MY LIFE - SLOW DOWN, MEETTA!

Why is it Dear Reader,

...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

Social Scene - Do you love yourself?

Welcome to Social Scene.

Here, I talk about issues that affect society collectively. Each and every one of our lives and what we do with them, affects others and can create a chain reaction. We must be in tune with ourselves in order to recognize our influence on the world around us. With that said, I will just get right to today's topic of discussion.

Many people have difficulty with other people in all area of their lives. People have many different ways to handling the situation, but how many of them produce a positive outcome that everybody comes out of it, intact? There is wisdom in dealing with your neighbor to produce that positive affect. First, you have to look at yourself! The wisdom is in this following statement. The best way to get along with your neighbor is to...

..."LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF."

Question is; DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?

Now before you answer, think carefully!

Ask yourself some tough questions to see where you stand with yourself. For example, Are you forgiving of yourself? Can you allow yourself some mistakes without beating yourself up continually?

'Cause if you can't forgive yourself, how can you forgive anyone else?

Here are just a few more, but feel free to create other questions for yourself.

Do you even know what forgiveness really means?

Do you hold grudges?

Are you kind?

Do you believe in God?

If you are Christian, or consider yourself a person of "faith", do you read, study and live by God's written word?

Do you receive and receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?

Do you cherish the principles of God and strive to live by them, holding them near and dear to your heart?

Do you appreciate the gifts, talents, and abilities that you have?

Do you exercise them?

DO YOU APPRECIATE GIFTS, TALENTS AND ABILITIES OF OTHERS?

Do you "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep"?

Do you care about others AND show it?

Are you selfish or self-centered?

Do you take care of (providing for, listening to, appreciating and respecting ) those you claim you love? Especially your children, parents and mates?

Are you a person of INTEGRITY?

Do you create or spread gossip?

Do you share personal business of another that's been told in confidence to you?

Though we are not to trust (put full confidence) into anyone ...

..Do you consider yourself "trust-worthy", worthy of trust?

Do you share a conversation you overheard even when you were not invited in it?...

....Even when the conversation does not include you and is not harmful to anyone?

Can you keep a secret or do you tell (anyone) even when you say you won't?

*Often we try and justify who we tell, like a sister, husband, brother or best friend etc.?

Do you find yourself trying to listen to other peoples conversations meaning you make efforts to hear?

Do you interrupt into conversations that you are not invited in, butting in?

Do you keep your word when you tell someone you will do something?

Do you lie?

Do you spend time in others people personal business even when not invited?

Do you know what it means to create harmony?

Do you exercise that knowledge?

Do you acknowledge your wrongs and make amends for them?

Do you seek to "corrupt" other people with your bad ways? If so, Why?

Does truth, compel you?

Are you easily offended?

Or do you just blame the other person?

Do you seek or act on revenge?

DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?

Do you like yourself?

Do you eat healthy?

Do you over-eat?

Do you smoke (anything)?

Do you use inhalants?

Do you dip snuff or chew tobacco? This has caused other illness including cancer of the mouth.

Do you do drugs?

Do you drink alcohol in excess...EVER?

Do you exercise?

Do you go get medical checkups when you need them?

Do you get counseling or seek wisdom when you have a problem?

Do you care about your appearance?

Do you bathe?

Do you Comb your hair?

Do you Brush your teeth?

Do you always wear clean clothes?

Do you press or iron you clothe when needed

Do you clean your house, Apartment, or room?

Do you ever really take time out for yourself?

Are you productive in positive things?

Do you work, go to school or volunteer?

Do you find yourself being envious and resentful of people who are?

Are you a giver of your time, knowledge, services, goods and money?

Do you find it necessary to keep learning, and educating yourself?

Do you smile?

Are you a person who enjoys sharing happiness or creating dis-harmony?

Does your presence around others add peace or take away from it?

Are you joyful?

Do you respect your body?

Are you sexually active outside of your husband or wife?

Remember sex outside of marriage often brings about moral decay. It also brings unnecessary problems.

(ALL QUESTION ARE ALSO FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN)

Do you have more than one sexual partner?

In truth, there is no double standard for men or women when it comes to anything, especially sex! People say that there is to justify their actions. GET SMART! Just because you say something is right does not mean that it is! You are just fooling yourself and duping others in the process! There are already wrong and right standards set in the the very heart of man (all human kind) at the beginning of Creation. You may be fooled, but the wise man (and wise woman) will not be fooled into just any way of thinking!

Just as sexually "loose" women (paid or unpaid) are considered whores, the men that have sex with them are just condemned as "whore mongers". Who is the reason there are whores? Men!!!

But that's not popular or "cool" to talk about! P-shaw!

Listen here,

"YOU CAN'T WALLOW IN DIRT AND

COME OUT CLEAN!"... This is a thought to contemplate!

One last question: ARE YOU HAPPY?

See, asking yourself questions like these and answering honestly can help you find out more about yourself! You can use these questions and answers as gauges to learn how you feel about you! Are you the kind of person you want to be? If not, what are you doing about it? How you feel about yourself does directly affect and greatly impact your relationships! Self, often dictates and shape our thoughts of the world. How you feel about yourself does often determine the success and failure of your views of others! And if you don't like yourself, how can you like another? Certainly if you don't love yourself, how can you truly love anyone else?

Meetta