Location

Sometimes in life we feel lost, wondering how we got to where we are and if we can ever get back on track. Sometimes we are so focused on where we're going that we can't be effective and productive where we are right now. Location is a beautiful thing. I consider it a tremendous blessing that, in the midst of all the craziness happening around me, I can always locate myself and get a clear picture of what moves I need to make to get to my destination. 

Get connected and stay connected to the One who is already at the finish line in the winner's circle, waiting for you to arrive. He'll be your GPS and lead you and guide you on a path that will get you where you need to go in the best time and best maneuvers.

Legacy

I am truly blessed to be a part of such a tremendous legacy. It's common, especially in the "black" community, to hear about many broken homes and sibling rivalries that leave cousins unfamiliar and turn family reunions into family feuds.

I, however, am very fortunate. I have grown up watching brothers and sisters who stick together no matter what. My grandparents instilled in them strong and vital values of keeping God first and family second. My aunts and uncles' marriages have stood the test of time. They have truly honored the vows made within holy matrimony. They have loved their children and taken care of them, trained them in the right ways to live, the best ways to live.

While there are many families who waste time fighting and growing bitter and resentful, my family spends ample amounts of time loving and laughing. I'm blessed to carry on the tradition.

A Father's Love

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.
- Sigmund Freud

Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.
- Anne Geddes

Unfortunately, it has become "the norm" for young men to have more child support bills than tuition debt. The age-old tradition of growing up, settling down with a wife and then having children is not as popular as it once was. Many young people are becoming parents long before they are ready--financially, mentally, emotionally and otherwise.

Once you get past the pregnancy part, there are many young mothers who are left behind without the father in the picture. Too many little girls and boys grow up confused, unidentified, misidentified and angry. The saddest part is that many of them don't understand why, and probably never will.

Not every young woman is left with a child and "baby daddy" issues, though. There are some young people who have taken responsibility for the life they brought into this world and are doing the best they can to be great parents for their children.

Darren West Jr is a father and a dad. He is not only setting an example for his beautiful daughter by working hard as a student at Millikin University and an employed lab technician, but he spends the invaluable quality time with his baby girl.

Sure, not every young parent is able to have the help and support of family when in school and caring for his/her child, but where there is a will, there is a way. I have personally seen many young parents make it through with and without help from others.

Darren is not the statistic. He beats the odds of today's average young black male father. He is present by choice, and his daughter will know who she is and who she has the potential to become.

 It is with much faith, prayer, sacrifice, dedication and perseverance that his family--daughter and fiance--will be strong, healthy and prosperous.

There is Hope

I'm not one to talk about race. As far as I'm concerned, there is only one race and that's the human race. Many people look at me and see that I am a black woman. When I look at myself in the mirror, however, I see Christal. I see a beautiful woman, flawed and imperfect, but loving and earnest, kind, thoughtful and wise. And, of course, a goofball.

In watching the news, I see that many of the crimes and murders in Chicago are allegedly committed by men in the "black race." If there were such a thing, I am tired of seeing black men in handcuffs and in jail. I watched a news cast recently that showed a precinct that was EIGHT people away from a capacity of 10,000. This news reporter took cameras into the prison and allowed viewers to see many incarcerated men. Most of them were black. Many of them were smiling. I was horrified.

On one hand, one could stretch the imagination to believe that maybe being in jail is better than being loose and unprotected on the streets. But on a larger, meatier hand with ridiculously long fingernails, one should see that portraying prison as a place of blissful refuge is not only oxymoronic (yes, it's a word. look it up for yourself :), but it is also a definite way to diminish the dreams of young black hopefuls, making them think that jail is not so bad and, perhaps, inevitable.

But, there is hope.

The silver lining in this story is that not all young black men are prison-prone. Take Kevin Hall Jr. for instance. This good-looking, intelligent and creative young man is a sophomore in college, writing and taking amazing pictures that are regularly published in The Daily Eastern News (Eastern Illinois University).

Kevin has passion, vision and the faith needed to succeed. Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Kevin is a black man with an education, talent, outstanding work ethic, and perseverance.  He will be successful and there's no doubt about that. And it's not because he grew up in a sheltered neighborhood, or was fed with a silver spoon his entire life. He is no stranger to struggle and adversity. He just chose to defy the odds and destroy the stereotypes.

I don't believe in races, but if there is such a thing, there is hope for the black race after all.

P.O.V. - Perspective

Today is Wednesday. Some people refer to this day as "hump day." I just look at it as the almost-there-day. I'm half way to Friday and then I can relax.

My problem with that, however, is that life is far too precious to just wish it away because you have to work or go to school or cater to whatever other responsibilities one may have because it's a weekday. Some people woke up this beautiful Wednesday morning and thought to themselves, "It's a new day." And smiled, taking in fresh morning air and the possibilities a new day brings.

Those people may be rich and successful, or they may be homeless. The difference, though, between them and me this morning is perspective. Your perspective of a day or time or situation will affect your behavior. Where your thoughts go, your behavior will follow.
So I suggest, no matter where you are in your day right now, take a step back and examine your perspective. It's not always about "well it could be worse." It's true that things could always be worse. But I think it's better to just appreciate the great things in life. For me, it's the little things that make it all worthwhile. In the midst of being frustrated at work this morning, I took a step back and smiled. Why? Smiling releases endorphins which help to alleviate stress in the body. More importantly, we should smile because it’s worth it.

Personally, I associate smiling with being goofy. I am, after all, a goofball (or ball of goof, whichever you prefer :). I am an adult, but I try my best to never let go of being a kid at heart. Remember what it was like? Giggling and snickering for no apparent reason. Throwing leaves in the air and being fascinated with the way they fall. Walking in the middle of the tiles because stepping on the cracks was against the rules.

Those were innocently magical times. I suggest we look at today from the perspective of a child—it’s a new adventure and there are plenty of reasons to smile.

**picture is of my nephew. this kid knows how to enjoy life :)

Cloudy Days

Hi :)

My name is Christal. I am starting this blog with a motive to show people that life is better than the media portrays. Every night I watch the news in horror of what is happening. I live in Chicago, IL, which has been called "the murder capital of the United States." The media portrays my city as a place filled with violence, death, decay, corruption, malice, greed and treachery.

I firmly believe, however, that the more we see of this destruction, the more accustomed we grow to negativity. We walk around expecting bad news. We look forward to it.

I believe we have to change our perspective and focus in on the good things that are happening all around us every day.

This blog will be dedicated to the wonderful things that make life worth living. There will be light shed on many different things-- outreaches, fundraisers for good causes, but not just the "good deed" type of events. This blog will also focus on everyday life occurrences that go overlooked too often-- the honor roll student, the honest family business, educated young people, people of different ethic, racial, economic, and religious backgrounds coming together for a meal or fellowship.

It is a fact the this city, this nation and this world sees many cloudy days full of anger, death, loss, and devastation. But there is a silver lining and I want to help you see it.

Blessings!