Way to Sow~Doing something extraordinary on an ordinary day

"Where the unusual occurs & miracles happen"~Dwayne Thomas MD CEO 2002 University Hospital,New Orleans, La

My story for today:

Before I had my last visit with the last part of the team I did a couple of things that pleased me to do. The people who yesterday had a change of heart after denying me access to a program that would have covered my medical expenses but in hearing my plight went above and beyond the call of duty. Because their humanity showed plainly, I decided I wanted to do something in turn for them. I gave all 3 persons a miniaturized framed piece of my art. I got to thinking how hard it must be for them on a daily basis of having to make decisions that can ultimately affect some one's health. And how they probably on more then one occasion they may have been yelled at,curse at , have someone talk about their mama for doing what they have to do (I did not yell at them, but held my ground and my position).

In fact, there were times when I had to stop mid-sentence & be still before continuing. All I could see for a moment was this opportunity being snatched from me. And then in 5 minutes everything shifted. I told the initial contact person I would not forget her...

And I didn't... So today before I had my appointment I walked in to present her, her boss & her boss' boss my art "Head in the Clouds". I am happy to say they were touched and said no one had every done something like that for them before. My response then was it was time and what a better person then me?

I am not saying this as a brag, for me it was simply good to do something for someone else even though it could have turn out badly for me yesterday. I then continued on to my appointment and got a lot of good news and also some poetic justice: First as of now all systems are go now on the surgery. And I have to brag a lil bit here, but my HDL/LDL is doing very well, no diabetes, no high cholesterol. I lost 5 pounds since last week AND my BP is 142/87. Even the GP concurred he has misjudged and notice I had a massive improvement since the last time my liver was checked in Nov and wondered what I was doing. I told him jokingly "been poor" ...

Now seriously... What has been in my control to change I have... the others well I stomp & fuss a lot, lick my wounds, stomps some more then learn how to surrender. Surrender ain't a bad thing, it means "to yield" which takes conscious, reasonable thought. And something we must concede are bigger then we are. I could not do a lot about (yet) but just like the turtle you just keeping moving steady & consistent.



I've learned to never underestimate what people can & will do or what YOU are capable of doing. Sow the seeds, water, nurture, fertilize and then watch it grow. Some times you have to deadhead so the plant keeps on blooming, sometimes you have to prune it back so it can grow and then others you have to pull it out by the roots and start anew.

As Kenny Rogers in the song The Gambler "Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away...

I will spare you my attempts to sing it.

Now excuse me while I go and do a happy dance!

What a Feeling...

"I Have Lonved So Long" art All rights reservedJHM10

What reason weaves, by passion is undone.~- Alexander Pope

Do you follow what your heart craves?

As odd as it sounds, sometimes our logical minds can hold us back. Have you ever wanted to attempt a new career, run a marathon, or start your own business? Our brains might scream at us that it is safer to do what has been tried and true in the past, but don't let the fear of the unknown stop you! We all spend a lot of time worrying and little time examining the calling of our own hearts. What are you passionate about? Is there a way that you can honor these feelings in a responsible way? Trying new things can be terrifying, but following our passions can make us feel alive and become some of our most memorable moments in life. The thrill of love, the depths of grief, and the joys of a new career...all would be impossible without passion.

My reminder: G'wan be a Nut!

The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground.- Unknown

Believing in yourself no matter what

On July 24, 2004, there was a 0% chance of rain in Cincinnati. No way was it going to rain, according to the people who should know best. You know what? Despite millions of dollars worth of sensors, computers, and forecasting systems, the weather experts were wrong. It rained, against all odds. This is not a criticism of weather people. It's just a reminder of all the people who were given 0% chance of making it by the "experts," but who succeeded anyway. Whenever accomplishments are on the line, there are always voices whispering, preaching--even shouting--that it can't be done. Sometimes, that voice is coming from inside our own heads. If you're having doubts about your abilities, just remember: How many times have the naysayers been proven wrong? No matter what anyone says--no matter what you might believe--it can be done. The nut can become a tree. There's always a chance of rain.

I'm Working at 'Em...

Allrights reservedJHM Picture in Lower 9th Ward near Levees...

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.
- George Bernard Shaw, playwright

I am telling you it is a hard thing to do, to recreate your life, but a necessary one...

Are you creating your own life?

http://www.sparkspeople.com/

Take a moment to look at the circumstances of your world. Is it what you want to see? What could you do differently to take one step closer to your ideal vision? We're all dealt different hands in life. That's how things are. To change things, you have to first accept that fact, then figure out where to go from here. We should all be able to count on each other for help, but in the end, we can't expect anyone to change our lives except ourselves. Nor should we want it that way. It's natural to feel powerless and give up in the face of hardships, but complaining and blaming do nothing except prevent action. Without positive action, you're giving up your power and asking for more of the same--a world you did not create. Where you start may not be your fault, but the course you run is still your choosing.

When in Doubt...

Buttercups in the Lower 9th Ward

Photo courtesy of Paulette Madison


One man's creativity is another's brain damage.

