We Can't Forget, No Matter What!

As we reach the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with all of the marathons, races, walks, Zumbathons and other charitable events that helped to raise money for breast cancer research, we cannot allow the fight for this and other noteworthy causes to end. Many friends of mine, who passed away from a tireless fight to survive this disease over the years, departed this life when their time came. I cannot forget them, no matter how many years have passed.

Many new friends I made over the years are breast cancer survivors. I look at their insatiable thirst for life and their celebration of victory that is a clear reminder to not sit and sulk over mediocrity that robs us of our valuable time and will to live. An old adage my mother used to say when I was growing up, “You don’t miss the water til the well runs dry” is one I don’t take lightly, because I see evidence of this more often than I care to. As I experience the rain showers and storms in my life, I must celebrate because the rainstorms refill my well when my water level is low.

Whether our losses come through losing loved ones or friends who we love dearly to the ugliness of cancer, heart disease, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, MS, AIDS, fatal accidents and numerous other causes, let us remember to live a life of service and gratitude. Let’s focus on what we have instead of what we don’t. I remember watching the movie “The Family That Preys” and throughout all of the lessons in the movie, the one line I remember the most was “Are You Livin’ or Are You Just Existin’.” I don’t know about you, but I choose life!

“For when I am weak, then I am strong. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

- Philippians 4:13

Are We Bombarded With Too Many Choices?

I was in the grocery store today picking up a few things and often I find myself taking longer to shop for bargains like the “Buy One Get One Free” deals, especially if I have a coupon for them. I stood in the bread section looking at which loaf of wheat bread should I choose, Merita, Sara Lee, Natures Own, Pepperidge Farm, Arnold or the store brand. Along comes a gentleman who stands staring at the bread as a lady and I were doing and said, you know, when I was in Europe, I didn’t have all of these choices to make just to buy a simple loaf of bread. Then he casually walked away to go pay for his purchase. Now that really did hit the bell in my head.

For some reason with all of the choices that we have, we can become stressed from trying to make a decision on what to choose, when it should be a simple task. Think about this; women try to decide on which shoes to wear that matches a certain outfit and then toy with what accessories to put with it. When people go shopping for a car, so many optional features, colors, interior fabrics and body styles leave us bewildered on which vehicle to purchase. When men shop for tennis shoes, there are so many brands, colors, purposes and styles beyond the traditional sneaker that they take just as long to shop for shoes as women normally do.

Are we so overwhelmed with choices in literally every aspect of our lives that we fret over decisions that should be simple, like choosing which loaf of the same type of bread to select? Here again, is a classic example of how spoiled we can be, yet how extremely blessed we are. Many people in our society unfortunately do not have the luxury of pondering over what type of bread to buy. They are grateful for a loaf of bread…plain and simple.

Perhaps we need to look within the borders of our environment and see if we really have too much “access” to too much “excess!” It is often said that the more choices we have the more freedom we have. Sometimes I often wonder if that freedom can turn into bondage. We must then decide if it is advantageous to keep our excess or to share it with others.

Beyond the Disappointments!

Every day is a time of reflection for all of us. All too often, a swarm of dis-tractions, disappointments and depression take their jabs at me relentlessly. However, I refuse to be defeated. As I gaze beyond these distractions, disappointments and depression, I stand wearing my “whole” armor of God against the wiles of these demons. This helps me to deflect defeat.

I am determined to remain disciplined in order to find that Divine purpose to give me the diligence I desire to develop a spiritual and productive lifestyle. The weapons that form against me may knock me down, but they cannot knock me out. I am more than a conqueror and as I trek through the storms, I can see the twinkle of sunlight that helps me to keep hope alive!

My Spiritual Moment in 3-D!

This morning as I walked outside to breathe in the crisp autumn air, I looked up and thanked God for allowing me to witness a new day that I will never see again. I am so grateful for this moment of tranquility to worship, rejoice and be grateful.

As I gazed at the beautiful morning sky, I had a spiritual “a-ha” moment. The cool breeze was gently blowing as the sun began to rise. The rays from the sun cast a creamy beige hue over billows of clouds drifting overhead. Simply breathtaking! What was so striking to me was at that moment I could look beyond these drifting fluffy clouds and the sky was a beautiful marine blue with milk white brush strokes of clouds that accented the heavens.

In this moment, I felt like I was watching a movie in 3-D, but this view was not generated through cinematography effects. I felt I could reach up and touch each layer of this panoramic presentation. I was literally mesmerized by this ethereal 3-Dimensional snapshot of the heavens that made me stand in silence and simply say “Wow!”

Steve Jobs Left His Visionary Mark

1955-2011

Around the world, many people are remembering the life, times and influence of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer. My first computer was an Apple Macintosh 700 series and it was so user friendly that it made me computer literate in no time at all. Like so many people who make their mark in history, whether they are famous, rich or not, you have to admire Steve Jobs for his contributions to change the face of modern technology.

As I read many tributes to this innovative man, I saw this remarkable 1 minute commercial that he narrated, but unfortunately never debuted. In 1997, TBWA/Chiat/Day, an advertising agency created Apple's "Think Different" ad campaign. It is such a poignant commercial that perhaps if Apple decides to broadcast this now, it will make an even bigger impact on the way people think, create and inspire.

Thank you from everyone you inspired and encouraged Steve, whether you knew us or not. May God Bless and strengthen your family during this time.

Team Church Zumba Joins a Child’s Place with Sweet Dreams Campaign

potterybarn.com

It is hard to believe that there are so many children in our neck of the woods who are unfortunate victims of homelessness. The simple conveniences that we take for granted each day is a luxury for these children and their families.

There are over 4,700 homeless children enrolled in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. Statistics say that:

• Homeless children go hungry twice as the rate of other children.

• The national average graduation rate for homeless children is less than 25%.

• Homeless children are twice as likely to repeat a grade.

• Homeless children experience emotional and behavioral problems three times more than their housed peers do.

• Homeless children are sick four times as often as other children are.

A Child’s Place is trying diligently to reach these children. Sweet Dreams is a campaign to collect at least 1,200 pajamas for children from the 2nd grade to the 8th grade. These pajamas must be collected by December 4th so that they can be distributed to these children on Christmas Eve. Zumba members from Team Church in Matthews, NC, led by Zumba Instructor Dania Mazier Tschirhart are striving to double that amount of pajamas with the help of some of their partners from Butler High School, Chic-fil-A in the Arboretum and Albemarle, along with other partners who will be announced soon.

For additional information about the Sweet Dreams Campaign, you may contact Dania at zumba@teamchurch.com.