I Just Want to Be Successful

Lately, I find that I am even more aware of the drive for success in our society.  I was listening to the radio and the following lyrics came through my speakers:  “I want the money, money and the cars, cars and the clothes.  I just want to be successful.  Just enough to solve your problems, too much will kill ya.”  Music is just one place that the perception of success is laced into the crevices our subconscious.  Television shows no longer promote the ideology of the past that hard work is the key to success.  Instead, fame can be a result of who you have had a relationship with or how much drama you’ve inflicted on others.  Talent is a by-product and in our society, is not crucial. 

For many, this phenomenon is new.  It is a sign of the demise of a culture.  The reality is that for many of the voiceless and powerless, being diligent, dedicated and committed was not emphasized and the reward for this behavior was minimal.  The process of obtaining “stuff” was not as glamorous as much as the proof of the wealth and items gained.  I have had young people tell me that they can make more money in the entertainment industry or in the streets than spending so much time going to school and working so hard for a degree.  There are more visible characters that have done it the questionable way in our society who receive notoriety than those who are loyal, driven, and faithful. 

We have become a society that has a need for speed.  We want immediate gratification and fulfillment.  In the age of Starbucks where you can have more than one type of coffee, our expectation is that we can get it and get it now.  Things have changed and although we have made so many advances, we have also left some needed things behind on our road to progress and change. 

By no means am I suggesting that we all take a vow of poverty.  I enjoy things in life that my parents and ancestors did not have the opportunity to experience.  I also realize that balance is essential.  As I develop my financial portfolio, I must also develop my spiritual one as well. 

Success is more than having a big house, the bad ride (car for my older peeps (people)), designer clothes or a beauty on my arm.  Success is defined by not what you have obtained.  None of those things can be taken with you when you die.  Money cannot solve your problems and without character, it is difficult to keep it.  Success to me is about taking care of your children no matter what and not creating children who yearn for love and attention.  We have confused sacrifice and used our children as pawns for our desire to be important. Success is building a legacy for those generations behind us that will give them a foundation of hope instead of one of harm.  Success is making the world a little better merely because of our existence.  Success is using those God given gifts to improve those in our circle of influence.  Success is understanding that the world does not center on you and that you have been blessed not because of who you are but because of WHOSE you are….that you are a part of something greater.  Our lives are connected and when you are not well, I am impacted. 

My desire is not to become like the generations before me who dismissed the energy and innovation of the youth.  There is something to be learned and gained from those who are younger.  I chose not be a part of the “us versus them” mentality.  All of us play a role in our culture and even if we cannot directly point to how we made this happen, we can be proactive in our actions and response to making a change to redefine what success is and should look like.

My definition of success embodies a number of things involving my family, my friends and my world.  Yet, all of those things are just components of what I really want. Ultimately, I desire to hear God say “Servant Well Done.”  I hope that what we all are seeking is more than earthly and results in a positive eternal outcome.

Reality Check

It’s scary to me how people see God as a celestial Santa Claus, dropping gifts at our call.  As a parent, I see things that my child does not have the knowledge or ability to understand.  Kazai wanted a cell phone at 6 years old.  I didn’t feel that she needed one and knew that she was not responsible enough to have one at that time.  I knew that she would lose it and since she did not understand the value of money or know that it was not a toy, it was unrealistic to make the financial commitment.  I knew that I had to teach her responsibility with smaller items so that she could have the experience when the time came to appreciate the gift when it would be given.

 

I feel that God does that with us as His children.  Just I would not give Kazai a cell phone at 6 or the keys to my car at 8, I sincerely believe that God responds similarly.  Quite often, we feel neglected or abandoned when we do not receive answers to prayers or opportunities that we feel we deserve.  The answer isn’t always yes or no.  Sometimes, the answer is wait. 

 

A loving parent would never give a child something that would hurt them or they are not ready to receive.  Our lives are filled with various experiences to give us the foundation and preparation for our future. 

Never compare yourself to others.  It is truly a trap that keeps you and your energy from focusing on your path. In addition, you never know what people have gone through to get where they are at this time.  From the outside, it looks glamorous and appealing.  Behind closed doors, we are unaware of the struggles, trials, and pain an individual has endured.  In our current place, we must be thankful and continue to preserve.  Recognize that mistakes are also a part of our journey.  I know I couldn’t do what I am doing if I had not had acquired the experience and made numerous mistakes.  I know that ten years ago, I did not have the maturity, skills, or knowledge to even maintain what I have now.  In due time, if it is truly a part of your life purpose, you will receive it!  Be patient and know that God is on the throne!  

