A Cry for the People of Flint

I am mad and outraged about the Flint, Michigan water crisis.  Flint is a very poor, majority African-American city, with no political power, no lobbyists, and no money. In the spring of 2014, the city of Flint decided to stop using Detroit's water system and instead began pumping its water from the Flint River. This was a cost-cutting measure designed as a temporary measure until the city could connect to a regional water system which was under construction. When the residents of Flint told Republican Governor Snyder their children were getting sick two years ago, guess what? He didn’t listen. Fast forward, now the city has switched back to the Detroit water system but the water from the Flint River damaged the city's water pipes and released lead and other pollutants from the pipes into the water supply.

The Flint water crisis is so bigger than a hashtag. It’s a call to action to hold those in elected positions accountable. Many activists believe the situation was mishandled and the fault lies at local, state and federal levels of government. Some are even calling for Gov. Rick Snyder’s resignation.

Is Flint's water crisis a natural disaster? A disaster of poor management based on cost-cutting by any means necessary? or A version of racial genocide. 

No matter where you stand on this horrible issue, the fact remains that the situation on the ground is saddening because there are so many people who still do not have filters to protect themselves from lead in their tap water. The news reports that there is no government-run program for giving bottled water to people who cannot afford to buy it. If you need water in Flint, the best option is to turn to one of the local nonprofits that are giving it away. These nonprofits are running solely on donations. 

Kurt Vonnegut’s, Harrison Bergeron, challenges us with the question, “What do we owe those of our fellow citizens who are worse off through no fault of their own?” 

We owe them our prayers, our voices, and our support.

For Donations:

Go to www.flintkids.org and click on "Donate Now" in upper right.

or

Call the United Way at 810-232-8121
Community Foundation of Greater Flint at 810-767-8279.

The Salvation Army of Genesee County is also accepting donations to pay for water, filters and to pay delinquent water bills for residents who have received shutoff notifications. To donate:

Web: Go to www.salmich.org

Via smartphone: Text "WATER" to 91999

Phone: 877-SAL-MICH

Mail:  Salvation Army Flint Water Crisis, 211 W. Kearsley, Flint 48502

In Support of the People of Flint,

Robin 

The Sun Goes Down on 2015

This year is almost over. Before moving into 2016, it is important to reflect on who we are now and how our experiences in the last 365 days has shaped us. This self-reflective process helps us to look keenly at our emotional, spiritual, professional, personal, and financial lives and step more confidently into a new year.

There is one experience from 2015 that I want to share that totally changed my life…..

One afternoon a few months ago I found myself in a total moment of imbalance and misalignment. Even though I was supposed to be preparing for a meeting, I knew I could not start the meeting until I got myself in balance and alignment. I was at the intersection of several emotional, spiritual, professional, personal, and financial stressors in my life. I was tired. Yes, bone tired. The type of mental and physical tiredness that leaves you tongue-tied with nothing left to give anyone.

I popped myself in a chair at my conference table, wiped my sweat-drenched brow and heaved a deep sigh. I retreated to the one thing that has always produced peace in my life…Scripture. I had a real War Room experience where I took a seven minute break and started to read scriptures posted in my desk drawer (scriptures are in every drawer). I fervently prayed because the battles I was dealing with needed a different strategy. In that moment, I knew that until I started engaging the battle properly by taking it to HIM, I was not going to get very far even with my best intentions.

Just like that and I mean literally and figuratively, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I’ve always heard my grandmother say that “He will make things happen in the twinkling of an eye.” I really cannot describe the experience but the issues that were weighing me down were lifted. My view of the issues changed.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 
1 Corinthians 15:52

I felt light…

I felt free…

I felt inspired…

I felt his presence…

I walked out of my office with a renewed spirit and tenacity. Was everything perfect? Was I perfect? No, but I was reintroduced to a powerful weapon called prayer. I amped up my prayer life and this experience sparked the beginning of my War Room Journal.

