2019 – A Thomas Point of View

January 15, 2019

Happy Birthday Dr. King

Today, January 15th, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 90 years old. He was a pioneer in the civil rights movement, a Nobel peace prize recipient, a husband, a father, orator and a Baptist preacher. In the U.S. we recognize his birthday with a federal holiday the third Monday in January. So, on January 21st we will observe his birthday with a day off.

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I always do a service project on MLK holiday. I will be working with some of my sorority sisters to volunteer at We Feed Our People. Munch would be there to help me, but he will be with some of my fraternity brothers and his friends attending a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This museum is currently closed due to the federal government shutdown, but we’re told that it will be open for them. Munch is super excited to attend and having some of his friends with him will be icing on the cake.

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However, Munch and I will be volunteering this Saturday for MLK day with Mothers of Black Boys United at A Wider Circle. They are a non-profit that helps people in poverty by providing basic need items to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or otherwise living without the essentials for life. I’m super excited about this opportunity because I love to serve and I’m getting Munch in the habit as well.

So we are serving in honor of a man that gave his life to serve others.

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page @mskeeinmd.

The Truth Hurts

Last week when I was driving Munch to school he and I were talking and suddenly I lost my train of thought. Munch being his ever observant self noticed that I cut the conversation short. He asked me what I was trying to say. I said “I can’t remember Munch.” I said “Mommy’s getting older and sometimes when I’m doing more than one thing I can lose my train of thought.” He said “You’re not old Mommy.” I laughed and said “Yes, son, I am. I’m 44 and as hard as I try, I will forget things.” He was upset and said “No, Mommy you’re not old. Nanna is old (my mother). Mamma Lennie (my grandmother) is old.” I couldn’t stop laughing. I said “Munch, my mom and grandma are not that old.” He said “Yes, they are. Look, I’m not trying to be funny but sometimes the truth hurts and the truth is that they are old but you are not old.”

I couldn’t stop laughing. He’s 10 and he’s talking about sometimes the truth hurt. But, I thought about the truth in what he said and you know what? He was right. Sometimes the truth hurts. We spend so much of our lives trying to get the right words to say the right things to people thinking of how we don’t want to hurt people’s feelings – and the truth gets lost in trying to frame it right. But, isn’t it true that no matter what you try to do in life, the truth will sometimes hurt?

It’s not intentional. It just does. Think about the time when someone was truthful to you about something. Was it your outfit, appearance, body of work, etc? Did it hurt? Maybe. However, if you value honesty, you got over it. You thanked God for another day. You moved on.

When you try to pretty up the facts the truth can get lost in translation. I think that’s why I’ve always been a straight shooter. I stand on truth. I want Munch to stand on truth. To be kind but to be honest. Your word matters.

So, 2019 has me examining the truth in everything and everyone. My son gets his directness from me. It’s not something that I want to change in him. I just pray that as he grows he continues to deliver the truth in everything he says. That he stands on his words and that they are truthful.

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page @mskeeinmd.

January 3, 2019January 3, 2019

44 Promises

Today is my birthday. My 44th in fact. I’ve lived 44 years on this Earth and I’m thankful for each and every year. I wanted to share with you the 44 promises that I’ve made with myself over the years.

To accept responsibility for my actions
To live life to the fullest
To forgive myself
To forgive others
To live by truth
To invest in myself
To spend time with friends
To spend time with family
To take vacations and/or trips
To make more memories
To trust in myself
To love completely
To speak in the positive
To affirm myself
To exercise
To meditate
To pray
To dance
To laugh often
To do what I want
To make time for things that matter
To not allow negative space to consume me
To trust that God sees me
To believe that even when it seems darkest that God’s got it
To see people for who they really are
To make new friends
To get a hobby
To do what I love
To change my mind if I want to
To be the best mom ever
To be present in the moment
To say no if I feel like it
To not commit myself to everything
To take time out for me when I feel like it
To listen to my body
To feed my soul
To read more
To ask for help
To accept help
To compliment others often
To let people know when I’m displeased
To let people in and not be so guarded
To try new things
To be a better person each and every day.

That’s it. I really didn’t start promising things to myself until I hit 40. At that point I realized that I needed to invest in me first. To make sure that I’m feeding my soul with good people, good moments and good energy.

I have nothing planned this evening as I have Munch and he has tutoring. He wanted to take me out to dinner tonight but I told him we can go on Saturday. He doesn’t have money so in essence I’m taking him out for my birthday. But, it is a mommy/son date night and I’m thankful for each and every one of the memories we make.

It’s 2019 loves and I want to thank you for following me and being on this journey with me. One more year done and I’m praying that it is better than the last. There is value in choosing you first. Be blessed loves!

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page @mskeeinmd.

January 1, 2019December 27, 2018

Happy New Year! It’s 2019

Happy New Year!

It’s another year and another opportunity for progress. That’s all we can hope for. We are not looking for perfection. Just get in the race and improve your score. Trust me it helps. I’m learning to not focus on the overwhelming tasks but to take things bit by bit. It will get done.

One of my goals for 2019 is to make more memories. I’m going to be 44 in two days and there are so many things that I want to experience. I want to fall in love again and I want to go on vacation this year with Munch. I need to get to planning.

I have some goals that I’m trying to get to but I’ll share more about them later. I just want to say to each and every one of you…May your dreams be brighter, your soul lighter and your heart heavier with the love you feel for others this year. I love you all.

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page @mskeeinmd.