What is Your Posture?

What is your posture?

When you are feeling strong and happy, what is your posture?

When you are not feeling strong, not feeling positive, what is your posture?

Do you stand straight up, shoulders back, chest out or do you sort of hunch over?  I remember growing up and my brother making me stand against the wall and push my shoulders back so that I would learn to stand up straight and tall.  Over the years I have learned how important good posture, both sitting and standing, is to reducing back pain. Take a peek at Livestrong and you will find a few simple steps to maintaining good posture for sitting and standing, which may helps reduce back pain.

I recall a situation that felt like it was literally weighing me down and I found myself with shoulders slumped and sort of hunched over.  I reached a ‘scaffolding down’ moment and realized that I was not in this fight by myself.  God, who is omnipotent, fights every battle for me if I stand still.  This is confirmed for example, in Deuteronomy 2: 24, “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."  We can stand victorious demonstrating a strong faith in God.

What is your posture?  In the face of adversity, defeat, and against all the odds, tear down that scaffolding and hold your position in faith. 

“What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  No matter the hardship, we are further reminded that in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:31, 37.

I hope through this brief word of encouragement you find yourself standing a little straighter, standing a little stronger for your physical health, mental health, and spiritual health.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

The Heart

I dedicate this blog to the memory of my mother who died on February 18, 1983 and I hope that as you read, you will see how crucial it is to guard your heart; physically emotionally, and spiritually.

The heart is such a valuable part of your physical body and I bring this blog to you not only honoring the memory of my mother but also because February is Women’s Heart Health Awareness Month.  My mother died during open heart surgery at a time when medical technology had not become as advanced as it is now.  Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States with a greater mortality rate than Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and chronic lung disease.  The American Heart Association continues to draw attention to women’s awareness of their risks for heart disease.  Statistics show that 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease.  The symptoms are different between men and women and 1 in 3 women die from heart disease each year.  Reducing the risk of heart disease include staying active and healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, controlling blood press and blood sugar levels and knowing your family history.  I encourage you to visit the American Heart Association’s and the Go Red for Women websites to further your education and understanding of heart disease.

The heart is also a valuable part of your emotional being and is totally open and pure as we are born into this life.  Growth and change, life circumstances, relationships, hardships, and the like take away that simple purity.  As life happens, there are certain occurrences that hurt your heart, break your heart, and even harden your heart.  Allow your heart to heal and do not let the issues of life harden your heart, rather remain giving or loving and turn that hardness into a positive force.

The heart is also at the center of our spiritual being, a wellspring absorbing and pouring out constantly, which brings me to Proverbs 4: 23 (NIV) which says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Guarding your spiritual heart, from which the issues of life flow, means protecting it from negative issues including bitterness, anger, and hatred.  The commitment of a Godly lifestyle provides the guard over your heart needed to live and breathe spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

My mother taught me the importance of a healthy spiritual heart and even when the heart condition she had endured since birth weakened her physical heart, she continued to exude strength and faith in all she said and did.

An unhealthy heart greatly impacts you, your family, and those who care about you.  Guard your heart through maintaining a healthy lifestyle making wise choices.  Educate yourself on all matters of the heart so that you will know how to allow your heart to breathe, to live, to give, and to take.  I hope this blog has inspired you and motivated you and encouraged you to guard your heart with all diligence.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Black History Month

Black History Month is another important opportunity to educate young and old on the historical lineage behind our roots.  Our history ought to serve as a motivating force behind our need and desire to succeed.  Our history, our current situations facing us, and our concern for the future ought to motivate us to make a change, to educate, and to communicate.

Although February is the shortest month of the year, the legacy of our Black pioneers lives on so I caution you that on March 1st and every day thereafter that the celebration of accomplishments, the recognition of traditions, and the discussions and plans towards reaching resolutions of social issues in the Black community must continue.

As we reflect, let us celebrate the accomplishments of people like Ms. Vivian Malone Jones who was one of the first two African Americans to not only enroll at the University of Alabama but graduated from the university defying Governor George Wallace who vowed to never allow blacks to enroll in the all-white institution.  Vivian Malone Jones retired as Director of Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and Director of Environmental Justice for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  In 2000 she was awarded a doctorate of humane letters.

As we reflect, let us celebrate our heritage remembering familiar traditions such as family reunions, the traditional Sunday family dinners, special holiday traditions and more.  Take a moment and reflect on some of your own family’s traditions that you have enjoyed over the years as well as make plans for upcoming events.  Hold fast to those traditions even passing them on for generations to continue.

As we reflect, let us pause and recognize the need to mend various issues within our community and our society then take steps to help fill that void.  Some of the pervasive issues facing the black community include absent fathers, lack of familial support for many of our young people, the need for reform within our education system, the rates of poverty, and so much more.  While many seem to be waiting for just the right leader, the next Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or the next Malcolm X, stop waiting and consider your own position and power in you to make a change.  Be part of the dialogue that leads to a solution.  Be the leader you want to have, be the trailblazer you want to lead the way.

However you choose to celebrate this month, I admonish you to remember our culture, our rich heritage, and the accomplishments past of present of Black Americans.  As you teach our history, teach for understanding.

We are not there yet.  As long as we have breath in our body, as long as there is seed time and harvest, we are not there yet. As you achieve higher heights, be sure to reach back and offer a hand of encouragement up with you.

Celebrate yet communicate.

Reflect yet refine.

Teach yet seek.

Build relationships.

SharB~TTSD
#TaketheScaffoldingDown

Snow Day!

What do you do on a snow day?

Well play in the snow I say!

