THE POWER OF BEING UNDERESTIMATED

Quincy Jones on The Oprah Winfrey Show's

The Color Purple Reunion on November 15, 2010

“We would never learn to be brave and

patient if there were only joy in the world,” Helen Keller

As I perused Oprah’s official website in search of The Color Purple’s Reunion , my eyes scanned the web pages and I began to gobble up the words and the links for this phenomenal 25th reunion. Like many of you I too read Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel The Color Purple and was excited about the film’s debut and close proximity to the book! The pages came to life through the creativity and genius of both Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones! The selection of the entire cast of stellar actors was indeed the icing on the cake. It’s been twenty plus years since the movie’s cast has assembled and was it ever a heartwarming and fun filled reunion on Oprah. Each cast member chronicled their experience and poignantly shared memorable moments and movie lines. Many things stood out for me regarding the film. There was no hidding the unspoken issues that were now on the big screen! Discussions erupted everywhere about race, incest, abuse and generational strongholds.

The creation of the project and the likelihood this project being a success or failure was also in the forefront. It's evident that those past discussions are now mute! The successful history of this film has spoken volumes for itself!

Oprah did a great job as always capturing and chronicling for the television audience and internet browser “The Color Purple” experience. I especially appreciated her interview with Quincy Jones, executive producer and composer. Let’s take a look at what he recounts:

"How did you know that this could become a film?" Oprah asks Quincy. "Because,
as Whoopi and I were saying, there was nothing like this ever on the screen."
"Here," he says, as he points to his heart. At first, Quincy says no one
thought he'd convince Steven to direct The Color Purple. "Everybody in town was
saying, 'Quincy Jones is out of his mind,'" he says. "He thinks he's going to
get the greatest director in the world on his first movie, and he's going to do
a black movie before Schindler's List. That's when I found the power of being
underestimated."

Does that conversation make you want to leap for joy? Lord knows is does for me! There it is friends in Quincy’s words : ".... That's when I found the power of being underestimated." What is he referencing? Let me take the liberty to clarify.

What’s pivotal for our emotional health, our thinking and understanding about being underestimated is your locating that source! Where did it come from? Who said so? Who said that we couldn't, wouldn't succeed? Reliance on this source is faulty, but can be truly deadly! Yes, detrimental to our existance! The source can take over our lives if we aren’t careful! It can block our true vision. But we’ve got to readjust our lens of faith-seeing past the overgrowth of doubt! Empowered thinking and a brighter outlook will give us our recognition of the wonderful and infinite possibilities of PROMISE, HOPE. Seeing God past the source of pain! It’s a wonderful seed of determination that germinates and grows and blossoms into results; events and realities that spin into Big, Big, Big occurrences.

I love how God speaks to us through other’s lives and examples. Through their testimony, our remembrances of grace in action, we are empowered with new truths. Like this morning’s visit to Beliefnet’s: Come Back from Let-Downs and Discouragements by Therese Borchard, these are life changing tools! The writer does a great job of assuring us through 21 ways how to overcome disappointments! These techniques take the sting out of setbacks. It’s very good medicine for possibility thinkers! Visit the site and feast.

We must bounce back! It’s imperative in order that we’ll see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Believe, breathe, get back in the race, fight the good fight as you get in stride, trust God, pray for enlightened thinking, block out those that are opposing your destiny and God will restore your weary heart! I declare it so! God will orchestrate blessings for the years you’ve yet to see! Just ask, Quincy and Steven, Zina, Taylor, Michael, ___________,Mary, Oprah, Helen, Ricky, Clarinda, Therese, Linda, Johnny, Drusilla. The list goes on and on! Oh yes, be sure to fill in your name also! Wave and lift those victory banners and pronounce: “I have what it takes! I will stand firm! There is power in being underestimated!” Glory to God!

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Stand Firm
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
14 He called you to this through our gospel that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Overjoyed!

Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

WINNING BACK OUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

It’s a known fact that workplace depression does exist! It’s real for many on some level, but seldom shared. Taking care of our emotional health is essential if we don’t wish to plummet down that slippery slope of burn-out. It must be my season to examine this and take an earnest look. That morning stomach ache, elevated blood pressure and mental exhaustion are bull horns bellowing that change is eminent-something must give. Friends our bodies express themselves in pronounced ways that stress is whipping us down. The excessive behaviors, over compensating, a host of unhealthy symptoms, consuming who knows what ( you fill in the blank) that is out of control, it’s a tell tale sign that trouble is on the horizon! Remember the television character Martin, he’d shout, “What’s up?” Funny, but true attention was needed immediately. And it’s a shame to say, more instances indicate that stress is triumphant and gaining on us.

