Archive for the ‘For the Reader’ Category
Posted on March 20, 2012 - by jennifer
Service…
Let me start by saying that Service is not for everyone. I get it…not everyone will take time out of their schedules (nor can they) to do something for others. And I completely understand. Point is, no pressure on those who aren’t service oriented. But for those who want to help there are a few ways to do so: giving of your time, money and talents…
There is a friend of mine, whose sister has MS. MS or multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Many times we don’t know that a person has MS because of the nature of this disease but please believe this is a debilitating disease that leaves you unable to do simple tasks, your limbs slowly loose there use and eventually the things that normally require no effort or thought, is almost impossible to achieve without help.
A couple of Saturday’s ago I did something that was rare…I woke up at some absurd time for the weekend so I could devote an entire day to the MS (Georgia Chapter) Day of Service. So myself a team of almost 20 others, including my friend, went to someone’s home who has MS and cleaned the inside of her home, cut limbs, raked, laid mulch in the front yard, repaired things that were broken and basically made someone else’s day a little brighter.
Also, I was recently introduced to an organization called Wilderness Works. This organization works with kids from underprivileged areas, homeless shelters, etc and on the weekend, expose those children to culture, activities and basically allows them to be kids. After I visited the site, learned of all the things available for these children who deal with far more than they should, I reflected all the way home on my childhood. Regardless to what was going on in my household, I never worried about physical, emotional or sexual abuse, the lights were always on when I came in from school, bologna sandwiches or something was available at all times, kool-aid was in the refrigerator and I didn’t have to worry about adult issues when I was a child. The children who participate in Wilderness Words face no lights, food, abuse, being homeless and so much more on a daily basis…
I share my involvement and experiences with service because it has definitely opened my eyes and made me want to do a little more with my time to help others. Whatever side of the fence you’re on about service, I want you to know that if in your heart you want to help your community, a cause that you’re passionate about, give a few dollars for medical research or simply help a friend in need…DO IT. The $20 you send in for cancer research, the time you spend talking with a child, volunteering to serve food at a soup kitchen or the act of kindness to show to someone you know is PRICELESS. And it not only makes someone else’s say, but it should make your day as well!
Truth is, we don’t know what life will throw at us, what help we’ll need from others (even strangers), and if as a child you had a great life, feel blessed because your circumstances could have been a lot worse. It’s not about how many times you serve or how much money you give, it’s about doing what’s in your heart.
So by chance if you’re looking to start donating, 
my friend is raising money for the National MS Society, Georgia Chapter, therefore if you want to contribute, please click here.
Be blessed!
JNS
Posted on March 6, 2012 - by jennifer
Are you teachable?
Are you teachable?
In church on Sunday my preacher said two words which inspired this blog…those words were “teachable spirit.” Having a teachable spirit means you are willing to learn and be taught. In other words you are a forever student…
I proclaim that I am a forever student. Continuously living, learning, embracing new things and being open to the opinions and perspectives of others…There is so much I have yet to learn about the world, others and myself, so when I heard “teachable spirit” I knew it was something to explore. There are many people who are unwilling to learn. And without the propensity to be taught, you fail to grow…
I’ve spoken about change in previous blogs and I stand firm in the belief that people don’t change unless there are circumstances, which force change upon them. But when I thought about change compared to being teachable, I opened myself up to a different approach. Perhaps people don’t change due to sheer stubbornness and resistance to what seems like normalcy…and maybe that’s okay as it relates to some things. It’s so difficult to imagine ourselves as being different from who we are and what our routines have become but maybe if we are open to learning and listening to others, change isn’t such a far off concept.
When we think of change we think of a transformation. And it is, but having that teachable spirit the preacher talked about, feels easier to grasp. While you may not be completely changing, your thinking is evolving, your mind is embracing different ideas and gradually you’re becoming a new person.
Being teachable also applies to life-long dreams, aspirations, and careers. How can I be a better writer, if I never read or seek to improve my skills? The same principle applies to anyone who wants to grow beyond their current position on a job or within life in general. Progression is not achieved if you aren’t constantly learning and taking actions outside of the ordinary.
