VOTE FOR SOMEBODY!!!

I loved how the last debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney ended with a quote from moderator Bob Schieffer's mom: "Go vote, it makes you feel big and strong."

Guess, I'm going to be feeling big and strong tomorrow because that when I'm going to vote! Feeling proud to be an American! *big smiles* 

Hoping that all who have the right conferred by the 15th and 19th amendments to the US Constitution do so. If not because I said so, do it because these kids said so in song:

 

 

Transparency->WWJD

It has been said "the most dangerous lies are the ones we tell ourselves."

While I do believe honesty is ALWAYS the best policy, I do not think delayed recognition of accidental self-dishonesty (i.e. that unfortunate period that sometimes occurs before self-actualization) is intentionally malicious always. Perhaps, sometimes we hope against hope and plan for something to be true. But as Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck wrote in his famous novel: "[t]he best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry."

Yesterday, my plan not to fret went awry. Numerous times in various ways, I told myself that I wasn't going to fret about a personal matter. And I made a concerted effort not to. I attempted to redirect my attention and energy. But, I only postponed, broadened and intensified what became inevitable.

(SIDE NOTE: I feel compelled to write this morning in part because I dislike when people misrepresent themselves in any way. In keeping this blog and in my personal interactions, I do not want to misrepresent myself. While I do believe in the power of positive thinking, I do not think positively always. Life isn't always sunshine, unicorns and rainbows. There are struggles. Sometimes it rains. It doesn't always take a storm for a mudslide to commence.) 

An seemingly unimportant, innocuous conversation opened the floodgates to fear-based thoughts and inferences. This is unusual. I call myself rational. I'm not a fan of being lead by emotions. When the emotion-filled thought cascade started happening, I relabeled it "processing." (And did I ever "process"!)  

But, there comes a time when one must be honest with themselves. Spades must be called spades. One shouldn't try to differentiate black pots and kettles. Since hindsight is always 20/20, I'll say what I now see: truth be told, I fretted yesterday. (SIDE NOTE: What is interesting is when you are talking with someone who can see what is happening to you before you can.) 

Fortunately, fretting, like trouble, doesn't last always. (Yay for clarity of mind and peace in the morning.) Thankfully, I know that in acknowledging my human weakness is divine strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Moreover, I'm comforted because the bible says what you are doing, in a specific instance, is right. 

Last night, I thought about this passage and this morning I read it in full:

Love for Enemies

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206&version=NIV>

There are things sometimes in life that people do that you just don't agree with or understand. While I know she is neither your enemy nor mine, I do find this passage instructive.

Gotta love the good book and taking the time to think: what would Jesus do?

On the Shortness of Life...

An enjoyed visit is rapidly coming to an end. Changes are imminent. I'm often a creature of habit. I woke up early; lamenting the various worst-case scenarios of what could go wrong in the future. HOWEVER, thankfully, I have shifted course after a trip down memory lane.

Let me share part of my mental travel through time-> My English teacher made us memorize and recite our high school's motto each week. I don't recall why she made us say it routinely, but this morning while lying in bed trying to go back to sleep these familiar words crept into my brain:

 

"Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it; no idleness, no laziness, no procrastination; never put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

This motto is very instructive regarding how I should spend my next few hours. In fact, it is very instructive about how I should view all aspects of my life going forward. Moreover, it ties in very well with a particularly interesting discussion in my Professional Responsibility class yesterday.

(SIDE NOTE: We began our class time together discussing Tuesday night's Presidential Debate in the context of legal ethics and how we should carry ourselves as lawyers. We ended class with a discussion of how we should not drown in our own stress or self-importance. Apparently, as future lawyers we are predisposed to this unfortunate behavior. Professor B impressed upon us how we need to learn how to manage our stress and how we should give back to our communities through service.)

