Part 3: Move From the 'Hood

The nation witnessed historical moment at the dedication ceremony of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

It's time for the words of Martin Luther King Jr. to bring forth life, productivity.
It's time to realize that his words are able to produce life not just through enacting policies and laws but more fundamentally through a change of heart.

"Rev. King's words and deeds were given and used to produce changes in laws, practices, and hearts."  ---  "More than a Thought" note at Facebook.com/Ailene_Randolph


There's remembrance of a conversation with a 80+ year old African-American woman who admitted that she prays to God, asking Him for help in removing all bitterness and hate from her heart. She spoke specifically of the bitterness and hate towards caucasian race developed from her past experiences.

It's time for everyone, regardless of race or creed, to be honest about what the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. means personally.

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"I said if just one person comes forward and gets the hate out of their heart, it's all worth it...But I hope there will be a bunch of people. Life's short and we all go to the same place when we die."
--- Elwin Wilson, former KKK member who apologized to Rep. John Lewis for actions done more than 60 years ago.







"Be the change you want to see in the world."   --- Gandhi.

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."  

--- Barack Obama

Change is Responsibility

Part 2: Movin' From the 'Hood

It's time to move from the 'hood, i.e. victimhood.


We cannot change the past. We can forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before. Forgetting doesn't mean we have no memory of the past. Indeed it's helpful to remember the past lest we repeat the mistakes thereof. Forgetting is 'letting go' of past injustices and anger whereby the past no longer have dominion over or controls us. We are free to reach towards new opportunities.

We cannot change the past. Whereas there's nothing to be done to change what happen to our forefathers in the past; we should not expect those living in the present to continually atone for the actions of their forefathers.

No one owes any group anything, but respect. Respect should not be measured in dollars and cents; positional station; or other tangible accoutrements. Indeed we should strive to help fellow humans, but 'love thy neighbor' does not preclude personal responsibility. A person assumes responsibility for his/her own success or failure. It's time to face reality of why success or failure happens. We complain about people 'trippin' but have we considered the ugly 'inconvenient truth' about our behaviors, attitudes, and choices?

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Contray to popular perception, racial relations are not driving force in history. Understand. Similar argument was made more than 60 years ago in Germany during Nazi regime/occupation. For anyone, regardless of race or creed, to assert such an argument will give rise to the question, "just what are you advocating?!?"

C'mon, we don't have to let the past prevent us from moving forward.

C'mon, it's time to move from the 'Hood i.e. Victimhood!  

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"But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred...We cannot walk alone. As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead."   --- Martin Luther King, Jr  "I Have A Dream" Speech



Further Reading



"Rev. King's words and deeds were given and used to produce changes in laws, practices, and hearts."  --- "More than a Thought" note at Facebook.com/Ailene_Randolph


Video: When the Dream becomes Reality

Video: Reconciliation

John Lewis gives message of healing, redemption 


Man Who Beat John Lewis Asks For Forgiveness

"I said if just one person comes forward and gets the hate out of their heart, it's all worth it...But I hope there will be a bunch of people. Life's short and we all go to the same place when we die."
--- Elwin Wilson

Common Ground Award: Honoring Reconcilation

Part 1: Movin' From the 'Hood

It's time to move from the 'hood, i.e. victimhood.

First, there's preparation -- there's a need to change mindset through language. In our soceity, words do matter. The truth of the scripture, "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue." is often discounted or ignored by people. We may not be able to readily change life circumstances, but how we view circumstances and our relationship to them is important.

Consider the oft used response to the question, 'how are you doing?': "Fine, under the circumstances." It may seem innocuous, but expressing the thought of being 'under the circumstances' sets the stage for future outcomes. It's time to understand our position and our perspective.

Indeed there are times when life circumstances seem so overwhelming and frustrating. Believe me, there's personal understanding of this even to the point when there may be questions about the purpose of own existence and doubts about God. Yet through it all we should encourage ourselves through remembrance of the fact we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made'. We are resilent.


Whether you have experienced the devastating effects of the financial crisis that ravished the land; the tremors of an earthquake; the eye of a hurricane; death of a family member or a friend; all manner of abuse and illness it's important to realize that you experienced it and survived. You are a survivor.

 
We cannot change the past. We can forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before. Forgetting doesn't mean we have no memory of the past. Indeed it's helpful to remember the past lest we repeat the mistakes thereof. Forgetting is 'letting go' of past injustices and anger whereby the past no longer have dominion over or controls us. We are free to reach towards new opportunities.

The Secret of the Hind

"The hind is a female red deer whose home is the mountains. The rear feet of the hind step in precisely the same spot where the front feet have just been. Every motion of the hind is followed through with single-focused consistency, making it the most sure-footed of all mountain animals."

What does 'Hinds' Feet mean?

"The phrase 'hinds' feet' is used in in the bible to denote an ability to overcome difficult challenges successfully...A hind, which is a female red deer, is able to move quickly and easily across the rocks of a mountain, leaping from one rock to another without ever losing its footing. Thus the biblical verse means that God has inspired his believers and empowered them to overcome the obstacles which confront them, doing things that would otherwise be difficult or impossible without divine aid."  

