Memorial Day & Hunger Games

This past week my son Freddie and I saw the movie, "Hunger Games."  I know this was a movie many of  you saw weeks ago and I am on the late train.  The story is set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and a girl from the 12 districts that make up their universe to fight until their death on live television.  The heroine in the movie, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to take her younger sister's place when she's selected for the latest match.  There are many things that caught my attention in this movie, and like any type of "war" people hate death and ultimately have a compassionate heart towards mankind.

In the movie, Katniss who is from District 12, was helped by a young little black girl that is from District 11 ( the purpose of  "Hunger Games" is  one out of the 24 people that go in will come out a live) so for this young girl from District 11 to help Katniss from District 12, she is sacrificing the possibility of her own life.  A friendship develops and when the young girl from District 11 is killed, Katniss shows compassion towards her through a kind and loving burial.  This also sets the stage for Katniss to have purpose and have a heart to survive.
 

This week I wanted to share a thought regarding Memorial Day and the movie, "Hunger Games" stayed on my mind.  The two have a theme that is intertwined.  We all want to live for a purpose and to survive.

 
Memorial Day is a federal holiday set aside to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  This holiday has evolved and is now celebrated in several ways from picnics, to fireworks and the decorating of loved ones graves.  As I continued to do some research on this holiday, I also learned something I never knew, blacks in Charleston, also known as "Freedmen,"  organized a May Day ceremony covered by the New York Tribune Newspaper.  Our history tells us that "our" loved ones also served and died in serving our country dating back to the Civil War.   Frederick Douglass said, "Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship."

Although "Hunger Games" was a fictional story, the theme of mankind caring for one another even in the worse of circumstances, is the same even in real life war.   Peter the young man from District 12 in the movie, made the statement that  he did not want to lose who he was, and  even if he was to die, he didn't want "them" (the ones in charge) to think they owned him. 

 
In closing, I want to say thank you to everyone who has fought and died to keep all of us free!
 
Healing Without Hate:  It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
 

Visit www.WendyGladney.com &  www.forgivingforliving.org.   You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog:  Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.

President Obama Says Yes to Same Sex Marriage

Last week the President changed the game when he sat down with ABC News' Correspondent, Robin Roberts to discuss his views and stand regarding same sex marriage.  After looking at  the interview, I decided to peruse through different articles to see what was being said.   When I saw the following title, "Same Sex Marriage:  If Not Now, When?  If Not America's First African American President, Who?"  I stopped in my tracks.  What a heavy burden to be placed on one's legacy.

The author of the article also quoted several influential individuals that spoke about taking a stand, or letting your voice be heard.   I read the piece from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that said, "There comes a time when one must take a stand that is neither expedient, that's neither safe, that's neither politic or that is neither popular, but he must take the stand because it is right."

 

What's interesting is the subject of gay marriage and gay rights really puts people on different sides of the fence, splits families and communities, almost like the American Civil War.  Actually, this is a type of Civil War.  What comes into play are moral issues, family, equality, civil rights, forgiveness and love to name a few.

As I discussed this subject with my daughter on Mother's Day, we had an open dialogue about how our faith as a Christian plays a role in our thought process, we talked about how if gay marriage is accepted, that means text books in our schools would have to be changed on how families are defined and inclusion.  It means sex education would be altered on discussing how we have traditionally defined love and procreation.  A lot goes into taking a stand on such an issue.

 

What I am discovering is that one has to be very clear on what they believe and use as their core and center when making such decisions.  This subject has a rippling effect that not only goes across the river, but will flow downstream to future generations. What does your heart say?

Healing Without Hate:  It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!

Visit www.WendyGladney.com &  www.forgivingforliving.org.   You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog:  Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.

Mother's Day 2012

This weekend people across the country will celebrate their mothers and the women that have touched their lives in a "mother like" context.  There are those that don't grow up with their mothers for a multiple of reasons, but grandmothers, aunts, teachers and sometimes just that neighbor down the street will fill the shoes that can only be done by a mother's love.

