A few evenings ago as I was shifting through my files I found my dad’s Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) “African American in Recovery” coin.   This half dollar sized token made of copper and pewter monetarily is not worth a lot however symbolically it meant so much to my father that he kept it in his wallet till the time of his death almost 29 years after receiving it.

My father was awarded the coin after completing his first year of sobriety.  Inscribed on the front of the coin are the words “Hope” and “Light” in between the words is etched a picture of the Statue of Liberty’s torch holding hand.  On the back side of the coin is the “Serenity Prayer” a prayer that has been adopted by most 12-step recovery programs beginning with AA, the father of them all…

The Serenity Prayer – “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Finding my father’s coin now, compelled me to write about its significance to me.

As a child growing up in the meeting and gathering rooms of AA the serenity prayer and its use thereof became a comforting reminder of times of fellowship with my adopted, “Uncles and Aunts”, those men and women that attended the meetings.  Of hearing their stories, of redemption and deliverance from addiction and other bad habits; learning that it took them “one day at a time” to remain sober with the help of their higher power and fellowship.

When I first acquired the coin, I kept it on me at all times similarly like my father did.  I considered it my security token.  Like Linus from the Peanuts cartoon with his security blanket.  Whenever I would catch myself acting a little out of character I would pull it out and read the prayer.  If I couldn’t read it, I would just hold it within my pocket for a second or two till I calmed down.

Somewhere down the line I stopped carrying it and I noticed my attitude changed.  I no longer was checking my emotions.  Instead of calming down I was increasingly getting more irritated and allowing people places and things to dictate my reactions.

Before I knew if I would stop for a moment to pray and confess my serenity I would have it, however now because I had allowed myself to get comfortable had forgotten what had been the key to me achieving my peace… which was checking my emotions and confessing and believing I had serenity.

I believe many of us fail in this area, sticking to the formula of our success.  Once we have achieved our desired goal we forget at times what got us there in the first place.  Thinking we are greater than our foundational teachings.  However we are not.  We must always go back to the basics, to refresh ourselves and make sure that we have not gone off target.

So, when I think back at the coin and its symbolism to me, I realize that it was not so much the coin itself that helped me it was the fact that I stopped and checked my emotions, confessed and believed that I did have the courage to change the things I could and the wisdom to know the difference, while at the same time granting God the access in my life to help me achieve it all…

Ten Questions to Uncover Your Destiny

Introduction:

The following 10 questions are based on Dr. Creflo Dollar’s October 23rd, 2005 7:30 AM WCCI sermon entitled “Ten Questions to Uncover Your Destiny”.

Every six months I go back and review the study notes that accompanied the sermon and ask these questions of myself.

It has always been a good exercise for me to go through.  I was amazed at how easy recently after having some time to really honestly and candidly answer the questions for me to answer them.

What is your heart’s deepest desire?

My heart’s deepest desire is to use all the skills I have learned and my natural talents to make the world a better place.  I enjoy writing and reading, singing, imparting into others and helping them become the best they can be.

What ignites your passion?

What ignites my passion is good dialogue; opportunities to share what I have learned with others.

Helping others to improve how they do things organizationally.

What naturally flows out of you?

What naturally flows out of me is the ability to come up with creative concepts that show people how they can use materials and other things that they already have in their arsenal; to better market themselves and their products/services.  Finding the best in others and inspiring/encouraging them to make it happen.

Where do you produce good results?

I produce good results in those I have selected or have been given charge over to mentor. I also produce good results when I am handling projects or tasks that others consider impossible or challenging.  I love a good challenge and being able to say I have found the solution to someone else’s problem.

What is the witness of the Holy Spirit in your spirit?

The witness of the Holy Spirit in my spirit is when I am working on a project, or when someone asks me a question pertaining to something I have either worked on or have knowledge of.   I can actually feel the wheels of my brain begin to turn before almost effortlessly answering the question I feel a sense of peace.

What do mature Christians see in you?

What mature Christians see in me is that I have the tendency (if left unchecked) to have a controlling spirit and have to work on staying in my lane, when I am trying to help.  These are two of the things I have been working on in my quiet time with God to show me how I can improve on being a better help.  At times I can take myself too seriously and things too much to heart.  On a positive note, I have been told that I am loyal, loving and faithful; and that I am very efficient when put to task.   I have also been told that my moods are intense, that I have passion and a sweet spirit with the heart to serve without hidden motives or agendas.

What career/ministry do you feel the peace of God about pursuing?

The career/ministry I feel the peace of God about pursuing is project management in the public relations and marketing industries specifically online.

What ideas, visions or dreams are impossible to get out of your mind?

The vision or dream I seem to not be able to get out of my mind is starting my own company to help others market their passions.  The other passions I have not been able to get out of my mind are for writing and teaching.  I have always been very expressive in my speech, writing and when I impart into others.

To what can you give 100% of your life?

What I can give 100% of my life to is helping others to pursue their passions and/or discover them.

What is it that you do so well that people are drawn to support your efforts?

What I do well that people seem to be drawn to support my efforts in is project management and team creation and leading.