Till Death Do Us Part???

I must admit.  I read blogs.  I am fascinated by the way people think.  Quite often, I find comments that are either very funny or on point.  Yet, lately, I am amazed by the absurdity of some of the statements people have the audacity to write for others to view.  I wanted to gauge the feelings of men and women on the Steve McNair situation and what I found has been simply unbelievable.

 

I didn’t know Steve McNair or much about him.  After my father passed, my willingness to rattle of the name of players and their stats went away to some degree with him.  Motherhood also limited my chance of watching games especially when other more intriguing options such as Dora the Explorer or Sponge Bob Square Pants were available. 

I remember seeing a picture of Steve McNair and over-hearing some of the discussion about his athletic ability.  I was much more impressed with his community outreach and his desire to give back to those less fortunate.

 

When I found out about his death, I raced to the Internet to find out about this hero that was so highly regarded.  As more information became available on the situation, I became saddened.  Steve McNair made some very bad choices.  I felt sorry for his wife and children.  They are the true victims of this tragedy.

 

The comments about his death are even more startling.  There were individuals who were adamant in their belief.  Comments ranged from “He deserved to die” to “If his wife was doing her job in the bedroom, this would have never happened.”  It is very seldom that I am ever speechless.  Rest assured, I was unable to articulate my feelings ranging from utter disbelief to an overwhelming sadness.  My sadness extends to our world and how our society views responsibility and love.  We’ve lost something. 

 

I agree Mr. McNair made a very bad decision.  Yet, in my lifetime, I must acknowledge that I have made some crappy decisions as well.  The difference is that my bad choices were not aired to the world.  The list is long of what could have been done differently.  I read one blogger state that he should have been with an older woman and that would have resulted in a different outcome.  Are you kidding??? 

 

My grandmother use to say if you point your finger, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you.  We all must be responsible for our actions.  Very few individuals are acknowledging that personal accountability is essential.  I’m sure there is enough blame to go around.  From other reports, this behavior was not new for Steve McNair.  The fact that he was comfortable in purchasing a vehicle and placing it in both of their names, in my opinion, demonstrates a person who apparently was not fearful of being caught. 

 

The mistress also had a part to play in this real life drama.  She was willing to compromise her future in order to live a life of perceived fun, excitement and notoriety.  She didn’t question what a 36 year old, millionaire would want with a 20-year-old waitress. Even if he left his wife, Mechelle, of 12 years for her, would he really remain faithful to her forever? The knowledge I have now in my late 30s is so much more than what I knew about the world at 20.   This young woman will never have the chance to experience learning from her mistakes.  She enacted a permanent solution to address a temporary problem.

 

I was more fascinated with the role of his friend, Wayne Neely, who upon encountering the bodies chose to call McNair’s best friend instead contacting the authorities immediately. I don’t believe he was involved in the murder but I do believe that it is odd that a married man who has a home in the same city would rent a condo with another male.  Is it possible that he had been covering up for his friend’s behavior previously?

 

Lives have been impacted and changed forever. Blame doesn’t change circumstances but personal accountability does.    Our society is so willing to blame and yet, we fail to take the time to recognize the role we play.  We have been given such a wonderful opportunity and that is to make choices and decide what our journey will look like.  Sure, your parents could have been complete idiots who rode the little yellow school bus and yet, as an adult, you have the power to do something different.  Sometimes doing something different requires help.  I wonder if those friends of Steve McNair would have been willing to take responsibility and not be a part of his secret life what might have happened.  Love and responsibility go together.  As humans, our lives are connected.  What happened to Steve McNair could have occurred to anyone in our lives.  The difference is in the power of the choices we make and our willingness to allow love to help us become accountable to ourselves and to each other.  For every action, there is a reaction.  Sometimes, the end result can be deadly.

A Winner Never Quits and a Quitter Never Wins

My daughter Kazai has a love-hate relationship with Tae Kwon Do.  As she’s walking into my bedroom, I report to her that her father is coming to get her for class.  Tears began to stroll down the face of my beautiful baby (Yes, I’m a biased and doting mother).  She cried crocodile tears begging that she could stay home.  “I don’t want to go!” 

Yet, every time she is there, she has a blast!  As a mother, it is a difficult lesson to not only teach but to also model.  I have to remind her constantly that you must begin what you start.  You cannot give up because the challenge has become more difficult.

Teaching this lesson is timely in light of the resignation of Governor Sarah Palin. The Governor says that she’s not a quitter, she’s a fighter but adds that politically speaking, “if I die, I die.  So be it.”

