2014 taught me a lot this year. Most of it, I already Knew but still needed to Learn. Sooo, here are my top 5 lessons gained this year.
Sums up 2014 for me the Best
5. Everybody is Petty about something
Pettiness is subjective.What is trivial to someone else is significant to someone else, But to complain about what some feel passionately about is bogus. For example, I bothers me to hear people over the age of 25 complain about the haters. Umm if you get that old, you should know they come with life. But haters knowing their place is important for some and it should not be me tell them it's trivial.
4. When God wants you present, You WILL Be Present
Tried to sleep in with grief or tiredness, a few Sundays. Keyword: Tried. Who was up to at least watch service online? Who walked in the church without a thought of feeling tired? Me!!!
A few important events I wanted to opt out of just because I didn't feel like it. Before I could even create an excuse, there was somebody calling me with greater reasons why I will be there
3. Even with the smallest requests or concerns, God will Show up & Show out
Wanted God to show me other avenues to positive messages, quotes, & saying into my life. Everyday I receive some kind of message.
Thought it was some things I would have to give up & never see again because they were correlated to events & people. Keyword: Thought
2. Your Life does Not stop Life
Twice this year I let worry, grief and taking care of others make me forget to do a Monthly Budget. Let your business creditors have to call you, you will remember.
I let worry replan My Birthday Plans. I let grief almost cancel My Birthday Plans.
I let worry tell people, No Am I shocked that they go on without me? Nope!!!
1. Another Definition of Grace
I realize I am not entitled to love. I am not entitled to being loved. Everyone who loves me is a Blessing ~ Carolyn Myss
Told y'all God opened new avenues to positive messages. My Bestie Boo, LJ put a video up of a prayer containing that quote on his FB timeline and I was floored. God's grace is the love and mercy given to us by him because he desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it. God commanded us to "Love one another, As I have loved you, so you must love one another", in John 13:34 (New International Version (NIV)). .If we have not actually earned God's grace, we can't think we have earned his beloveds children's either. All the love I receive daily from people is not an automatic sanction they must give me. It is not for me to dictate how they love me. I knew this but to hear it said was an "Ah Ha", a "Light Bulb", & a "My God" moment wrapped it one.
So here's to 2014 it taught me well. Wonder what 2015 will teach me?
Y'all have noticed it has been some serious topics in the current pop culture headlines I have not spoke about. The Bill Cosby Rape/Drugging Allegations is one of those headlines. I was waiting on a few certain events to happen. Today, I finally heard what I waiting on. So now I will give my two cents.
Yes, like many of us I was shocked when it all first came out. I hate to hear about rape & molestation stories, period. Then to hear Bill Cosby to possibly be involved in these horrendous acts. It make me frown.
The number of women accusing him rises every week. The stories about him being a secretly known philanderer that is quick to unzip his pants in the entertainment industry.
And unlike another accused rapist, Cee-Lo Green (who I have unfanned him liked R. Kelly), Cosby is being quiet. Except to speak on how his wife (who is kind of vague in speaking about her feeling at this point) is taking it all of this
"Love and the strength of womanhood. Let me say it again, love and the strength of womanhood. And, you could reverse it, the strength of womanhood and love.
and how expects neutrality of the black media.
"I only expect our black media to uphold the standards of excellent journalism. And when you do that, you go in with a neutral mind."
Now, I am also not saying all the women are liars. I will never ask any of these question.
-Why are they saying something decades later?
Because these women (if not lying) are a part of decades of the silent victim era (I made that term up). Victims of rape and other abusive crimes are now encouraged to talk about it now. And some encouragement, people are still asking rape victims disbelieving questions.
-Where is the proof?
Who keeps decades old proof? Again unless there is a film reel of the encounter yet to appear, I doubt any of the alleged victims have proof. And if any of the accusers have a Bill Cosby semen stained item...I leave that alone.
-What are the victims motives?
Maybe to get the truth (if it is) out. Just because a court can't try him, doesn't mean can could be guilty. If he did do these horrendous acts, it needs to be known. At least if it is known, this can be avoided some. People know what to be aware. He offers a lady a drink maybe she needs to decline.
I won't ask any of that. Actually those are a few reasons why people (women & men) don't report rape.
So, what was I waiting on? Bill Cosby prides himself on being charitable to the field of education. I felt like if anything would hurt him the most, would be the day the schools he and his wife give to sever ties because of allegations.
