Season of New Beginnings...

As we close out 2007 I began to reflect on how far I have come in the course of the last year. Like most I look at all the things that I have lost and gain, what I realized is that I cannot look to the past but I need to focus on the future and my season of new beginnings. Now what is a season of new beginnings and how long does it last? Well a season can be as long or as short as it takes for us to learn whatever it is we must learn whenever we go through life's trials and tribulations. Some times we go through the same situation over and over again and we keep wonder why things have not changed. I believe that saying about the first sign of insanity is to do the same thing over and over hoping for a different result. If you wondering why you keep getting the same script but a different cast maybe and just maybe it is you or in my case me. The only way anything will change in life is if I change it myself. New beginnings is an opportunity to change somethings in our lives and letting go of the past. I hear quite often how the holding on to the past helps us not forget and thus saves us the heartache of repeating the same mistakes. That is not necessarily true. Letting go of the past does not mean that we should forget but it means that we should not let it control us. Having a new beginning is a time to start anew. This is a time to renew lost relationships with those who meant something to you but the relationship fell apart due to some unforeseen circumstance (i.e. a disagreement, money situation, a misunderstanding due to lack of communication.) I believe that everything in life happens for a reason and sometimes we have no control over it but then there is other times that things happen and our pride and anger gets the best of us and we allow that to control our emotions. The crazy thing is that the only person that those emotions are hurting is you. Forgiveness is the best thing you can do for someone else but most importantly it is the best thing you can do for you. Living in a place where the past is controlling our future is not the best place to be... The past should contribute to our future but not have no control over it... What ever happened in the past should help us in our journey to grow no matter what the incident was, may it be something good or bad, if it does not kill you, it makes you stronger. So during this New Year focus on this time as a chance for a new beginning... you might have to cut something or someone lose in your life but believe me you will gain much more than you lose. Have a Happy, Safe and Blessed New Year.

I was minding my business when...

I was out today in the city that I live in here in Korea when I had my first real racist like incident... Now as a Black man I am no stranger to the ugly monster that we call racism. In America for most minorities especially a Black person racism is not so overt like it can be here in Andong or some parts of Korea. As I was walking down the side walk a older Korean woman in about her late 50's early 60's looked me in the eye with such distain... I walked into a cell phone store just to avoid her when all of a sudden she decides to follow me in... now to her defense I will say I did not know or realized that she had business in that particular store but apparently she did... As I was in there one of the salesmen picked up on the incident because him and I kept having eye contact... Well this poor ignorant woman which I am using the term woman loosely was muttering something in Korean... which made me laugh in her face... In fact I intentionally looked her in her face the entire time we stayed in the store... After this individual left the saleman apologized profusely... He also gave me a used cell phone for free... I write this because just a about an hour before I was with one of my Korean friends and this individual was telling me about their American friend who really hurt them and gave them a bad impression of Americans and foreigners as a whole. I just told this person that there are good and bad in all cultures. We must look at people for the individuals that they are and not as representation of the culture or race or nationality that might be a part of... This is not the first nor will it be the last time that I will run in to closed, small minded individuals who will only see me for what is on my outside and not the heart that is on my inside... In America at this time of year, we say it is a time to make peace not war, a time to love not hate, a time to forgive not hold on to anger... Plus if I do the latter on any of those then I will give the power of peace that I have over my life to some one else and I choose not give that individual or anyone for that matter control over my life... Have a safe and Merriest of Christmas's.

The Black Prayer

Why Did You Make Me Black Lord ...Lord .. Why did you make me black? Why did you make someonethe world would hold back? Black is the color of dirty clothes,of grimy hands and feet...Black is the color of darkness,of tired beaten streets...Why did you give me thick lips,a broad nose and kinky hair? Why did you create someonewho receives the hated stare? Black is the color of the bruised eyewhen someone gets hurt...Black is the color of darkness,black is the color of dirt.Why is my bone structure so thick,my hips and cheeks so high? Why are my eyes brown,and not the color of the sky? Why do people think I'm useless? How come I feel so used? Why do people see my skin and think I should be abused? Lord, I just don't understand...What is it about my skin? Why is it some people want to hate meand not know the person within? Black is what people are "Labeled"when others want to keep them away...Black is the color of shadows cast...Black is the end of the day.Lord you know my own people mistreat me, and you know this just ain't right...They don't like my hair, they don't like my skin, as they say I'm too dark or too light! Lord, don't you think it's time to make a change? Why don't you redo creation and make everyone the same?

