Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,

Just a thought!
Are you being, effective, affective or infective in your environment?  There is a difference.

And as always remember to...live Blessed

Wednesday Word

Good Morning,
Let's take a look at some scripture on this Wednesday word day.

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

It is an amazing thing that God doesn't strike us dead the moment we do something outside of his grace. It is equally amazing that in that grace we are given a measure of freedom that we are allowed to walk in. It ia this freedom that sometimes gets us in trouble. We get in trouble because we take that freedom too far. Just because God is not going to strike me down immediately doesn't m we an I need to push the limits of his love for me.
We have all dealt with a child, whether ours or a friends, who pushed the boundaries. They wanted to see how far they could go before they get pulled back in.  Often,  this is us with God.  How far can I push before he pulls me back? My sistahs today I just encourage you to stop trying to push the boundary and see how far you can go before you tip over, and just relax in Jesus. If you let him,  he will guide you. If you listen, to his words, you will know how share the love of God with others through your life. People can say anything,  but what are you living?

Friday Findings

Good morning,
Today is Friday Findings I want to share a new author with you.


Trust Your Journey is an ode to dreamers. This book is an inspirational story that encourages readers to believe. It includes visionary exercises, and real life experiences that strengthen the mind, change perspectives, and promote positive thinking. All things are possible if you believe that they are!

http://raelialewis.com/product/trust-your-journey/

Monday Motivation

Good morming,
I don't know about you but I love fall.  Not too cold not to hot, and all of the beautiful colors that come forth. 
I want to encourage you to not get into too big of hurry. One thing I have figured out about fall,  is that I'm always trying to get home before dark. Well, with the time change that means I can't get as much done.  That means you have to plan.  It is already dark at 8 so plan accordingly.  Lol
Take time to enjoy the coolness of the nights, build a little fire and enjoy some friends.
Too many things happening in our world to not enjoy friends and family when you can.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Friday Findings

Good morming,
It's finally Friday. I read this article and wanted to abates it with you.  Racial Bias?

WILLIAM WIDMER FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES By BENEDICT CAREY and ERICA GOODE JULY 11, 2016
The recent string of racially charged police shootings, and the deadly response on Thursday in Dallas, have come despite efforts by police departments across the United States to train officers to recognize and reduce the effects of racial stereotypes in potentially violent situations.

Whether these bias reduction programs can lead to lasting change in policing is an unanswered question. Their effect on split-second decision making is extremely hard to measure — and experts say some programs may even backfire.

Studies find that police officers harbor the same unconscious biases toward minorities, particularly blacks, that the general American population does.

In one measure, called the implicit association test, study participants are asked to make rapid-fire associations between images of blacks, whites or other races, and threatening words or images. The pattern of responses is nearly universal: Blacks are more often and more quickly paired with threats. This tends to be true regardless of the ethnicity of the person doing the associating, or that person’s professed views on race.

Standard police training and walking a beat can reduce those biases, at least in a laboratory setting, research has found. In a landmark 2007 study that simulated threatening situations, researchers led by Joshua Correll, who is now at the University of Colorado, found that police officers showed no racial bias when choosing to shoot. By contrast, civilians were far more trigger-happy, and shot nearly three times the number of unarmed black men.

“This is contrary to what people assume,” Dr. Correll said, “but it’s important to keep in mind that these are simulations, in a lab, where everyone knows it’s a game.”

Out in the real world, a different dynamic takes hold.

“When people are out on the street, in high-pressure situations, we suspect they’re much more likely to fall back on gut reactions,” Dr. Correll said. “A simulation can’t capture all the factors involved in the real-life encounter — the fear, the behavior of the other person, all that.”

Two recent studies illustrate the difference. One, released last week by the Center for Policing Equity, a New York-based think tank, used data from police departments across the country and found that the police were 3.6 times as likely to use force against blacks than against whites. Among people who were arrested, 46 of every 1,000 blacks experienced violence, compared with 36 of every 1,000 whites.

The second study, by an economics professor at Harvard, Roland G. Fryer Jr., found that blacks were 50 percent more likely to be subjected to nonlethal uses of force by the police, like being handcuffed, pushed to the ground or hit with pepper spray. But the study found no racial differences in police shootings.

Metropolitan police departments have employed various approaches to improve officers’ judgment in threatening situations.