My War Room Journal

Looking back on this breakthrough moment has been illuminating. I’ve been on a journey of prayer over the last few months–praying more for my family and others than I have in a long time. It really has transformed my life in very fundamental ways.

As the sun goes down on 2015, it’s important for us to make time for self-reflection, balance, and alignment. Our lives are constantly on the move and sometimes we lose our way in the noise of life. When we are still and in balance and alignment, we can hear God’s voice clearly.

The Takeaway: No matter what obstacles confront us, even in moments of intense doubt, confusion, and uncertainty the one thing I know for sure is that we always end up where HE fully intends for us to be.

Let’s start 2016 with open arms & a clean slate! Make 2016 Amazing.

Best Wishes,

Robin

#UnApologetic

Lately, I’ve been going through a personal metamorphosis. The process hasn’t been easy and has stripped me down to the core and left me standing bare, unafraid, and living my truth. I just got off of the phone with one of my mentors. I was telling her, “I have allowed the picture of who I SHOULD be and what I SHOULD be doing and what my life SHOULD look like to literally blind me to the beautiful reality of what my life really is.” She was quick to tell me that I care too much about the wrong people, things, and stuff. Her words were, “Your primary goal should be to be happy with yourself. When we hang up this phone, I want you to be UNAPOLOGETIC about who you are and just LIVE Robin.”

Sound familiar to anyone?

This conversation really made me THINK! Many of us spend a great deal of our lives apologizing to others for just about everything. Apologizing becomes so second nature until sometimes we don’t even know why we’re apologizing. GEESH!

7 Things to Stop Apologizing For NOW!

1. Being Yourself- No person is worth more or less than any other. Remind yourself. Loving yourself should mean never having to say you’re sorry.

2. What You Look Like- Women are taught to seek forgiveness for physical flaws at a young age. I can’t change my face or my body (plastic surgery is not for me) and I don’t want to want to anymore. I have a few curves and that’s it.

3. Being Career Driven- Although I don’t live to work, I do understand the concept. I love my career. Yes, I said it! I have many friends with the same profession and sometimes we get together and tell stories about “the job.” You worked hard for your career. Stop apologizing.

4. The Mistakes of Your Past-We all have a past. It happened, you did it or participated and that’s okay. The sooner you own it, the sooner you can forgive yourself and move on. Forgive yourself. That's it.

5. Wanting to Find Love- Never say you’re sorry for trying to find it. There is something absolutely cathartic, breathtaking and exhilarating about love that keeps us coming back for more.

6. How You Spend Your Money-It’s yours, you worked for it so spend it the way you desire. If you're Blessed, be a Blessing to others. Finished!

7. Your Interests, Talents, and Aspirations- Your interests, talents, and aspirations are entirely your own. Never feel as if you have to justify something you love, whether it's yoga, dancing, an impressive collection of cars, or knowing everything there is to know about cooking, make-up, and sewing. As the saying goes, just do you.

Takeaway: Apologizing when you've clearly hurt someone else, violated a rule, or done something you know to be wrong is a necessary step in repairing the social fabric that keeps us connected. But saying sorry for things you aren’t responsible for will only invalidate you and reinforce feelings of low self-worth.

Improve your flaws but LOVE YOURSELF. Please don’t apologize for being the wonderful person God created you to be.

Just Live!

One Love,

Robin

Worth The Wait

"When you thought you’d be baking pie & living behind your very own white picket fence, you’ll find yourself doing something so entirely different, you couldn’t have even imagined it a year before. There will be moments when you’ll look around and not even recognize your own life…in a good way.” ~Kate Northrup

Everyone at some point envisions the perfect life, perfect job, the perfect relationship, and a life of happily ever after. All of a sudden your life gets sidetracked, the career goes off course, the perfect mate is actually an illusion of love and you get distracted and lose your way.

Stop! Reality and fantasy never align at the same time. Damn it hurts!

