Quiz: What Do You Know About Black History? by Barbara S. Talley
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A Leap of Faith Is Not Risky
What “risky” venture is exciting your senses or calling to you? Remember, it’s not considered a risk when you are stepping out on faith. It is a risk when you are making fear-based decisions. Faith is a much more powerful motivator than fear. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? What dream is whispering to you now to not give up?
About a year ago, my sister called me to ask my advice on a life changing decision she had to make within 24 hours. Her job of over 25 years had given her an ultimatum, move across the country to keep her job or be unemployed. Together we weighed the pros and cons. Of course it was a difficult decision to make in light of the current economy. I thought she had decided to make the move. My final words to her were to just make sure that her decision was faith-based instead of fear-based. Those words must have resonated with her, because the next day she informed me that she was “stepping out on faith,” and remaining in her own home, familiar surroundings, and using the year of severance pay to finish her Masters Degree.
Take the Leap of Faith In Spite of Your Fears
Fear abounds everywhere so it may be harder to find people willing to encourage or support you to take “a leap of faith.” Everywhere people are telling you to take it easy. Don’t rock the boat. But what if the boat is crowded, going no where, going in the wrong direction, or slowly sinking? Do you just hold on until it sinks or start swimming now?
You May Have to Take Your Faith Walk Alone
2009 was an extremely challenging year for me. I had tremendous pressures on me and at times could not see a way out, so I just prayed harder and held on. I got by, so to speak, “on a wing and a prayer,” and “with a little help from my friends.” I had to make some serious changes, set some new goals, and go into uncharted waters. At times I couldn’t get encouragement from my most trusted friends. The economic times made them think about survival instead of thriving. So I had to go within, and purely on faith, take my faith walk alone. Jumping from the boat was scary and perhaps even risky, but I knew I had to be true to myself. That meant continuing to hold on to my dreams and not giving up.
Barbara Talley is a speaker, author, and poet who speaks on the themes of vision, values, and virtues. Her life mission is to help others live a more meaningful life. For more info or to book Barbara to motivate your audience, check out her website. www.thepoetspeaks.com
A New Day: A New Blessing
This morning as I watched the beautiful shades of pink, gray, and gold painted across the sky at sunrise, I couldn’t help but think of how blessed we are. I felt grateful and remembered the Bible’s promise that “A grateful heart attracts blessings.” The dawn of each new day symbolizes promise, order, wonder, and beauty. Each new day is a gift holding within it unlimited possibilities to create, observe, appreciate, and serve.
I uttered my favorite dawn prayer from the Bahá’í Writings, “Illumine my inner being oh my God with the splendors of the dayspring of thy revelation, even as thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of thy favor.”
Prayer in the morning protects me and puts me on the right track. The words of God awaken, open, and excite my heart and soul, the same way that the sunrise delights my physical eyes and humbles me. I think to myself how blessed I am to be a human being, to have the potential to mirror the attributes and qualities of God, to be so valued and trusted that I have been given free will. With this power, I can create or destroy, love or hate, believe or fear, take from others or serve them unselfishly. I pause and feel at this moment that I am blessed and highly favored, just as every other person is.
So many people are asleep, or if awake, are too busy scurrying about to notice this wonderful gift of awe and beauty. I’m in that same category some of the time myself. But this morning, I stopped and recognized and acknowledged this daily gift from God and felt refreshed and privileged. The sunrise is just the beginning of the gifts that the aware will notice throughout their day. With each step we can appreciate the ability to move. With each sound we can be grateful for our hearing. With each smile we give and receive we can be thankful for our ability to touch others and feel their warmth and love. With each thought we can be thankful for our ability to create new realities. Haven’t we been taught that the reality of man is his thought? With each word we can encourage others or depress or sadden them. We can spread hope and joy or fear and doubt. As humans, we have a choice, that’s what makes us human. But, with this choice and blessing comes great responsibility. We are here to grow, mirror the qualities of God, and make things better. Today is a wonderful new day and it’s ours to do as we wish. I’m determined to make mine magnificent, what about you?
Barbara Talley is a professional speaker, poet, and author. Her presentations focus on vision, values, and virtues. You can find more about her programs at www.ThePoetSpeaks.com
Wild Oregano to The Rescue
This month’s health tip is on the spicy herb oregano. I’d heard the hype on the radio. I purchased a book on the topic. I’d even gone to Whole Foods to purchase the Wild Mediterranean brand mentioned. Since I hadn’t finished my research, I hadn’t taken any. Then a few nights ago after attending a late evening class, I began to get a tickle in my throat and started coughing. The cough continued and began to interrupt my sleep. It was so noticeable that my husband asked if I was okay, because rarely do I get sick. After he brought me a glass of water, I remembered the wild oregano claim to cure coughs. I immediately got up, put a few drops of the wild oregano under my tongue, put some Thieves oil on the bottom of my feet and went back to bed. I haven’t coughed again ‘at all’ and that was four days ago. I’m a believer!