Mother's Day is one of the most commercial and lucrative holidays for card companies, florists, and restaurants.  It's been stated that close to $6 billion dollars are spent annually on these items, including gifts such as spa treatments and jewelry.  Believe it or not, It is also considered one of the "holidays" where people go to church that only attend on Easter, Mother's Day  and Christmas.  Church also made it popular for one to wear a red carnation if your mother is still alive and a white one if she's deceased. 

I think it's wonderful to acknowledge mothers, I love the attention bestowed upon me by my children, however, why do we have to honor and uplift the love of mother's just once a year?  Instead of spending billions of dollars on things that perish, find out what's your mother's favorite charity and donate to a cause near and dear to her heart.  If your mother is deceased, then do something to help another individual in honor of her work.  Another idea since it is close to graduation, would be to donate money towards a scholarship in the name of your mother.  These are just suggestions that can have a profound impact on others and future generations. What better way to tell your mother you love and appreciate all that she has planted in your life.

Author, Honore de Balzac said:  The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.   Amen.

Healing Without Hate:  It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!

Visit www.WendyGladney.com &  www.forgivingforliving.org.   You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog:  Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.

Forgiving For Living, Inc., 2012 PLUS Awards

On
Saturday, April 21st Forgiving For
Living, Inc. will hold our 5th Annual PLUS Awards Brunch &
Silent Auction at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills,
California. Each year we honor
individuals that touch the lives of women and young ladies in a positive and
uplifting manner. This year's honorees are
Byron K. Reed, Vice President Wells Fargo Bank; Bobbie Jean Anderson,
Community Leader; Ana Valdez, Founder & President Valdez Consulting,
Activist & Philanthropist, Maiko Maya, Founder Circle of Charities; Lena Kennedy, Southern
California Chairperson, Women for Obama & Southern California Women's
Health Conference Chair; and the
National Alumnae Association Spelman College Los Angeles. Our entertainment will be provided by Tommy
Johnson and our Master of Ceremonies will be the one and only Chris Schauble,
News Anchor for KTLA.

Forgiving
For Living, Inc., (FFL) was founded in
1999 from my work with young ladies sharing the obstacles I was able to
overcome in my life. FFL is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, established
to provide solutions related to issues of hate, anger, bitterness and the
inability to forgive. FFL’s objective is to help promote and restore mental wellness
and provide mentorship to individuals who have dealt with issues of abuse,
abandonment and low self-esteem while aiding in the restoration of one’s
self-confidence and direction in life on their path to forgiveness. For more
information on FFL and our programs, please visit: www.forgivingforliving.org .

The
support and sponsorship we receive helps to underwrite our mentoring, awareness and
educational programs offered through individual mentoring sessions and support,
our annual conference on Forgiveness, and workshops we collaborate with local
organizations and corporate partnerships.
A portion of the contribution will also go towards Scholarships and our
Financial Literacy Program. We are proud
to announce that four young ladies will receive scholarships at this year's
luncheon. As the world continues to deal
with tensions and conflict in the workplace, relationships, racial/religious
differences and more, forgiveness will increasingly prove to be the viable
necessity for overcoming these challenges.

Healing Without
Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle.
Pass it on!

Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You
can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured
on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @
5:00am.

He Has Risen

The Glory of
Easter...

Holy week is one of
the most special and precious times of the year for Christians. We often hear the phrase at Christmas that
"Jesus is the Reason for the Season," however, I believe that Easter
is the time for Christ to be glorified.

This is the time of
year when we recognize the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. People from across the world view this season
differently and celebrate it in various ways.
Some are most concerned about their new "Easter" outfit with
their new bonnet, also known as the famous Easter hat. While others get more excited about Easter
baskets, decorating eggs and planning
Easter egg hunts with chocolate covered bunnies. Then there are those that see it only as the beginning
of Springtime and covet the prettiest lawn or garden in the neighborhood.