Though it's hard to see at times, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Creator uses all of your joy and pain, loss and gains to help you realize that the true meaning of it all isn’t to settle for anything less than you deserve. Be bold enough to hold out for a Happy EVER-Y-THING!

I know the wait for (fill in the blank) is LONG and frustrating. Like you’ll never quite find the place or the person that GETS you but you WILL. I can’t tell you when but I do believe that it WILL come full circle.

When it does arrive you will thank God a million times over for not settling for anything less. I promise you, it will be worth the wait.

One Love,

Robin

Put the Glass Down

Hi Everyone,

It's been awhile but I felt compelled to write this morning. Over the pass seven months, my life has changed for the better. The changes have been a divine blessing but I realized I was carrying other people's stress. Of course I have my own stressors but what do I mean by other people's stress? Other people's opinions.....other people's jealousy, other people's lies....just other people's beliefs about my life, my goals and dreams, my Blessings, my decisions, and my character. It's funny how when you try to do what's right how you come under intense scrutiny. Unfortunately, that's life.

I came across this quote this morning during morning meditation. I don't know the original source, but if you know where it came from, please let me know and I will credit it.

"A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.” Remember to put the glass down."

This is a really great story of how important it is NOT to hold on to things. Stress, anger, negativity, and worry all weigh and become a lot of extra "weight" to carry around. Most of the time it's not even your problem. My new motto is "if it's not my problem, then it's not my burden to bear." This motto has helped me to stay focused and to keep the main thing the main thing. The "weight" will cause you to get off track and lose sight of your divine purpose. STAY FOCUSED!

No one is perfect and we all fall short sometimes but self-reflection is key to ensuring we continue to grow in wisdom and get better each day. Even with our baggage, we can't let other people's mess/stuff dictate who we are called to be.

I encourage you to meditate and listen to the spirit for guidance and walk in your divine purpose.

Think about what you are holding onto now and tell yourself to "put the glass down."

One Love,

Robin

On the Rise: Moving Forward

“You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?”
~Rumi

Hello Everyone,

The past couple of weeks have been LONG, often trying on the soul and spirit but I made it. It’s 6:30am on Saturday morning and I feel a wave of motivation all over me. I hop out of bed, grab a pen and paper, and WRITE. Here’s what the Creator is telling me:

Be Thankful
Make a Plan
Trust Yourself
Do What’s Right not What’s Popular
Stop worrying about the opinions of others
Be confident, resilient, fearless, and creative
Connect with family and friends
Move Forward
Have Fun

I have declared 2014 as my year of transformation. So far, my year has started out promising but oh how the Negative Naysayers are on the prowl trying to bring anyone they can down. It’s sad when people just can’t be happy for one another and appreciate differences. Who wants to be with a group where everyone thinks the same, acts the same, eats the same things, wears the same things….you get my point. If you think differently, have different expectations, or just simply have a higher standard about everything you do, then get ready for the constant negativity and name-calling.

Stay away from negative people!!!! Please don't make the mistake I made of talking to the wrong people. People who are negative have had bad experiences and often lack knowledge, strategies, and clarity so they have no direction to send you but down. If you want to be on the rise, stay away from them. STAY FAR AWAY! I can’t stress this enough.

Surround yourself with people who are already successful in doing what you want to do. They will not feel threatened or intimidated by you and will encourage you to reach your full potential. Model after them and soak up their energy and enthusiasm. Find a mentor and collaborate with them. This will give you the confidence, support and encouragement to move forward.

On a personal note, I need the doubters and I get motivated from a little "friction" on the path to my goals. Skepticism drives me because I get motivated when people say I can’t do it or I’m this or that. This just fuels me to run the race, to see what the end will be (as the church folk say) and to put more energy into being who the Creator has called me to be.

I want to encourage you to be on the rise. You can do ALL things. Trust the Creator and Trust yourself.

