Love ::
If you're going to be sick and not sure about the future of your life, it's pretty nice to have someone who loves you.
- Sammy Davis Jr.
It's also pretty nice when you're healthy and optimistic about the future to have someone who loves you. When we find people in our lives with whom we can be ourselves, it can be wonderfully gratifying and freeing. There is great joy in finding that special connection with someone. So, on this day, let's make some small gesture of affection to that special person in our life.
God::
People see God every day; they just don't recognize Him.
- Pearl Bailey
We are quick to spot the devil in us, why not the divine. If we recognized that God is in all of us, then we can start to treat ourselves and our brothers and sisters with respect. It is the light within that can light our lives and light our way. On this day, let's take five quiet minutes to recognize the divine in all of us, and to remember that through us the divine manifests itself in the world.
Letting people know we're here is crucial. We can advertise our presence by networking to meet others - of all ethnicities - with whom we can exchange career information. If we have children, we can get involved with school and PTA functions, as our time allows, which lets both teachers and administration know of our active interest in our child's education. Even sending a holiday card to our children's teacher can have a subtle impact. On this day, let's pledge to make our presence known in some way.
There is much truth to the best of the stereotypes about black mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, female cousins and just good friends. For instance, their virtuosity at improvising, sometimes with meager resources, to provide the best for us. It is hard to exaggerate their steadfastness and self-sacrifice. Their simple refrain of "I love you," delivered through words and actions, is the bridge that sustains us when we pass over troubled waters in life. On this day, let's pledge to thank these women for providing safety, goodness and love.
Fulfillment ::
I find, in being black, a thing of beauty: a joy; a strength; a secret cup of gladness.
- Ossie Davis,
from Purlie Victorious
Yes, we have known suffering; yet despite our suffering - perhaps because of it - we have found in ourselves a wellspring of joy. To be black is to be triumphant, to be strong, to be jubilant. We know love, beauty, exuberance, and poetry. Let's take five minutes to meditate on something we have that reminds us of our African descent - it may be a family photograph, a quote from Malcolm X - and let it inspire us to continue in our good works.
Sometimes we get the idea that we can wait for others to spot our talent and shower rewards upon us. We don't always like to hear that we may have to look for mentors, make our ambitions known, or socialize with folks we don't love. Simply waiting for our rewards can have us waiting forever. So, on this day, let's make a list of all the necessary steps it will take for us to accomplish one of our goals.
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Creativity is in all of us. Great joy comes from doing things "in an uncommon way." We must guard against self-censorship and allow our innate creativity to flourish. Let's dare to put our personal stamp on the things we do and the ways we live. On this day, let's take two minutes to come up with five new ways to accomplish our goals. The wilder the ideas better; let's just let our inhibitions down.
Birth ::
If we love a child, and the child senses that we love him, he will get a concept of love.
- Howard Thurman
There is nothing so awesome as the coming into existence of a new life, whether it is the birth of a son or daughter, a cousin, niece, nephew, grandchild or the child of a friend. Let's celebrate! Let us pledge to join arms with our community and guide our children, with our words and deeds, to express the highest ideals of our black traditions.
Perseverance ::
I'm inspired when I walk down the street and still see people trying. A lot of them look as if they're on their last leg, but they're still getting up somehow.
- Faith Ringgold
We must always look for inspiration. Reading about others' travails and how they vanquished prejudice, poverty, ill health, and every kind of disability can restore our faith in the human spirit - particularly our own! It’s natural for our spiritual batteries to run low at times. No disgrace in that. But it's up to us to recharge them. On this day, let's think about a relative or some other person whose work and/or life inspires us.
Fathers ::
I did not have the chance to turn into the pitiful little black boy who had been abandoned by his father. . . . Other men showed up. . . . they expected me to do good things in life.
- Wil Haygood
We all know the bleak statistics about fatherless black children. But let us not forget the fathers who are dedicated parents. And let us not forget the black men for whom there are no statistics = the uncles, grandfathers, athletic directors, teachers and boyfriends who are positive influences on children's lives. Let us honor all the men who teach our youth Muscular Black Pride™, and who are living testaments of industry, vigilance, and of choosing right over wrong. On this day, let's celebrate our unsung black heroes.
We can learn to find joy and contentment in normal events - not rushing through them with an eye to completing our tasks. Let's be more sensually oriented when we are tearing the lettuce for our salads, or relax with a newspaper and coffee a few minutes before work or chores. Today, let's imagine making even the ordinary moments of our life pleasant and special.
In the years before becoming the first black quarterback in Superbowl history in 1988, Williams had five knee surgeries, a back operation, an emergency appendectomy, and a separated shoulder. It is imperative that we all have faith that things will turn around for the good. It may take us a while, but as long as we stay in the game, there's every chance we'll score. On this day, let's take five minutes to relax and visualize achieving success in one of our goals.
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