What I find ironic is
no matter how we think of or celebrate Easter we can't run from the fact that
all of it was created by Him. Some may
say that I am being very opinionated in my view or expression, but at the end
of the day, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and if at no other time,
now is when I can allow my voice to be heard.

Christ claimed victory over the grave with the empty
tomb. "They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they
entered they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." To me this represents the ultimate
forgiveness!

I wish all of you a
blessed Resurrection Day!


Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!

Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You
can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured
on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @
5:00am.

Trayvon Martion Justice Brings Forgiveness

All of us are
familiar with the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin that took place on February
26th by a self appointed neighborhood watchman who's name is George Zimmerman
in Sanford Florida outside of Orlando.
As of the time of this submission George Zimmerman is still a free man
that has not been arrested, while a mother weeps for justice.

We also know from
recordings that Martin realized he was being followed and he asked Zimmerman
why he was following him. Zimmerman
called into 911 reporting that Martin looked suspicious because he was wearing
a "hoodie." Police told
Zimmerman to stand down and wait for the police to get there and yet Zimmerman
disregarded these demands. When police
arrived and Martin was dead, it was reported that Zimmerman stated he acted in
self defense. PLEASE!

As a mother, my heart
goes out to Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, because I too have a wonderful,
handsome, and promising young African American son. She was reported as saying, "the
investigation won't matter unless the result is in the arrest and prosecution
of George Zimmerman." This mother
is asking for justice.

As many know, I am a
strong advocate for forgiveness. I also
believe in justice. Wanting one does not
cancel out the other. I believe
oftentimes for forgiveness to thrive, justice must exist. A question that many are asking is
"what's so special about this particular young man, black men are killed
almost on a daily basis?" My
response to this is sometimes we get sick and tired of being sick and tired and
enough is enough.

As we close out Women's
History Month, I would like to draw a parallel discussion using Ms. Rosa Parks. Ms. Rosa was not the first African American
woman to refuse giving up her seat to a white person, but she was the right
woman at the right time to cause a nation to have the courage and strength to
take a stand on her behalf. In my
opinion, Trayvon Martin also represents the many African American boys and men
that are innocently killed and have no voice.
The nation is taking a stand from the White House down by letting their
voices be heard and if need be wearing their "hoodie." Let's not let this be another situation where
a young man, a young African American dies in vain.

Healing Without
Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle.
Pass it on!

Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You
can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on
Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @
5:00am.

FEAR

This morning I woke up and I thought about all the things I want to do in and with my life and I asked myself why I wasn't doing them. Of course there are the practical answers like, I have to make a living, I have people depending on me, I have responsibilities, etc. Then I thought about a statement a friend recently said, "wouldn't life be interesting if we lived without fear." Don't get me wrong, there are some things I believe are good to fear. Growing up as a little girl my grandmother taught us the fear of God, and of course we were afraid of what she would do to us if we acted up, but I'm talking about not fearing what man can or cannot do to or for you.

As I shared this thought with a neighbor who stopped by for a cup of tea, she said, "Wendy you do a lot already, what else do you want to do?" I responded by saying, there are a lot of things running around in my head and I need to get them out. Of course she laughed and said then just get them out. After she left, I pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and I just started writing down all of the things I wanted for my life. I separated them into two categories, personal and professional. I thought about goals and unfinished dreams. Then I thought about what do I need to do to make them happen, when I was honest, I realized the main things I desired to do in my life, it was fear holding me back.

Suddenly as I was writing everything down, I remembered a definition I once read about the word FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real. Then I thought about what scared me about making that phone call to someone who could help me with a project, or why didn't I just tell someone that they were not the right partner for me, or how bad would it really be if I stuck to exercising and watching what I ate? Sounds funny when I say it out loud or read what I wrote down, but it is true, we are afraid or fear what actually may happen if we're honest, do what we need to do, or step out on faith. I am going to work on doing a better job of letting go of what so easily entangles me and just focus on what is and what can be. I encourage you do to the same.

Marianne Williamson once said (and Nelson Mandela repeated it in his Inauguration Speech in 1994)

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us....We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."


Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!

Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.