True Relationships

Any relationship that's not built on truth is not a relationship. No exceptions.

People are not who you want them to be, they are who they are...  

 

Nona O.

In Memoriam: Reverend Benjamin Lawson Hooks, Civil Rights Leader, Government Official, Minister, Judge, & Lawyer (1925-2010)

Thankful for the contribution and commitment of a multi-talented leader.  Condolences to his wife of more than 50 years, Mrs. Frances Hooks, and daughter Patricia Gray.

"There are a lot of ways an oppressed people can rise. One way to rise is to study, to be smarter than your oppressor. The concept of rising against oppression through physical contact is stupid and self-defeating. It exalts brawn over brain. And the most enduring contributions made to civilization have not been made by brawn, they have been made by brain."

For more information, http://www.naacp.org/news/press/2010-04-15/index.htm

In Memoriam: Dorothy Irene Height, Executive and Civil Rights Leader

Celebrating the life, history, and legacy of one of the greatest leaders of this century, Ms. Dorothy Irene Height (1912-2010)


http://www.ncnw.org/about/height.htm
 
 

Pausing to reflect...Knowing The Right Way To Help

One day as I stopped at a red light on a busy street, a middle aged man, a panhandler, approached my car holding a cup and asked for some money.  I instinctively looked at his hands and fingers.  They looked a little puffy.  This may seem like a weird reflex, but there is a reason why I did this.  During my college years, I can remember so vividly visiting friends who lived off campus and encountering men on their way to shoot up heroin in the alley behind my friend's rented rowhouse.  From the apartment's balcony, we watched in amazement as the heroin addicts went into the alley and under the steps or porch of the house next door to get high.  Most of the guys had a similar characteristic, puffy arms, hands, and fingers. 

I told the man that I did not really have anything and that was the truth.  I hardly ever carry money.  And that's true these days more than ever.  Even though I am caught up in my own set of problems I wanted to do something, but in that split second, I could not think of anything to do or how I could help this man.

A few days later, as I reflected on the incident, I also thought about a radio news report I heard about veterans who were homeless and unemployed.  I have to admit that I got somewhat perturbed.  All this talk about how "we" support our veterans and here it is that some of these guys are living in shelters and scrambling to find work.  I wondered if this guy could be a veteran.

Today, I was trying to think of ways I could respond to such request for help in the future.  I thought about maybe giving a gift card instead of cash.  I certainly don't want to give something that can be used to buy drugs. It's a complicated issue.  You want to be helpful, but sometimes it's difficult to know the right thing to do. 

Any good suggestions?

Life and Peace in the Blood of Jesus

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
--Ephesians 6:12 (New Living Translation)

Let's start with some facts.

Jesus Christ was the Son of God.
He came to earth and was birthed into the world by the Virgin Mary.
He lived a sinless life, but He died as a sinner.
In fact, He died a bloody death on a cross.
But, He rose from the dead and now lives as our redeemer.

He died so that we could live a new spiritual life in peace with Him and others both here on earth and in heaven. He died so that we would not have to die eternally.

The Bible tells us that and through [Jesus], God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. (Colossians 1:20)


NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

Words & Music: Ro­bert Low­ry

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Women's History Month--Women's Leadership Part 2 | Integrity

I have had some time to reflect on the previously posted Wall Street Journal (WSJ) articles on why women mistreat each other in the work place. If you missed the previous blog with the articles, please see the links at the end of this blog. When I think about playing “the game” in the workplace and succeeding on the playing field, one word really sticks in my mind and that is integrity. I really thought about what were some of the leadership traits that I most admire and while I respect leaders who have great vision and accomplishments, charisma, empathy, and respect for others, I think integrity is one of the most important attributes one can have.

Integrity determines how we play the game of life as well as how we lead in life. If we don't possess a strong sense of what is ethical, then we will allow ourselves to cheat and sham our way to the top. The news headlines are filled with examples of employees and executives who have compromised and ended up in jail.

My first job was at AT&T and at AT&T, integrity among other things, such as respect for the individual, was a core value. In fact, in the government division where I started my career, each year we went through Corporate Professional Integrity Program training. At the end of the yearly sessions, we signed a statement signifying that we understood the tenets of the program and agreed to adhere to the tenets of the program. One of the key phases that I will always remember from the training was, “corporations don’t go to jail, people do.” When making a business decision, we were told to think about how we would feel if the decision and consequences were reported on the front page of the Washington Post. That yearly training reinforced a strong sense of ethics in me that has served me well. I am really thankful to that company for reinforcing in me a strong commitment to ethics and professional integrity.

One of the reasons I believe women fail to truly respect and value one another is we are often seeking acceptance from people who require us to be cut throat, disingenuous, sabotage others, and cut others down to be in the “in crowd”. Those women must be respectfully challenged on their behavior. Competitive behavior that emphasizes and celebrates winning at any cost must be discouraged. Just as it is important to follow the rules in sports competition, it is important to embrace sound ethical standards as one seeks to lead in the workplace and in life. It is important how we play the game because true champions win without cheating!

The godly walk with integrity... Proverb 20:7a New Living Translation Bible (http://www.biblegateway.com/)

Wall Street Journal Articles:
Preoccupations: A Sisterhood of Workplace Infighting by Peggy Klaus

The Juggle: When Women Derail Other Women in the Office by Rachel Emma Silverman

Can you hear me now? Injustice at the right price.

You were silent...Injustice metamorphose in silence. The unconscionable becomes not only justifiable, but allowable especially when the right price is paid for the silence.