Graduation Day

Friday was the last official day of the school year. It was also graduation day, which meant there were a lot of tears from graduates and smiles from the teachers. Another set of students have completed their high school journey, and are now being sent into the real world. Most will be starting college in the Fall, with a few going into the military or the job force. Either way, they will all be starting something new. 

I'm sure if you asked these recent graduates, they would tell you that their senior year went really fast. They thought they had time to get everything done, but that time quickly passed them by. 

How often do we enter situations thinking we have forever or it will take forever, only to have time quickly pass us by and nothing is accomplished? We then end up wishing we had more time, or had taken better advantage of the time we had. Everyone of us have the same 24 hours in a day. Do your best to make that time count. 

Naturally Me

A friend of mine just posted on Facebook, an article for a study, stating (black) women with natural hair have low self-esteem. I won't go into the details, you can check it outhere if you would like. 

As a "naturalista," for the better part of my life, I have experienced my share of inconsiderate and unnecessary remarks, from others. However, it is a choice that I have made, and stand proudly behind. Say what you want, my only job is to make sure that I am happy with the way I look. 

Too often in life, we allow the remarks and actions of others to determine how we feel. Whether it's a remark about hair, figure, stature or character, never allow yourself to get caught up in the beliefs of another. Be smart, be determined, be beautiful, be honest, BE YOU!! 

Ruler of Worth

We usually use a ruler when we want to measure the length of something. We then choose the type of ruler that we will use, based on what it is that we are measuring. For example, if we are measuring a bed, we would use a ruler that specifies inches and feet. If we are measuring a flower, we may use a ruler that measures in centimeters, in order to get a more accurate reading.  

The same thing applies to us. We know the ruler that is needed to accurately measure our worth. It is therefore not wise, to allow someone else to use their measuring stick on us. They may not use the correct ruler, which will lead to a false reading.  

Never allow someone else to shortchange you on your worth. Your hold the ruler, you know your value. 

Hold On

For quite a few years, a friend of mine has had a vision, of hosting her own children's science show. Similar to Bill Nye, the Science Guy, only she's cuter and... well female. She believes there is a lack of focus on women in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields and wants to help children, especially young girls, realize that science is fun and open to them. When she first pitched the idea to me, I thought it was cool (I strongly believe in supporting other's dreams) and different. Of course obstacles presented themselves and she started to wonder if this thing could actually happen. We talked and she wondered; and we talked some more and she doubted some more. But through it all, she held on to her dream.  

Today, her show isn't nationally syndicated or anything, but she is slowly inching forward. Last year this time, neither one of us thought she would be doing what she is doing - having booths at science fairs and shows, filming at NASA, and having zoos and museums call her to tape a show. 

She still has a long way to go, but what looked like a permanent downfall last year, is starting to slip into the temporary slot. Whatever it is that you choose to do, go for it. Know that the struggle may seem like a black hole, but if you continue to climb you'll see the light at the mouth of the opening. 

Life is what you make it, so make sure it counts.  


*Check out my friend Cat Bobino's science show here. 

Freely Give

Yesterday we gave out snacks to the children - juice and biscuit (cookies). As is expected when dealing with small humans, one one little boy came to me crying, saying that his biscuits had gone missing. We had been outside playing catch with them, so the story didn't seem that far fetched. I went to the office to get him another pack, but by the time I returned he had a package in his hand and a smile on his face. It turns out, one of his classmates gave him her pack of biscuits. How amazing that gesture was! 

She is only four years old, but her act of kindness touched us all. Without a question asked, she sacrificed her snack for her classmate. Not knowing that she would get a replacement.  

How often do we hesitate doing a good deed, because we aren't sure of the return? Our actions are based on what we are going to get, and not on what we are giving or doing. Let's be more like this little girl in our actions. Giving because someone is in need, not because we need something in return. 

