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As I enter day 5 of my Kwanzaa Celebrations I am reminded of all the principals. Nia (Purpose) is so important in our daily lives. I don’t know how anyone could embrace everyday and not know your purpose. It’s absolutely necessary. “In a world where there is an urgent need to move beyond petty and perverse purposes and narrow and narcissistic concerns, the principle and practice of Nia (Purpose) provides us with an expansive ethical alternative. For it teaches us the collective vocation of bringing, increasing and sustaining good in the world, and insuring the well-being, health and wholeness of the world, and ourselves.” We must always know our purpose for being.

Purpose is the breath and life with which you create in this gift of life. What is your purpose? If you don’t know please spend time with yourself to identify your purpose! You cannot be successful in life without this knowledge.

All the best to you in 2013! Happy New Years, Cheers!

The 7 principles of Kwanzaa 

One

Umoja – Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, “I am We,” or “I am because We are.”

Two

Kujichagulia – Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.

Three

Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.

Four

Ujamaa – Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.

Five

Nia –  Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

Six

Kuumba – Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.

Seven

Imani – Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

We are just a couple of days from Christmas. I am so thankful for all of my blessings and just life and life more abundantly. As Tuesday December 25^th approaches I am very much aware of who’s birthday it is, Jesus! We are celebrating the birth of Jesus.  We must remember the reason for the season and try to help those in need.

What a difference it could make if every family would take on one more families during this time of year. I am personally committed to sponsoring three families and this year. It’s in my heart to give and help others who might not enjoy this time of year due to life situations.

Remember anytime someone commitments to give their time & money it is a sacrifice and it should be appreciated. Give thanks for all that you have on today and if you are able to help one person, do it!  Don’t do it expecting something in return due it from your heart and watch God bless you.  Merry Christmas & All the best in 2013.  Cheers!

I had to repost this writing by Tyler Perry!  It moved my spirit SO much!  I believe this is the time of year to really sit quietly and ask ourselves this very candid question, What Kinf Of Person Am I?  Once you know the answer embrace it or make changes to get on the right path.

I have this tree analogy when I think of people in my life, be it friends, family, acquaintances, employees, co-workers, whomever…They are all placed inside what I call my tree test. It goes like this:

LEAF PEOPLE
Some people come into your life and they are like leaves on a tree. They are only there for a season. You can’t depend on them or count on them because they are weak and only there to give you shade. Like leaves, they are there to take what they need and as soon as it gets cold or a wind blows in your life they are gone. You can’t be angry at them, it’s just who they are.

BRANCH PEOPLE
There are some people who come into your life and they are like branches on a tree. They are stronger than leaves, but you have to be careful with them. They will stick around through most seasons, but if you go through a storm or two in your life it’s possible that you could lose them. Most times they break away when it’s tough. Although they are stronger than leaves, you have to test them out before you run out there and put all your weight on them. In most cases they can’t handle too much weight. But again, you can’t be mad with them, it’s just who they are.

ROOT PEOPLE
If you can find some people in your life who are like the roots of a tree then you have found something special. Like the roots of a tree, they are hard to find because they are not trying to be seen. Their only job is to hold you up and help you live a strong and healthy life. If you thrive, they are happy. They stay low key and don’t let the world know that they are there. And if you go through an awful storm they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you and water you.

Just as a tree has many limbs and many leaves, there are few roots. Look at your own life. How many leaves, branches and roots do you have? What are you in other people’s lives?

THANK GOD FOR YOUR ROOTS! You may want to call them today or share this message with them and attach your own note saying, “thanks for being my root”.

By the way, don’t waste your time sending this to a leaf, they won’t get it anyway.

Giving is certainly a big part of who I am as a person.  Giving is something that I have watched my grandparents and parents do for all of my life.  Giving is something I love to do.  If you are a giver, you know that any act of giving, any sharing that you are blessed to do comes back to you.  I certainly believe God will not bless you if you don’t give back. 

The joy in giving is not in the materialistic things you may give someone, rather it’s simply what was in your heart when you gave!  I have this saying that it’s dear to me, “I may not remember what you said, or did but, I will always remember how you made me feel”.  Remember, the person on the receiving end can certainly feel your heart. 

During this season of gifting & giving let your message be one of appreciation for the receiver, let the person feel your spirit of love and gratefulness……They need to feel that they matter to you more than anything else.  What a gift!  Cheers!

God didn’t say everything in your life would always be good, and easy.  He did say it was your birthright to enjoy life and life more abundantly and he would give you prosperity.  To enjoy these life gifts, we must be true to ourselves and embrace every day to the fullest with no regrets or why nots!  This positive mindset will keep you moving forward in a positive direction.  Remember to enjoy the ride and the process it takes to reach your goals.

Many people make happiness contingent on other things.  They think “I’ll be happy when I”………  We must take a different approach and focus on what drives you, what situations, what people, what places, what things make you happy.  And go after those things and use this approach.  Keep love, compassion & integrity at the forefront of every decision you make on this journey!  Happy people know the process to happiness supports what’s most important and that’s their values!  Cheers!