Many suffer nagging migraines, energy drains, feelings of hostility, edginess/anxious and ultimately encountering diminished self worth. This low self esteem is much too tight, now worn like tight ankle socks. All of this in the name of earning a living. Come on lets open the blinds and lift our mental shades, our mindsets endeavoring to live better. The sun wants to shine in our private thoughts!

Yes , there’s a tremendous amount of discomfort suffered, and unfortunately getting a “day-off” here and there are not the complete elixir required for maintaining our sanity and reducing our stress thresholds. I encourage you to take those lunch walks, read edifying materials, learn and develop techniques that slow the breathing and regulate our heart beat. God is a prayer away He'll provide the insight! Readily embrace seeking a mentor, acquiring a counselor to help shed light on improving our emotional and physical health.

It’s time to take proactive measures to own and win good emotional health. trust me i am pointing the finger in my direction. Like i've heard Clergy declare, "This is more for me than you!" Until that better job opportunity avails, begin enjoying more of your after work interests, understanding that hostile environments won’t necessarily banish, but stagnant outlooks must retreat to more meaningful thinking and lifestyle progressions. A mental retreat is needed from stress!

Yes, prayer and application of scripture are essential. Jesus reminds us that He came that we’ll have life, and have it more abundantly. I get it! My brain and heart now understand there are many dimensions for a holistic fitness. Seek out what you need. I am grateful for the gift of learning and thanking God for community resources, counseling services, outdoor public gardens, museums. boutiques, art galleries, beaches, soul stirring music, libraries and virtual websites! These treasures can awaken our heart, mind and soul, leaving an indelible impression that God meant so much more for us than being depleted and worn in environments that weigh heavy on our psyches/soul!

Reach out with improved energy and discover that fulfillment awaits us! Let’s win back our emotional health on purpose!


We are winners, yes we are!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RESOURCES TO ENCOURAGE YOUR HEART!

• Amazing what we can learn and share with Values.com,

inclusive of your creation of a community billboard.

Applaud those that are making a difference. Spread joy!

Hope this wets your creative taste buds:
http://www.values.com/your_billboards/3113
http://www.values.com/your_billboards/3071
http://www.values.com/your_billboards/2763
http://www.values.com/your_billboards/3250

htttp://www.beliefnet.com

• http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/Depression/12-Workplace-Depression-Busters.aspx?nlsource=44&p=14&source=NEWSLETTER&utm_campaign=HealthHealing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=NL
  

• Build your personal library with these great inspirational books containing practical applications for personal improvement and spiritual growth: Broken Silence: Opening Your Heart and Mind to Therapy--A Black Woman's Recovery Guide by D. Kim Singelton , Journey to the Well By Bishop Vashti McKenzie, The Blessedness of Believing: A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises by Linda Mose Meadows, Ten Commandments of Working in a Hostile Environment by T. D. Jakes
  

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIaj2gB-4yI&feature=PlayList&p=09B717A01E0AED9E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
  Youtube Video , Bishop TD Jakes, Ten Commandments
  
  

• Become more active, enjoy “stay vacations” in your own backyard. Google summer events information for your city and community. Summer is approaching. Enjoy free outdoor concerts, stage performances. There are loads of outdoor fairs, visit area eateries, museums, and walking tours. etc.
  
• Visit Community Centers learn about fitness programs, cultural arts & culinary classes.
  
• As Bishop Vashti Mackenzie says, don’t let your wounds get in the way. Sometimes friend are limited in their scope of your deep, heartfelt needs. Don’t be hesitant about seeking advice- therapy/counseling from a professional. It’s yours for the asking! Therapy choices exist ranging from individuals, families and groups. Explore and learn about treatment preferences & specialties.
  
• Consider being proactive with your job hunt, start with some sage and savvy guidance from the Job Club with Tory Johnson (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JobClub/)

• Hear an anointed word from Bishop Vashti McKenzie, it’s a “wake-up call!”. Her messages, books, and blog are a hug direct from heaven. Her work will engage and encourage your spirit to live and not die! http://thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com/

• http://www.blueletterbible.org/is filled with Holy Scripture, devotionals, study tools that will empower you as you take God at His word!
  
  

Expressing Thanksgiving & Joy!

Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Inspirational Columnist:

The Blessedness of BelievingA Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

A HEART TO LOVE THEE

Love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12

“Lord help me to have more compassion for others

and

not to only to be tolerant of some and

distant with others
but, to be loving and

kind especially to those I have a struggle with.”

That’s what's resonating in my spirit this afternoon friends. God knew that and blessed me with several e-messages.

Beliefnet has a very unique site which shares electronically empowering affirmations for your spiritual journeys, inclusive of a Prayer a Day. These prayers are timely!

I know it's no coincidence, receiving a word in season!.

