Tolerance And Love In The New Year

My third book will be released in a few days and I feel like some time I am going to wake up and realize it was just a dream.  I feel truly blessed to be able to realize a dream of mine. But the fact is that we can all do it.  It takes a great deal of hard work, time, and perseverance no matter how many times you hear the word no.

I find that entering a new year is always a time of reflection and gratitude. Reflecting on what and who I am to see where I might need to change, or what I may need to remove from my life.  Gratitude for my relationship with God and all of the overwhelming blessings I have been given.

This year is also a time of new beginnings for our country, as a new president takes office.  I will admit that no, I didn’t vote for him, but I also accept the fact that it has been decided and complaining will not change the outcome. Therefore, I choose hope.  I choose to believe that I will be pleasantly surprised by his accomplishments.

Tomorrow is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, he is a personal hero of mine.  I am saddened by the current state of racial relations in this country.  It is like we have started to move backwards.  In the words of Dr. King, “Hate darkens life, love illuminates it. Hate cannot drive out other hate, only love can do that.” You may remember Jesus teaches a similar message.

Remember that you are an example to your child.  Spread love, not hate. Spread light, not darkness.  Spread joy, not bitterness.  We shouldn’t need great tragedies like terrorist attacks to remind us that we are “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.”