God's Reply:

Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black? I made you in the color of coalfrom which beautiful diamonds are formed...I made you in the color of oil,the black gold which keeps people warm. Your color is the same as the rich dark soilthat grows the food you need...Your color is the same as the black stallion and panther, Oh what majestic creatures indeed! All colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation...When all these colors are blended, you become my greatest creation! Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool, such a beautiful creature is he... I am the shepherd who watches them, I will ALWAYS watch over thee! You are the color of the midnight sky, I put star glitter in your eyes... There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain... That's why your cheeks are so high! You are the color of dark clouds from the hurricanes I create in September... I made your lips so full and thick, so when you kiss...they will remember! Your stature is strong, your bone structure thick to withstand the burden of time...The reflection you see in the mirror, that image that looks back, that is MINE! So get off your knees, look in the mirror and tell me what you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness... I made you in the image of ME!

Patience, a plan and a dream...

Have you ever wondered what the plan for your life will be...? As another year is about to come to a close... I started to reflect on the events of this year and how I ended up in Korea... I never thought that in a million years I would be sitting overseas for a year (especially some Asian country)... Now that I've been here for a little over three months the reality of this journey is starting to sink in... Usually what I like to do is to reflect on the year that has passed to see if the current year is ending better than it started... This has been a bit of a tossup for me considering that I have lost more than I gained or maybe that is the perception that I am seeing or want to see... I'm making the same mistake we all make in life when we only see the here and now and not the what has yet to happen. I hate to say that I am impatient. When we are lacking in an area of our lives we tend to try to better ourselves in that particular area. That means when you need to have patience then we must be tested so we can gain that certain characteristic. I don’t want to be tested in that area because I have been through enough waiting around and learning patience, at least so I think… Life is like what Forrest Gump said, “A box of chocolates. You never know what you will get.” Life is full of surprises. There is this old saying, “that if you dream big, God always has a bigger dream than you can ever think or imagine.” So as I close out 2007, I will continue to plan and I will continue dream big because there is a bigger dream for me out there. I guess what I am trying to say is planning is always good but I guess dreaming is better. The plan no matter how much effort you may put into it will constantly change because of life’s circumstances. The dream is the foundation to the plan and without the dream you will never get the plan off the ground. As we go through the journey of life your patience will be tested and as you go you will grow. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream for a nation and even though we have a long way to go, as a country the United States has come along way.

Commentary: You can't take Christ out of Christmas

I found this to be fasinating...


Watch Roland S. Martin on a special edition of "Sound Off" on CNN.com Live at 11:10 a.m. ET Friday.
(CNN) -- This whole push to remove Christ from the Christmas season has gotten so ridiculous that it's pathetic.

Roland S. Martin says we should continue to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Because of all the politically correct idiots, we are being encouraged to stop saying "Merry Christmas" for the more palatable "Happy Holidays." What the heck are "Seasons Greetings"? Can someone tell me what season we are greeting folks about? A Christmas tree? Oh, no! It's now a holiday tree. Any Christmas song that even remotely mentions Christ or has a religious undertone is being axed for being overtly religious. And I'm sorry, forget X-M-A-S. Malcolm X? Yes. X replacing Christ? No. Don't get me wrong; I'm very respectful of other religions. I don't want anyone to be afraid of discussing the Jewish faith when we address Hanukkah. And we shouldn't dismiss Muslims when the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is held during December. In fact, Americans are so ignorant of other faiths that we can all learn from one another.
But this seeming backlash against Christianity is bordering on the absurd, and we should continue to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. What would Jesus do this season
I know that may sound strident, but it's true. We spend an inordinate amount of time focused on shopping and buying gifts, but really, what does any of this have to do with the birth of Jesus? We have families all over the nation killing themselves to buy a tree they can't afford, running up their credit to buy toys and other gifts, all in an effort to make someone else happy.
What if families decided to forgo gifts, and instead, used their shopping days giving back to those in need? What if more of us went into our closets, grabbed old toys and clothes, repackaged them, and provided them as gifts to those without? Instead of gorging on food, what if we used some of the dough to feed those who are in need? What if we blew off those gift cards to electronic retailers and signed up with Networkforgood.org, and gave someone a gift card to their favorite charity?
Sure, I know I sound like a reincarnation of a flower child, but really, do we have to be so crass during the Christmas season?
Don't Miss this ridiculous charade. It's important that we take a fuller account of WHY we celebrate Christmas, as opposed to falling for the barrage of ads that tell us what is most important.
Parents, don't be so consumed with the notion that your children will have a terrible Christmas because the tree isn't overflowing with gifts. The true love that you show them is more important than anything else.
America might be the king of capitalism, but secularism must never become so prevalent that our religious traditions are discarded.
Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and CNN contributor. Martin is studying to receive his master's degree in Christian communications at Louisiana Baptist University, and he is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith." You can read more of his columns at www.rolandsmartin.com.
The opinions expressed in this

What comes around goes around

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson. 'Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was badenough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helpingsomeone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, 'And think of me.' He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondere d how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan. After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.' Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people toserve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard....She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.'