One Love,

Robin

True Joy and Happiness

My friend Janet told me to enjoy the snow days and write. I've had writer's block for sometime now and finding inspiration has been challenging. I decided to look at my horoscope from a couple of weeks ago and this is what it said: "If you feel like you've been sacrificing too much in your life, then stop doing it. You may be selfish every now and then -- in fact, it's healthy! So let the pendulum swing back to 'selfish,' where your happiness is the highest priority. Reclaim some of your free time. Use it however you see fit -- take a nap, read a book, go for a walk, or even just watch TV. All that matters is that you are doing what you want to do, when you want to do it."

We spend so much of our time being everything to everybody. When we do pause to take a moment for ourselves, we often feel guilty. Trust me, I've felt that guilt too often, but I made a decision that 2014 was going to be my transformation year. I decided that all of the dead weight I carried from work, relationships that brought me no joy, financial burdens and all of the struggles of simply living life was going to take a back seat so I could find True Joy.

Like many other women, I carry the "Strong Black Woman" banner with pride. I know that I can handle a lot and keep it moving but there are days when I simply don't want to. I couldn't admit that before but I can now. When I need a break, I know how to take one. I like to call them "mental health days." Am I still strong, courageous, passionate, ambitious, fabulous, and fearless? Yes, but it simply means that I know how to take care of my mental, spiritual, and physical body. I give myself permission to be human which means I cry, I laugh (hard), I grieve, I work hard, and I rest/ relax.....without feeling guilty. I'm back to reading, writing, traveling, spending quality time with my friends and family, and I'm even considering yoga classes.

While it's snowing on the East Coast and cabin fever is about to set in, this is a great time to reflect, relax, and renew. Discover what lifts your spirit and makes you the happiest. It's key to find something to look forward to everyday; to do something kind for someone else; to find something to be grateful for; to laugh and play as often as you can; to get your body moving by walking, dancing, etc.; and to give yourself permission to relax, take a break or mental health day so that you remain in your happy place.

It's ok to be strong but happiness trumps everything. I encourage you to find your True Joy.

One Love,

Robin
(From my kitchen table watching the snow)

Don't Grow Weary

Hello All:

For those of you who really know me well, you know that I am one positive person. In fact, my nickname from one of my closest friends is “Little Miss Sunshine.” Now that’s not to say that I’m a doormat because I can carry my own but I try to view the glass as half full. This optimist spirit didn’t just develop. My family tells me that I’ve always had it. Always!

My faith and my values have been tested like never before over the past few weeks. I’ve seen and heard some disturbing things…need I say that 98% of it has been inaccurate. I have not felt so optimistic or hopeful. Even the strongest, most optimistic people get a little weary in well-doing. We all get tired, right? For example, millionaires get tired of money (doesn’t buy happiness), kids get tired of toys (they always need the latest ones), and some relationships become old and lose their thrill (new seems better). So what do you do when you’re trying to do what’s right, what you’ve been called to do but you’re just plain old tired of___________ (fill in the blank)? As a thoughtful co-worker told me tonight, “Just tie a knot and hold on because you have been called to do something that only you can do.” I needed that and I hope you do too. See, we can’t give up now. The pain hurts worse when it is time to give birth to something great. Most people never see the fulfillment of the promise because they let go. Hold on...

I want to remind you today that this is your time to speak loud! Don’t settle for mediocrity. Promise yourself that you will not allow anyone or anything to halt your blessings. If there is someone in the way with their constant negativity, put downs, and jealousy, just rise above it all and fly. Just don’t succumb and join the party on Joy Killer Island. You should know that there is purpose in your pain. Remember, everyone is not going to be in your corner or a fan but its ok….it really is ok. We must follow the spirit that guides us and know that we are walking in our divine purpose. If you are doing that, then hold your head up and walk like you have somewhere to go. (This is not just for you but a reminder to me to return to the optimistic spirit that resides in me.)

