Journey to the Past

If any of you REALLY know me, you'd know I'm totally obsessed with documentaries! I love watching programs about real events in history, science, nature, etc. Just about anything that can be recorded & is based in truth, I'LL WATCH!

Recently,  I watched a very interesting film called "500 Years Later"  which (if you couldn't already guess) spoke about the slave trade and the displacement of Africans to America. The heart of the film really touched on how slavery, in some way, shape or form, still exists and effects us as African Americans today. One main topic discussed was the fact that we, "we" meaning black people, don't take the time to self educate regarding our history, our ancestors, and where we come from. We listen to what we're told in school, what we 

see depicted in Hollywood films and accept it as gospel; the end all be all of story of our lives. We no longer care to know who we are at the core. 

Hearing those things really resonated with me. I have always been curious about other members of my extended family, but never thought about the bigger picture: From whom did I descend?? The things I do today, the type of person I am, my specific ambitions; where did all of that come from? Did I come from royalty? Am I even REALLY African?? Who were the two people that joined to eventually make my mother and the two who eventually created my father?? 

With all those questions running through my mind, I decided to do something about it! 

Today is the first day of my journey to discover all the complexities of me.

It's really exciting, but nerve wracking at the same time. I may find out things I would have rather left unknown. However, the unknown is really a part of the adventure we call Life.

I'm certain this will be a time consuming process, but in the end it'll be worth it. I'll be able to tell my children their TRUE family history. I can tell them more than "your granny & g-pa grew up in a small town, got married, moved away then had me!!" I feel there is much more to my story than just a 20 something Florida girl who likes to write. I could turn out to be somebody's somebody! On the other hand, I could just be a girl from that clan of people who didn't do much but exist. The fact of the matter is, either way, I'll know!!

WISH ME LUCK!!!!

The Power of Prayer

Hello all.....Happy Belated New Year! :-/ It's been quite a while since I've updated my poor, poor blog, but I felt compelled to write today. It's never easy getting bad news, especially when it involves people you love dearly.....hearing it hurts, devastates, crushes and could even make you ill. However, after the initial pain subsides, where do you go from there? You can either stay down or pick yourself up and keep moving...in this instance, I chose the latter.

Since I was young, I've always attended church (whether I wanted to or not lol). At the time, I never fully understood the reason why I prayed, but I knew it was something I was supposed to do. As I've gotten older, wiser and been confronted with real life issues/situations, I've learned first hand what prayer and faith in God is all about and what it can really do.

Now I'm sure there are some folks who will read that last line, feel some kind of way and immediately close  my blog. [shrugs] Hey!  Nothing I can do about that right? Do what you feel. However, for those who understand what I'm talking about and agree with the things I'm about to say, this post is for you.

I've witnessed prayer cure the supposed incurable. I've seen, first hand, people's dreams come to fruition due to their hard work and unyielding, unwaivering faith. There have been times when I've been down & out, ill, depressed and even struggling just to deal with the day but as soon as I turned my focus from self to Him (Him meaning God for any of you who were wondering), things fell into place the way they should. Notice I didn't say "the way I wanted them to." One thing about God is He may not always give you EXACTLY what you ask for, but He definitely gives you what you NEED. So today I return to my place of prayer. Although I'm asking Him for something I want, I am having faith He will provide. Recently, things I've been praying on for months have finally come to past. I landed a STEADY job, income has INCREASED, I've reached a POSITIVE truly HAPPY place in my personal life and am feeling healthier every single day. 

If there were no more words to express what He's brought me through, my existence alone can be a testament to the true power of prayer.

I've got quite a few prayer warriors in my corner who've kept me lifted when I didn't have sense enough to do it for myself. 

Moments like these puts life in perspective. You start to realize how insignificant things are. "Problems" that were a HUGE deal yesterday are an absolute waste of time to think about today. I declare today that I will no longer continue an existence that means nothing. I'm done worrying about what others think or have to say about my life and choices. I know who the ultimate judge is. He has the last and final say so as long as I live according to His word, nothing else matters. 

I'm not sure how many will read this or how many will read this and care, but I have a request. Start LIVING! Life is too, too short to put things off or waste time with mundane activities. Remain positive through the good and the bad and watch God move on your behalf. If there's something you want, GO AFTER IT!!! The old saying holds true, "Time waits for no one." What makes you any different? Live a life of service. Be a blessing to someone by sharing what God has blessed you with. 

If you have an inspirational testament of God's power and the blessings you've received due to prayer, please share them. Also, whether you do leave a comment or choose not to, PLEASE keep my family lifted in prayer. We need it now more than we ever.