DAILY INSPIRATION

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Times and Seasons...
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Learn to get in touch with silence within yourself, and know that everything in this life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.
~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross~
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There truly are no coincidences, and virtually every circumstance does indeed contain within it, a lesson to be learned or an opportunity to grow from the experience. It's when we can begin to view all things from this perspective, that peace will abide in us, throughout any storm of life, and no matter what the outward conditions may be. The end result, is wisdom and understanding, and a faith that cannot be shaken.

"NOT ON OUR WATCH"...WILL YOU MENTOR?

STARTLING FACTS :

-Of all Black fourth graders, 58% are functionally illiterate
-In some cities, 80% of our boys drop out before finishing high school
-Every day, 1,000 Black children are arrested
-1 in every 8 African American males age 25-29 is incarcertaed
-The leading cause of death for our boys is homicide

Susan L. Taylor, Founder of National CARES Mentoring Movement, and Essence Magazine is asking for a commitment from at least 1 million people to each mentor one child. I heard about this awesome mentoring momevent, who's mission is to recruit and connect mentors with local youth to help guide struggling Black children to academic and social success. Many Black children are on mentoring waiting list throughout the nation, waiting for mentors and role models to help advise and guide them to success.

What a difference you can make by commiting just one hour each week to a young person. It's time we take responsibility for eachother. For every problem there is a solution, and we are the answer. Let's all get involved, our youth need us.

For more information on how you can get involved with National CARES Mentoring Movement visit www.caresmentoring.org OR call 914-390-2327

MACK IS ON A MISSION

San Diego Charger's Pro Bowl lineman Marcus McNeill is on a mission to fight child obesity. Having hosted his 3rd Annual Mack's Miracles Youth football camp, complete with free health screenings, massages, informational pamphlets packed with healthy food tips, diabetes and more, I would say he is well on his way to doing just that.

It says a lot about an athlete who gives just as much effort off the field as they do on. Witnessing first hand the youth impacted by this free camp hosted in the very same community McNeill grew up in, was great to see. He didn't forget about them, he came back to inspire change.

For more information on how you can get involved with Mack's Miracles visit www.macksmiracles.org

"I CHOOSE TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY, NOT POPULAR"

"Life for me ain't been no crystal stair" Deonte Bridges, Booker T. Washington High School first black male Valedicatorian in over a decade, quotes famous poet and writer, Langston Hughes during his graduation speech. Overcoming society sterotypes, being robbed at gunpoint,his brothers death,and his mother diagnoses with leukemia, Deonte has recieved over one million dollars in scholarship money to cover his undergraduate and graduate education. Hard work, perserverence, family and faith in God, served as foundation for Deonte's success. "I did not allow my personal problems to serve as excuses, because I understood each problem has a solution, and that solution lies with in me". We need to see more postive images like this in the news. Deonte's image, evokes change within all of us.