Archive for October 11th, 2009

When I left the movies tonight at 42^nd Street, I had two options 1) Go straight home to finish proofing my first manuscript or 2) Enjoy the cool night air and take a walk over to 34^th Street so I could pick up some items from Kmart.  I decided to take up option two and ended up dodging tourists, and assisting others finding where Conway was.  When I got to W. 34^th I was presented with Superman trying to sell me DVDs for $5 a single and $10 for a box set and a Malaysian woman selling a table full of adorable earrings, necklaces and bracelets that I promised I would be back to shop from.

I eventually entered Kmart and descended on the escalator leading to the house wares section behind a family of four.  The father not so gingerly let off a bomb that hit my nose so hard I had to take a step back.   Putting that out of mind I continued my shopping left Kmart and as promised did purchase two pairs of ears from the Malaysian woman.  Who complimented me on my silver bangles (go me.)

I then headed to my train station before entering, I waved goodbye to Spiderman who was on the opposite street corner to Superman.  While on my train with a throng of Rangers fans, took the time to catch up on my bible reading.  I completed the entire book of Ruth and continued onto reading Isaiah chapters 4 – 9 from the Message Bible.  I am working through complete Isaiah by the end of the year.

When I got off at my home station I began walking and singing to myself praise and worship songs.  I have been working on not being embarrassed when it comes to praising God in public.  So, for me to be singing as I am walking home is a big thing.  When I neared my block, I prepared myself by stopping and taking my keys out of my purse.  When I looked up I saw the police activity.  My block was taped off there were detectives knocking on doors and some of my neighbors were standing waiting till they were able to go enter our building again.

As I got closer to the tape, I didn’t get upset.  I just began thanking God that I had stayed in the city a bit longer.  Checked with my roommate to make sure she was ok, she was.  See if I had went straight home. I might have been caught in the middle of the gunfire, it had only occurred an hour before my arrival.   I later learned that a young boy had been shot on the corner of my building. The complete details are still pending.  However I did find the silver lining in it all.  As I stood there with my neighbors waiting I was able to give them comic relief.  Telling them stories of previous incidences I remembered from growing up “da hood.”  I told them that the inconvenience of a police presence was for our own well being and that after all this, I would have something extra special to blog about tonight.  Some of the off collar comments my neighbors made I cannot not repeat, however I can tell you this.  We were all grateful, to be able to enter my building again once we were.

Lela Jefferson – www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

Tonight I went on a date with myself to see the movie “Good Hair” executive produced by Chris Rock and Nelson George (VH1 Soul Cities); with interviews with such celebrities as Nia Long, Dr. Maya Angelou, Rev. Al Sharpton, Marvett Britto and Ice T.  I have to be honest I went to see the documentary with a completely opened mind.  I wasn’t sure what I was going to expect.

Folks, from start to finish I really did enjoy myself and did learn a bit.  It was scary to see what can happen to a soda can after being left in “Creamy Crack” / Relaxer in its natural chemical form for a while.  To learning where Remy Hair / Indian “Good” Hair comes from and how it is collected.  To hearing a three (3) year black girl say that everyone should get a perm.

Oddly enough, I left the movie theater thinking about getting a new hair system haha

To check out “Good Hair” for your self I recommend the site http://www.fandango.com (this is NOT an affiliate link.)

So… in thinking about what was going to be my 1^st blog topic today, led me to think about both my pastors (Dr. Creflo A. and Taffi L. Dollar) recent teachings on the faith of what an AUTHENTIC Christian should be and its co-relation to a tweet quote I read sent by John C. Maxwell in regards to Integrity.  ”Integrity is the glue that keeps our way of life together.  We must strive to keep our integrity intact. – Billy Graham”

From Webster:

Main Entry: in·teg·ri·ty

Pronunciation: \in-ˈte-grə-tē\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire

Date: 14th century

1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

synonyms see honesty

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To me what it means to be an AUTHENTIC Christian is to do what Jesus would have done.  To have compassion, have a strong sense of integrity, have temperance (and all the other fruits of the spirit) be able to correct and be corrected (teachable) with love, and a willing to lay your life down for the Abba Father.

One of my attitude adjustment plan steps is to work on correcting one challenging thing about myself one day at a time.  So that what I want to be projected about my character lines up with the WORD and is pleasing to God.  In order to do this I know that I need to know what God says about me, have a teachable spirit, be able to hear the voice of God and be willing to obey it immediately.  By doing this I am developing what I like to call the “Self Correcting Spirit”.  Knowing when something is wrong (does not line up to God’s word) and being able to correct my actions and words before they become habits.

Today I am reviewing my INTEGRITY.  What aspect of your character will you be reviewing / working on correcting today?

Lela Jefferson – www.memoirsofablackgirl.com