One such training program is called Fair and Impartial Policing, a course developed with Justice Department financing by Lorie Fridell, an associate professor of criminology at the University of South Florida. It incorporates role playing and small group discussion and has been adopted by hundreds of police departments in the United States and Canada, including Dallas, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Philadelphia, Dr. Fridell said.

“The science clearly shows that the first step in reducing your bias is recognizing that it exists,” she said.

One part of the training that Dr. Fridell said was based on studies of implicit bias is directed at countering stereotypes. As an example, she said, an officer might be confronted with a series of situations in which people from a variety of races and ethnicities either present a threat or do not present a threat.

“If we did that over and over again, the officers would learn that ‘I need to not focus on demographics,’” she said, because the threat was just as likely to come from a white person or a woman as it was from a black person or a man.

Dr. Fridell said one of the central messages of the training was that “policing based on stereotypes and biases is unsafe, ineffective and unjust.”

“Maybe some officers are concerned about being unjust,” she said, “but let me tell you, they are all concerned about being effective and safe.”

While police officers have reported in written evaluations that the training helped them, no studies have examined its success in reducing bias or whether officers who have taken the training are less likely to be involved in shootings or other uses of force.

An increasing number of departments around the country also train officers on ways to defuse volatile situations before force is needed. Such training teaches officers to use time and distance to de-escalate tense interactions and reduce the likelihood that force will be used rashly.

One approach that does not work very well, Dr. Fridell said, is traditional diversity or “sensitivity” training, which teaches officers about other cultures and how to deal with them, but does not address implicit bias.

Dr. Correll, the Colorado researcher, said such programs could even backfire. “Some interventions you think would work, like having officers try really hard not to use bias, not to think of race — well, in the split-second in which they have to a make a decision, all they think about is race: ‘Ah, he’s black,’ and there’s no time to correct it. They exhibit more stereotyping behavior, not less.”

Bias reduction programs, in short, are at this point like experimental drugs, Dr. Correll said.

“They may work to reduce biased violence, they may do nothing, and they may cause harm,” he said. “We don’t know, because we haven’t really tested them in a rigorous way.

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning
I am utterly disgusted with what is going on in America right now.
John Wesley said it this way...What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace. We can not tolerate this blatant racism, prejudice and disrespect to continue. These ideas and mind sets will not propel us to a better America. 
We have got to be awakened from this terrible nightmare that we are in.
We have got to vote on Nov 8th. This is not the year for to protest by abstaining. Vote, vote,  vote. Make sure that you are still registered. Get your friends and neighbors registered.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning. The Lord impressed upon me to share this scripture with you today.  Wisdom, we gotta have it. I know it's a little long, but read the whole thing and then ask God to show you. Show you, where you are to get wise counsel from. Show you, the path. Show you, how to discern your environment.

Proverbs 4
Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment. 2 For I give you good doctrine; Do not [a]turn away from my instruction. 3 When I was a son with my father (David), Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba), 4 He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live. 5 “Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 “Do not [b]turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; Love her, and she will watch over you. 7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. 8 “Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.” 10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. 11 I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open]; And when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not go the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.

My sisters get WISDOM and cherish it.
And as always remember to...live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good morning,
Today I want to share some cool things you can do with gmail. Enjoy.
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/5-ways-to-make-gmail-even-better-1786777620

And as always remember to... live blessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
I want to share a story with you this morning that made me think. It takes a few phone frames so don't get weary, it's worth the read.

Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot.

He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.

After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. “Daughter, what do you see?”

“Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied.

“Look closer,” he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.

“Father, what does this mean?” she asked.

He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity– the boiling water.

However, each one reacted differently.

The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak.

The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard.

However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.

“Which are you,” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean? “

Moral:In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.

Which one are you?

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Friday Findings

Good morning
TGIF, lol. So glad it's Friday,  however the weekend seems to go faster than the week.
Today I want to share with you a bit more about ovarian cancer. Women, make sure you are asking questions and being checked for it all, at your well woman check.  (If you don't know what that is, not good) I know your doctor will say you can wait,  but don't.  Get your baseline numbers early, then If they change you immediately know what your dealing with. 
The link below will help you to determine your risk factors for ovarian cancer. Knowledge is power.