Lonely guy shocked to get $83,000 phone bill & other odd stories

Did you hear the story about the field worker in Canada that got a $83,000 cell phone bill...The customer said when he got the online features on his accoutn the sales person did not explain that the us of the online service would cost him his airtime minutes... I would have to side with the field worker on this one because in all do respect the cell phone companies sales people will tell the prospective buyer anything for a sale... What got me was whenever your late or anything the cell company will shut you off... but in this case they continued to let the bill accumulate... If I had gotten a bill for that amount I would have probably had a heart attack which would have lead to a early death for me, but this little story has a happy ending or some what happy ending because the cell company will reduce the bill down to $1,500... which is still bad but it is a whole hell of alot better than the former amount...



It seems all of the crazy or shall I say odd stories are coming out of Canada... This one is about the rogue elf that is writing letters to children from Santa Claus, which where not very nice letters, at least ten children have received these letters. Thank God that the postal police are on the job and I am assuming like the mounties they will catch their man or woman or elf... I have to stay politically correct...



There is a woman in Florida that has been charged with bigamy, because she has more than one husband, actually she has more than five husbands... the woman has ten husbands and I can see her lawyer now saying that she just forgot to divorce the other nine... it just slipped her mind maybe she can say it is age oops I forgot she is only 26 years old... The real reason she married all of these men had to do with the fact that she was just trying to help our undocumented workers retain legal status for a fee... and if they didn't pay she wold expose them... her only problem was that what she was doing was illegal also and probably carries a much stiffer sentence....


This one is an amazing story especially at Christmas time when miracles seem to happen more frequently or we are just paying more attention... But a 300 pound construction worker from Washington State fell 40 feet and only had minor injuries... in fact so minor that he will not have to stay in the hospital... This construction worker was working on a platform and the platform just could not support his weight and he just fell but got up and pretty much walked away from the accident... for him and his family this is a pretty wonder Christmas miracle because it could have been a lot worse.

I love reading odd stories which you can find on the yahoo site under news...

Things that annoy me....

I was looking at my latest feature on myspace and I noticed that it tells you when one of your friends makes a change to their account, like adding new pictures... I really don't care if someone adds a new picture or not or any other changes they might make to their accounts... just like I am sure the feeling is mutual in regards to my account...

One of my roommates and I had a discussion the other day about Korea and how these people have made him feel less than because he doesn't look or act like them. The kicker for me was that he said at some point I will feel the same way. I laugh because he being from New Zealand could not possibly understand what I deal with in America. I explained to him that being a Black man in America, I've dealt with that all my life. The only difference now is that the people that are doing the making one feel inferior is not a caucasian in America but a Korean in Korea.... This experience is a very eye opening one for me because what you find is no matter where you go, you will find people that think that their group and way of life is superior to everyone elses and what I am finding here is that for those who come from countries where they are the majority (and I mean this not in just a numerical sense but in a social stratificational sense where the majority represent those who have the power.) are having a harding time adapting due to this inant, ingrained sense of entitlement that they don't necessarily get in a place where they are the majority... To all those who are reading and thinking that I am bringing up the race issue or making one group feel guilty, I would like to apologize in advance because I am not trying to make anyone feel guilty..
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Now this latest thing has really annoyed me to know end... Oprah supporting Obama and the only reason why she is doing this is because he is Black... Now Chuck Norris is supporting Mike Huckabee and no one is saying that Chuck is supporting Huckabee because he is White... Now there are certain things that whenever Black or any minority does something for other people of the same race it for that reason only... Now to be honest Obama is my second choice after Hillary but I don't begrudge Oprah because she is supporting the junior Senator from her state of Illinois for President of the United States. That is her right as an American citizen... That is what makes our country great... our right to a choice...

Well I think I got to do my sound off for today.... Kenyon signing off from the Republic of Korea and boy ain't it is cold here... So all of those in California who are talking about cold weather at 60 degrees try from thr teens to below zero and then we will talk at 60 degrees these Koreans head to the beach..