Proceed With Caution

Saturday night I gave my grandma a ride home. As we exited the highway, onto the ramp, I stopped at the clearly visible red light. The opposing traffic had a green light for those traveling straight and a green arrow, for those making a right turn. After a few seconds the green light turned red, but the green arrow remained. As my light turned green, I saw this car coming full speed over the top of the hill. The speed at which he was traveling, I didn't think he was going to stop at the light, so I didn't move. Even though my light gave me the go ahead. Sure enough, the driver proceeded through the light and almost hit the car next to time, which was making a right turn. This all happened within a few seconds. If I hadn't been paying attention, those same seconds would have changed my life's story forever.

I don't know if the driver was dumb or distracted, Either way, his negligence could have caused a serious problem for himself and others. How often do we act carelessly and forget the implication of our actions on those around us? We proceed through hypothetical red lights, ignoring the road code, because we have some place to be or something, we feel is more important, to do. As my dad says, "no man is an island." Therefore our actions, in some form or fashion, can or will impact someone else. As you go through this week, whether you have the red light or the green one, proceed with caution. Someone's life may be in your hands.

Loyal to Self

I have a friend...had a friend...uhhh...There's someone with whom I was once associated, who ate a lot of McDonald's. If we were out driving and we got hungry, more likely than not, this person who want to eat McDonald's. During the time that I associated myself with this individual, I found myself eating more McDonald's than I cared for. Even though I enjoyed the occasional fries and still love milkshakes, my taste buds weren't as loyal to the big yellow M. I don't think this friend of mine meant any harm, but they cared so much about their needs they didn't always pay attention to what I liked. However, once my regular association with this individual ceased so did my trips to McDonald's. My connection to this place was really through this person.

How often do we become caught up in something because of others? We think we are being loyal to them and in the meantime we are being disloyal to ourselves. Never should our loyalty to someone else, outweigh the care we have for ourselves.

Your biggest supporter should be you.

4 Move Checkmate

One of Bridges' after school programs is the Chess Club. Yesterday they met and the students were having a good time playing each other. There was also a new student in the midst, as I had invited him to join the club. I was told that he was a state champion back in middle school, but hadn't played since that time. He decided to come and see what was going on. I encouraged him to play with the other students. 

The second game that the new club student played lasted less than five minutes. His opponent was so shocked, he was still sitting and looking at the board after the game had ended. The former state champion had beat him in 4 moves! "Wait, what happened?" " How did you do that?" Were questions asked by the losing student. Later on the same student says to me and the others, "I would have beat him, if he didn't know that 4 move play."

The losing student may have had a chance, if he hadn't underestimated the new comer. The game may have lasted more than 5 minutes, if he had taken the time to look at the entire picture and not only what he planned on doing. How often do we enter situations and not look at the entire picture? We think we know what the outcome will be, and instead of taking our time and evaluating the entire situation, we jump in head first and end up with our feelings hurt. 

As we go through each day, we must remember there are others waiting to put us in checkmate. Waiting for us to put our guards down and slip up, in order for them to win. Remain vigilant. As you sit at the chess board of life, look at all the moves that are made. Remember that a 4 move checkmate is only possible, when the opponent isn't paying attention. 

Missed Train

Last night I had a dream, where I was travelling with a small human and somehow I ended up on the train and she remained on the platform. Of course I panicked as the train pulled off, wondering how I was going to get back to this child. As the train pulled into the next stop, I jumped off, in hopes of getting the next train back to the prior stop. This plan worked, and as I reached the prior stop, the child was standing there with someone next to her. The person realized what happened and decided to stay with the small human until I returned. The little one didn't even seem fazed by the situation. She stood there quite calmly waiting for my return. We then continued on our journey.

Many times we have our travel routes all planned out, only to be left on the platform. However, unlike the small human, we scream and carry on, believing the train of opportunity has left us behind. When the reality of the situation may be that that train wasn't for us. Or maybe it wasn't the right time. But if we stand and wait, surely the correct train will come along and take us to our right destination. In those situations where we seem to be left behind by others, don't worry. They may be paving the road (whether through their actions or misdeeds) for us to have a smoother journey.