http://www.ovarian.org/about-ovarian-cancer/am-i-at-risk

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Thursday Thoughts

There are 7 things that sabotage your team. Are you the contributor of any of these?  Stop and do a real evaluation of your team contributions.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning friends,
Another rainy morning here in Kansas, but that has no impact on the light that shines from son.
Father we thank you, this morning, that you shine even when our situations seem stormy. We thank you that your light may not always be readily recognizable,  but you're never absent in our lives. We speak the warmth of your light into the hearts, minds and situations of all of our friends today. God, illuminate our paths so we have clear passage to you. Let us hear your voice clearly and respond to you, Father. Embrace us in a way that only you can. In Jesus name amen.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good Tuesday Morning,
I want you to get yourself to Amazon and preorder this book...Rip the Resume
Torin Ellis is a genius at getting you from where you are to where you want to be in your career. You will not want to miss this book. 
Also, make sure you catch him on Karen Hunter Monday's, urban view xm126

Friday Findings

Good Morning,
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. On Fridays,  we like to bring you various findings that will help to improve your life and overall well-being, so today we will share a bit about Ovarian Cancer.

What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begins in the ovaries
(women’s reproductive glands that produce ova). Cancer that spreads to the ovaries
but originates at another site is not considered ovarian cancer.

Ovarian tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Although abnormal, cells of benign tumors do not metastasize (spread to other parts of the body).
Malignant cancer cells in the ovaries can metastasize in two ways:

• directly to other organs in the pelvis and abdomen (the more common way)
• through the bloodstream or lymph nodes to other parts of the body

While the causes of ovarian cancer are unknown, some theories exist.

• genetic errors may occur because of the repeated “wear and tear” of the monthly release of an egg.
• increased hormone levels before and during ovulation may stimulate the growth of abnormal cells.

For more specific information about the different types of ovarian cancer, see the American Cancer Society’s detailed guide: click here.

Ladies, what we don't know might kill us. Make sure that you are getting a regular pap along with your well-women check. 

One action that you can do for the cause is, get creative with teal—the awareness color for ovarian cancer—and tell everyone you see a fact about this disease. Share a photo on social media with the hashtag #wearteal to be included in our online roundup.

And as always remember to...live Blessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good rainy Thursday,
Today I want to just share a few thoughts.
Wow, as I look the president and first lady I am overjoyed by the example of love and family that has been displayed for black Americans.  I am so happy to see real examples of families making it much like the fictitious,  Huxtables (you can not like Bill if you want the show was good). Prior to that Winslow and the Evans families, but they were all scripted families.
The Obamas are real life and I am in awe.
Remember,  these are just my thoughts

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning friends,

Today John 15:13-15The Message (MSG)
Stood out to me. Then immediately the song, Friends, how many of us have them? If you listened to rap back when you could understand it know the song. Lol
But seriously, are the find of friend that someone can depend on?

11-15 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

Too often it is easy to go about our day and not be concerned about those around us, but Jesus admonishes us to love others as he has loved us. Wow, that means I have to walk in forgiveness. That means I have to long suffering and other attributes of the fruit of the spirit. That's a pretty tall order Jesus.

The greatest part is we don't do it alone. So, let's step outside our comfort zone and share the love of Jesus with others.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good morning,

On this date, in 1866, abolitionist #FrederickDouglass addressed the #RepublicanNationalConvention as a delegate. His powerful message on black suffrage set the stage for the 15th Amendment. #history

Download the Party of Lincoln app to learn more about the constitution

Monday Motivation

Good morning
Labor Day, a public holiday or day of festivities held in honor of working people, in the US and Canada on the first Monday in September, in many other countries on May 1.
Take time to relax and enjoy your family.
And as always remember to...live Blessed

Monday Motivation

Good Monday Morning,
Some days we just need someone to remind us that are simply amazing. So, today I am going to remind you that you are Amazing and there is nothing that you can't handle.

Friday Findings

Good morning, 
I hope that you have plans to spend time doing what ever renews your spirit over this long weekend. Work hard play even harder.

FYI
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
It is considered to be the last summer holiday. I don't know if you noticed but it was already dark at 8:45 last night so the seasons are changing.

And as always remember to... live Blessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning
As I look out the window, all I see before me is clouds. Dark cloud that would indicate a storm is coming. In this life we have some storms. Sometimes there is lighting, thunder and strong winds other times, there is just torrential rain. Either way, it's a storm.
At this point, I have a choice, do I stay in and not go about my day because of the storm, or do I prepare myself and go out any way?
What will you do? Will you continue to duck your tail and run everytime a storm comes in your life or will you learn to grab your gear and get right in there? You have a choice. Storms will come,  how will you handle them?