Daily Thoughts

Yes it is that time of year when families are getting together and couples are holding hands window shopping and children's eyes are glistening taking in all of the possible gifts they are to receive.  I love this time of year because love seems to reign, at least in the circles I am in.  It's wonderful to see...love.  My prayer is that we all will at some point in our lives, experience the truth and openess of pure love be it from our spouse, our mates, our children or our friends. But today, my focus is on relationships.  Those relationships where two people say, "I love you" and "you are my life" kind of relationships.  Recently, my own personal relationship ended and though it had lasted for around 3 years...it was happy but I found out after the breakup it wasn't...healthy.  We can love someone and be with someone and want to spend the rest of our lives with someone because we "love them" but if we were to take a deep look at that person

It's that time of year again when we think of family and friends.  When we get our mouths ready to taste oh so delicious foods and baked goods.  When we think...of giving thanks for all we have and for who we know.  It's that time when we take the time to spend with those we love and to do those things we seldom have enough time to do like...read...watch tv...live...love...laugh.  Well even though most of us are thankful, have we ever thought about being thankful for being thankful. Let me break it down.  It is common knowledge that we should be thankful for our health and our family and friends.  That we should be truly thankful we have food to place on our tables and clothes to put on our backs.  That we should be truly thankful for the life we live and the places we are allowed to visit.  Being thankful for those things and those people..is easy.  But have you ever taken the time to thank God for the fact that you ARE thankful. To many of us, the word "thanks"

Wtih all of the election debates, commercials, public statements, interviews and campaining, it is no wonder we are all confused.  This candidate believes in this and that candidate believes in that.  He said this and she said that.  He did this and she did that.  WHAT? If you are anything like me, you are ready for this circus to be over.  Yes circus.  I am almost 50 years old and have seen many election campaigns and I must say this is by far the worse. A Democrat by party, I was not sure going into this election who I would vote for and now, even more confused as to why I should vote if all we have are these two candidates.  I will say that of course Hillary Clinton would have to be my choice if I did vote for a President because who would want a ranting and raving, full of himself, temperamental candidate such as Donald Trump in office?  Sadly to say, many would.  But I have to be more informed than this.  After watching two Presidential Debates, I am convinced that Hillary would

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month I need you to understand that many victims have no idea that they are.  In most situations, men and women abusers, yes there are women abusers, make their partner believe that their abuse is love.  That their jealousy is justified.  That their verbal attack is warrented.  That YOU are the reason any of this happens because of your inability to understand where they are coming from.  Have you heard this before?  Are you presently dealing with this in your relationship?  Do you believe them?  Feel that you are the reason they get so upset and you deserve to be punched in the face and smacked in the mouth and kicked in the side?  If so, you my friend, my brother and my sister, are a victim of Domestic Violence. Any human being who takes out their insecurities and anger and fear...yes fear...out on another human being is an abuser...plain and simple...and when we recognize it for what it really is...we will stop being victims.  We will stop b

So here we are again..another unarmed suspect shooting...what has been done since the last shooting? Protests, marches, churches having meetings...police officers having meetings...community wide meetings...and we are STILL HERE WITH THIS? Something is not connecting and I believe it is the armed officers who feel they have nothing to lose.  I believe it is the officers who took the oath of office only to shoot and kill.  I believe it is those officers who are out to get every black boy/man in America because of their hidden hate of them.  YES THAT IS WHAT I BELIEVE. GET YOUR HANDS UP! Let me be clear.  Not every police officer is hating on race.  Not every police officer is out to shoot and kill unarmed suspects.  Not every police office takes their oath of office lightly.  BUT THERE ARE SOME WHO DO.  Can't you tell?  Haven't you seen the news as of late.  Haven't you seen the tears flowing from mothers and families of these victims.  Haven't you heard the cries for

Well it has been quite a journey with this former relationship of mine.  As with all relationships, you learn a little something, apply a little something and take away a little something.  The hope is that you take away more wisdom than you brought in.  The hope is that you learned a little more about you than you knew before.  The hope is that you know without a shadow of a doubt that your greater is coming. When we meet people and begin the process of coming together in a relationship, we hope that the person we meet, their persona, their smile, their disposition, their character stands strong throughout the entire relationship.  Whether it be a month of dating or 52 years of marriage as I witnessed yesterday in church, you want what you met to be true.  At times it does stand the test of time but there are other times when it doesn't.  If not so be it.  Greater is coming. Not everyone is who they SAY they are and not everyone does what they SAY they will do but we, as the o

