Happy Hump Day, All!
How is the week treating you so far? And how are you treating it, more importantly?! Just so you know, you aren’t in this alone!
Just yesterday, I was feeling a bit of a summer cold/congestion coming over me. Nothing serious … no need for a doctor’s visit nor medication … just a day of rest with plenty of liquids and food!! A few things started filtering through … things I needed to do with the IRS … bills I need to organize like internet and cable … oh yeah … rent and food, too! I spoke with my good friend, Marie Achille, who informed me that H.E.R.O. (Humanitarian Emergency Resource Organization) is having their “Back To School” Event on Saturday, August 17th, 2013 at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (A.A.R.L.C.C.) here in Ft. Lauderdale. I got to thinking about what I would speak on, since I have been their guest speaker for this event since the event’s inception a few years back. Last year was quite a spectacle with so many parents and children all looking to get book bags filled with supplies for the new school year which starts at the end of August in Florida.
I looked at all the issues raging in our world community from “stop the violence” to “how one should conduct oneself if being followed”. We, modern civilization today, are not the first to have issues like the aforementioned though due to cyber space, we get a good look at ALL of the issues plaguing our modern societies. It seems a bit much, most of the time … and it is. Can you pick one thing or issue to focus on and “make your own”? Would you feel like you are neglecting other issues if you chose just ONE? In many ways, that is the reason I have adopted a spiritual way of life in general. Just letting my “little light shine” wherever I go is the way I choose to tackle as many issues as I can. What are the answers? What comes to mind for me is the title of William Shakespeare’s play entitled, “Much Ado About Nothing”. Now we ALL know that this is a “play on words” and there is a double meaning, so to speak, contained in the title of the play, right?! So be it . . .
“Many could forego heavy meals, a full wardrobe, a fine house , et cetera; it is the ego they cannot forego.” – Mohandas Gandhi
…. and ….
“Look at the past as a bullet. Once it is fired it’s finished.” – Catherine Bauby
Which of these do you think I should choose as a topic for “school kids” getting ready to go back to school? While I do have some ideas for my “talk”, I would welcome any suggestions. In the meantime, enjoy your Hump Day!
Peace Out!
John I. Cook, Director
Educational Excellence 