Weekly I visit my old High School, The George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science and help a group from the Engineering class with their Green Building Project. I am always honored whenever I am asked to help out at the school that gave me so much. Aside from the memories of friends I once clung during a very tough period of my life, this High School gave me so much more. I discovered who I was and what I wanted to do during the short period of time I spent behind those enclosed walls. At the time I did not know it but 20 plus years later, after a long career in the Architecture Design field, I realize what was deposited. I didn’t know if it was my drafting teacher, Mr. Horn or my Architectural Concepts teacher whose name I cannot remember. It could have also been the drafting teacher Mr. Avant who spent many lunch periods mentoring myself and many other students who hung around him. I conclude that each teacher deposited something within me that gave me the confidence to continue through my remaining years of high school, throughout college and my career. So I give back to pay back for what I received. I give back to help someone else. I give back because I was taught that “it is better give than to receive” and I have received so much. I give back to give encouragement, to invest in the future; to mentor to offer what I know to those who need it because they just might be right where I was. Today is National Author's Day and I would like to take time to give a "Shout Out" to all authors. The dictionary defines an author as "the writer of literary works..." or "one that originates or creates..." So to everyone pursuing your dream of publishing your work, I say "Cheers!" To my favorite authors I say thank you for the inspiration, entertainment and information. I never considered myself an author although I had been writing for 30 years. I began writing poetry privately at a young age as I enjoyed reading and immersing myself in the writing of others. As I matured, I took many writing classes in High School and college and I enjoyed and did well in them. I recognized and developed my talent for writing while in college where I began to write poetry and dramas, along with a friend. We began producing dramas within the community and the response was much more than what we expected. As the interest grew, we traveled to several states producing and directing several Christian Dramas through our community Christian drama ministry. Today is National Authors Day and I am happy to be a part of the celebration. I accept the title of writer and author. It took time and confidence building but I am thankful for the ability that God has given to me. I am blessed to be the author of two books and several published magazine articles, blogs and workshops. I have decided to make a commitment to work harder to develop my talent as a writer. I believe in giving honor where honor is due so I would like to wish a Happy National Author's Day to my favorite authors: Alice Walker, Maya Angelou and Erik Larson. I am educated, entertained enlightened by the work that these authors have produced.
Do you really know where you are headed? Do you have a goal and plans set as a road map for your future? Today I am reminded of this song by Diana Ross: Do You Know Where You're going To? Diana Ross sings the following lyrics: "Do you know where you're going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to, do you know?" I often take pride in knowing where I am going. I may not always take a clear path and I might even end up in another place because my GPS goes off and I end up on a different path-the path unknown. When on these paths I often discover, become inspired and to look for new challenges. However, I never lose sight of my goal. As I walked along the path in this photo, I had no idea where I was going. I was going on a typical walk for exercise. As I approach this scene, I did not know where the path would lead. I knew that I did not want to go too far because of the unknown, but I kept walking. I remember discovering an amazing part of the park that I had no idea existed. Who knew such scenery was in the city of Philadelphia? I had made an enjoyable, new discovery. Diana Ross goes onto sing these lyrics in the song: "...Once we were standing still in time, chasing the fantasies that filled our minds..." Having goals is very important. Planning towards your goals is even more important. A goal without a plan is a wish, a fantasy. As you walk along your path towards your goals, remember to stop and be inspired, challenged and take part in the discoveries that are around you. "Picture a world without hunger It should not be hard to see When we look through the lens And reality ends Everyone has food to eat..." Excerpt from Metamorphosis Copyright 2013 September is Hunger Action Month. A month set aside to urge individuals to take action against hunger. "Hunger in America exists for over 50 million people. That is 1 in 6 of the U.S. population – including more than 1 in 5 children." (Feeding America) Let's all join in to help end hunger in America. Picture a world without hunger. Do you have a path to green? What shade of green do you operate in? Even if your shade is lime or mint, you are moving in the right direction.Determining your PATH to green requires a Personal Assessment of your Traits and Habits. Assessing your traits and habits helps you evaluate where you are and plan towards your goal. so if your ultimate goal is to darken that shade of lime green to hunter green, assess where you are and plan where you want to be. Plan your own path to green.
It was 1000 years ago And a day I'll never forget It was over a decade ago A day of infinite regret. It was a day of new beginnings And a day of many's end It was a day that grips my heart and mind A day that for some will never end. Never Forget. Never Forget. Never Forget. Excerpt from Metamorphosis by Felicia Middleton. Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved Yesterday, I decided to tweet my list of favorite authors (@literaleeme), and show my appreciation because every artist deserves some love. My list includes Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker, and the great Dr. Maya Angelou. Although two of the authors on my list, Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austen, have passed, I still have a great appreciation for their work. My list also includes best selling author Erik Larson, author of Devil in The White City and Thunderstruck. I was able to tag Mr Larson while tweeting my list and he IMMEDIATELY replied, expressing his thanks. What a thrill. I was both surprised and excited. I love to read and I have read these author's works over and over again. When I enjoy an author's writing, I will obsessively re-read the books and look for additional works, hoping for the same enjoyment as the last. I have never been disappointed by the authors that I list above. That is why they have ended up on my list of all-time favorite authors. My family loves watching the Christmas movie entitled The Christmas List. The movie was about a woman who made a list and left it with the mall Santa and was surprised as each item on the list began to come to her. Each year we watched this movie and made a list of goals for the next year. We would also review our list from the previous year to check our progress. I seem to make a lot of lists these days. Mostly for daily work and planning for future work goals. Today I am making a personal list and checking it twice. Not a bucket list, just a '45 Things To Get Done' list for myself. For the next six months, I will work on this list of fun activities, things to do and places to go. My list includes writing activities, architectural tours, food, etc. I have already began some of the items but I will post about the list in my upcoming blogs. A few things of note on my list: 1) The release of my next book of poetry entitled Rants...Written By, ME! 2) I will participate in National Novel Writing Month in November. 3) I am challenging myself to write 45 poems. 4) I will walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. 5) I will take the Mural Tour in Philadelphia. I will keep you posted on my activities and progress. I enjoy a challenge and look forward to the fun! My entire list will be listed on Twitter. Follow me: @Literaleeme. |
I love to write. All day long, I write, think, design and take pictures with my mind. My writing is a design of words... Archives
February 2017
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