A Woman's March

Its been a week into the month of March. The month of the woman. In a truly altruistic society women of every color creed and courage would be lionized. Simply because of the last two months headlines on and about women and their issues. But, as of yet, its been the same ole same in media-land...If the bar is to be raised ...its going to be up to me. What else is new.

Reflecting on one particular woman, mother, wife, sister and lady...No mommy, ....while you are a tribute to my sisters and my life...this time, I am referring to, "FLOTUS", Michelle Obama.

Like you, Mother, Mrs. Robinson, (Michelle's mother) has supported her children while allowing them to run their own marathon called life. Did you know Mrs. Robinson quit her banking job!...to make sure, stability remained in the Obama's life while campaigning for the Presidency, in '08? In so many ways, we women that identify with "FLOTUS", do because of the way she was raised, the labels she shattered and the benevolence she shows towards humanity. The First Lady of the United States, is a symbol of what America is- behind the greedy, jealous, egotistical media verbal abuse.

Therefore, as we march through this month being subjected to frivolous, selfish, & hyperbolic media tributes, I take time to pay tribute to a woman who lionize traditional core values. Mrs. Obama, initiated MOVE in order to promote a healthier America, nurture her beautiful daughters in traditional values and look like a queen as she stands by her man. (Whew! You go sistah)!

Whitney Houston (another woman who came from strong family values) has in her music catalog a video called Whatchulookinat? In the video, Ms. Houston uses her Gift to denounce backstabbers, insecurity & defamation. I like this video because in it Whitney is looking like a mature adult while the media is portrayed as silly little children. Like soooo many unsung sheos this video pays tribute to the loyalty of family, faith and friendship

You know, mommy, come to think of it...this blog is about you.

xoxo,

Dear Whitney

J. Q. Public loved your incredible musical talent and rightfully remember YOU for songs like:

• The National Anthem
• The Greatest Love
• I Will Always Love You....

BUT..I Will Always remember you for songs that express your loyalty to your faith, community and friends; encouraging persistence that says YES I CAN! & bold proclamations. The the following are just a sample...From the Just as I am Album:

• Tell Me No
• Try It On My Own
• Unashamed(LUV IT)
  
• Whatchulookinat? (pure Whitney)

In Just Whitney YOU wrote your own Epitaph! I call it my Black Woman"s Anthem(LOL)...Then, there is My Love is Your Love ..songs like:

• It's Not Right But It's Okay
• My Love Is Your Love
• If You Believe

The lyrics are Soul Train classic! Furthermore, In the Don Cornelius tradition You are collaborating with people who would otherwise not have had their music produced....and that is why I LOVE. I Look To You ...While the "haters" were checking out your voice range, I was rocking with lyrics that encouraged my heart, mind and soul because I was going through it ...on EVERY LEVEL ...That particular CD was a God-send...My favorites

• I Didn't Know My Own Strength
  
• Like I Never Left (featuring Akon)
• Worth It

The above songs will become classic among my family members because Like your video with CeCe Winnan Count On Me and Your charitable performance in South Africa (They showed you love)...You always brought it straight with no chaser...and that's what J. Q. Public didn't get about you. Gone in Body But YOUR SPIRIT LIVES ON...I will never give in. Sing Whitney.

"Expand Your Circle of Care"

I am celebrating my birth! Actually, I do all the time; but especially around this time...my birth anniversary....This year, in particular, has been the BEST year of all. I am realizing a spirit of care in the world and among controversial people that I have admired from a far. Jada & Will, Smith, Queen Lateefah(sp); Hill Harper, The Judd Women, and Jay-Z, Tyler Perry and of course Oprah just to name a few...As long as I can remember I have wanted to live in a world where the prevailing spirit was that of peace, love and prosperity....I am experiencing peace love and prosperity on a personal level but more importantly I am witnessing peace love and prosperity among those who have the mic and a audience that I don't...yet(smile). While I am on the subject of controversial people I would be remiss to leave out the current American First Family,

President Obama is the right one for the job right now! Hill Harper reminded me of this while promoting his new book Wealth....In the interview with Constance Presley. He share how our President is always urging Americans to extend their circle of care to include more than "us four and no more". As a senior citizen this message has been my life long passion. So, I would just like to share ways that WE(working effectively) can do exactly what is being asked and privately, demonstrated by soooo many people in and out of the news.