There are shootings and killings and looting and murders and abuse and conditions that exist that make you wonder why? Why did he shoot up the movie theater?  Why did he shoot an unarmed suspect?  Why did he beat her to a pulp?  Why did he run over innocent bystanders and keep going as if their lives meant nothing?  Why, why, why is a question we seem to be asking ourselves and those in leadership a lot these days but have you considered that there may be a logical reason behind all of this mayhem? Have you considered that the man beating his girlfriend/wife came from a home where abuse resided?  That it was all he saw and that maybe, just maybe it was all he knew?  That he was acting out of pain and pressure?  Have you considered that the one who shot up the movie theater may have been dealing with some self esteem issues, control issues and that maybe this was his way of "taking" back some of the control he had lost?  That maybe, just maybe he felt he had no other recours

Walking down the street I decided to go into the local dime store to get me a bottle of pop and upon my arrival there are two cops there looking at me as if I were there to steal.  They follow me around the store with these grim looks on their faces and every time I try to lose them, they appear, once again.  When I get to the section where the pop is I pick out the one I want and proceed to the register.  The store clerk even gives me a suspicious look and says to me, "you gone pay for that?"  I reply "yes, of course" and begin to reach into my pockets for the money.  Right before I pull my hand out with my money the cops, who were at the back of the store suddenly are right behind me saying "be careful son, don't do anything you'll regret!"  My reply was, "what I do?" Coming home from school and I run to the house because I have a sudden urge for some of mom's pecan pie left in the refrigerator.  I pick up the pace, passing cars e

Many Americans deal with frustration from time to time and I am sure they have found ways to alleviate these feelings but for some of us, fruatration does not end.  It just gets packed away until the next time that something happens that makes frustration rear it's ugly head.  What do you do when this happens?  Do you keep it all in?  Do you pretend that it does not exist? If you are like me, there are few people with whom you can talk to who will listen to the root of the frustration and then offer some advice.  I have friends who will just listen and ask me, "so what is that telling you?", making me face up to the decision that is inevitable.  No one wants to be frustrated, I know I don't but yet, here I am, totally and completely frustrated. Now you ask, what is the cause of your frustration Rhabi?  Well, several things. I am a director/playwright/producer.  I am an Accountant and just opened my own accounting business.  I manage payroll at my day job.  I am a

It's the wee hours of the morning when most people are asleep. Though sleep escapes me, I am compelled to write out thoughts..those things that at the present moment are keeping me awake. Pressures of life...problems...deadlines...they are all ingredients that naw at us...concern us and even keep us from the quiet of sleep.  Many of us have no idea what benefits sleep has but for those of us who find it difficult to participate in what comes so natural to others, it's priceless.  What I would give to experience that calm, that peace. What I would give to just slip away into a world only known by my dreams. My thoughts keep me on edge because of what is coming next.  I am constantly searching for something new that may enhance my business or my writing.  Something that will give me an edge so that I am ahead of the game, and not yesterday's news.  My need to stay abreast of the latest tax laws or daily news keeps me on my toes but leaves me sleepless and frustrated. As

For those of us on the east coast we are experiencing snow, sleet, freezing rain, a true winter storm and for some of us, it's depressing.  It's depessing because you are inside.  It's depressing because you for the most part are immobile. It's depressing because it's cold and damp and slick. It's depressing because you are away from some family and friends. It's depressing because you are bored and you cannot get out to spend money and go places. Well I want to encourage you today. Instead of looking at the obvious, look beyond that and use this peaceful and quiet time for something productive.  You see, these moments can be moments where you are most creative.  Where your talent is tuned up because you are tuned in.  Where your brand can expand because you have the time to work it.  Time inside does not have to be the end of you; rather it can be the extension of you. Everything good does not have to be outside, inside can be just as good, if not even

Happy New Year! I know it has been one busy holiday season but my prayer is that each of you got some joy, some peace, some tranquility and a whole lot of love during the holidays.  We are at the beginning of a new year, it's 2016 and as you all know, the number 16 is usually associated with sweet. She's the sweet 16, or when it comes to basketball, it's the "sweet" 16 teams. We hear this word often. But as we begin this new year, let's focus on the word "sweet." Usually when the word "sweet" is used, it means something positive, good, a new level, heart warming, and it brings along with it positive thoughts.  There's nothing wrong with that, but as we move forward, it's day 2 of the new year of a new month...let's think of the word "sweet" and apply it to ourselves. This year, when you are working on your job, instead of your co-workers referring to you as a tirant, maybe they can say, "he was sweet for doing