As we evolve in our glow and growth, we shed off old things and embrace a form of newness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having your traditions but when truth has its way into your space, things are different. You don't take an interest in major distractions or holidays like you used to. Always be thankful!

Men Who Maintain Unity

I am very thankful for Malcolm X. He encouraged men to be responsible leaders in their households and communities. Malcolm is gone but there are black men who are fighting for their people and communities. I know you won't see it all over the news media broadcasted but they are out there, and some are not politicians. I am thankful for those Yahweh deemed as the head, being the head. Despite the false narrative that black folks are not united or stick together, the truth is more of us do! Focus on those that do!

Thankful For The People 

The Democrats lost the House like most of us knew they would. Black people did not vote. They should have. If they did, they didn't vote for a lot of the democrats. The other group known as republicans, are in control of the House. I'm so very happy to see black people waking up to the knowledge that the Democrats are not conducive for our community. What have they done? I am not saying the Republicans are better. I am saying folks are not quick to vote democratic just because a person is on the ballot as a Democrat like they've been trained to do in the past. What if I like someone who is a republican and also want to vote for a democrat?  I should be able to, but I can't. People are starting to research these so-called judges who claim to be democratic judges but do the most unfairness to melanated folks. I am not talking about the republican judges; I am talking about those "vote for me" because I'm from the Democratic Party. I am very thankful people are being selective and demanding something for their votes. What are you doing? What have you done to earn our vote?

12 Tribes of Israel

I am very thankful for the controversy that has sparked black people to reading, seeking and searching their history. The film, "Hebrews To Negroes" is the topic of the season. There are plenty of Rabbi's in the Jewish community that agree that there are definitely black jews. It is important to know who you are and your history. 

Thankful For Social Media

I am very thankful for social media (sometimes lol) because when you do some crazy inhumane racist behavioral towards others, you will be exposed. I am also thankful for this man bringing this incident to the surface. There were a few cops in Licking County Ohio terrorizing a wounded veteran who had no legs. You do not hear about this constantly on the news. We should because these officers should not be serving anyone. They treated this man like garbage. Ye and Kyrie were all over the news 20 million times a day.

We Are Determined to Be Free 

When it comes to the entertainment industry and sports arena the inequities are extremely transparent. When the slaves get together that's the beginning of unity they don't want. All of this controversy with Ye West and especially Kyrie Irving opened up a lot of great conversations in every community but specifically within the black community. I was very thankful for all of the free-thinking people having the audacity to articulate banning the NBA. That is power they're not ready for. It was a beautiful moment to see "Boycott The NBA" on several platforms and on all of social media. It proves the power is in the hands of the people. If all of the black men and women stop playing and didn't care about the money or created their own, it would be over! injustice is still an issue within these leagues. There is no representation of melanated men or women as coaches or in management like it should be. Why? 

Family is Family 

I am surrounded by a multitude of goodness when it comes to my family and all of my friends. They really do rock higher than the wind. I am very thankful for the information my family and friends share with their community. Incidentally, that is very important. If you want to see your family and friends doing better, living high and graduating to new levels, knowing that you have knowledge or experience and information to help them, why not. What are you waiting for? Help and share it! I am way too thankful for family and friends who aren't threatened by helping others that look like them. Some do it but I encourage more to join in. One thing we can learn from other groups of people is, they practice doing that for their own people and their communities. It comes naturally. It should come naturally for us as well. I am thankful for the brothers and sisters in the melanated villages that do not mind helping and sharing. 

Relationships With God 

Just let that sink in. Read it over and over again until you realize how powerful it is. If you do not believe in a higher power, this isn't for you! I try to always have gratitude for maintaining a relationship with the Most High, Yahweh. There are a lot of times in this life when no one will understand you, or what you are going through but God. Learn to communicate with God. It won't hurt you by being closer to God's spirit. The wrong spirits that you are around will die when God's spirit is in you. It will only help your spiritual growth in life. Teach your kids how to pray and meditate so when you are gone or not around, they are in good hands. Our young people really need to have a relationship with Yahweh. We are all in different chapters in life. We can't receive the way things happen. Sometimes we probably think life isn't fair when we lose people we love, but our lives are a gift. Time belongs to the creator of the universe. This is why we always hear about loving more and letting go. Time isn't on our side. Seek God's spirit and you shall find revelation for your life. It is a blessing to be able to freely have a relationship with God. Also, the freedom not to if that's your choice. I am thankful for that. 

As we evolve in our glow and growth, we shed off old things and embrace a form of newness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having your traditions but when truth has its way into your space, things are different. You don't take an interest in major distractions or holidays like you used to. Always be thankful!

I think I over emphasize how much I love and appreciate my family and friends often. Gratitude will always push you further towards amazing opportunities. The laws of the universe will greet you with all sorts of miracles when you are thankful. Being thankful for the little things and the bigger things should be an every day ritual, not just one day out of the year. We all have a bevy of things to be grateful for. Even if you are stuck in your feelings for some reason, you do too!

