CHOICES - Part I

It is SO amazing what can spark a thought, or jog a memory. While having a corny Hopkins moment this evening, I watched Evan Almighty with my family.....after a nice Father's Day dinner {I diced the celery :o) } As silly as the movie was, it definitely sparked some thought on asking and receiving.....from God.

God has given us free will. It would probably be a lot easier for us ALL to get into heaven if we didn't. And we all did the right thing, all the time. But that is not the world in which we live. It would make God happiest if we listened to Him, always decided according to His will, and gave Him glory in all we did. However, He still gives us an option, He still allows us to choose.

If God will give us a choice, above His own happiness, does it make sense that He will take away our choice for our own happiness? I think not!

I think back to all of the sermons and lessons that I've received that instructed me to be specific in my prayer, and not to block my blessings. I recall one in particular where my Pastor (Bishop W. Raymond Whitaker, II of Greater Free Gift Baptist Cathedral,) illustrated that if you are praying for a job, you need to be out looking for a job. And all the many songs telling that "God will make a way."

It is indeed the way that God will provide. And this rule applies across the board. When we pray for money, God is not going to wake us up to a pile of hundreds, or give us the winning lottery numbers; but He may create more overtime at our jobs, or give us an opportunity to make more money. Most people however, do not recognize the opportunity given to us. When we are praying for a new car to get to our new midnight - 6am job, we think the Crazy Eddie's radio commercial offering no down payments to low and bad credit scores are a sign from God, as opposed to offering helping that old sister from the Missionary Society who not only would allow you to use her vehicle because she doesn't go out after 8:00pm anyway; but, would also watch your kids, so if anything happened to that car, you wouldn't be rushing home because you didn't have adequate or responsible child care.

Another element that we miss is whether or not it is in God's will. If it is God's will for us to marry a certain person, we will have the opportunity to delight in such an event. If we pray for happiness, God isn't going to have us walking around smiling for no reason, but create opportunities to make us smile. Or create opportunities for us to eliminate elements in our life that impede such happiness.

God will always give us a choice. If he does not take away our choice for his own happiness, he is not going to take it away for our own. RECOGNIZING the RIGHT choice however is the key.

Stay tuned for Part II- Recognizing the Right Choice.

I love you

When I look into your eyes, I see depths that my wildest dreams cannot imagine

When I feel your heartbeat I feel a strength I cannot comprehend

Your nature has a control of me- that's visible to all

The passion that exists- the passion that flows- the fire that burns

I pray that we fan the flames forever

Star is still in the sky

Good Morning (Neighbor)

Over the last few weeks I've received numerous e-mails, texts, phone calls and comments from people wondering why I haven't had any new posts. In response, I sent out a morning message last week; however I still didn't have anything blog-worthy......

I honestly haven't had anything to share. I've been straightening some things out----- which have been the forefront of my mind. And I haven't felt moved to write about these things. I haven't really been very poetic, and way too busy for prose.

It's not my style to do things just for the sake of doing things. And I'm not going to post just for the sake of posting. I'm not going to pretend that something is more important or interesting to me than it really is. ---- So again, I am fine. I am still thinking, and as soon as the time is right I'll be back on blogspot. Until then be steadfast and diligent in your thinking, and above all else--- GET UNDERSTANDING!!!!!

Be blessed until we meet again,
Nay---L'etoil.

Premature

Man cannot survive on bread alone

Man is not meant to be alone

Numerous creations of art in numerous forms cite love, romance and their place in society. For Christians, the mere creation of Eve to keep Adam's company is enough. It is wholly accepted that people are social creatures, and everybody desires to partner off and travel through life with as a pair.

The media (not just American) plays a big role in placing a high focus and level of urgency on finding such partner that statistically, most people are partnering off prematurely; Hence, over half of American marriages end in divorce. Such number is lower than the fracturing of other partnered relations that do not even make it to the official accepted commitment of marriage.

The focus of relationships and the idea of falling in love is plaguing younger and younger people at a most alarming rate. Within the span of one generation girls were considered "fast" to be engaging in certain extra curricular activities with boys, and now girls of the same age are not only engaging in these activities but are doing so openly. This fad of pairing off is diminishing of the point of doing so. It has become pointless and effectively meaningless.

