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.

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 :)