Accepting Challenges

When I was a child my grandmother said that I wasn't afraid of anything. She told my mother. "that girl isn't afraid of the devil"; to which I replied, "we are Christian's, we aren't supposed to be afraid of the  devil". As we grow older, life experiences shape us. They tend to distort our perception of who we really are deep inside! 
This week I participated in Leadership Memphis' Class of 2011 Kick off retreat. We enjoyed many experiences but the one that most affected me was climbing the rock climbing wall. I climbed a 20 foot wall. You see it sounds so simple but it isn't. You see you have to not only over come your fears but you must face them. Facing whatever stands between you and the top of the wall is a daunting task.
We carry so much baggage that we can't make it to the top. Things like saying to ourselves we can't do it. It's to hard to go any further. I can't reach the next rock because my legs are short. Oh my God, I'm too far off the ground, what if I fall and hurt myself? I've seen people get seriously hurt. So many excuses when we need to find the strength within to go to the next level.
That's what I did! I had to dig deep because I have live a long time denying myself because it was easier to quit. Quitting is the easy way out! I do it constantly! I discontinue conversations when I don't like the direction it's going. I discontinue relationships when things get rough and I have to be vulnerable.
I have lived my life so afraid of being hurt that I have not allow myself to experience the exhilaration of reaching the pinnacle or top of the wall! When you reach the top you experience such a rush that helps you to be lieve that you can concur anything!
I'm glad I accepted the challenge! I know that anything is possible...I have the faith to expect the impossible, move the unmovable, fight the unbeatable! FAITH and the funny things is that was the sermon on Sunday! Look at God! Like my grandmother said, "I ain't afraid of nothing!"

Coffee Moment #1: Summer 2010

This summer has been absolutely awesome for me! I have spent time with my family and friends just enjoying the moments. The funny thing is that I have never imagined a summer of riding the bus from Memphis to Chicago with my family. I never imagined driving to the Eastern Shore to spend Independence Day with my college friends and children. I NEVER, EVER imagined that I would have a vegetable garden in my back yard!

Life offers opportunities to see life in different dimensions. You see I'm an airplane traveling, adult activity only, urban type of girl! I don't do family trips and I certainly don't ride buses or drive to destinations. I don't like the heat nor do I like the dirt. But this summer I did everything that I don't like doing and you know what? I enjoyed it!

I have had the summer of my life. I've vacationed more than I have worked! The most important thing about this summer is that I savored moments that are hard to recapture: my nephew graduating from the University of Chicago with his Master's in Social Science, my friends 6 year old establishing his self confidence by letting me know that he is the tallest, strongest and smartest kid in his class while his 11 year old brother establishes himself as the gentleman and seeing MY first fruit on the vine after months of watering, fertilizing & waiting.

The day I say my first pepper, I cried! I called my neighbor who started the garden and said, "Mr. Walker my crops are yielding fruit"! Weeks before I told him that we were going to discontinue my garden if I didn't get something on it soon because this was an expensive venture for nothing to grow. I was skeptical as I am famous for doing at the break of day. My pessimism and lack of patience will kick in and take over but waiting proved to be the best answer.

You see, I spend quite a bit of time being busy and involved but I don't spend time just enjoying the small things that are the blessings of life. So during this coffee moment I am committing myself to enjoying the life's ride!