President Barack Obama on Health Care Reform: Live Address
August 22, 2009
Michael Jackson hailed “King of Pop” in the spotlight since the tender age of five; the world watched on as he lived a life of stardom and glamour as well as uphill battles and undoubtedly inside struggles. This Pop Icon crafted a legacy of his own with over the top record breaking hits, a fan base surpassing that of his predecessors, and a self proclaimed promise that he would be the greatest that ever lived. So what finally occurred on his journey through life that caused his dreams to be short lived? No matter what we experience in life whether exhilarating or death defying, at the end of the day there is something that you have to face, yourSELF.
No one said it better than Michael, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.” This song and many more revealed the quest that Jackson and millions of human beings often embark upon in the middle of life’s journey. The objective, “Take a look at yourSELF.” Not your neighbor, your boss, your children, or your parents; we all have to come to a point in our lives’ when we take an introspective look at who we are and where we’re heading. Once that inspection is complete it is up to you to, “Make a change.”
Constantly under the media’s scrutiny, harassed and criticized for who he did not choose to be, Jackson’s journey through life was anything but stress free! “I’m going to end up just like Elvis Presley” was his fear, evidence enough that his demons were lurking, threatening to take him before his time should have been. Or was it? Was the life of Michael Jackson a sacrifice for you and I revealing the demons that we disguise and make believe don’t exist?
In my memoir, “The Journey Less Traveled: Choose to Turn Your Tragedy into Triumph” is an interactive journal called, Seven Steps to Developing a Conquerors Mentality. Step Six: Recognize Lesson Learned, teaches the reader how to take a tragic situation and embrace the opportunity to learn and grow from its occurrence. So the “King of Pop” is no longer with us but he left behind a lifetime of memories. In order to move forward from any tragedy we have to embrace its reality. Given the opportunity to live your life differently, think about what you now know and implement how you choose to live and grow.
I would like to highlight, “Lessons of Tragedy and Triumph” from the life and death of “The King of Pop” Michael Jackson:
- Always find time to invest in our future generation
- Never give a deaf ear to wisdom and advice from your loved ones and trusted friends
- Every chance you get always tell others of your love and appreciation for them
- When you see yourself going down the road to destruction humbly shift gears in an attempt to change your direction
- Use your God given skills and talents to inspire the world
- Money is power, but becomes a weakness when used to define who you are
- Love your mother because you only get one and when time permits give her your all
- Take the time to heal from past hurts and disappointments, because untreated wounds can lead to an infection
- There is a call to greatness in each one of us, but it’s up to you to answer the call
- Whenever life knocks you down, never stop dreaming and attempt to get back up
Life is our greatest teacher, but I believe that there are some destinations that could be avoided if we choose to learn from others mistakes. We don’t have to be strung up in a hospital room with an intravenous tube in our arm to understand that inhaling a mixture of chemical toxins can cause not only an altered state of being, but possibly lead to death. Unfortunately, everyone does not survive tragedy. But as a survivor of any tragic event, you are given a chance to take your experience, learn and grow, then help someone else.
By, Loretta Faith Harris
Author of, “The Journey Less Traveled: Choose to Turn Your Tragedy into Triumph
TRANSFORMERS The ReVeal-a-tion
July 12, 2009
Director Michael Bay has done it again! “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Ranked #1 in Top Box Office Hits bringing in over $112M in just one weekend. If you’ve never been a fan of the Transformer’s action figures or Saturday morning cartoons, this Sci-Fi Action movie is sure to hold you captivated with its noteworthy actors, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Tyrese Gibson.
The setting is earth and the Decepticons will stop at nothing to take over the universe! With their leader Megatron revived from a deep sea nap they insist on retrieving the missing piece to complete their Power FEAT. Of course the Autobots isn’t having it and delivers an over the top combat led by the one and only Optimus Prime. Despite the metal uniforms and heavy weaponry, the Autobots are lost without their guiding light, Sam. Unbeknownst to Sam, he is the key element in this entire equation. Though small in stature Sam was predestined as the “One” to team up with Optimus Prime to take down the infamous Megatron and the Decepticon tyrants!
Isn’t this just like the human nature. We doubt and question our ability to CONQUER and OVERCOME life’s greatest obstacles. Little do we realize that we are destined for VICTORY!
Yes, like Sam You have to dig deep down inside and pull on generations of greatness. You did not just arrive at this mission…your forefathers have been fighting this Good Fight of Faith and it’s not over until You decide to do your part and CONQUER!
I feel this thing…! This word is seeping into someone’s heart and You finally realize that You are walking into your DESTINY. What Your ancestors could not do, the fulfillment of their deferred HOPES and DREAMS is dependent upon Your decision to Act. So Act Now! Step out on Your intuition and seize the moment to FREE Yourself from those DOUBTS and FEARS that’s been eating away at your ZEAL…! No time to wait – it’s time to TRANSFORM into that Man that Woman – You know – That Vision residing in the depths of your SOUL…it’s calling!
This is TRANSFORMERS The ReVeal-a-tion
~ by, Loretta Faith Harris
Author of, The Journey Less Traveled: Choose to Turn Your Tragedy into Triumph
Life After Tragedy
July 12, 2009
So, how do you pick up the pieces after the winds and waves of life has apparently knocked you so far to the ground that it seems nearly impossible to recover? What I am about to say may sound like a cliché, but it’s not. You are out for the count and there is no HELP in sight!
Tell you what, TRUST GOD!
Ha, “Trust God” she says. “Where was God when I needed Him the most? How can I trust a God that would allow such devastation to occur in my life?” I know that some of you may be feeling like this and you DEMAND answers. Listen to me, because I was there. I struggled with understanding the ways of God. I asked the resounding question, “Why do bad things happen to good people.” Honestly, after surveying God and throwing my fist up towards the Heavens, I finally asked myself, “What’s so good about me?” If this trial did not occur in my life, it definitely would have occurred in someone else’s life. What makes it wrong because it happened to me and not the next man?
It’s easy to stand on the sidelines gazing into the life of that person on the news, but what happens when it’s your turn to have the “spectators” and “naysayers” hover over you awaiting your next move. It is during these unexplainable moments my friend when you MUST trust God. He has already ordained your TRIUMPANT comeback! He is carrying you through the fight of your life!
You are listening to someone who the doctors gave up on and left to die. I am the one that they said, “She won’t make it.” Death came for my soul and I was no match, BUT GOD! He delivered me and much more than that, brought me back better than before! I am here to encourage and uplift those who feel like giving up. Please, DO NOT throw in the towel! God is not finished with you yet! Your moment of TRIUMPH is sooner than you think!
The writer of James says it best, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So do not try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (James 1:2-4, MSG). So when you are involved in a head-on collision with misfortune, know that you are predestined to OVERCOME. It is a fixed fight!
