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.
Black Friday
by Wendy Gladney on 11/24/11
The holidays are in full swing. The turkey was carved and many of us over ate and we still have the rest of the holidays to go. (Soon I will be writing about how we have to forgive ourselves for over indulging and eating too much). As soon as the last piece of pumpkin pie was cut, attention turned to what is called "Black Friday." Why is it called "Black Friday?" The term originated from the day the stock market hit a catastrophe on September 24, 1869 and the markets crashed following a failed attempt by some financiers who tried to corner the gold market. Making it a dark day and time in our history.
Since then the term "Black Friday" has taken a new twist and turn. This day always occurs the day after Thanksgiving and starts the official rush for Christmas shopping. Retailers now refer to it by this term because it's when many go from being in the red to turning a profit and going black. (This is one of the few times that I've noticed when something that effects the general public is referred to as "black" with a positive outcome.)
As I sit to write this piece, I just hung up from talking to a friend and she was telling me she needed to go because she would be getting up and meeting other friends at 1:00am (Friday Morning) to be part of the crowd that saves lots of money from all of the store sales. I have never been one to participate in such chaos because uncontrolled crowds actually get on my nerves, plus I try to plan my shopping and giving throughout the year.
The point that I want to make is no matter how many savings that go on during the holidays, if you don't have the budget to shop, don't. Don't let commercialism get you caught up where you are not only NOT in the "black" with your checking account, but you also have no "green" in your pocket.
Remember, at the end of the day, this is the season where you can give in so many ways. One of the most important ways is with your time and expertise. Give of yourself. As I have often quoted, "people really don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." At the end of the day toys will go in the trash, people will forget what you bought, but they will never forget when you've touched their heart.
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.
