One thing that I have learned is that when you are clear on your goals, you do not cling to less important priorities. You recognize that, like everyone else, you have limited time, energy and resources. As a result, you learn to let go of the idea that somehow you should be able to do everything.

You learn to keep your focus on your objective, and distribute your time based on three priorities: God, you, and family. You then prioritize and make goals; making sure to give yourself ample space for rest and rejuvenation.

Grabbing as hold to the fat was very important to me, especially in the last few months. I start a path to purposely obey God. Why?

Because obedience is just that – purposeful!

I grew tired of trying to figure it all out on my own and when my business literally came to a standstill, I had to look to God to figure it all out.

Fearfully and wonderfully, He created each and every part of me..
Without doubt the Master carved my greatness into being.
With strokes of love He painted a rich vibrant color all over my body.
Each time He touched me He thought of how wonderful my life would be.

He saw my days and wrote each one down in the book of life.
With careful thought He penned each bump, obstacles,
and the victory I would have in the midst of it all.
He knew I would be one to accept His Son
and that the enemy would try and steal me away.

Yet as He wrote, He knew that in my life He would be glorified.

Habari Gani? The news today is Ujima (00-JEE-mah) which means “Collective Work and Responsibility”. This principle teaches us that we are to build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.

Day 3 of Kwanzaa represents a very important aspect of the Christian faith that helps us to become all the God intends for us to be. We are expected to work together and help one another. However, for some reason in this mixed up society we have missed the true mission as mandated by God.

I have always taught my children to help others and to work with others. It is a very important part of our family mission to simply be the vessels that God has created us to be.

What’s the news? Today the news is Kujichagulia  ((koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) is “Self-Determination”. It means “to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves”.

As I speak to my boys about self-determination I want them to first understand that it is impossible without God at the helm. That in essence your drive to define who you are, to name who you are and to create for yourself without the meddling of man comes from the core of who we are in Christ.

When we are bold in our walk we learn to speak up for who we are, what we do, and how we do it with tact and grace. It becomes the cornerstone of who we are as children of the Creator.

However I want to caution them that self-determination must be handled with a huge dose of humbleness so that pride does not become their downfall.

When I first learned of Kwanzaa it was at my former church in Los Angeles. As my pastor presented the principles and concept of the week long celebration, I became engrossed with it. Why was it that I had missed out on this fabulous opportunity to be a part of building community and cultural roots?

Every year we as a family discuss Kwanzaa and what is means to our family and the African American race. I can’t ignore where I come from or who I am so I as a mother teach my children to embrace it as well. For I am not ashamed of the color of my skin, my roots, and the struggle that we have and continue to endure.