We’re fast approaching the end of 2007. B-R-E-A-T-H-E.

Many years ago, I started a ritual of really sitting & looking at the year in retrospect - what I’d learned, accomplished, let go of, had trouble with, tried to do, etc. Not from a “poor poor pitiful me” standpoint but to help move forward more effectively in the new year. Well, it’s that time of year ago and my mind is working. I’m churning through the good/bad/ugly of 2007 while I plan for the breathing room, growth & blessings of 2008.

I asked this question of some people yesterday – “What’s on your radar for 2008? What’s the highest goal you have for yourself as you move into the New Year?”

It generated some interesting comments. I ended the evening having the same conversation with a small group of people and one of them shocked us all with her response because it was framed…well…negatively. Initially, I was ready to suit up and ride to her rescue. Initially. But you know what? Folks have to learn to save themselves…or at least wave you in when they hit the deep end of the pool. She was hell-bent on shutting folk out, even if it stunted HER growth and nothing my other friends said to her about narrow-minded people softened her heart/mind not one itty bitty bit. People were watching & waiting for her to fall, to stumble; they were watching & waiting for her to fail. And so, she began to build those walls….you know the ones. The ones that keep people out. Funny thing is, they also keep blessings out. So, we cautioned her simply thusly: don’t let what someone else predicts for you be your guide; don’t let other people’s thoughts/actions make you act that far outside of who you are.

Here’s a portion of what I shared with some other folk…

You know, life is short and the way I look at it, IF YOUR MIND IS SMALL, SO IS YOUR LIFE. If you can’t begin to comprehend the possibilities of YOU, Baby…you ain’t EVEN ready for the REALITIES of ME. I have no time or energy for that. I have learned to walk wide circles around crazy, all day, every day. Last year was an eye-opener for me. Published my book in December, took 3 weeks of vacation, on the 2nd day back in the office I was told my job of 20 years would end in 30 days.

I cannot tell you how many people are laying in the cut waiting to see me fall on my face. Why folk need to see others struggling or doing poorly is behind me. But me & the REAL CEO got news for them. I have told more than one person that while I may not have a job, God always has a plan. Ha!

My latest motto/mantra? “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU LOOK AT, IT’S WHAT YOU SEE!”

So you watching and waiting for me to fall. That’s cool. If that’s how you want to spend your time. (There are NO refunds on time though. Think about THAT as you move deeper into YOUR day). And I’m probably going to fall…or at the very least, I’m going to stumble. But guess what? I’m going to fall but more importantly, I’m going to get up. THAT’S what you need to watch: the getting up part. It’s HOW we get up that’s important.

*Ding* Light bulb just went off in my head. One day last week, I stepped on something and my right leg slid from under me. Well, I have a bum knee on my left leg so guess what? I heard it pop, felt some pain, and landed on my plentiful arse. In pain. Left leg bent at some awkward angle, hurting like hell. Did I shed some tears? HELL YEAH! That ish HURTED! (Yes, the ‘ed’ is for emphasis on the pain.) So, I tried to get up. Now how can I do that when I can’t put but so much pressure on my left leg? AND did I mention it was at an awkward angle? So…I dried my tears. And I sat there, in that awkward position. Not struggling. Not panicking. Simply looking around, taking in all my options, surveying the land so to speak. When I figured it out, I got up. Minimal pain. And with more information to use if it ever happens again. That’s the part most folk miss cause they’re too pushing watching “the fall”. *shrug*

To this day, I know someone who is seriously irritated that I’m not working nor am I scrambling or struggling. I don’t know why it bothers this person…or anyone else. It’s costing them nothing…but those valuable minutes they waste in knots over something that doesn’t impact them.

You know the devil whispers in my ear soft and sweet every day, “Call that heffa when she gets to work and laugh in her face!”. But God hugs me and says, “Now Jay, you know she got a meeting to go to!”

LOL

Bottom line: You can be bitter…or you can be better.

Guess which path I took?

** Somebody hit the jingle! I’m out! **

Be well!