Miss Whitney Houston
by Wendy Gladney on 02/13/12
Like so many I was hurt and stunned when I heard the news of the death of Whitney Houston. It's amazing how fast news can hit the streets. Since this tragedy occurred there've been mixed emotions and comments floating around between conversations, television and other forms of media communication. However, the overall sentiment has been that no one can take away the fact God gave her a gift and a voice that we will remember forever.
As I sit and write this article, although the autopsy report has been completed, the results have not been released to the general public. Many say and feel that she died of some sort of overdose or abuse of a controlled substance. Although it is questioned if she ever truly recovered from her substance abuse, she was still loved her, and many wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. I even heard comments on the red carpet at the Grammy's saying "she was trying...give her that."
I feel that at this point who are any of us to point the finger or pass judgment on what she did or did not do, but rather examine our own lives while we still have breath to breathe and can make a change. If you think about it, we may have a different "addiction," but for the grace of God any of us can be taken out in the blink of an eye.
This past week has been a heavy in so many ways. Even in my own life it has been a week of ups and downs, however, each week I try to check in with people who help me stay centered and focused on the big picture, and one of those people is my "Uncle Mack." This week when we talked he said something very simple, but was exactly what I needed to hear at that very moment..."Just Don't Stop Trying!" That simple, don't stop trying. So my closing words this week to you are whatever you are doing, whatever you are going through, just don't stop trying. Tomorrow can be a better day.
"We will always love you Whitney."
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
It's A New Year
by Wendy Gladney on 01/07/12
It's a new year and time for new beginnings. No matter what the past may have brought, the future can be bright. We can truly make it better if we try. All we have to do is dare to imagine. Our present can be as wonderful as we dream.
Speaking of the word "dream" it's that time of year when we need to be mindful of the legacy and dream of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Several community organizations including Community Coalition, the Brotherhood Crusade, SCLC, the Los Angeles Urban League, SEIU-ULTCW and the Los Angeles Sentinel among others have come together this year to celebrate the accomplishments of his work and service. I hope you plan to come out and support this effort.
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Prayer Breakfast will be held at Holman United Methodist Church on Wednesday, January 11th. LA Inner City Mass Choir will perform gospel songs. The Faith Community from across the city will unite to share in the common thread of justice, forgiveness and equality that binds us all together. If you want more information call (951) 313-4732 or email wendy.gladney@gmail.com.
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." Martin Luther King, Jr.
A seat was already taken, will you take a stand to keep a dream alive?
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
Merry Christmas!
by Wendy Gladney on 12/18/11
As I sit to write this Christmas article my heart is full. When I went to church this morning I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas and the necessity for those of us that proclaim to be Christians to not back down during this time of year for what we believe.
When I went to Wikipedia to look of the meaning of "Christmas" it stated that it was translated "Christ's mass," which is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ generally celebrated on December 25th." Many of us are afraid to offend people so we have stopped saying "Merry Christmas" and have replaced it with "Happy Holidays." Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with saying happy holidays to someone, but if you are a Christian don't be ashamed of who's birthday it is.
Reflecting on the fact that Christmas is to represent the birth of Christ then we should honor him by giving gifts to Him by giving to those in need. Take the light off yourself and put the spotlight on Him by giving to someone in need or an organization that you know touches the community.
In closing, don't be tempted to put "X-mas" either. The world would want us to "x" Christ right out of the picture. Would you want someone to "x" you out on your birthday? I think the bigger question is would you want Christ to "x" you out of heaven? If you are a believer then stand up and be counted. Don't be afraid of what others may say about you, after all they won't care what you think about their beliefs. The good thing about one's beliefs is the fact they are personal and you have the right to believe what is in your heart.
I know I would hate to have to ask Jesus to forgive me because I didn't want to offend someone and so I just left Him out of the picture. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
Protecting Our Children No Matter What
by Wendy Gladney on 12/11/11
Many of us have read or heard about the sex abuse scandals whether it involves the church, colleges or sports. Conversations have ranged from how can something like that happen, to can you believe a "man of God" could even fathom such a thing. I haven't said much about these stories, but I think it's time for me to step up and give my thoughts regarding a couple of cases in the news as of late.
Let's start with the story regarding Jerry Sandusky the ex - Penn State coach arrested on sex abuse charges. He has been accused of being a pedophile who preyed upon young boys under the guise of being a "do-gooder." To date as I write this he has been charged with assaulting 10 victims. He is facing a total of 40 counts of child sexual abuse.
In the same breath in another state we have Bishop Eddie Long from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia taking a brief leave of absence from his church to take care of "family business" after being accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with several young men. It has been declared that he settled with them after months of mediation.
My point in discussing all of this is to say sexual abuse against children is an outrage and Forgiving For Living, Inc., although it focuses on young ladies and women, believes that abuse of any kind and against anyone is a disgrace and should be dealt with. Especially when it comes to children. Parents are going to have to be more aware and mindful of where their children are and who they are spending time with. We can't assume just because of someone's title and status they can automatically be trusted. Why do minors need to be spending so much unsupervised attention with adults in the first place?
As it relates to the question or thought that abuses must have been abused and that's why they do what they do. Hogwash! I know plenty of people who have experienced pain or abuse as children that have never hurt anyone, especially children. That's an excuse and outright disgusting. Excuses are not accepted. If you've been hurt or wounded, get help. Don't perpetuate negative cycles. Let's hold others accountable. Let's protect our children.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
Mother Nature
by Wendy Gladney on 12/03/11
Recently winds hit the Southland drastically like I can't remember and I'm a lifelong resident of Southern California. Over the last several months I have spent time and money updating, improving and fixing up my home. It's amazing how one night can change what you've worked on for months.
The morning after the major winds swept through the city my daughter called me and shared how her car was damaged and that she wasn't sure where to start. After we calmed nerves, assessed the damage (and of course I was praying as mother's do), we put together the plan to get the ball moving with the city, the insurance company, and everything else she would need to accomplish to get her life back in order and return to work.
On the same morning my son was due into the International Terminal at LAX from Australia, but his flight had a lot of challenges, he was re-routed from Sydney to Melbourne back to Sydney and finally into LAX many hours later.
What all of this has taught me is there are many things we just don't have control over, especially when it comes to mother nature. What it also made crystal clear is that we cannot put our hope or faith in material things. Close to three decades ago when I moved to Los Angeles for college, I attended Mount Zion Baptist Church where Dr. E.V. Hill was the pastor and he used to say, "wear the things of this world loosely." In other words don't let them control you.
Health, love, life and family are truly the things that we need to honor and hold onto. Let go of the things that so entangle your life and keep you from enjoying what really matters. Learning to let go of things and "release" is the third step from the ten steps of "Healing Without Hate: How To Forgive To Live." TM
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