I am sure your concur, the Holy Spirit speaks and addresses our heart's concerns? You are invited to also receive these spiritual nuggets, it’s yours for the asking. Simply visit the site and sign up for some very uplifting, edifying, reassuring and encouraging words (no matter your spiritual or religious beliefs). These words of wisdom and expressed love will cause you to wonder if the writers of these pieces hadn’t peaked into your thoughts or overheard your private conversations. Much of what is shared is divinely imparted, that I am convinced of. Here’s one such prayer that has spoken to my need and request:

A Heart to Love Thee

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.Take away from me the heart of stone,and give me a heart of flesh,a heart to love and adore thee,a heart to delight in thee,to follow and to enjoy thee, for Christ's sake.

- Ambrose of Milan (c. 339-97)

Friends, I trust you too may have a prayer regarding ( you fill in the blank) and really need the strength to love through it all? Let me encourage you, don't become faint; stay strong-keep seeking and trusting, God will speak!

With Joy In Sharing,
Linda Mose Meadows, Author
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises

(Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

12 WAYS TO MEND A BROKEN HEART

Sun and Sky

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This is in praise of Beliefnet!! They are an amazing website. You may wish to consider including them as one of your favorite websites. Beliefnet earnestly, comfortably and sensitively deals with the complexity of spiritual, heart and soul issues. Their writers are bold, bright and insightful, in my estimation producing thought provoking material. Some information you may wish to challenge, other information may provide new intellectual and spiritual vistas which ironically you predict were electronically sent at the precise time. God’s handy work is evident. Often I’ve needed a spiritual lift and there it was in my email’s in box-a prayer, a motivational word, a scripture, a new perspective, a humorous story or a beneficial article! All of it made sense out of a personal predicament or a celebratory moment. Why it must be one of God's daily offerings, meant for our enlightenment!

Well my friend, here’s some food for thought regarding those of us that walk through, breathe through and have lived through experiences that have broken our hearts. I pray you’re a better person as a result of the overall muscle that you’ve built up in this endurance race of making it through the tough stuff of brokeneness! I pray that your spirit is more resilient because of God’s sweet grace. Here’s some additional heart and soul food that Beliefnet has cooked up- enjoy!

12 Ways to Mend a Broken Heart
Tuesday January 6, 2009

Categories: Relationships

Bess Myerson once wrote that "to fall in love is awfully simple, but to fall
out of love is simply awful," especially if you are the one who wanted the
relationship to last. But to stop loving isn't an option. Author Henri Nouwen
writes, "When those you love deeply reject you, leave you, or die, your heart
will be broken. But that should not hold you back from loving deeply. The pain
that comes from deep love makes your love ever more fruitful." But how do we get beyond the pain? Here are 12 techniques I've gathered from experts and from
conversations with friends on how they patched up their heart and tried, ever so
gradually, to move on.

1. Go through it, not around it.
I realize the most difficult task for a person with a broken heart is to stand still and feel the crack. But that is exactly what she must do. Because no shortcut is without its share of obstructions. Here's a simple fact: You have to grieve in order to move on. During the 18 months of my severe depression, my therapist repeated almost every visit: "Go through it. Not around it." Because if I went around some of the
issues that were tearing me apart inside, then I would bump into them somewhere
down the line, just like being caught in the center of a traffic circle. By
going through the intense pain, I eventually surfaced as a stronger person ready
to tackle problems head on. Soon the pain lost its stronghold over
me.

2. Stand on your own.
One of the most liberating thoughts I repeat to myself when I'm immersed in grief and sadness is this: I don't need anyone or anything to make me happy. That job is all my own, with a little help from God. When I'm experiencing the intense pangs of grief, it is so difficult to trust that I can be whole without that person in my life. But I have learned over and over again that I can. I really can. It is my job to fill the
emptiness, and I can do it ... creatively, and with the help of my higher
power.

3. Detach.
Attempting to fill the void yourself--without rushing
to a new relationship or trying desperately to win your lover back--is
essentially what detaching is all about. The Buddha taught that attachment that
leads to suffering. So the most direct path to happiness and peace is
detachment. In his book, "Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds," Victor M. Parachin tells a wonderful story about an old gardener who sought advice from a monk. Writes Parachin: "Great Monk, let me ask you: How can I attain liberation?" The
Great Monk replied: "Who tied you up?" This old gardener answered: "Nobody tied me up." The Great Monk said: "Then why do you seek liberation?"

4. List your strengths.
As I wrote in my "12 Ways to Keep Going" post, a technique that helps me when I feel raw and defeated to try anymore is to list my strengths. I say to myself, "Self, you have been sober for 20 years!! Weaklings can't pull off that! And here you are,
alive, after those 18 months of intense suicidal thoughts. Plus you haven't
smoked a cigarette since that funeral back in December of last year!" I say all
of that while listening to the "Rocky" soundtrack, and by the last line, I'm
ready to tackle my next challenge: move on from this sadness and try to be a
productive individual in this world. If you can't list your strengths, start
a self-esteem file. Click here to learn how you build one.