When I saw alma mater, Temple pull away, with the news of his resignation from the Board of Trustees, I knew the proverbial dominos would start to fall. I really had interest in watching for one of the Cosby benefitted HBCUs to pull back. Let's face it, Historically Black Colleges & Universities don't have the funding most public & pricier private schools get. So, if a HBCU cut away even an inch it would scream MAJOR to me. That means they would have to walk away from lot of needed dollars. Money that maybe hard to replace. Money that might shut a department or some departments down. Well, Spelman yelled and I heard them.
The historically black, liberal arts women’s college in Atlanta indefinitely suspended the William and Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Endowed Professorship, which was funded by a $20 million gift by the Cosbys in 1987.
“The current context prevents us from continuing to meet these objectives fully. Consequently, we will suspend the program until such time that the original goals can again be met.”
Spelman College didn't say whether it would change the name of its academic center, which also bears Cosby’s name. We shall see. I heard that scream and I tweeted about it.
The rapper, Nelly swiped a ATM card down the butt of a female dancer in one of his videos.
The women of Spelman felt that degrading to women. They would not let him have blood marrow drive, in order to find a match for his ailing sister on their campus until they sat down and had a talk. Nelly didn't want to talk and no blood marrow drive was had. If they took a stand on that you know something was going to be done about the Cosby allegations. Spelman had to protect their image. Their value could not be based the money on a possible criminal (if the allegations are true) or a possible philanderer (if they are not true but he had least slept with any if not all the accusers). $20 million dollars is a lot of money to give up. But the principles & standards this college stands for should be worth much more. Spelman has started detachment from the Cosbys, will Morehouse College & Fisk University and others join them? It will be an interesting narrative if they do.
Like I said I don't know what to truly believe at this point. I only want to believe in the truthful facts.
Whether the truth comes out on this or the other side of God's glory, it will come out. As an educated person, it just hurts to see any higher institutions of learning having to make these kind of decisions. Decisions based on possible vile & vulgar acts towards humanity. I guess no one associated with this case will walk away unscathed.
Well, in my home it is almost time for me to put up the Christmas tree.
I Photobombed them last Christmas
Alura & Monkey Toes reminded me this past weekend. Monkey Toes kept asking me did I need help this year. I told him I will let him know. A few years ago they had to help me put the tree up. I was battling an arthritic attack & a cold most of that December. So, when my sister needed me to watch them that Saturday,
I put them to work. LoL They had fun.
Christmas is at my Grandmother's home. I stay there also so, pretty much do most of the cleaning & decorating. Christmas is not my favorite holiday. Avid readers of this blog know it is Easter. Christmas is a little tiring. But I do keep up some of the traditions of my childhood. The tree goes up on the 2nd Sunday of December. It was the only Sunday we didn't have a church program.
That chair my brother is sitting on, We still have it.
When I was a child, I had a crew. My younger cousin D.D., my sister A, and myself with my brother G as our cheerleader and my youngest aunt (D.D.'s mom (Let's call her, Stump on here)) as the supervisor put the tree. We had so much fun. Yes, those are candy canes on the tree. We still put those on the tree, Christmas morning.
I already have this year's dozen. Come to my house and you will see a few 30+, 40+, & 50+-year-old people tackle the tree after gifts are exchanged to get to the candy canes.
Another tradition is playing Christmas music while putting the tree up and cooking Christmas dishes. G loves Christmas music. One year it was February before we could turn it off. My grandfather would put on records and cassettes all during December. We would just bop around the house to the beats. Now it might be traditional to play music but we rarely heard the standards like "Jingle Bells" or "Frosty the Snowman". We listened to "Christmas Blues" by the Ramsey Lewis Trio & "Merry Christmas, Baby" by BB King. My grandfather & I Only wanted to hear "Santa Baby" sung by Eartha Kitt. We would sneer our noses up at Madonna's version. LoL My mother loved "Silent Night" by The Temptations. My grandmother would tap her toes to the Fairfield Four sing "Last Month of the Year". My grandfather with his deep bass voice would start singing. Stump and A would bring out their records and tapes too. Soon we would be grooving to "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway & "Give Love on Christmas Day" both Jackson 5 & New Edition versions. Yep, Stump thought the Jacksons sang it best & A thought Ralph & them crooned it better. Eventually, rap tunes were introduced, and "Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC was added to the list. One year in high school, I bought my grandmother, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration. Well, the "Hallelujah Chorus" became a household favorite. And over the years I have added newer tunes to my playlist. When "Joy to the World" by Whitney Houston & the Georgia Mass Choir comes on, I have to stop decorating and direct my imaginary choir. LoL I also added some comedic Christmas songs and other holiday songs commemorating Chanukah & New Year's Eve. Oh and like K-nock of the Quad City DJs, I still want a man with a lot of money like she requested in "What You Want For Christmas".
