In Everything Give Thanks

Yesterday was one of those days that I just wanted to scream. I was feeling very overwhelmed.

To make matters worse, my car wouldn’t start while at the grocery store. Everyone I called didn’t have a jumper cable. Everyone I asked that was leaving from the grocery store also didn’t have one.

 I finally called one of my clients who came to our rescue. Once my car was up and running again, I just started to complain in my mind.

When I got home, these four words came to me – “In Everything Give Thanks”.

My day could have been worse but it wasn’t.

With so many deaths this year, I've really had to examine myself. So many times I've asked myself if I’ve accomplished everything I want to in this life. Most importantly, if I were to die right now, am I ready for Heaven? I believe that I am so let me continue to live life and do the best that I can while I still have time.

So many started 2016 but didn’t get to see the end. While the year isn’t quite finished yet, I thank God for bringing Zendaya, my family, my friends and myself this far.

With the recent passing of Alan Thicke, I was reading the details of his death online. I came across this quote he posted on May 29, 2012 on Twitter:

“Live life so completely that when death comes to you like a thief in the night, there will be nothing left for him to steal (anon)”

Powerful words and so true.  

It doesn’t matter what kind of year, month, week or day you’ve had so far, just remember, "In Everything Give Thanks".

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Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)

These Three Words

Trayvon Martin. Dead at age 17.

Mike Brown. Dead at age 18.

Eric Garner. Dead at age 43.

Sandra Bland. Dead at age 28.

Four individuals who never thought their lives would end so soon.

Four individuals who made plans for tomorrow but their tomorrow never came.

Four individuals who never got to say good-bye to the ones they loved.

Once upon a time we believed that death was only for the elderly. That is no longer the case and has never been the case.

As I read more and more about these high profile police brutality cases and hear about the deaths of loved ones and acquaintances, the more I realize that death is a respecter of no man.

Growing up, my Mom always told me to never be afraid to say these three words:

I am sorry.

I forgive you.

I love you.

If you knew that you weren’t guaranteed tomorrow, how many of you would apologize to those you’ve wronged?

If you knew that you weren’t guaranteed tomorrow, how many of you would tell your enemies that you forgive them?

If you knew that you weren’t guaranteed tomorrow, how many of you would call your family and friends and tell them how much you love them?

Don’t allow pride, grudges or malice stop you from making your wrongs right.

Do what you can today because you don't know what tomorrow holds.

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When you get a chance, please visit my friend Tyrone’s blog. His posts are insightful and very thought provoking. See his blog here.

Thanks for reading and keep smiling :) 

Where were you?

In the wake of a celebrity death or any sort of tragedy, I always remember where I was and what I was doing when I learned of the deaths of Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

I know I’m not the only one. I’ve often heard of people telling me about their whereabouts when they got the news of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, or the death of Robin Williams, John Ritter and James Avery.

As morbid as this post may be, here’s a recount of where I was when learning about the deaths/terrorist attack for the following:

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales

I was combing one of my sisters’ hair and watching television when a news flash interrupted our show. Princess Diana and her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed were in a serious car accident with life threatening injuries.

I didn’t think much of it. I said a quick prayer for them and hoped for a speedy recovery.

The next morning while listening to CFRB 1010, they announced that Princess Diana, her boyfriend and their driver had died.

The news was one of shock and disbelief. 

Sunday, August 31, 1997, the “People’s Princess” was no longer with us.

9/11

I was heading home from Humber College when I decided to make a quick stop at Scarborough Town Centre. I was passing Foot Locker when I stopped to watch reruns of the terrorist attacks on the North and South Towers of the World Trade Centre.

I rushed home to find my Mom and siblings glued to the television as they watched the events of that day. We spent hours watching footage of the worst terrorist attack in history.

That night I couldn’t sleep. For days I wondered if Toronto would be next.

Michael Jackson, The King of Pop

I was at work when I heard that Michael Jackson was taken to hospital for cardiac arrest.

I was in the middle of a lesson when my ex interrupted me to tell me the bad news - Michael Jackson had died.

As soon as I finished that lesson, I went on the internet to confirm.

Thursday, June 25, 2009 – the King of Pop had died.

Whitney Houston, The Voice of an Angel

I was at a Valentine’s Day banquet when one of my friends told me that Whitney Houston had died. I laughed and told her to stop lying. She showed me her facebook page where many were mourning the loss of Whitney.

Saturday, February 11, 2012, the world lost a woman who could sing like no other.

What celebrity death(s) or tragic event(s) will you never forget?

Feel free to share this post on your favourite Social Media Networks.

When you get a chance, please visit my friend Tyrone’s blog. His posts are insightful and very thought provoking. See his blog here.

Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)