Well I started my week spending time with some folks that are in need. In need of help. Simple things that some of us take for granted such as, Groceries, a job, a way to pay the rent or mortgage, anything to give them hope for a better tomorrow. I never thought that this country would be so vulnerable. We have people in the country struggling just to make ends meet. I do have some opinions about how this thing we call life is. Life can be cruel and then again it can be beautiful. I guess it's a matter how you look at it. When I was a teenager, I never gave much thought to growing older, but after losing loved ones through out the years, you begin to look at your own mortality. You look at opportunities that were lost, whether they be related to career, love, friendships & whatever you thought they were. I often times drift back into my past, wondering what could have been. But then I snap back to NOW! I realize everthing that happens...happens for a reason. I personally look at life as being a wonderful journey. I've had some wonderful opportunities, and looking forward to many more. I've had love and lost, and found that the love I thought I lost was just a stepping stone to a better one. You see life is what you make it...The choices you make, have a direct impact on how your life will be. I try to share whatever wisdom I have learned through out my life, whether that has been something that was told to me or what I've learned. I talk to people and listen to what they have to say. I say all of this to say...I AM MY BROTHERS & SISTERS KEEPER! The way I treat people is the way I expect to be treated. With respect, dignity & love...Let me share this story with you. Some years ago, I returned back home for a visit. I entered a local Pathmark (a supermarket chain up north) early one morning,  and as I was approaching the door, I noticed a woman that looked dirty...maybe a hooker, looking for a john I thought to myself. I walked past her, hoping she would not say anything to me. Well upon exiting the store, she muttered something to me, I kept walking, ignoring her, saying to myself, she better be cool, not ask for money...you know what I'm talking about. She hollered out..."Oh so you don't know me now"...At that moment I was about to give her a piece of my mind, and then she said, "You don't know me now, I'm Shirley W----," I thought to myself Shirley, I turned around and just looked into her eyes, and I realized this WAS Shirley, A girl I went to school with many, many years ago. A shell of what she once was...and this girl was "FINE"  in school. She had fell on hard times, contracted the Aids virus from a former lover, so many hardships. We talked for a while, I gave her some money & said if there was anything I can do reach out to me. She never did. I remembered back in school, she was around trying to hang out with the wrong crowd. Bad choices! Family...talk to a young person today, share your experiences, so they may learn something. Talk to those that may be in need and try to help them along the way. s I sit here writing this...I am so grateful to the ones in my life that have inspired, nurtured me along this journey we call LIFE...Let's live it together in a wonderful state of mind...Until next time my friends...God Bless...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m29F4FtVo-U