Week 52, Way 52

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. - unknown

I've ended this journey with over 2,800 Twitter followers and 12 subscribers to the blog itself. But countless more people have read the blog and been inspired.

I usually share this quote with my students at the end of our communication experience but I also thought it was poignant to share here. It sums up this journey that I have gone on and that you have taken with me.

Becoming a better 'you' starts with your thoughts. If you think it, it plants a seed. And you want to grown tall, majestic trees, not stubby old weeds.

The book 'The Secret' offers up a lot of tools to live a more fulfilled life, but the book can summed up to this quote. If you think that you're going to fail - you will. But if you think success, success will come. And this is not a hokey excuse for living...it is the true. You are your thoughts.

Your assignment for the rest of your life - change your thoughts!

Week 51, Way 51

Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions. - Albert Einstein

It seems as if the doldrums of today have relegated us moping and moaning. But we must not let our imagination go the way of the world. Without your imagination, you will simply wake up and live each day as every other. But where is the fun in that?

When you use your imagination - you dare to dream. And if you dream it, you can achieve it. When I first started this blog, I imagined myself becoming a more positive and peaceful person. If you knew me in real life, you'd probably think that dream would never come true. But it did. Writing inspiring posts for a whole year has made me more inspired. It has challenged my old thoughts and beliefs and forced me to see things more clearly and succinct. I imagined this blog at Week 52 and that it was made me continue to write every week. I wanted my imaginative thoughts to become real life.

Your assignment this week is to imagine what next year could be like, then put pen to paper and make a plan so that you can turn those thoughts into real life.

Week 50, Way 50

"Understanding is a two-way street." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I teach interpersonal communication and by the time that I have completed the 'listening' chapter, the class finally gets it. They realize that listening is an active process and they'd been missing the biggest component - understanding.

Understanding is a two way street...don't assume that someone heard you because they just so happened to be in the room while you spoke. Make sure that they heard you and that they spend time contemplating what they just heard. Make sure that you both come to an understanding.

So your assignment this week is to actively listen then confirm understanding with everyone that you meet. You make yourself a better person in the process and a heck of lot less frustrated.

Week 49, Way 49

There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones. ~ Anwar Sadat

Today, I am sitting in a room full of women who are learning to empower themselves politically. And one just thanked us all for being here - she was happy to be in our presence. We thanked her for saying that. We are now a family. We are family dedicated to advancing our issues and concerns in and for our community. And we could not do it without each other.

We've decided to function as one big family, rather than live and learn as separate ones. And its going to take a learning curve to really get it down pat. But its worth every minute.

Your assignment this week - join a family of folks that you are NOT related too. We can do so much more together.

Week 48, Way 48

Every people should be the originators of their own destiny. – Martin Delany

Sitting in a training session for a local nonprofit brings this quote close to home. I am volunteering for a group that helps empower young ladies to become the leaders of tomorrow - and that makes me proud. I am a strong woman helping to develop other strong women. I am helping them create their own destiny.

I have so much to say in regards to becoming a volunteer with this organization that I could write about it all day. But I won't. Instead, I will say this - I see me in them and I know where I was at age 15. I promise to be to them what might not have been there for me. Why let them make the mistakes that I have made? I can show them the path and help them carve out their own destiny. This is how we as women help create young women's destiny.

Your assignment this week - carve out your own path or help someone with theirs.

Week 47, Way 47

If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded. – Maya Angelou

wow...this quote was already in my queue for today and it seems as though everything happens for a reason.

Today, millions are mobilizing to help those in need in Haiti and their loved ones who are seeking a glimmer of hope. Compassion and care is exactly what we are showing now and we mustn't stop.

If you have not already done so, please donate to any local or national organization that is currently assisting in Haiti. Also remember that the news sells sensationalism, so no matter what images that you may see on tv, you should still keep the drive and desire to help.

In the next few days we celebrate the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King - a man who spent his whole life making sure that those without a voice fought for one. He would be proud of us as brothers and sisters now and I am sure that he is welcoming the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragedy.

So your assignment this week is to care for someone other than yourself.

Week 46, Way 46

If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die. - Maya Angelou

The scary part about Ms. Angelou's statement is that it seems that we have begun to walk down this road. We are using hate to rule our lives and it is influencing the way we walk, talk and set rules and regulations for ourselves.

We don't want to live next door to people we don't like so we move. We don't want to deal with our own inequities so we blame others. We don't want to deal with our own problems so we hide them in vices. We don't love others because we don't love ourselves.

We sure don't want to become a nation that gives up on ourselves. We don't want to become a nation that functions on fear...but we are getting close.

Your assignment this week - learn to love again, you will gain self respect.