Coffee with Candy

It's a bit nippy out. 32° in my neck of the woods. But, hey, we'll take it. Its FriYAY!!!! No snow to block our flow in the DMV!! What's the weather like where you are? Wishing you all good energy near and far!

Do you know when to chill? How to be still? My Aunt Sarah used to remind me all the time. She'd say even a car has to stop for fuel. A car needs maintenance for optimal performance. We make time for oil changes, tune ups, and tire rotations for a reason. Liken yourself to a car. Are you taking care of you? Are you taking time to rest when you're tired? Are you going for your check ups? When you need a quick reset what do you do? What simple thing works for you?

For most of us things could be better, but they could also be worse. A whole lot worse. Be thankful for what is. We have today. We woke up. We're in reasonable health. We have shelter and in our right minds. There's beauty all around us. And within.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Phillippians 4:6-7 {NIV}

When Jessie Jackson gave his Keep Hope Alive Speech in 1988 I was fully grown at 31. I thought the saying was simplistic and catchy. It sure sounded good. But as I have matured I realize how profound the saying really is. Hope is a powerful thing. To live without hope is to be defeated. To be conquered. It's throwing the towel in. It's telling yourself that you'll never win. What kind of life is that? Listen, life has given all of us some low blows. Sometimes the journey is dark and long. Can we imagine what life must have been like to a slave? I imagine as horrible as the times were, they had a glimmer of hope that change would come one day. Even in present times, life is not without challenges and pressure. These are some trying times. Personally, socially, and globally. And guess what? We need hope to cope! Hope, I think, is closely related to faith. Hope helps us to keep going even when things seem to be hopeless. Hope helps us to survive. To strive and to thrive. Hope helps us to keep getting up daily and doing the best that we can. No matter what!

Rest in peace, Reverend Jessie Jackson! Thank you for reminding us to keep hope alive!