30 Reasons I'm Grateful!

So many things go wrong in life and we can easily get lost in thought, focusing on nothing but what’s not right with our lives. So, I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if at least once a year, on your birthday, you focused instead on what went right and that's what I'm going to do.

It’s a scientifically proven fact that keeping a gratitude journal makes you feel happier.

I am grateful that my creator blessed me with one more day and chance.
I am grateful for the love and support of my family and friends.
I am grateful my health.
I am grateful that I was able to finally see the dentist.
I am grateful that I was able to be apart of my granny's 85th birthday.
I am grateful that I have a job and place to stay.
I am grateful for Yolanda and Rodger.
I am grateful for uber.
I am grateful an awesome palm springs with my bros Luie & Bryon.
I am grateful to be apart of the St. John Gospel mass choir.
I am grateful for the relationship with my nephew Maurice.
I am grateful for music by Jessica Simpson and Foxy Brown.
I am grateful for my church and pastor.
I am grateful for Oprah's Lifeclass and Super Soul Sunday.
I am grateful for the fun in Vegas for Booker's 50th birthday.
I am grateful for the ice cream the neighbor gave me.
I am grateful for Netflix and shoebox.
I am grateful to be an uncle to the most amazing kids.
I am grateful to be the youth coordinator at church.
I am grateful for this summer vacation in North California.
I am grateful for sangria.
I am grateful for Greg Wilson and his inspiring book.
I am grateful to be apart of the ReacLA family.
I am grateful for my lightskins Jessica and Ryan.
I am grateful for fast food and the microwave.
I am grateful for Booker Neal and all that he does.
I am grateful to still be friends with Bryon and Luie.
I am grateful uplifting and inspiring messages from social media.
I am grateful for my legs to walk.
I am grateful for this blog.

That’s a lot to be grateful for. I’ll bet you have a lot to be grateful for too. On your next birthday make a list. When your done, you’ll realize how blessed and how special your life really is. Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. I’m living the dream!

Journey to Freedom

Hello!

It's a beautiful day in San Francisco California and I hope it is a beautiful day where you are. And it is - you know why? Because you're here, you're alive, you're breathing, that means God is still at work! And for that, we should be thankful.


"Every addiction arises from an unconscious refusal to face and move through your own pain. Every addiction starts with pain and ends with pain. Whatever the substance you are addicted to - alcohol, food, legal or illegal drugs, or a person - you are using something or somebody to cover up your pain."

- Eckhart Tolle

I've confessed to being a  hot mess in the past. My suicide attempt, my battles with depression and anxiety, and I'm sure much more with you already.
I'm on a Journey to Freedom from all that's holding me  back and I invite you to join me. That's what this blog is all about. At 29 Im more mature and a little stronger. I think that’s something believers strive for everyday; to get more strength. But when you ask God for more strength, he just doesn’t magically give you more muscles. Your strength comes from the tests that you can pass. I’m excited about my growth.


No, I didn’t lose faith. I probably stopped caring, which almost could have been a good thing or a bad thing. ‘Cause I was always putting people first and feeling bad if I didn’t, then I just stopped caring one day. I began to say “no” to even family members. It was liberating.

I had some amazing therapy, because see, sometimes what we do is we also isolate ourselves from people that do love us. It was like getting back connected with people that honestly love me. That’s what really strengthened me again.

Taking accountability for my actions. When you’re down in the dump, we blame other people. There are other people and elements that can contribute, but they say if you know better, do better. I do struggle with putting other people first. I’m still learning that it’s OK to put me first. Call it selfish if you want to, but I have to do what’s going to be best for me and my future family.

And, there are times where we have brought people into our lives to teach us to trust ourselves. They way that they do this is my betraying our trust. Yes, you have spiritual contracts with people who are sent to betray you. Not as punishment, but as a part of your Divine curriculum to come home to your soul.

The purpose of a crisis is to shed what no longer serves our growth.

When we focus to much to what "someone did to us" without learning or becoming aware of the greater lesson, we stay stuck in a kind of self-created purgatory of blame, victimizing ourselves and not expressing our true purpose in the world.