5. Allow some fantasizing.
Grief wouldn't be the natural process that it should be without some yearning for the person you just lost. Dr. Christine Whelan, who writes the "Pure Sex, Pure Column" on BustedHalo.com, explains the logic of allowing a bit of fantasy. She writes: If you are trying to banish a sexual fantasy from your head, telling yourself "I'm not going to fantasize about her" or "I won't think about what it would be like to be intimate with him" might make it worse: In a famous psychological study from the 1980s, a group of subjects were told to think about anything but whatever they did, they were not supposed to think about a white bear. Guess what they all thought about?

6. Help someone else.
When I'm in pain, the only guaranteed antidote to my suffering is to box up all of my feelings, sort them, and then try to find a use for them. That's why writing Beyond Blue contributes a big chunk to my recovery, why moderating Group Beyond Blue has me excited to wake up every day. When you turn your
attention to another person--especially someone who is struggling with the same
kind of pain--you forget about yourself for a split moment. And let's face it,
that, on some days, feels like a miracle.

7. Laugh. And cry.
Laughter heals on many levels as I explain in my "9 Ways Humor Heals" post, and so does crying. You think it's just a coincidence that you always feel better after a good cry? Nope, there are many physiological reasons that contribute to the healing power of tears. Some of them have been documented by biochemist William Frey who has spent 15 years as head of a research team studying tears. Among their findings is that emotional tears (as compared to tears of irritation, like when you cut an onion) contain toxic biochemical byproducts, so that weeping removes these toxic substances and relieves emotional stress. So go grab a box of Kleenex and cry your afternoon away.

8. Make a good and bad list.
You need to know which activities will make you feel good, and which ones will make you want to toilet paper your ex-lover's home (or apartment). You won't really know which activity belongs on which list until you start trying things, but I suspect that things like checking out his wall on Facebook and seeing that he has
just posted a photo of his gorgeous new girlfriend is not going to make you feel
good, so put that on the "don't attempt" list, along with e-mails and phone
calls to his buddies fishing for information about him. On the "feels peachy"
list might be found such ventures as: deleting all of his e-mails and
voicemails, pawning off the jewelry he gave you (using the cash for a
much-needed massage?), laughing over coffee with a new friend who doesn't know
him from Adam (to ensure his name won't come up).

9. Work it out.
Working out your grief quite literally--by running, swimming, walking, or kick-boxing--is going to give you immediate relief. On a physiological level--because exercise increases the activity of serotonin and/or norepinehrine and stimulates brain chemicals that foster growth of nerve cells--but also on an emotional level, because you are taking charge and becoming the master of your mind and body. Plus you can visualize the fellow who is responsible for your pain and you can kick him in the face. Now doesn't that feel good?

10. Create a new world.
This is especially important if your world has collided with his, meaning that mutual friends who have seen him in the last week feel the need to tell you about it. Create your own safe world--full of new friends who wouldn't recognize him in a crowd and don't know how to spell his name--where he is not allowed to drop by for a figurative or literal surprise visit. Take this opportunity to try something new--scuba diving lessons, an art class, a book club, a blog--so to program your mind and body to expect a fresh beginning ... without him.

11. Find hope.
There's a powerful quote in the movie "The Tale of Despereaux" that I've been thinking about ever since I heard it: There is one emotion that is stronger than fear, and that is forgiveness." I suppose that's why, at my father's deathbed, the moment of reconciliation between us made me less scared to lose him. But forgiveness requires hope: believing that a better place exists, that the aching emptiness experienced in your every activity won't be with you forever, that one day you'll be excited to make coffee in the morning or go to a movie with friends.
Hope is believing that the sadness can evaporate, that if you try like hell to
move on with your life, your smile won't always be forced. Therefore in order to
forgive and to move past fear, you need to find hope.

12. Love deeply. Again and again.
Once our hearts are bruised and burned from a relationship that ended, we have two options: we can close off pieces of our heart so that one day no one will be able to get inside. Or we can love again. Deeply, just as intensely as we did before. Henri Nouwen urges to love again because the heart only expands with the love we are able to pour forth. He writes: The more you have loved and have allowed yourself to suffer because of your love, the more you will be able to let your heart grow wider and deeper. When your love is truly giving and receiving, those whom you love will not leave your heart even when they depart from you. The pain of rejection, absence, and death can become fruitful. Yes, as you love deeply the ground of your heart will be broken more and more, but you will rejoice in the abundance of the fruit it will bear.

Reference:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2009/01/12-ways-to-mend-a-broken-heart.html

Shared With You In Mind,

Linda Mose Meadows, Author

The Blessedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/