Being teachable means that you stop believing you know everything and allow another mechanism, past experiences (experience IS the best teacher) or someone else, to show you something different. Even if you do things one-way (Lawd, knows I have a few set ways myself) that doesn’t mean it’s the only way or the best way. (Imagine that – a better way that didn’t come from your own brilliant mind)
All I’m saying is, while we’re on this journey together to grow, love better and be better, let’s think of new ways to accomplish these tasks.
So why not be open and willing to learn? Perhaps even to some aspects of change…
Why not be teachable?
JNS
Posted on February 29, 2012 - by jennifer
Shout out…(decisions)
I recently read a book entitled The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. This book was about how Blacks migrated from the south to the north and west in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s (and beyond) and the effect it has had on the make-up of America today.
But another important subject in this dynamic book was the decision to leave the south and travel north or west or stay in a place of oppression, racism, forced slavery and many other horrible conditions. The Warmth of Other Suns referenced world events and injustices all over the country but focused on the lives of three people who decided to flee the south due to circumstances, which forced them to take a dramatic leap of faith and move to other unwelcoming areas in the U.S.
Needless to say, this book was informative, entertaining, made me cry, shake my head, smile and acknowledge my own history and roots…Not only did it give me a broader awareness of Black history, it also made me think of how difficult of a decision it had to be to stay in a place that persecuted many, lynched others and kept a foot at the throats of people who only wanted freedom. But the decision to leave had to be just as hard. To flee family and friends, and everything you’ve ever trusted to go to an unknown land only to find that while living felt freer, it was extremely difficult to survive, defeat racism and overcome conditions that were in some cases, just as unbearable as living in the south.
Both decisions were equally difficult, so this blog is a shout out to those before us who felt conflicted and fed up and scared enough to leave…AND to those who chose to stay, fight and find peace in the place that although was considered home, felt nothing like it. I honor you all because if it were not for you, who knows where we would be…Thanks!
JNS
Posted on February 14, 2012 - by jennifer
Happy February 14…
When I received the call asking had I heard about Whitney Houston, I immediately searched the internet and connected with the most reliable source I know: Facebook. Then of course I called my mom, my homie, Crystal and then I kind of sat in front of my computer in disbelief. Not because “someone” died but because it was Whitney Houston. It was unexpected. It was scary. It was tragic. I’ve never met Whitney but just as I do with so many others who sing or put their art form and most importantly, themselves, before this critical, judgmental world, I connected with her music. I bonded with something within her and could sing along and loose myself for a few moments. And knowing that she was no longer in this world as we know it, suddenly forced me to retreat to my place of comfort; my computer, my writing, my place of release…
So many others have been lost already in this first two months of 2012. And regardless to what Whitney and others meant to you, it should force all of us to recognize how quickly life can change and be taken away. Most of us take for granted that those we know and love will be here tomorrow, when the truth is, tomorrow’s not promised.
So on this day, this Valentine’s Day, February 14, let’s use it for something other than just showing romantic love…And instead of moping around or being bitter because you don’t have or can’t spend Valentine’s day with a significant other, show love to a child, parent, friend…yourself. Cause isn’t that what Feb. 14 is really about? If we take away all the commercialization this day has garnered over the years, Feb. 14 is all about showing L-O-V-E. Pure and simple…
Besides it’s so much more rewarding and valuable to express and show love to someone while they can still hear and acknowledge your voice.
Happy February 14 Loves! I love you all!
Rest in Peace: Whitney Houston, Etta James, Don Cornelius and so many others…
Be blessed. Stay encouraged. And NEVER loose faith or give up on love! God is LOVE and don’t you forget it…
JNS
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by jennifer
“what, who, when, where, how and sometimes why” by JNS
This is a recitation of one of my original poems entitled what, who, when, where, how and sometimes why…Enjoy and let’s celebrate Black History Month.
JNS