In This Season of Being Thankful
Each
year I write to reflect upon what the year has meant to me, what I can be
thankful for, and how I can retool for the future. But that is not how it is for most of us. As we enter into this season of being
thankful and recognition of the Holy days, most of us will reflect upon how
tough the year has been, particularly those of us who have lost jobs or
income. Did you know that November
and December has been considered the months when suicide rates are at its
highest?
I am
advocate of looking back and reflecting on ones past, especially if the
experiences are used as lessons learned and information to help us retool and
adjust for a better future. Now we
all know folks whom spend the majority of their time looking backward;
resulting in high levels of complaining, stagnation, depression and other
negative effects. I believe it was
author and motivational speaker Willie Jolly that once asked us to think about
why the rear view mirror in a car is very small compared to the front
window. We should not put as much
value on the past as we do on the present and the future.
I, for
one, believe that we should be thankful for what we have, but continue to keep
higher level goals in our front view.
This is why I continue to promote the 212°, The Extra Degree of Effort
concept. It is a concept
introduced through the works of Sam Parker, Author and Mac Anderson, Founder,
Simple Truths and Successories.
212 °, the extra degree of effort, is very simple in nature: At 211
degrees, water gets hot, at 212 degrees, water boils, when water boils it turns
to steam, and steam can power a locomotive. It is that one extra degree of effort which makes all the
difference. Having an extra effort
mindset, can push even the most ordinary person to do great things.
So readers,
I advocate changing the model of this “season of being thankful.” Let us use this time, retooling
ourselves. Let us utilize this
season as a time to energize ourselves to seek opportunities to enrich our
lives and those in our networks.
God has given us all that we need to be successful, but we also need to
develop our bench; our team of people whom will help us. Let us reflect on an optimistic future
and spend little time looking back.
We are
still in an economic crisis; thousands of able bodied people out of work in
this season. But I still trust God. And through faith, hard work and a strong bench,
we will get through this crisis. It will take a collective effort, striving for
collective advancement, not simple individual gain. In this season of being
thankful, we can still be thankful for the ability and freedom to make choices.
In this season of being thankful, we can still be thankful for some food to
eat. We can be thankful for what we got, even if we only have the ability to
wake up and breathe. Just be thankful for what we got! Take it away Mr.
Devaughn: “Diamond in the back, sun-roof top, diggin the scenes with a gangster
lean…..oh oh oh.”
Andrew T. Carr is a results-driven businessman, motivational speaker, leader, strategist, change manager, relationship manager micro blogger and internet radio talk show host. Mr. Carr is currently the Executive Director of the Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Project, an initiative of the Citizenship Education Fund, a non-profit organization founded by civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. The Wall Street Project works with Fortune 500 corporations to promote level economic playing fields and create forums where small minority and women-owned businesses can effectively compete. He can be reached by e-mail at extra.degree.effort@gmail.com.
xxx
Focus more on You
This young lady has a passion for helping young people. In fact she has decided to create a non-profit organization whose focus is helping young people to succeed. A part of her strategy requires leveraging relationships and utilizing the backgrounds of “successful people” as role models. She was trying to explain to me why she wanted me as one of those people. I insisted that I could not help her because I have already over subscribed my time on many other worthy causes. Very anxiously told her that “I needed to draw the line somewhere, or I really could not be effective in any of the organizations which I was volunteering my free time.”
She was pretty insistent though, because she saw in me what perhaps I did not see in myself, or perhaps she was just desperate. Either way, the point here is that I brought too much mental baggage to this exchange and really was not listening to this young lady’s very valid points. As young people would say, “I wasn’t hearing her.” As I replayed the conversation and went thru some “self talk”, I could see her position and I am now reconsidering. I just hope it is not too late.
Ladies, balance is the key and your well being is important. I recommend that you start focusing today on you and your well being. A better and stronger you will be in a better position to help your family, your communities, your career and your company. Happy Soaring Eagles!
Andrew T. Carr
We know that women play an important role in the health care of men through education and awareness. Men often learn about health from wives, girlfriends, and/or mothers. Girlfriends Health Guide wants the men in the lives of these women to take charge of their own health. Girlfriends Health Guide, via “FELLAS” hope that women will hear these men and help them get started to a healthier life.
FELLAS, there are some risk factors you cannot change, such as your age or family history. But with the help of those special women in your life many factors are in your control. Find out what you can do to lower your risk factors and improve your overall health. Then, find out how often you should see a doctor for routine checkups and what screenings, tests and vaccines you might need. By taking these steps, you will feel good knowing you are doing all you can to take charge of your health.
The good news is that many of the diseases and health conditions that men face can be prevented — or treated if they are found early. We’re hoping that this “FELLAS” column will encourage and empower men to start taking better care of themselves. Men, with the help of the woman in your life [influenced by the unique “power” only a woman possess] will learn more about the risk factors and become more aware of their health situation faster. These risk factors are things that increase men’s chances of getting a certain disease and living a healthier and longer life for his family.
I predict that this new column called “FELLAS” will become a must read among the women and the Girlfriends of the men. It will be hot, so stay tune.
Matthew A. Johnson
Group Publisher