Of course, I am imparting my lifestyle, ideals, and, principles on everyone and measuring them against the Naomi's metre-stick of life.....but this is my blog (kisses).

With companionship as a given, it seems to me that unless partnering off for survival, the only other reason is for self improvement. After finding, or (for those of us who haven't yet accepted that we're ALWAYS looking) "happening" upon somebody who we (are probably first attracted to) like spending time with, we begin to evaluate other factors. Based upon our personal lists of what we will and won't deal with we either gravitate towards or away from the individual in question. So, it also seems to me, that these personal lists that we have are subjective; and some people will accept so much more than others, why do people settle?

The need to be paired off, or wanted is so great that some people will stay in an unhealthy or otherwise non-stimulating situation just to avoid not being alone. In essence, contributing to the high relationship-failure rate. Perhaps more relationships would survive if people actually waited until they found (lol, or happened upon) a person who they were more compatible (than not) with.

Certain elements such as trust, communication, and agreement are usually attributed to healthy relationships, however there are some other important ones that are overlooked. To live together, people need to be able to grow together. Growing is inevitable, and unless growing in the same direction, a couple cannot expect to remain a couple. Two people must also have a basic understanding of each other, acceptance of a person's ideas and actions are not enough, one must understand why their partner makes the choices they do to alleviate frustration and alienation. Lastly, I believe that many people overlook the fact that two people should be at similar places in their lives.

These things are very important to me. I am excited to happen upon the person who accepts me for who I am, and most importantly understands why I am. Someone who like me is not where there want to be as yet, but has a strong sense of self. Someone who I can share a transient understanding, a special element with. Whose mind and status can maintain such element which my soul recognizes as its complimentary counterpart.....the S to my N. The South to my North.

Injustice

Good Morning!

The three police officers on trial for the killing of Sean Bell were all acquitted this morning. The judge (not jury) found them not guiilty on all charges. How could unarmed men be fired at 50 times, and be at fault?

Historically, police officers are usually acquitted in cases of this kind. And this time, the racial motivation was played down because two of the three officers are Black. Why is it that White kids are never mistakenly shot? Or never have hairbrushes or cell phones mistaken for guns? Why is it that White children are referred to as teenagers and citizens, and Blacks are referred to as youth and male/female, respectively?

This is a Black/White thing; this is another example of the injustice of the justice system. This is another example of the Black community not taking social responsibility to ensure that they are treated with respect.

Sean bell (and company) may have been obeying the law, but how many young Black teenagers do not? How many times do older people not impart their knowledge and experiences on the younger generation? How often do successful people act unaffected and too far removed to make a difference?

It's no longer a matter of when is the madness going to stop? But when are those of us who can make a difference going to.

I am proud to report that as soon as I heard the verdict I promptly called my 16-year-old cousin and AGAIN reminded him about appropriate behavior with the law. That tomorrow morning after my NCNW chapter meeting I will be running a Girl Scout meeting with 11 six-eight year olds and we will AGAIN be having a meeting about current events and deciding on summertime events based on the grades they achieve in school.

I vote, I serve my community, and I am as current as current can be on events that affect my community. So I have the right to comment and challenge. I am not only my sister's, but my brother's keeper as well.

Today I leave with you a quote by Shirley Chisolm:

"Community Service is the rent we pay by getting to live on this earth"

Over and Over

Over and over
No end in sight
Over and Over
Gotta get this right



Repeat

Cycle

Circle

Repitition



This can't be right
We've got to do bette
Over and Over
Gotta get this right



Habit

Role

Rehearsal

Homo


I know where we went wrong
I see the catalyst
Over and Over
Gotta get this right


Mundane

Same

Similar

Monotonous


Over and Over
Gotta get this right
I see where we went wrong
Won't stop 'til it's tight

Untitled 3 of the Incomplete Series

You looked into my eyes and told me there was nobody else
You looked into my face and told me it was only me
My remaining question is why?
Was there nobody else because there really was nobody else?
Or was there nobody else because you only wanted me?

What seemed like perfection was not.
What I thought was perfection was far from it.
All of my proposals were rejected
My remaining question was why?
Why did you run?
Why did you alter what was there?

So much seemingly unfinished
All the emotion and experiences don't disappear
Goodbye doesn't erase time and effort
My remaining question is why?
Why isn't this but a memory yet?
Why do you stop me from moving on?