You cannot live your purpose when you are blaming others for your life.

You cannot live your purpose when you are attached to finding out why someone did what they did - because you will never truly know.

We must take a wiser perspective on life, one that has the spiritual maturity to recognize that life is happening for us, rather than to us. And while we need not blame ourselves for what happened, we must learn the lesson and break free.


It's about coming home to yourself and trusting yourself again. 

The first step is through forgiveness. So, in today's blog, I'm including a powerful guided meditation for forgiveness.

All of life is conspiring in your best interest. What seems like a crisis is Grace working it's way into your life. Focus on the gift, the lesson and choose to believe that what's coming next is a greater understanding and embodiment of living your life's true purpose.


"When you know better, you do better and when you choose to do better we rise unto our best selves".

When you let go and admit it, accept that you have moments of being a mess and than you share that feeling of feeling unworthy at times with the rest of us, then you can step into a larger, freer life.

"A real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken a new action. If there's no action, you haven't truly decided." - Tony Robbins

And when we make that kind of choice, our bodies feel different.  Our nervous system responds. Our adrenaline glands begin to fire.

Some part of us know that the choice we’ve just made has truly, fully and unequivocally put our butts on the line.

When we’ve made that choice that deep down we know we should have made a thousands times before, but we chickened out. That choice that comes deep from the belly of our soul, that no matter what the outside worlds says, does or think, we know inside that it’s the right choice.

A choice that produces a high level of uncertainty, anxiety and excitement (all at once).

This choice will bring us to the edge of our faith. Test our ability to believe in ourselves and make us think from time to time we were crazy.

But in the end, we will see that this choice was a choice for freedom. The truth will set you free and when we look back on this choice at the end of our lives, we will be happy that we made it.


I’m still on the journey. It’s a journey of leaving the past and moving forward and being free from anything that’s going to keep me from being my absolute best. Sometimes you’re scared of letting go of your comfort zone. You might be scared of letting go of familiar territory. On the road to greatness or success there is a season where you have to be alone and you have to get free from those worries and those doubts.

As always be honest with yourself. And remember you can't get to courage without going through vulnerability.

Jordan / Rustin Pride!

It is still so surreal! I can not believe that the United States Supreme Court has affirmed the right to marry for same-sex couples. In countless election cycles LGBT communities were demonized, degraded and used as political pawns in electoral games. Mostly from my political party the Republicans but Democrats were hating too.

Makes me feel accomplished and proud of the work we did at the Jordan / Rustin Coalition. Even though I only worked there for one year back in 2011. It was was and still one of the best experiences of my life. There were definitely times I wanted to give up. And thankfully that Oprah episode with the Freedom Riders inspired me not to give up. This Gay Republican Christian had fun! 

At the Jordan / Rustin Coalition I worked as a community organizer. Did door to door canvassing in South Los Angeles having conversations to open the hearts and minds of all Californians, including those in the Black community, on the question of marriage for same-sex couples. And work on the fair education act.

The Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition, a Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) political organization was dedicated to winning equality in the aftermath of California’s Proposition 8 ballot measure campaign. a civil rights and social justice organization that existed to eradicate racism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and sexism in all forms. The Jordan/Rustin Coalition's mission was to build the political power of the Black LGBT community and our allies in the Greater Los Angeles Area through grassroots organizing, political advocacy, public education and community empowerment. JRC advocated for full equality, including marriage, and complete societal acceptance of all persons with regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression.

Today, the United States is still struggling with many of the issues Bayard Rustin sought to change during his long, illustrious career. His focus on civil and economic rights and his belief in peace, human rights and the dignity of all people remain as relevant today as they were in the 1950s and 60s. Despite our political differences Bayard Rustin is my political hero for his courage live his truth.