Germicide, Fungicide, Antihistamine, oh my!
So, what ‘s so great about wild oregano? Well quite frankly, the claims are too numerous to name. According to Dr. Cass Ingram in his book, ‘The Miracle of Wild Oregano,’ Wild oregano is the most powerful herb, or rather, spice known.” Researchers claim that it is one of the most powerful curative substances known to man and that it will cure things that other synthetic drugs can’t even touch.
Dr. Igram also boasts that, “Wild oregano is a powerful germicide, antioxidant, fungicide, antihistamine agent, and antitussive agent. The latter means that it can halt a cough. It is also mucolytic, which means it dissolves mucous deposits.” In addition he swears that it destroys, “bacteria, viruses, fungi, drug-resistant germs, and parasites.” You’ve just got to check out all the things it can do for yourself. It appears to handle whatever ails you! And if any of you have a fungal infection, he has a protocol in the book to clear it without destroying your liver. Yes, it has the same name as the oregano you put in your pasta dishes, but its grown and processed quite a bit differently.
Claims to Be the Strongest Antibiotic Known to Man
In addition, the Curing Herbs website http://curingherbs.com/wild_oregano_oil.htm lists additional benefits of wild oregano oil, “Oil of Oregano, has been scientifically researched and proven to be one of the strongest and most effective broad spectrum antibiotics known to man. It is natural and safe to use. It will not create more mutant strains of bacteria. It effectively kills bacteria of every variety using only tiny amounts. It is also effective against fungus, parasites and viruses. It can be used externally and internally. There are no negative side effects. You need no prescription. It does not cost a fortune!”
If that’s not enough to get your interest, it also builds the immune system, kills internal parasites, is effective for colds, flu, shingles, herpes and warts. And, because of its heating effects works as an effective pain killer.
Another website on health remedies http://www.homeremediesweb.com/oil_of_oregano_health_benefits.php shares how wild oregano helps with skin infections, digestive disorders, and sinus infections.
As with all of my suggestions, check them out yourself. Everything I mention, I’ve taken. But you’ve got to do your own research. You know the drill. I am not a physician and can not prescribe anything to anybody. Consult your physician, yadayadaya….
Barbara
What do you know about Martin?
Original Poem, (c) All Rights Reserved
What do you know about Martin?
There was so much more to him than his dream
He spent his life waking up the consciousness of both black and white people
And those descendants from both sides who were stuck in-between
What do you know about Martin?
Did you know how courageous he was, how he stood firm and did not run
In the face of dogs, police, and angry mobs, he practiced what he preached
For he believed that love was more powerful than a hateful heart and a smoking gun
What do you know about Martin?
Of course you probably knew he was a master of speech and oration
He had degrees from Morehouse, Boston University, and Crozier Seminary College
And in 1955, he received a PHD, to show how much he valued education
What do you know about Martin?
What has his legacy taught or inspired you to do?
Are you one of the proud or one of those wondering, what is the big deal?
Are you aware of how his mere living has changed life so dramatically for you?
What do you know about Martin?
Were you aware that he was only 26 when elected first president of the MIA
It was the Montgomery Improvement Association that helped organize the busing boycott
That plucked both he and Rosa Parks from obscurity and sent them both on their fateful way
What do you know about Martin?
Did you know that it was his ability to lead and inspire that gained him a prominent role
In December 1956 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Alabama’s bus segregation laws
But it was Martin who helped motivate the people of Montgomery to keep on walking for a full year prior to that in the rain, sleet, and the cold
What did you learn from Martin?
How much or how little does it take to provoke you?
Does it take something that is life threatening to make you respond with violence?
Or will you go off if someone looks at you wrong or steps on your shoe?
It was during this ‘March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom’ in 1963
That Martin Luther King gave his famous, I have a dream speech
And it is these prophetic words that even 40 years later we reflect back on
For although many have sacrificed their lives, this dream is still beyond our reach
Black and White, Jews, and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics
All are still fighting each other, still fighting to be equal and free
We’ve figured out the part of holding hands and singing the song
But there is still too much injustice, hatred, and disunity
So when you echo the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr
What do you really know about this man and his contributions?
How many strides that he fought for are we in danger of losing?
How many new battles have we stood up for and won?
Martin Luther King put everything on the line for freedom
Even when bombs where thrown into his home with his young baby and new wife
He said if we won’t stand for something we would die for anything
And that is how this great man lived his entire life
And then one day he talked of seeing the mountaintop
And told his brethren he would have to go alone
And at the age of 39, in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated
And God called his faithful and weary servant home
So what do you know about Martin
Do you know all that he did for you?
He said we all can be leaders, because we all can serve
So what kind of service can we expect now from you?
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