: "Waiting to Exhale," "Pulp Fiction," "Eve's Bayou"