10 Days of Gratitude: Day 9 - By Seleeda Bell Grantum

Gratitude

A love letter to my parents…

 

By Seleeda Bell Grantum

The many times the words would not come,

When I had the chance to say them out loud,

And,

How I wish they could hear the words now,

Willingly escaping from my lips,

With arms drawn and tears flowing.

Gratitude

Reflections of how they put up with my search,

I reminiscence the strict rules I fought against,

Appreciating the discipline after

Succumbing to the wiles of peer pressure,

And,

The bad decisions I made.

Gratitude

I may not have turned out as they planned;

A gay woman,

A single parent,

A militant to the woes of society,

But,

I know they would be proud of me,

Thankful how they taught me to be responsible,

Accountable,

Trustworthy

Dependable.

Gratitude

Oh! I think back on the questions I asked,

The answers I never received -

Clearly trying to protect me, soothe me, relish me,

The songs we shared,

The many trips to the South,

Jumping double-dutch and riding bikes.

Gratitude

I think about Sunday mornings,

The long prayers before breakfast,

The fancy hats,

The cute dresses with lace and bows,

The little white gloves and patent leather shoes,

I complained,

Didn’t want to go,

Made excuses to stay home,

But,

I was given no choice,

Which now I’m thankful of.

Gratitude

Laughter!

Oh, the laughter!

Living in the house was often comical;

I entertained them with songs and dances,

Telling silly jokes,

Imitating people, and

Eating cereal with peaches late at night.

Gratitude

Evening drives to the park to watch the ducks,

While I ate an ice cream cone,

Family cookouts and holiday dinners,

Teaching me to sew, cook, and hang curtains,

Preparing me for my future,

Preparing me to run a house.

Gratitude

Purchasing my first car,

Teaching me to drive,

Rescuing me when I ran out of gas,

Staying in contact when I traveled long distance,

Sharing my adventures,

Always being there when I needed them.

Gratitude

Never again will I feel that parental love,

I only had one chance

To experience the warmth, closeness, loyalty

From the ones who brought me here,

Nurtured me,

Prepared me,

Loved me.

Gratitude

Seleeda Belll Grantum is a Contributing Project Management Professor at Walden University, and also teaches as an adjunct professor for several colleges and universities. Her current research focus is in e-learning and developing online professional development training. She is working on a Doctorate of Business Administration in Management, and has earned a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, MBA, BS in Organizational Management & Development, and a BA in Biblical Education. She holds certification in Acidified Foods from the FDA, QM Certified Peer Reviewer from Quality Matters, Teaching in the Virtual Classroom from Fielding Graduate University, Online Teaching Certification from the Commonwealth of VA Community Colleges, and Principles of Real Estate from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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Imani Evans and SharRon Jamison 

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Create Love Conference

March 8, 2014

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10 Days of Gratitude: Day 8 - By Gwen Thomas

Gratitude—the Key to Creating Love, Joy and Peace 
by Gwen Thomas

I have come to believe that I can have all my needs met, and all my heart’s desires fulfilled.  I can access power that goes far beyond my human limitations and understanding. In the midst of disappointment and sadness, I can immediately feel better. I have learned the key to unlocking my fantasies and releasing my fears. Wow! 

The good news is that this power is available all the time, to all of us. A grateful heart, an attitude of gratitude and words of thanksgiving are the essentials to being healthy, whole and complete. Now, I admit that I don’t always rise to the high emotional and spiritual vibration where gratitude exists. Sometimes my higher-self and evolved thinking is overshadowed by doubt, fear and resistance. But if I take a few deep breaths, still my mind and focus, I can activate my gratitude “now” and my gratitude “intentions”. 

Gratitude now means openly and honestly recognizing and acknowledging all that I am grateful for in that moment. I commit to writing down at least 5 to 7 things have been provided to me. I celebrate the love and joy around me. I give thanks for the protection that keeps me safe and secure. I appreciate being able to help others.
 

I honor the gifts that the Divine has poured into me and for the opportunity to pour into the lives of others.  I smile when I think about raising a smart, kind and loving man and getting to be a “GiGi” to his children. I consider every seemingly small miracle—like being treated to a free cup of coffee by the hotel banquet manager as he helps me set up my work site or getting an upgrade to first class on my way home; and I magnify their significance to the worth of my day.

Then I can move to gratitude “intentions.” Those are the things that I affirm as I wait for them to be manifested in my life. I say, “I am so happy and grateful knowing that the Universe is arranging people, circumstances and events so that….” It is through the process that I activate supernatural hope and faith. Because I have so much to be thankful for, I know I can expect more to be thankful for. It is the key creating the love, joy and peace I deserve. It is the key to each of having the life we want.

Gwen Thomas is an avowed Womanist and Liberation Theologian. She is an ordained minister and a Field Organizer for Southerners On New Ground (SONG). As a writer, Gwen raises awareness on intersectional justice issues. She is the author of The S.H.E. Experience, a woman’s perspective on self-actualization. Thomas is President and CEO of The C.A.S.T. Company, which provides training, consulting and professional coaching to individuals and organizations. As speaker and consultant, she presents various professional development and personal growth topics. She has provided training and motivational speaking throughout the United States, in the Caribbean; a total of 7 countries on three continents. She has experience and expertise in leadership and organizational development, communication skills and women’s professional and personal growth. She has spent the majority of her professional life motivating and teaching others in workplace settings and in spiritual environments. She has experience and expertise in leadership and organizational development, communication skills and women’s professional and personal growth. She has spent the majority of her professional life motivating and teaching others in workplace settings and in spiritual environments.

Like her at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-SHE-Experience/254545531431 

Follow her at: msgwen127@twitter.com

Create Love Founders

Imani Evans and SharRon Jamison 

We look forward to seeing you at the 

Create Love Conference

March 8, 2014

GET MORE INFO HERE