Now out of all those songs and more that are played during December, my favorite is sung by many but the Reba McEntire version is the one I love. It is "Mary Did You Know". I love this song. It is not Christmas until I hear this song. This song makes you think. I really could ask Mary all of this if I had the chance.
When she looked at little Jesus asleep on the hay did really know she gave birth to Greatness. We all know she knew what manner of man he was once he got older. She herself asked him to fix the wine issue at the wedding. But this song asks Mary about her mindset shortly after she delivered a healthy bundle of joy. Most mothers are full of joy as she probably was. This song just asks Mary had she really realized the depth of her conversation with Gabriel the Angel.
When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said. The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat. He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen? I have never had a man.” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you. The power of the Most High will cover you. The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:29-35
This song wonders if while she was counting his ten fingers and toes and enjoying the moment with Joseph did she take into account the things a few but especially Isaiah prophesied about.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-2
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
It's just an honest song full of questions for Mary but also full of the wondrous acts of Jesus Christ. It tugs at my heart and yeah I really want to know "Mary Did You Know"?
So, on this 2nd Sunday of December, I will put up our family's Christmas tree. Probably start moving furniture Friday night.As long as I have my Christmas mug full of tea or cocoa, my tunes & my memories of yore, I will get it done. Oh if you want to hear some of what is on my playlist go to the LINK and bop along with G & me. Yeah, he's still the cheerleader waiting on the lights to come on.
What's your favorite Holiday song(s)? Let me know in the comments.
Told you in the post about my favorite Christmas TV adto be on the lookout for my favorite Christmas movies & songs. So here is the post on "Scrooged".
I'll say it again I am a fan of a few, very few remakes & reboots. Scrooged, a modernized version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of those few. I Love this movie!!! It came out in the late 80s and it gives me warm memories of my childhood with my older sister Aunja, my cousin D.D. and I watching it on cable. Even as a child, I got the jokes.
Basically, Frank Cross, played by Bill Murray controls a US TV station that is preparing a live adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol. Frank's childhood wasn't a particularly loving one, and so he doesn't really appreciate the Christmas spirit. With the aid of the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, Frank understands he must change. It has a Marly character.
The Bob Cratchit character is played by Alfre Woodard and she has a mute son named Calvin instead of a Tiny Tim on crutches.
Of course, there are the ghosts.
Past
Present
Future
My favorite ghost is Present. The little fairy knocked the crap out of Frank Cross to get his attention. Oh, she pokes him in the eye, punches him in the jaw, and bashes him with a toaster.
If Carol Kane can act in all the movies she wants, she will always be the Ghost of Christmas Present to me. This movie also was packed with the all-stars of the time. Buddy Hackett from Beverly Hillbillies, Olympian Mary Lou Retton, Jazz artist Miles Davis & David Sanborn, and even the Solid Gold Dancers
(I'm telling my age. LoL).
"Scrooged" also dealt with some social issues that are still very relevant today.
Corporate Greed
Unemployment
Homelessness
A Struggling widow trying to make ends meet
Childhood Mutism
How to get antlers to stay on a mouse LoL
The movie may be dated, now but no one can dispute that "Scrooged" has the best endings ever. I mean with the great song "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" by Al Green & Annie Lennox in it (Hear my jam HERE), how can it Not be the best. Spoiler Alert!!! A touching moment with Tim and somebody goes to heaven.
Again I Love this Movie. Yes, I will be watching it this holiday season. I own it!!!
Another Great Christmas movie from my childhood that I love is
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"!!! Cute movie!!! The Herdmans are the worst children in history! They use profanity, they smoke, they torture animals and other people. Oh, and they want to be in the Christmas pageant at church, even though they have never heard the story of Christmas. This movie is the epitome of the true meaning of Christmas. You can find it on YouTube or DVD.
Well, that leaves My Favorite song to post. I'll give you a hint! Reba McEntire sings it. Leave your answers in the comment box. Oh, and What are your favorite holiday movies?
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