• Share your gifts and talents by volunteer time in public schools
• See God in EVERYONE
• Be mindful of your words about people different from you and your inner circle
• Start a blog and share your achievements
• When brown bagging it; carry an extra fruit or salad with the intentions of giving it away
• During times of natural disasters walk over to check on your neighbor
• Stop eating alone
• Constant remind your circle of influence that they are more than they may be settling for.
  
• Call your mother...father...auntie..uncle...children

• Read books of other people's journey and then share what you have read with someone else and then give them the book

This idea is not new and the list is inexhaustible; nevertheless, reminding US(unifying spirits) to do, what we know to do, is as necessary as saying on a regular basis: good morning; thank you, and peace...

Wholistic Thinking: Eye Of the Needle

Wholistic Thinking: WEATHER REPORT

Today while listening to YolandaAdam's gospel program(6-10 A.M.), Gene Norman, Chief meteorologist, at TV station KHOU, in Houston Texas, had a segment explaining to the listeners that we are now in the early stages of hurricane season(June-Sept.) and just how important it is to "prepare for stormy weather, while the skies are blue". He was so professional yet personal I googled him. The following is a summary of his creditals:

Chief Meteorologist Gene Norman leads the 11 News Weather Team at KHOU-TV Channel 11. Gene joined KHOU in January 2008 and in June of that year was promoted to Chief Meteorologist. His ability to provide the most detailed weather forecasts is attributed to his extensive education, experience and knack for relating to viewers. Gene brings to Houston more than 20 years of meteorology experience at NASA and on television, along with a lifelong passion for science.

While at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Gene spent eight years developing weather monitoring software for the space shuttle. During that time he landed his first meteorologist job moonlighting at a TV station in Beaumont. From there he became a weekend meteorologist at KTRK-TV in Houston and then moved on to WGCL-TV in Atlanta where he served as Chief Meteorologist prior to his Houston return.

Throughout his career, Gene has received numerous accolades. He has been honored with five Emmy awards for his extensive weather reporting, including one in 2009 for the KHOU hurricane special “Storm Warnings: Lessons Learned.” Also in 2009, Gene received the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award for Best Weathercast.

Gene is a member of the National Weather Association, holds the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorologist Society (AMS) and has earned a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation. He also previously served as president of the American Meteorology Society’s Broadcast Board.

Originally from New York, Gene holds a bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master's degree in meteorology from the University of Maryland. He is very active in the community with charitable organizations, and serves on the board of the Freeman Weather Museum. In his spare time, Gene enjoys watching movies, listening to music and spending time with his family.

In my next Blog I will share what I have learned from Meteorologist Gene Norman as well as my own extended research; but in the tradition of our ancestors; do your own due diligence and by all means share his gift with others and let HIM know that you know he is out here...

Too often WE recognize Unsung Hero after their flame has grown dim or gone out.....

THOUGHTS ARE THINGS

When The Student is ready...The Teacher will show up!

Success Runs In Our Race........Really

Each week tens of

thousands of diners eat at an Olive Garden or

Red Lobster restaurant. Few of these diners know

that the CEO heading these large restaurant

chains is a black man.

Clarence Otis Jr. Is the

CEO of Darden Restaurants Inc., the largest

casual dining operator in the nation. The firm

operates nearly 1,400 company-owned restaurants

coast to coast serving 300 million meals

annually. Darden employs 150,000 workers and has

annual revenues of $6 billion.

Born in Vicksburg ,

Mississippi , Otis moved to Los Angles when he

was 6 years old. His father was a high school

dropout who worked as a janitor. The family

lived in Watts at the time of the 1965 riots. In

the post-Watts period, Otis recalls being

stopped and questioned by police several times a

year because of the color of his skin.

A high school guidance counselor recommended him for a scholarship

at Williams College , The highly

selective liberal arts institution in

Massachusetts . Otis graduated Phi Beta Kappa

from Williams and went on to earn a law degree

at Stanford. Otis landed on Wall

Street as a merger and acquisitions attorney for

J. P. Morgan Securities. He joined Darden

Restaurants in 1995 as corporate treasurer. He

became CEO in 2004.