2007 and We're off! ! !

Day one of 2007 has come and gone. What can I say? I am excited to be here. Once more, I am excited to be here.

As I take the time to reflect on my years past, I can only conclude that I am one extremely blessed individual. Over the past month, I got an opportunity to really experience and affirm the love that my family has for me. I guess I did not really know how truly sectioned off from that knowledge I was living in Harlem, however, spending a month in Brooklyn close to my family made me realize that I am thought of often and in high regard. Not only as an important component of the family, not only as the man of the family, but as someone that they are very proud to send out to the world and present as a representation of who we are. I had no idea that would result from my stay, but it did. And let me tell you, it makes me feel. . .makes me feel really. . .really, really. . .blessed.

I got an opportunity to see most of my really close friends. If even for a moment, it was nice to see smiling friendly faces. Faces that tell you that I am happy to see you. Faces that tell you that I am happy to know you. Faces that tell you that you are my friend. And we all know that a glance can tell as many words as a picture is worth. The pictures, the mental snapshots, the recorded voices and words play across my mind like a never-ending story. It is in this way that dreams give visions to love. And I am feeling so very loved right now. I am feeling so loved, that I am capable of giving love.

30 years. It took me 30 years to reach this feeling. Not that I haven’t felt it before, or that I’ll never feel it again. But it feels really great to be in this moment.

2007. 30. India. Family. Friends. Books. Travel. Black. Nappy. Proud. Engaging. Old. New. Beautiful. Peaceful. Reflexive. Enjoyment. Radicalization. Aptitude. Better.

Each word represents a strand of DNA that makes up my moment today. I think you all for sharing in it. If you are reading these words, then you just may be responsible for me feeling the way that I do.

In parting, I’d like to share a list that was forwarded to my team from a colleague in India. This list should serve as a constant reminder that our actions drive our ability to feel one way or the other about ourselves and about our outlook on society, at large. There is always going to be positive and negative energy. There is always going to be positive and negative feelings. The essence of existence is to strive for positivity due to or in spite of your relation to the world at any given moment. No, we will not always succeed by general standards, but sometimes the fight alone can be the measure of your success. Fight for positivity.

I love (insert your name here because I love all of you)


The most destructive habit ~ Worry
The greatest joy ~ Giving
Our greatest natural resource ~ Our youth
The greatest “shot in the arm” ~ Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome ~ Fear
The most effective sleeping pill ~ Peace of mind
The most crippling disease ~ Excuses
The most powerful force in life ~ Love
The most destructive pariah ~ Gossip
The most incredible computer ~ The human brain
The worst thing to be without ~ Hope
The deadliest weapon ~ The tongue
The two most powerful words ~ Can do
The greatest asset ~ Faith
The most worthless emotion ~ Self-pity
The worst thing you can lose ~ Self-respect
The most satisfying work ~ Helping others
The ugliest personality trait ~ Selfishness
The most beautiful attire ~ A smile!
The most prized possession ~ Integrity
The most contagious spirit ~ Enthusiasm
The most powerful communication ~ Prayer