It's Responsibility. It's a Choice.

C'mon, we don't have to let the past

prevent us from moving forward.

Video: The Fine Art of Forgetting

C'mon, it's time to move from the 'Hood i.e. Victimhood!.

Further Reading

"The Lord God is my strength, and he has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places."  --- Habakkuk 3:19 and also found in Psalm 18:33

America's Health: The Heart Condition

"I know America. I know the heart of America is good."   --- Richard Nixon, 1969

Part 1: America's Health http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/invisibilityblanket/gGGgxg

Part II: America's Health: Recovery http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/invisibilityblanket/gGGgxx

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As America recovers from its serious health conditon, there should be reflecton on the factors that may have contributed to the condition; 'complications' that may develop afterwards; and preventative measures to ensure more healthy well-being in the future.

In the last 10-15 years, America has experienced events that affected our heart i.e. our will and ideals. The heart of America involves the balance between our will to be a strong nation in an ever-changing world and the ideals that are our foundation making us a 'beacon of hope' to other nations (e.g. Freedom; Rights; Individualism; Representative Government; 'Separation of Powers'). Maintaining balance is like monitoring the rhythm and the pulse of the nation.

On September 11, 2001 the nation suffered a massive heart attack. Fear gripped nation and required examination of mindset, assumptions, expectations, habits, and what is eaten (experience). There'a realization that change is required if America is to have soundness in heart and sustainable growth. The progress towards soundness has been difficult because of environment stressors (e.g. economic downturn, international threats, natural disasters) that at times weaken the heart. There was due diligence exercised to ensure that there was no cardiac arrest. Now, as America move forward to recovery, there there is cautious optimism due to the formation of potential clots.

Clots may be viewed as discussions, debates, dissension, protests, and rallies by citizens as the result of environment stressors. (Note: Stress is not inherently negative. Stress is just response to environment stimuli. The problem is dealing with an 'alot' of stimuli at any given time).

Generally, clots are the healing mechanism of the body. Likewise, dissension is the 'healing mechanism' of America. There have been many times throughout America's history expressing dissent actually brought healing to the past injuries of the past or to stop the bleeding i.e. prevent further loss or death. Examples include the Civil Rights Movement; Advocacy for Family and Medical Leave legislation; Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Earthquake in Haiti; Healthcare Reform, and much more. Scars, that evoke painful memories, may be seen in many instances that bears witness to the occurrence of the injury. Indeed, America has mechanisms that may be used in its healing --- first amendment rights.

However, clots may pose serious threat to the body if it is formed --1) in circulatory system and becomes an obstruction to the free flow of blood; --2) not as a result of injury; --3) or if it moves to other locations of the body. Likewise in America, discussions, debates, rallies, et al. may pose serious threat to nation if such activities obstructs the free, orderly, respectful flow of ideas; it's with precipitation; and done in many areas of the country.

There is the danger of aneurysms --- weakening of communication and transportation systems.
There is the danger of strokes --- where the free, orderly, respectful flow of ideas to leadership structures and institutions is affected.

There is the danger of embolisms --- the advanced media technology and increased mobility capabilities in modern day soceity increases the possibility of obstructions to the free, orderly, and respectful flow of ideas forming in one area of country and 'travel' to another area in the country.

Now if the obstruction occurs whereby the the U.S. Constitution is affected i.e. that which inspires and 'gives life' to our ideals, then it may be liken unto a pulmonary embolism where death is quick. There is danger when there is such imbalance that obstructions comes from the heart.


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"The Heart of a Citizen"


The Presidential Citizens Medal "established for the purpose of recognizing citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens." should inspire everyone to 'Stop. Think. Act' and provide encouragement to guard heart with all diligence.
America has experienced many events that have affected its heart. Everytime its will becomes stronger and its ideals become more powerful.
Yes, continue to debate passionately; host and attend town hall meetings; write to editors; write to lawmakers and government leaders; hold rallies; uphold and exercise the rights in U.S. Constitution...the American ideals. Above all America, "To thine own self be true.'"

Understanding Vision

“Wisdom buildeth (sic) her house, it is established by understanding.”

---Proverbs 24:3

Vision = Process + Goal

“Without a Vision, People Perish”

Important! == > Vision is more than a goal, it’s process plus goal. The problem of many organizations is often not in terms of the goals, but in dysfunctional processes.

God hath given all things pertaineth to Life and Godliness, how are resources being used?

Vision Problems =  Organizational Processes

　
　

Myopia

Short-term focus/tactical planning only

Hyperopia

Long-term focus/strategic planning only

Astigmatism

Uneven Development of organizational members

Glaucoma

Inflexibility; Slow response to changes in environment

Blindness

Trial-n-Error Approach

Detached Retina

Relational Disconnect

Eyeglasses

Consulting

Surgery

Re-structuring

Generally speaking, Republicans and Democrats have the same goal but have different processes. Understanding this would enable ALL LEADERS to govern the country more effectively, with less acrimony, partisan gridlock, and polarization of issues.