Emancipation – Liberation – Freedom!

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery throughout the nation.  One hundred and fifty years ago, this very important document began a rollercoaster of transformation that changed the lives of every human being across this country. Inevitably, this process of freedom trickled down to the descendants of slaves and slave owners.

We reflect on a few aspects from the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation and apply them to our lives today, regardless of race, creed or gender. If you are a slave to something, whether it is an addiction to drugs, alcohol, food, toxic relationships, procrastination, massive debt, illegal activity of some type, infidelity, illiteracy, complacency or anything else that compromises your integrity and self worth, then it is time for liberation!

As with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, breaking the chains of anything that has a stronghold on you that keeps you from being the best and most effective person that God designed you to be, is a clear signal that it is time to let it go and move on.  We realize that with good comes bad, with light there will follow darkness and with positivity you will find negativity waiting to shake things up.

In this country, we have many freedoms that other parts of the world could not imagine. We must also be cognizant of the fact that we must assert responsibility for those freedoms and pledge to be accountable for our words, actions and deeds. With wrongdoings, there will be consequences. If we would just pause and listen to that still small voice that all too often we ignore, we will find that in some incredible way, we will be able to help each other rise, shine and soar!

Take a good, long look in the mirror and examine beyond the point of what you physically see. Are there any chains in your life that need to be broken? It’s a new year, so why wait and remain in bondage. Break free NOW! Do it TODAY!

Celebrating Presidents Day!

“Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.” -Thomas Jefferson

President’s Day is a celebratory time set aside to honor all of our U.S. Presidents. Normally Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are symbolically identified with this occasion, since both of their birthdays fell within a short time of each other during the month of February. George Washington was initially linked to the formation of Presidents Day.

“I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal.” -Abraham Lincoln

Prior to 1968, this fact did not seem to bother anyone and things were running along smoothly in the birthday celebration department. February 22nd was observed as a federal public holiday to honor the birthday of George Washington and February 12th was observed as a public holiday (in most states) to honor the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

“Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower

However, in 1968, the 90th Congress was determined to create a uniform system of federal Monday holidays, so they voted to shift three existing holidays (including Washington's Birthday) to Mondays. The law took effect in 1971. As a result, Washington's Birthday holiday was changed from its fixed February 22 date to the third Monday in February. This change was not without controversy. There was some concern that Washington's identity would be lost (since the third Monday in February would never fall on his birth date of February 22nd). Since 1968, President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February when we pay tribute to every individual who served in the office of President of the United States of America.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”. -John F. Kennedy

We are blessed to have the freedom in this country to vote in a democracy where we have the ability to select the candidate we wish to see in office. Although many people do not hold some of our Commanders-in-Chief in the same high esteem, there is no doubt that regardless of our political affiliations or views, our country is not governed by a dictatorship. Thank God for that! Sometimes we tend to take the freedoms we are able to enjoy for granted; freedoms that other countries would only dream about experiencing. We must be mindful that although we have the freedom of speech, we must not allow our tongues to defile our character and spirits. Just because you have the right to speak what is on your mind, does not mean that it is always appropriate or necessary.

So, on this Presidents Day, let us take a moment to reflect on what a great country we live in. May we never forget how blessed we are to be in a nation where we have the opportunity to soar beyond our wildest dreams and where people, no matter what race, creed or gender you are, can get an education and practice their religion without suffering cruel consequences. Let us also take this moment, to salute our military men and women, along with their families. It is because of them, that the freedoms we enjoy every day, is protected.

“Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. … Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.” -Barack Obama

Hail to the Chief!