Professor B shared a passage from Seneca's on the "Shortness of Life." This morning, I read a portion of the essay/letter. Here is what struck a chord with me:

"It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much. Life is long enough and our allotted portion generous enough for our most ambitious projects if we invest it all carefully. But when it is squandered through luxury and indifference, and spent for no good end, we realize it has gone, under the pressure of the ultimate necessity, before we were aware it was going. So it is: the life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully. Kingly riches are dissipated in an instant if they fall into the hands of a bad master, but even moderate wealth increases with use in the hands of a careful steward; just so does our life provide ample scope if it is well managed."
Pasted from <http://www.philosophicalsociety.com/archives/on%20the%20shortness%20of%20life.htm>

I am resolved to be a "the glass half-full" type gal! I will not waste time fretting over the past I cannot change or a future that is uncertain. I shall fully & sincerely enjoy what I have been given when I have been given it. As it has been said "[t]oday is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”

CARPE DIEM EVERYONE!!!

(BTW, I appreciate the commitment of teachers who endeavor to make a positive impact on their students. Although I cannot remember my English teacher's name in this moment, I see her with my mind's eye and thank her (and Professor B) for reminding me not to squander the time I have!)

Style vs. Substance

As I prepare to go to bed after watching the debate between Vice President Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) this evening, I feel compelled to muse about last week’s first Presidential Debate of the 2012 election cycle. (SIDE NOTE: I really wanted to post a blog last week, but I already sacrificed precious time to watch the debate in the first place and knew I would have the opportunity to share my thoughts AFTER my exam.)

Last week’s debate between President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) was the ultimate fight between style and substance. I saw zealous and vague vs. calm and specific. To be honest, it was a FRUSTRATING AND PAINFUL experience for me. Order was held hostage by a surprisingly passionate, out of touch, misinformed character. Truth was drowned out by “zingers”, ambiguous responses and outright lies. My fingers almost fell off from all of the fact checking via Google and the tweeting/retweeting of commentary during that 90 minute calamity.

Initially, I was disappointed because of the optics and perceived outcome. While I am willing to concede Romney may have won the battle based on aesthetics, I believe President Obama won the battle based on substance. 

So who do I think ULTIMATELY won? MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell said it best during the rewrite segment on his show “The Last Word” last Thursday evening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZp4ReTih_w

WELL STATED, SIR!!! 

(SIDE NOTE: I will certainly keep Lawrence O’Donnell's comments in mind for the rest of the political debate season *smiles*)

BTW, I think it’s symbolically appropriate that today is 10/11/12. What a perfect numerical reminder of where we as the UNITED STATES need to be going-> FORWARD *winks*

One Week from Today...

...I'll be taking my one and only mid-term for my 2L fall semester. 

(SIDE NOTE: Lowkey, this realization hit me like a ton of bricks and, honestly, I became I'm a little nervous. *frowns* I cannot believe I took FOUR of these last year! BUT, I'm going to channel this energy into excitement and being productive in my exam preparations. I've been through this before. AND THROUGH CHRIST WHO STENGTHENS ME I CAN DO IT AGAIN!! *smiles*)

To get my head into the proper frame of mind for my one mid-term next week (and my five finals at the end of the semester), I watched one of my favorite inspirational videos while making breakfast:

 

***TAKE HOME MESSAGE***
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful.”
― Eric Thomas, The Secret To Success 

(SIDE NOTE: The full speech by Eric Thomas "the hip hop preacher" can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM_7j6t9IyU)

 

I chose to post the video with ECU's Giavanni Ruffin because I think it visually demonstrates the commitment it takes to be successful. (SIDE NOTE: NOT that I can replicate what he did myself. Heaven knows I can neither bench press a feather nor run backwards up a hill…tehehehe!!!) Moreover, I admire the discipline that it takes to achieve excellence in sports. I believe the lessons are transferable in the academic setting I currently find myself in. 

Time to rev my studying ALL the way up. Gotta want this A on the Con Law mid-term more than I want to breathe. I pray my sorors, mentees and other colleagues: center themselves; study smarter NOT harder; and proceed with faith on their exams as well :-D

LEGGO!!!!!!!!

KiNDreD SPiRiTs

Getting ready to study under the stars visible from my porch. How appropriate that this song by Kindred the Family Soul came on while reading the poem written for me entitled "Kindred Spirits":

*smiles*