THANK GOD FOR LAUGHTER (HE-HE)
​I know your funny bones are bursting with laughter right about now. Looking at
Shaquille O’Neal laugh encourages us all to smile or giggle. Laughter truly is good for your heart. I enjoy being around happy people who can afford to laugh at themselves (I do) and who like having fun and laughing. I am so appreciative for the freedom to be able to laugh unconditionally.

​Don’t tell anyone but sometimes before I go to bed at night, the best memories will pop up in my head. Then the rush of giggles comes roaring through me. I am up all night laughing hysterically in the wee hours of the night in the moment. If you were my neighbor you'd probably think I was crazy! Laugh, I promise you will feel so much better. Think about something funny and let it out!

UNDERSTANDING AND MERCY (THANK YA LORD)

An adjective (understanding) and a noun (mercy) can turn a frown into a smile. You know as well as I do we have all sown some unhealthy seeds in life that required someone else to extend understanding and mercy to us or towards someone we love. This is why it is beneficial to reciprocate that exact same human quality to others. How would you feel if you knew a person was doing the best that they could with what they had and you witnessed another person belittling them? Arrogance is not the new advantage point. It is a disadvantage and a flaw in a person’s character if they think looking down on others or never giving them a break is irregular. I am not saying don’t deal with the situation. No, there are always consequences to one’s actions. It is imperative to incorporate some understanding mixed with mercy. If you know a woman is a single parent raising three boys and there is no father present that should be taken into consideration. Maybe she can't go out like you or do the things freely like you. You probably have a more supportive family and husband to help you. You would crave the same sympathy if it was you or someone in your family. I am grateful for folks who are applying understanding with a little mercy on top towards others.

PROACTIVE PEOPLE 
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Passive people do not make good leaders, in my opinion. You have to assert yourself to get things done. I am so thankful for the women and men who set fire to their determinations in order to unlock the freedoms that were held up in bondage. They believed they could! They imagined it! In light of those heroes and heroines I am enjoying the fruit of their labor. If you are a member of a committee, a politician or serving on a board, you are basically lifeless if you are not doing what you were purposed to do. What is the point of your service if you are not taking care of the people who put you in office? There is nothing wrong with declaring what is right and standing firm on that truth; using your voice plus actions to affirm and defend it (truth)! If you know your child is behind in math or reading it would behoove you to get him/her the help they need before their senior year. Also, parents if your kids are not on level academically, why would you allow them to play outside for hours when they could be practicing their math or reading a book to become more fluent in those subjects? We have to do our part in anything we desire to accomplish. 

NO SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHTEOUSNESS)

 “Stop acting like you are so self-righteous all the time.” Have you ever heard someone say that? Self-righteousness is not a bad thing if it is used correctly; not in a haughty religious way. I understand people love to use the terminology out of term. It has a lot to do with morals. Righteousness is something our world can afford to be intimate with. We need it! We need it with our leaders! If you have been staying abreast to all the madness going on in our world (school shootings, mass killings, and wickedness pervading our land), you would certainly agree that we need some righteousness to soothe our souls and heal our land. We need righteousness to infect our schools, in our neighborhoods, in our places of employment, and in our minds. There is absolutely everything right about doing what is right!

GOOD POLICING :0)

I remember when I first moved out on my own. I went grocery shopping and I was pulling up to my house to go inside and take my groceries in. A police officer was in my court. He walked over to me and sweetly asked me if I needed any help. I said yes. I was so happy! His act of kindness made my day! Where was the news when that happened? They weren’t around. I do believe there are bad seeds in all professions. I am not a fan of bad policing. Not all cops are bad cops. I have friends and family members in law enforcement. The media enjoys hyping up those incidents that seem to incite certain communities in light of the police brutality cases shown. I concede it makes me angry watching it. It's the main reason why the popular phrase "I don't watch the news"  is so common.  After the officer helped me with my groceries I was laughing to myself saying “I know he didn’t think I was going to say no.”
 
This story warmed my heart because we don’t get to see these types of stories on the news like we should, regularly! When kids continue seeing men and women who look like them that have negative encounters and interactions with police officers on the nightly news (or in person), it does something to them mentally. It is not a healthy image for them. That is not good! I believe there are more cops like Officer Tony Carlson serving their communities. I am so appreciative of the good cops because they are out there. We need to see more of it! Thanks to all the police officers who are doing their jobs righteously!

If you have been reading SFM for the last 3 years you already know how marvelous my family and friends are. Yes, they rock stronger than the wind. I am thankful for them. I am connected to some extraordinary leaders and proactive creatures. We hold each other accountable and we love on each other fervently. Some folks don't have any family so don't take yours for granted. Be thankful for your family. Create some good memories because that is all you have when God says their time is up! I am so thankful for the foundation of family and prayer. I am also thankful for Ms. Lula (my granny). You know I had to mention Ms. Lula! :0)