Remember, stay focused, stay determined and keep striving for greatness. Take a deep breath, roll your sleeves up and get with it. Do it. Create it. Write it. Plan it. Make it ALL happen. Just don’t grow weary!!

Until Next Time,

Robin

43

Hi My Friends,

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged. It’s a long story and we would need several cups of Starbucks for me to explain the depths of my emotions and hardships over this last year. I’ll spare you the fine details but know that I have learned some powerful lessons. One being, just because you try to do what is right with integrity doesn’t mean you will be appreciated or applauded. In most cases, it brings about evil, hate, and jealousy. For all of you who know me well and know my spirit and heart -don’t worry, I will not disappoint you. I will press onward and upward. Just pray for me.

Now to the real message of my blog……

When I wrote my book in 2009, I thought I knew myself pretty well. I had gone through a self-realization process that was very cathartic. I purged myself of everything that was weighing me down- it felt amazing. However, on the road of life, you can’t get off the exit to your destiny without a few bumps, roadblocks, or detours. I’m in the middle of one right now. There is an organized chaos in my life and I feel so out of place. I keep trying to find my niche in this space, but the more I try, the more uncomfortable I feel. My mentor and friends keep telling me that I am not supposed to feel comfortable because being comfortable brings about complacency. I knew this to be true but I had an epiphany on my birthday -it was like a bright light was shining on me and God himself was speaking to me through TD Jakes’ podcast sermon entitled, “Radical Faith.” Jakes said you will never move to the level you are destined to be until you find a level of peace in the midst of chaos. Those words were powerful to me. Peace in the middle of mess. I get it….I GET IT!!

My detour is a difficult transformation on ALL levels, (mental, physical, spiritual, emotional) but as I am going through and coming out on the other side of this hard time, I feel stronger for enduring the labor pains of giving birth to a woman who has the TOOLS to actually WALK THIS WALK. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” is one of my favorite Bible verses. Peace in the middle of mess requires a transformation of the mind. While some experiences are hard and more trying than others, I know I will be strengthened with a whole new layer of depth and wisdom. I thank my Creator, my small inner circle of friends, mentors, and loved ones for giving me new eyes to see ME.

Every morning when I open my eyes, no matter the hand I was dealt the day or weeks before-my heart swells with gratitude. I get another chance to get it right. Life is about a culmination of the choices I make every day. I choose to grow, renew my mind, and be a source of LIGHT.

I want to encourage you that things will work out, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the Creator uses some of the most trying times to teach some of the most powerful lessons. Be willing to stretch, learn, and grow.

From my window sill…

One Love,

Robin

Tragedy in Newtown

Hello All,

Twenty children and six adults went to elementary school on Friday and died before lunch. It seems as if no place is sacred anymore and the fact doesn’t change that we could still be next. I am heartbroken. The parents of Newtown could have been any one of us. It is so important to remember that but simple remembrance isn’t enough.

I am full of emotion right now because how young do the victims have to be and how many children need to die before we stop the proliferation of guns in our nation? Back in the early 1930s, the first major federal gun control laws were enacted in the wake of Al Capone’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. In the 1960s, the back-to-back assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy pushed Congress to enact the Gun Control Act of 1968. The attempt on President Reagan’s life led to 1993’s Brady background check law. Since that time, there have been one shooting after another. We can't just do as we did after Columbine, after Virginia Tech, after Aurora. Without any significant gun control reforms nothing has changed.

There is more on the table than just ready access to powerful weapons-we must also address mental illness. No longer can we pass these issues off until the next tragedy. Now is the time to take a careful examination of gun laws and the treatment of those who are mentally ill. President Obama spoke a powerful word when he said that this has happened too many times. Each time the cost becomes so much more unbearable, inconceivable and beyond measure.

Columbine……Virginia Tech………Aurora………and now Newtown.

I encourage you to hug your children and tell them you love them every single day. Become involved in school and political matters and make your voice heard. We must make a change-NOW!

Peace & Blessings,


Robin