- Roland Fischer



Thinking for yourself in the face of doubt

If you accept someone else's idea of reality and personal limits, you'll have no control over your own destiny. You can only go as far as that view will let you. Do you normally accept things as they are, or do you ask "why" and "what if"? Being an individual and thinking for yourself--even while others are calling you crazy--takes courage. For many, trying a new perspective is scary. But if we always stick to the familiar, the known, we never grow and learn. Don't be afraid to go against the grain. Ask the tough questions that everyone else is afraid to ask. Try a new way to do the same thing just to see what happens. We guarantee you that the world won't end. You'll see solutions that nobody else would see if they're all looking at a problem the same way. Practice new ways to combine unrelated objects. After all, somebody had to try peanut butter and jelly for the first time.

What you can Do.

The true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him no good.
~ Ann Landers


Magnifying small sacrifices

How do you treat people who cannot (or choose not to) repay you for the good things that you have done for them? Do you hold a grudge, speak ill of them, or constantly keep score? Think about a homeless man in need of a hot meal, the elderly woman who cannot open the door by herself at the store, or a lost child. Probably none of these individuals could equally compensate you for any sacrifices you make on their behalves. There remains but two choices--help or ignore. Our minds easily jump to putting them out of our minds and going about our days. But imagine the good you could do if you took a small moment of your time or the change out of your pocket. Such a small sacrifice (from your perspective of course), could have a 10-fold positive impact!

Taking Reaction To an Action! Way to go Tyler Perry

Please read his comments to the end. It is not a story on Michael Jackson. It is how one man, Mr Perry instead of simply venting did something. May we all find a way to take passion and power to do something righteous and good. I give him great respect in using his mean to do something right for those who may not have the means.

I would love to meet this man and create some art for him. Way to go!

JHM

http://www.tylerperry.com/

This made me so angry.

Since Michael Jackson died I have not watched the news. I have just been so disgusted at how the mainstream media has riddled this family with disrespect, and no matter what anyone, you or I included, might have thought of him, the truth of the matter is this - the man was still a human being and his kids and family deserve some privacy and space. And I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way, so I purposely kept the TV off.

Anyway, I was walking through the house, and I don't know how this TV was on, but I saw a little boy on the news crying his eyes out.So I turned it up. Here is this kid talking about being kicked out of theValley Swim Club outside Philadelphia because he was black.

Did you hear me? I said, "No way, this can't be! It's 2009. I don't believe this!" But,I know it happens even in this year of Obama.

As I listened to the story the anchorperson went on to talk about a woman named Althea Wright. This young lady started a non-profit called CreativeSteps to help inner-city children. And apparently she had booked the Valley Swim Club's pool and paid for it to be used by the children throughthe summer. As we all know, this is such a great thing. During the summerour kids can get into a lot of trouble if they don't have somethingcreative to do.

Anyway, as the story went on I was shocked to find out that it wasn't just him but 65 children in all, black and Hispanic kids,that were kicked out of the pool. You should Google this story and read it online for yourself. It's crazy! I went from being mad to being furious.

The news reporter went on to say that the president of the club and itsmembers said, and I quote, "We don't want to change the complexion of ourclub." The president refunded the money of the children and asked them notto come back. WHAT?! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I said Ihave to do something for these children. I can't let them think that theyare inferior because of the color of their skin.

Then that night I saw the president of the Valley Swim Club on the news again saying that he misspoke and that it was a safety issue and the club wasn't able to accommodate so many children. But the children themselves reportedly said that members were taking their kids out of the pool, and that they were saying things like, "Why are they here?" and "They're black", even insinuating that these kids would steal or maybe hurt their children.

Now get this. A few days later I catch the story again on CNN. This time the club was inviting the kids to come and swim. WHAT?! I'm confused. If you refunded the money because there was not enough room in the pool andit was a safety issue then why are you asking the same 65 kids to comeback?
This is awful, and for anyone that has grown up in the inner-city, youknow that one small act of kindness can change your life. These kids seethe images of President Obama on TV and then they see the drug dealers andthugs on the corner. Which do you think is more their reality?

One act of kindness, one person telling them that they are special, one moment of encouragement can make them move mountains. I know it to be true because Iwas one of them. They don't need to be called names and be told that they are less than, because of the color of their skin or because of where they come from.

I was told that one of these children, a seven year old, asked her mother if she was "to black to be in a pool." How do you answer that? How do you get a seven year old past that?

Again, it broke my heart and I wanted todo something, and I feel like you all would want to do something, too.That's why I'm telling you this. Since you all have put me in the position to be able to do something I feel like by me doing this we are all doing it together.

So what I did was on Aug 1st thru 3rd I'm sending these kidsto Disney World, and then to a Disney water park. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them.

This is all about then kids. So, thank you for letting me do this. Thank you so much.

And do me a favor please. When you see these kids coming through the airport, (I'msure you won't be able to miss them. I imagine they are going to be superexcited) when you see them in the park and in the hotel, let's show them a whole lot of love and respect.

Show them that they are just as good asanyone else. And show them that they can do or be anything they want tobe no matter what any one says!

Thanks,
Tyler Perry