Make a snowman, snow angels, throw snowballs, and go sledding!

Do I dare go out and let go of this warm bedding?

Why not just curl up and watch a movie, read a book, or write a letter?

These suggestions sound much warmer and so much better.

But you must come outside and after playing in the snow,

I promise lots of cookies and delicious hot cocoa!

Whether inside you stay or outside you go,

Be assured that birds will soon sing

For just around the corner is yet another Spring!

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Welcome to 2015!

I offer this brief message and word of encouragement for the New Year.  2014 is behind us and has left behind much heartache and unsettling memories, and certainly many accomplishments and many unrealized opportunities.  Some of the burdens we thought resolved and left behind have tagged along into the New Year; however be cautious not to allow situations or circumstances to overtake us.  Now is the time to yank down the scaffolding of those burdens that try to weigh us down and strive diligently for hope, peace and unity.

The key word I’ve been hearing for 2015 is CHANGE.  Not just during the first month of the year, but throughout the year consider the answers to the following questions:

What change is needed as I look at me?

What change is needed in my home?

What change is needed in my community?

What is the best way I can affect change?

Be happy.  Depression and joy can not dwell together.  As stated previously, nothing and no one should take your joy.

Speak words of life.  Communicate so that you are heard and understood.

Do good deeds.  Sometimes it just takes one person to perform a good act for the next person to follow the example.

Don't give up, don’t give in, don't get sidetracked, but remain focused on what lies ahead and what needs to be done and do it with all diligence.

God is faithful to strengthen us and equip us with the tools necessary to accomplish our goals.  Remain vigilant, remain focused on the task before you, and remain encouraged to see your goals and dreams through to the end.

Continue to press forward knocking on every door and taking advantage of every opportunity to make a change.  The experiences of the past year have paved the way for a new beginning.  2015 is here and the opportunities are endless.  Seek peace, hold on to the joy promised you, renew your plans, and revive your hopes.  Keep your dreams alive.  Stand firm in your faith and move forward.

Be excited about your future and anticipate the best outcome!

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Joy!

That preacher was good!  What was the sermon about?  I don’t know but it was good!  Have you ever heard that or had that conversation with someone?  Well that was absolutely NOT the case on this past Sunday at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio.  The preacher PREACHED!  Thank you Rev. Chaney for letting the Lord use you to minister to us!

Just a few thoughts I want to share with you from her sermon as well as adding my own reflections.

Our communities have been plagued with so much chaos, death and destruction and we wonder why when we have just started getting over one situation, something else happens.  The preacher started her sermon with this scripture, to provide an answer to the question of why. Psalm 10 verses 1-4 of the NKJV:

1 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.

• This week of celebration may be shadowed in many tragic events; however we are entitled to our joy.
• Don’t let anyone or anything steal your joy.
• Watch out for the joy takers…(do a self check and make sure it’s not you)!
• Be a joy maker.
• Help others to live.
• Avoid negativity.  Don’t let anyone or anything steal your joy.
• Stuff does happen, but trust the Lord and joy will come.
• Don’t let anyone or anything steal your joy.

Take a moment to reflect on the reason for the celebration this week, the birth of Jesus Christ.  In spite of what you see in the world, do not let your faith waver, hold fast to the profession of your faith.  I encourage you to allow the joy of the Lord to surround you.  I encourage you to reflect on the blessings you have received and be thankful.  Then I encourage you to step out and help someone else to live, help someone else regain their joy.

I wish you a joyous, peaceful, and Merry Christmas!

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Thoughts on Recent Events...

The title of my blog is Take the Scaffolding Down and as a reminder, I use scaffolding metaphorically to represent something, someone, or a situation that needs to come down or be removed in your life. Expanding upon that, I say to you,

Take the scaffolding down of hatred.

Take the scaffolding of violence.

Take the scaffolding down of domestic violence.

Take the scaffolding down of injustice.

Take the scaffolding down of poverty.

Take the scaffolding down of homelessness.

Take the scaffolding down of hunger.

And the list continues of the social issues facing us.  These and other social issues that pervade our society affect every community.  How we respond is what makes the difference.  The demonstrations across the country have heightened the awareness of and raised many questions as to the policies and procedures of law enforcement and the judicial system.

The ideal situation is that everyone will always behave in a rational and law-abiding manner, and then we would not even need police officers.  The reality is that everyone does not always behave in rational, law abiding ways; however officers have to find ways to deal with unruly people without using deadly force.  This needs to be implemented into police officer training.

There has been concern regarding the mantra, “Black Lives Matter.”  The concern being that ALL lives matter, and indeed they do; however statistics show that black lives have consistently been targeted in disproportionate numbers and the tragic events over the last several months has brought that fact to the forefront.  Media coverage is never fair and balanced, therefore it becomes incumbent upon us to shed light and bring awareness within our communities.

As parents, teachers, and community leaders, now is the time to educate and reeducate our children, especially our young black men.  Now is the time to stand with families who have suffered these unbearable losses.  Now is the time to stand for what is right. 

Many of the social issues I listed above have legislative action tied to them regarding the solution and management of these issues.  Do you disagree with the decisions of lawmakers?  Did you vote to make a change?  When the system that is in place does not work, it is time to revise it.  It is through our unity and solidarity that change is made.

Change through unity and solidarity, change through your voice, change through your actions can be realized, but we still have a long way to go and great deal of work to do.  Help the healing through support, listening and positive progressive action.

If you want to see change, you must be the change you want to be.  I encourage you to let your life be the light of hope God intended you to be.

Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are. **Benjamin Franklin

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown