Wherever you are on your journey today in this uncertain life, you should know that your voice is loud. Your voice is so loud and influential that you don’t need to argue with your neighbor, convict your opponent or condemn a candidate. All you need to do is go vote. And do it, consciously. Whatever that looks like to you. Your friends, peers, counterparts and more will soon forget about this egregious day and respect the results. There’s not enough debate to be had to change some minds. There’s not enough proof to lie out to change some souls. There’s not enough studying and enlightenment to do to help somebody make the right decision. We’ve all formulated our truths and our alliances based off of a multitude of life experiences. You see, those experiences have come from the way we were raised, our socioeconomic status and more. Too many experiences to shape into one universal law. Too many consequences to lay at the feet of one person: our new president. Thereof, you’ve got a duty to do. You have a surefire calling to complete as a citizen. Today, as you sit in this uncertain life, you can’t sit there and complain if you don’t vote. You can’t tell anyone what to do if you don’t vote. You can’t talk about your issues if you don’t vote. Because guess what? Nobody cares. No action will be taken to rectify your realm of non-voting reasons. Democracy only works if you are included in the process. Democracy works better when more people participate. As I watch many of you post you are silencing your social media today, I cringe. It is time to get loud on social media today. Ring the alarm. Today is a day many have fought for. Marches and boycotts brought us here. Tears and blood trailed us to the polls. Your right to vote is a debt you owe to those who fought mercilessly for democracy. Rise up. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) once said: “I say to each and everyone of you, in the best way I can. I gave a little blood on the bridge, but some people gave their lives,” Lewis said of the fight to pass the Voting Rights Act in 1965. “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it. And so you must go out all across America and tell young people, and people not so young, tell all of us: Vote. The vote is powerful.” The world won’t be still for you today. The world won’t stand still for any of us ever. Somewhere across the globe, a child is running through the safari recreating a real life Jungle Book story. A happy couple is enjoying a honeymoon on the beaches of Thailand. A millennial wanderer is truly wondering where, when and how they will make their stakes in this uncertain life. A group of ole’ faithful’s are calling to the most high for answers.
So as the world turns, make your mark and vote. We all want a happy ending. Though you may not get the picture perfect story through voting, there is some solace and humility when leaving the polls that make you feel like you’ve risen to the occasion at a Greek Coliseum. Sincerely, Your friend who voted! Jasmine Hockett
0 Comments
Beyoncé already told us how to act in the face of adversity. She said and I quote, “Always stay gracious, the best revenge is your paper.” At Wednesday night’s live Country Music Awards broadcast, Beyoncé showed us that actions are more than words when she slayed the lyrics to her cross-over song “Daddy Lessons” with the infamous Dixie Chicks by her side. She could have said no to performing after receiving hosts of unwelcome comments on social media,but she didn’t. All throughout the day, leading up to the performance, she’d been called racists and much more. That didn’t stop Queen Bey. She gracefully got on stage and proved another song lyric from her masterpiece album, Lemonade: “Earned all this money but they never take the country out me.” Whoever said Beyoncé didn’t belong on the CMA stage shouldn’t have. She’s a southern girl, with a southern twang, that can sing “anythang.” Just last year, native Tennessean, Justin Timberlake performed at the awards with not nearly as much backlash though his genre is usually Pop/R&B originated. She did, however, have the support of Country Music maven, Brad Paisley. Others were glad to have Beyoncé as well. So without further a due, here are 3 lessons to learn from Beyoncé’s performance. 1. “My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana. You mix that Negro with that Creole make a Texas bama.” Own who you are and be that in any crowd. You don’t have to change your dialect, your style and lastly your grace to fit the mold of anyone but yourself. 2. “I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin’).”
Beyoncé ‘s performance was radiating from her dress to her stage persona or should we say, Sasha Fierce. She owned her craft. So own yours too. Be the total package and share your light with the world! 3. “OK, ladies, now let’s get in formation, ‘cause I slay.” Who would’ve imagined such a magical performance with the Dixie Chicks in Nashville, TN would be in Beyoncé’s future? Do you see what happens when all women get in formation? Find your girl power. Better yet, find your people power. The world is a better place when we learn how to collaborate and manifest together! This time last year, I couldn't have known I'd be engaged. Actually, all I could think about was passing MBA Econ and Business Research Methods. I remember starting the month saying, November, please be good to me. 2015 was full of awesome wonder from going to Paris and other amazing travels, but it also presented its fair share of disappointment.
This time last year, I learned how to be a member of November, and that's what I'm hoping you gather from this blog. After my September birthday, I'd decided that my 26-year-old-self was in need of some major changes. I purchased a prayer journal and it changed my life! I was two months in when November hit. The month of thankfulness helped me conquer a few more of my new year's resolutions, i.e, stop shopping. Ha! Seems quite unimportant, but it was my way to minimalism and soul gratification. I learned to be thankful for what I already have. Instead of buying that new outfit for a major event, I wore something in my closet that already had memories of its own from previous wear. I enjoyed the moment with friends and family instead of worrying about my attire. I realized, it is not what you wear on your back, but what you wear on your heart that makes you a member of November. November is more than a month of Thanksgiving. It is a time to be present. As I look outside at this current moment, the leaves are falling as a reminder that we must all adapt to change and be willing to let go of a few things in our lives as trees do with their leaves. It doesn't make the fallen leaves bad. It just makes the ground a little more stable and colorful. So, regain your grounding this month. Finish out whatever few new year's resolutions you gave up on in 2016. Prepare for what is to come. I couldn't have known, I'd graduate with my MBA or be engaged or interview for my dream job at NPR, but it happened. I couldn't have known that all these positive things would be coming my way if I hadn't become a member of November! To be present is to be grateful for the moment that is. I no longer have to tell November to be good to me because it presents some of my fondest memories. It’s at this time that I finish out the year with a full awareness of my year of blessings and resolve the rest of my own 2016 resolutions. I have to say that today kicked off an array of emotions as I picked up a symbolic piece of my life, my bridesmaid's dresses. I couldn't have known that this is what I'd be doing during this time! I'm grateful and open to what else being a member of November entails! So be still my faithful blog reader, your November Membership comes with a lot of cool experiences that require a present mind, body, and soul! |
AuthorThe things I write about are the love of my life and the life of my love! Archives
July 2017
|