What is the difference between those who do and those who don’t?
That is a question that plagues our communities.
There are those young people who have got it going on and you can smell success all over them from the time they leave the cradle…
And then there are those who as much as you may pray…
You know…
Well you know what you know…
I encounter kids from all walks of life…
Affluent kids who have everything…
Many go on to achieve something….many don’t…
In those cases I have discovered that giving them everything as opposed to allowing them to earn some things may be where the rubber meets the road…
Many kids I know have no real drive or determination because everything was so easy…
Designer clothes, shoes, cell phones, cars the day the get a driver’s license…
What is there to work for to strive for or to appreciate?
In many cases these kids go on to do well, however, some are so privileged and feel so entitled they are unable to move because they have never had to…
That is a grave disservice…a real way to set kids up…for failure…
Of course we should introduce our kids to everything life has to offer…
It just doesn’t have to be every material thing…
On the other hand I see kids who grow up in the most, dire circumstances…
Who were given nothing and everyday through sheer faith and self-determination…
They strive, work hard and achieve…
Many tell me it is because they will break the chain, they will not carry on the family legacy…
Others because someone has stepped into their lives and show them they can do better…
Be better…live better…
But at the end of the day…what is the real determiner…
Is self-determination…
Deciding for self that at some point it is not about…
What mama had…
Or papa had…
Or what mama said or didn’t say…
Or papa did or didn’t do…
It is about realizing that we have all been blessed with abilities and should work as
Hard as we can in order to realize those…and for those of us with something to offer…
We have to spread it around all the children in our communities…so they will know that it really isn’t about where they are from…it’s about where they are…
And where they are going…it will be better for all of us…
I promise you…
angelia
6 comments:
KUDOS!
Thanks Sis...
Love and Blessings...
angelia
Yes Angelia it takes a determined individually with a PHDD(Purpose or Passion,Heart,Drive or Desire, and Determination). When you grow up being a part of a generational curse of welfare and housing projects, or just living in an apartment, it takes a person without a hidden agenda to make you see the light and get you out of that family rut.
All it boils down to is someone who really cares, showing you the light, and it will make a difference.
Much Respect and Love
JC
Yes indeed, and you having the ability and openness to recieve what is given is also a much needed component, teachers can teach until the or blue in the face, but a non recptive student wont get it...
smooches...
angelia
Amen, sis. As a woman from Paterson NJ who managed to get a doctorate, I can say for me it was a mixture of things.. all of which you named in this beautiful post. There was that little old white woman who came down to the hood to lead a Girl Scout troop at a local church. She took us on trips and talked to us about our future when most of our parents where busy trying to make ends meet and make it day to day. Girl Scouts and summer camp introduced me to folks who lived different lives and I got a glimpse of how life could be. Reading books and escaping into different worlds helped too. But the most of all I think the Grace of God... There are so many more folks who didn't make it, folks no more or less special than me... And when my soul looks back and wonders how I got ovah... All I can say is the Grace of God... Placing folks in my life, showing me that I can do better... that's why I love the work you do with the young sisters. And that's why I will be doing a lot more community outreach. It's time for me to start giving some of that back... Thanks for writing this post and reminding me of that.
much love and peace,
Gwyneth
Love You...we have to do what we do, so they can do what they must...our stories are very similiar in many ways
bless you...
angelia
Post a Comment