What an interesting perspective.  I don’t know Sarah Palin or really understand her reasons for leaving office.  I do believe in a world that is partial to those it criticizes without a consistent standard, it is imperative that we do not send messages to our children that when the going gets rough, we don’t get tough.  We quit. 

Quitting isn’t bad when continuing is even more hazardous.  There is a wonderful quote in the Bible that paraphrased tells us to count the costs of whatever we do.  Quite often, we analyze the results of the action not calculating the impact of the process.  Prestige and power always looks great from the outside.  If we fail to evaluate the picture completely, we are misinformed and unprepared.

Maybe Sarah Palin felt it was time to pursue other opportunities.  It’s quite possible that she was in over her head.  It doesn’t matter because ultimately, she will deal with the consequences of her decisions—good, bad, or ugly.

This is a lesson I’m trying to relay to my baby.  I want her to know that life gets hard.  It’s unpleasant and sometimes what we love isn’t always fun and a bag of chips.  I want her to know that with joy comes pain,  often unspeakable trials that we endure behind closed doors.  Despite all of those scenarios, you are a winner even when you lose.  No matter what, face whatever you fear knowing that God is there.

Kazai went to class.  She said, “Mommy, it was fun.”  I knew she could do it!

Leave Him Alone: Michael Jackson's Impact on Popular Culture

Michael Jackson’s death stunned me.  I received an email from a Facebook friend stating that he was being transported to a hospital and to pray for him.  My curiosity got the best of me.  I headed to the Internet and found out before it was announced that he had passed away.  I didn’t want to believe that he died.  I was even more alarmed by my response to his death.  I never met Michael Jackson.  I never went to a concert.  I realized that his death was so painful because I felt a part of my childhood was going away.

Michael Jackson’s music has been around all of my life.  As a 38-year-old woman, Michael’s music has been played in my home since I was a child.  I remember having a crush on his beautiful brown face hoping that I could one day marry the young man on the cover of the “Off the Wall” album.  I remember when MTV premiered “Thriller” and I watched it as a teen dazed by the dance sequence.  I was never successful in learning the routine but I gave it my all!  His music spanned to my adulthood and I have passed this on to my 8-year-old daughter who is fascinated with the same videos and music I love.  In her short life, she was exposed to that same music I grew up with and will tell everyone how she loves the Thriller video and especially his song, Rock With You.  His music has been a timeline of my life…I’ve grown from a girl to a woman listening, dancing and having fun to his tunes.

I am also saddened by his death because one of the greatest icons of our lifetime is a reminder to the fate we will all face.  No matter how much money or fame we accomplish in our lives, we all will leave this earth.  Michael has created a legacy in entertainment that will exist for years to come.  His death has created an opportunity for all of us to reflect.  What legacy are we leaving to those who are coming behind us?  The last couple of days of being inundated with his music and memories have also made me more aware of this journey we all travel.  Even though we are all on different paths, we all experience the desire to be loved.  We all crave for acceptance.  We all desire to feel as if we have value.  My grandmother use to say “give me my flowers while I’m alive”.  I know Michael Jackson would be so pleased to embrace the outpouring of love and tributes he’s receiving now.  Sadly, he received more ridicule and was the butt of several jokes.  I have to admit that I was even guilty of doing so.  His questionable behavior was a direct link to his inability to experience a childhood and some sense of normalcy.  His music was a way of seeking what he apparently missed. 

  There are several lessons I’ve learned from this.  I have to plan for tomorrow today.  It is unfair to my family and friends to deal with grief and at the same time address the aftermath and finalize business matters.  No one knows the day or time that we will leave this planet.  Just as we prepare to live, we must prepare to die.  Secondly, I might not have people all over the world crying for me when I do leave the planet but what will my circle of influence do as a result?  Will I be a person they remember as one who made a difference or one who took more than I gave?  Will the world be a little bit better because I was here?  I realize that I need to tell people I value them and what they mean to me.  Michael can’t appreciate the praise now. 

  I feel most for his kids.  Losing a parent at any age is devastating but in your formative years, it is unimaginable.  I have friends who have lost their parents young and that loss changed them completely.  I hope that we all hug our children and loved ones more. They need to know our love for them now instead of seeking it from sources that might be more damaging than helpful.   We never know if this is the last time we’ll ever see them again. 

I remember his song, “Leave Me Alone”.  I’m glad that he won’t have to be bothered any more. I pray that he is at peace.  I hope that he is finally receiving the completeness he so desperately sought here.