As we continue to celebrate this historic victory of progress, it is imperative that we remember that the fight for justice is not over and discrimination is still alive and well in America. We must continue to pray. There is still much work to be done moving forward in the pursuit of racial justice, full equality and an equitable country for all people. For those that live at the intersection of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith and many other identities, critical issues like violence against our community, access to employment and housing, stigma and hate crimes, the HIV epidemic, immigrant rights--or simply being accepted by family, houses of worship, and your community--are present barriers that prevent many in the Black LGBT community from living their most open and authentic lives. Lifting up these issues that impact the most marginalized in our communities is the unfinished business for full equality in our nation.

 #GetInspired #Gratitude #grateful #Thankyou

Sunny California!

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concerate on what you don't have, you will never have enough." - Oprah 

Hello! 

It's a beautiful day in California and I hope it is a beautiful day where you are. And it is - you know why? Because you're here, you're alive, you're breathing, that means God is still at work! And for that, we should be thankful. 

Choose today to let the peace of God rule in your heart. Have an attitude of gratitude. Even if you have things that are upsetting you, take a step of faith and thank God for His goodness in your life. Thank Him for working behind the scenes on your behalf. Choose to be thankful and embrace the peace and blessing God has for you!

It doesn’t matter where you are physically or what’s going on around you, you can access the joy that’s inside of you at anytime, day or night.

Do you need more peace in your life? Call on the Prince of Peace. Give Him your burdens and cares. The Bible says that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. When we are working and living the way God intends—full of peace and joy—we are carrying His “light” burden. We are working with His “easy” yoke. Don’t carry the worries and stresses of this life! Call on the Prince of Peace, and He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed. 

We have to believe that God is working behind the scenes right now. Faith is simply believing that God is a good and faithful God—that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Can you believe that God wants to move in your life, today? Do you believe He can provide for you need, today? Do you believe He can heal your relationships, today? Do you believe He can give you that promotion, today?

Whatever you are hoping for, open your heart and expect that God is working on your behalf. All of life is conspiring in your best interest. What seems like a crisis is Grace working it's way into your life. Focus on the gift, the lesson and choose to believe that what's coming next is a greater understanding and embodiment of living your life's true purpose.

Experiencing and expressing gratitude is an important part of any spiritual practice. It opens the heart and activates a new way of thinking.

List five things you are grateful for today.Show your gratitude. Who can you thank today, and how will you show your appreciation?When you feel least thankful, you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. If you're having a bad day, what is the smallest thing you can be grateful for? If you can think of nothing else, think of your breath.

#GetInspired #Gratitude

Thankful for Amusement Parks!

Happy Saturday! Grateful to see another day! I'm super excited!!! Today I'm heading to Six Flags Magic Mountain to ride Twisted Colossus roller coaster. I'm in a state of gratitude with feelings of joy and excitement. so I  want to pay it forward and share some gratitude tips to shift your state of being if just for a moment.

Make Gratitude a habit by retraining your brain to think about all there is to be grateful for, in good times or bad, can be life-changing. One of the ways to do this is by viewing each day as a gift. Before the day begins is an excellent time to reflect on all there is to be grateful for. This starts the day with feelings of hope, peace and happiness. You can simply say thank you for the day as soon as you wake up. This puts us right first thing in the morning and starts our day on a good note instead of starting the day out with negative thoughts.

You can also write a gratitude journal, when you jot things down, as opposed to just thinking about them, you are truly taking in each and every one. You aren’t just aware of them, you are acknowledging them. You are pausing and remembering the positives of your day and in your life. You are focusing on a moment in time that you truly appreciated and you are allowing it to sink into your heart and soul. Posting pictures and writing about the things you feel grateful for each day. Gratitude can lead to feelings of love, appreciation, generosity, and compassion, which further open our hearts and help rewire our brains to fire in more positive ways.

When we learn to give thanks, we are learning to concentrate not on the bad things, but on the good things in our lives." Says Amy Vanderbilt. Thinking about the good things helps us to be grateful. Remaining grateful helps us to have a positive attitude prompts us to thank about the good rather than the bad. It's a positive cycle that helps fuel itself. If you operate out gratitude you will have no time to be angry. Gratitude is the cure.

