Celebrate Kwanzaa: NIA

     Today we embrace the Principle of Nia: Purpose- "To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness." So today I ask you, What is your purpose? Why are you here? The sad thing for our community is that many of us do not know what our purpose is in life. This is because many of us lack guidance, self-esteem, and motivation. I encourage everyone to wake up in the morning, face the mirror, and tell YOURSELF how much you are in love with YOURSELF! While getting dressed in the morning listen to music that inspires you. I guarantee that this will definitely get your day going. When you pass by another person, greet them in a positive manner. Smile even when you do not have anything to smile about. Read Autobiographies and Biographies of people who you admire, or that have a career in a field that you believe that you are interested in. Finally, make a 5 year plan dealing with your financial goals, career goals, and personal goals. This can also coincide with a vision book. For my vision book, I used pictures and articles from magazines to form a scrapbook of my goals. This is not the only path to finding your purpose, but I truly believe that you will be one step closer to it. If you know your purpose in life, then I encourage you to help your fellow brothers and sisters find their purpose in life.

Celebrate Kwanzaa: Ujamaa

     Today we embrace the Principle of Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics- "To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together." This is a very important principle to me. Many of our Black owned businesses are very active in the community; however, this can become a struggle for them if they aren't making a profit to support their own family. When these same business are forced to closed their doors, then they are replaced with fast food chains and liquor stores. Folks, we have to do better about our community. 

     There are Black owned bookstores, restaurants, clothing stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, Dentists, Doctors, and of course Lawyers in many of our communities; however, most people complain that they are charged more in our community. Yes, this may be true for some establishments; however, you have to realize that they are trying to run a business, a household, and invest in more ventures. Sometimes they are charged more by vendors, because they do not order in bulk. I believe that if they have more people buying from them, then they can eventually lower their prices, and offer more product. Please remember that our ancestors built this country, and I believe that they did not do it in vain! They did it so that one day we can have something to put OUR name on!

     Here is a website that supports Black owned Businesses in the Middle Georgia area: http://www.maconblackpages.com/   Please take out the time to visit this website. 

Celebrate Kwanzaa

I missed the first two days! Yes, this can happen if you decide to go to the countryside for the holidays, and do not have Internet or phone service! With that being said, every year I try to revisit the seven principles of Kwanzaa to make sure that I continue to apply each principle to my life. Here is a link to the Seven Principles: http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.shtml

In 1966, Dr. Maulana Karenga established this holiday to give African Americans an opportunity to celebrate themselves, and their history. I don't know about you, but I LOVE THE SKIN THAT I AM IN!

Today we celebrate the principle of "Ujima": Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together. To embrace this principle, you don't have to be rich or have various educational degrees. I encourage you to take a look in the mirror, and see how far you have come in life. Then look around at your community, and see how far you can take your fellow brother's and sister's in life! Many of our young brother's and sister's are being incarcerated for FELONIES at the young age of 18 & 19. In many of the cases, it is because "we" have turned our backs on the younger generation when we see them doing wrong. I still believe in the saying that "it takes a village to raise a child". It only takes a second to guide a child in the right direction. Teach them how to dress, the value of the dollar, how to respect other's property, self-esteem, and how to put a value on their life. If we all work together, and take responsibility not only for our family, but also for our neighbors, then we can make this world a better place.

PEACE, LOVE, HAPPINESS!