...that because people are content in their slow moving lives that they want others to do the same? Anybody doing anything different is offensive to them in some way because they dare to be different. Those "turtle moving" people may be content with how their lives are going, but that doesn't mean that everyone else has to slow down to fit their way of living too!
"SLOW DOWN, MEETTA", she called out as I was dashing past her and some of the others. Without turning around, "USE IT OR LOSE IT SISTER!", I called back and kept on going. I was at work and don't walk at the same pace as many of co-workers. I usually walk at a brisk pace. I am a walker out of need first, then for exercise and then fun. I have built up momentum and it doesn't matter where I'm going, brisk is still my usual pace, unless I'm in pain or something.
Still, my pace seems to bother others, because somebody on my Job has mentioned it more than once. Over my nearly 7 years at this job, I have actually heard much talk about my pace. I still don't understand why it bothers people so! Who can figure?
See, I know many of them drive A LOT! Many of them drive even to their nearby businesses close to their homes! Most walk very little beside at work. In conversations with some, I've found that many of them simply don't exercise the body they've been given outside of usual cleaning or errands. Maybe they walk the dog if they have them, but even that's usually it! Nothing else too physical such as walking on a regular basis for any real length of time. So, I think when they look at me, it reminds them of what they are NOT DOING for themselves and so hence the shout out, "SLOW DOWN MEETTA!"
And these are people who are still of a viable age. They are in their 40's, 50's and 60's, but you wouldn't know it by their pace! Many of them walk along the same speed as one of our 92 year old co-workers. God bless her soul, and I have not yet heard her complaining or telling anyone to slow down! She told me when she was younger, she was moving at my pace too. "Keep it up as long as you can", she said to me one day as I was leaving her behind, upon her urging of course. God love her! And so I will push forward, walking briskly taking advantage of the time that I have to exercise this body and "use it, lest I lose it."
Reader,
There is another reason that the shout out "Slow Down Meetta" bothered me. I am 42 and I think about the gifts and talents that I have, and how I haven't yet figured out how to really push forward into them. I've been told I am a Master Presenter, Eloquent and passionate Public speaker. I've also been told I am an engaging and Charming Story Teller (as is my profession). Many of the guests that have heard me say, "I could listen to you all day." but where has that gotten me. After seven years of being a hired professional Public Speaker and Story Teller, where has it gotten me? And what about my writing? Where is that going? I dare to question.
I should be onstage somewhere or in a pulpit, or on the radio and writing for some wonderful international something or other, where my voice and talents can be heard, used for the purpose of engaging and encouraging SOMEBODY somewhere! I should be writing for some Inspirational paper, encouraging people to also do GREAT THINGS! Readers, here's my challenge to you. IF YOU THINK MY WRITINGS HAVE CHALLENGED YOU IN SOME WAY. Maybe my writings have encouraged you or CAUSED YOU TO OPEN YOUR MINDS VIEW...LET ME KNOW! You don't have to, but I'D APPRECIATE IT! Now back to my self pitying. Where was I? Oh Yeah, I should be doing great things with my talents, not necessarily to be obscenely, materialistically rich, but to be of some good use that God can be pleased with. But where am I? And what am I doing? Ah! my life...( I won't complain at this precise second)... is in Gods hands.
I have such gifts and know I can be very powerful in voice and in my writings. My work in both, even on a small scale, has proven that! I know I could be a ground breaker, a ground shaker. I could also crush the mold that was used to form. A mold the world and circumstances would use to bind me. I know I could encouraging many others on a grand scale to do the same thing! Break her molds and establish themselves as the new gifts of creativity and or corporation!
As an African-American woman of very big talents and bigger dreams, I think of Hattie MCDaniel, Butterfly McQueen, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, and Madam C.J. Walker and Sojourner Truth. I think of these particular ladies because they crushed the mold that formed and was destined to bind them. They dared to dream! They dared to believe! They dared to dream and hope. They dared to want more! They dared to use the gifts and talents they had, cultivating them into fine art of living. They took no prisoners! They held no one else back, only pulling, pushing and encouraging others to push as these women themselves pushed full steam ahead, not slowing down...for anyone!
When I was growing up and even as an adult, people were so quick to speak negative things over me, spewing their doubt because I challenged them in some way. Slow down, indeed! When I get my CHANCE like these ladies did, I will keep my momentum up and I will not slow down...not for anyone! So even with my blog,i will march on! Whatever jobs I can get with my speaking...I will gain momentum and even fuel up! So, you'd better catch up with me!
I know all the women I mentioned all had different ways of getting to and living out their destinies, so my story will be just as unique. I will get there if God the Father and Jesus the son, has anything to say about it! Just blowing off steam. Still I believe. And so it is written, "And your gifts will make room for you".
BE ENCOURAGED!
And don't slow down!
Meetta