Experiencing and expressing gratitude is an important part of any spiritual practice. It opens the heart and activates a new way of thinking.Don’t just think your thanks, show it! Don’t let the kindness of others go unnoticed. Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted the people who are closest to us, but those are the people we should thank the most. Your family, your friends, the ones who love and support you are the ones who should feel your thankfulness the most.

"Thank you, always say thank you; it's the greatest gift you can give someone; because thank you is what you give to God." - Maya Angealou 

List five things you are grateful for today.Show your gratitude. Who can you thank today, and how will you show your appreciation? Take a step of faith today and begin to show your thankfulness to those around you. When you feel least thankful, you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. If you're having a bad day, what is the smallest thing you can be grateful for? If you can think of nothing else, think of your breath. Let it overflow! Sow seeds of gratitude and blessing so you can reap an abundant harvest of blessing in return! 

1. Thankful to see another day!

2. Thankful to be going to six flags.

3. Thankful to Booker for buying my    season pass.

4. Thankful for my friends & family!

5. Thankful for my super duper workout this morning. 

      #Gratitude #thankyou #getinspired

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

In honor of Memorial Day I would like to take this time to thank the troops past and present for their dedication and sacrifice for this great country. And thank their families for the sacrifice that they make. Their heroism and courage allows for freedom and democracy to spread. so that one day all people may be free from tyranny and oppression. I continue to ask God to bless this great country that I love so much and to watch over the troops and their families. - Bryon
  

Richard Nixon: Proclamation 3912 - Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 1969

By the President of the United States Of America

A Proclamation

On Memorial Day it is customary for Americans to honor the memory of their fellow countrymen who have died in the defense of freedom. Meditating on their sacrifices, we honor not only their memory but also the principles of justice and freedom for which they gave their lives.

Yet honor is not enough. Although we cannot change the pattern of the past, we must do all we can to create a pattern of justice and peace for the future.

The Congress, by a joint resolution of May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period during such day when the people of the United States might unite in such supplication.

Now, Therefore, I, Richard Nixon,President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Memorial Day, Friday, May 30, 1969, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11 o'clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite in such prayer.

I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance.

I urge also that on this consecrated day, all the people of America offer their prayers to the Almighty to make reason and good will prevail so that peace can once again bless our nation.

As a special mark of respect for those Americans who have given their lives in the tragic struggle in Vietnam, I direct that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff all day on Memorial Day, instead of during the customary forenoon period, on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels of the Federal Government throughout the United States and all areas under its jurisdiction and control.

I also request the Governors of the States and of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the appropriate officials of all local units of government to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on all public buildings during that entire day, and request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the same period.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-third.

RICHARD NIXON

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Citation: Richard Nixon: "Proclamation 3912 - Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 1969," May 16, 1969. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=105927.

#Grateful #Thankyou #GetInspired

https://youtu.be/jA3YGORZP9A

"Personal Privacy Protection Act" Say What Now?

I am writing you today regarding the introduction of the Personal Privacy Protection Act ballot initiative.  Earlier this month the  Pacific Justice Institute, filed paperwork for a statewide ballot initiative that would require Californians to "prove" their gender before using the restroom. 

This act would make it illegal for people to use gendered facilities in government buildings that are not consistent with their “biological sex”—including those in public schools and universities—and would allow people to file lawsuits against trans individuals who they “catch” using the wrong facility for at least $4,000 in damages.

Requiring individuals to prove their gender in order to use restrooms in government buildings is not only outrageous and offensive, but would seem to require restroom  inspectors to enforce it. Can you imagine restroom  inspectors evaluating you and your appearance before using the restroom? How else would one be able to catch people in the “wrong” restroom except by forcing them to show their government identification, their birth certificate, or their genitals before entering, or while they are already in, the restroom ? It should not have to be pointed out to you that such practices would be profoundly humiliating and legitimately dehumanizing.

It's clear that the proposed measure would require unlawful discrimination in violation of federal laws like Title VII and Title IX, and the constitutional guarantee of equal protection. California is relatively unique as a state because it already has progressive laws on the books ensuring transgender students’ rights to use all facilities and participate in all activities that are in accordance with their gender identity. Not everyone agrees with these protections, however I believe everyone should be treated equal under the law.

One of my favorite quotes by Bayard  Rustin is this: “When an individual is protesting society’s refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him.” 

Let's talk suicide

My heartbroke this afternoon after spending time with a 10yr old boy who recently attempted suicide this past week. Very sad to see so much pain in the eyes of such a young boy. Visiting him in the hospital brought back memories from when I was in the hospital 5 yrs ago after I attempted suicide.

What drives so many individuals to take their own lives? To those not in the grips of suicidal depression and despair, it's difficult to understand what drives so many individuals to take their own lives. Speaking from my own personal experience a suicidal person is in so much pain that he or she can see no other option. A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. We don't want to burden others with our problems. We already feel guilt and shame for having such thoughts. People who commit suicide don't want to die—they just want to stop hurting. Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can't see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite the desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to committing suicide, but they just can't see one.

Prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. One of the most common misconceptions about talking with someone contemplating suicide is that bringing up the subject may make things worse. This is not true. Bringing up the question of suicide and discussing it without showing shock or disapproval is one of the most helpful things you can do. Communicate with him or her openly and frequently. Show empathy, not sympathy. Make it clear that you care,  stress your willingness to listen. This openness shows that you are seriously and responding to the severity of his or her situation. Don’t assume that people who talk about killing themselves won’t really do it.

And for those that are contemplating suicide KEEP GOING. EACH STEP MAY GET HARDER, BUT DON'T STOP. THE VIEW AT THE TOP IS BEAUTIFUL. BUT YOU FIRST KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED, THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND YOU RIGHT NOW THAT NEED YOU AND CARE FOR YOU EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW IT. I CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT GOD WAS IN MY LIFE OR TIMES WHEN I DIDN'T THINK I'D EVER BE SUCCESSFUL AND THESE WERE THE TIMES WHEN DEPRESSION SET IN THE MOST THE WAY YOU REVERSE THE GRAVITY OF DEPRESSION IS TO TALK ACKNOWLEDGE IT, DON’T BE IN DENIAL ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL AND ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S TEMPORARY.

STORMS COME AND GO AND THIS WILL TOO. WHEN YOU COME OUT OF THE STORM YOU WON'T BE THE SAME PERSON THAT WALKED IN. THAT'S WHAT THE STORM IS ALL ABOUT. NO STORM CAN LAST FOREVER. IT WILL NEVER RAIN 365 CONSECUTIVELY. KEEP IN MIND THAT TROUBLE  COMES TO PASS, NOT TO STAY. DON’T WORRY! NO STORM, NOT EVEN THE ONE IN YOUR LIFE, CAN LAST FOREVER. DON’T BE ASHAMED OF YOUR STORY IT WILL INSPIRE OTHERS. 

AS ALWAYS BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND REMEMBER YOU CAN'T GET TO COURAGE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH VULNERABILITY.

A few nice words can help a person a lot more than you think. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, act of caring, a sincere prayer all which have the potential to turn a life around.

#GetInspired It's All About Service

“The best way to find to is to lose yourself in the service of others.”  

 – Mahatma Gandhi

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

- Muhammad Ali

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. ”

- Rabindranath Tagore

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. "-

 - Elizabeth Andrew 

"Our success as a Nation depends upon the willingness to give generously of ourselves for the welfare and enrichment of others." 

- First Lady Pat Nixon

Instead of wondering what you can get out of every experience, relationship, encounter or opportunity, ask what you can give. How can you be of service to others? How can you support, love or uplift someone else?  How can you create a better conversation or community? Being of service serves everyone involved, especially YOU.

It is your spiritual responsibility - as a human being - to bring your skills and abilities to as many people as you possibly can. It is your spiritual responsibility to serve at the highest possible level, helping people, teaching people, inspiring people, at every opportunity. 

There is always a way to serve. 

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains & is immortal." - Albert Pire

#GetInspired 

#GetInspired

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” –Matthew 16:24-27

I Heard a Word