01.29.11

"It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness." 
Lucius Annaeus Seneca


greetings. i know it has been awhile since i have literally... exhaled. so much has been going on, i honestly don't even know where to begin. yet, here i am attempting to write the unwritable. my life. 


im in starbucks. people watching. i find people watching extremely therapeutic. honestly, i would love to do a study to find out a correlation between how many people come in coffee shops and achieve greatness. however, you would then have to define greatness. i believe that many people come into coffee shops sit---enticed by the constant aroma of fresh grains, original pastries and finally the life altering decision of a tall/grande or venti, soy or skinny. in addition to their cup of brew, the inspiration of endless coffee drinkers coming and going. after they have received their caffeine and inspiration they  leave in the pursuit of greatness. 


i find myself on this mission to discover how to tap into my greatness. i mean i am not confused or unclear as to if i will be great. there is no doubt that i will be great. however, the journey to get there often seems so blurred. there are so many things i am passionate and curious about but i question if my passions and curiosity will lead me in the direction of greatness. nonetheless, the great thing about God is that he never leaves me searching alone. so through all of my questions and phases of ambiguity he is constantly there reassuring me that he has a plan for me and that everything is working together for my good. man, that's so wonderful! 


i'm noticing so much difference in myself. i have been forced to look at a huge, glaring mirror and reflect on the things that i need  have to change in order to achieve greatness. forgiveness, criticism, different opinions, love, consistency. just to name a few. the funny thing is that, although i am in a hurry, i'm in no rush. "to make haste slowly." i know that is totally an oxymoron, but think about it. 


this is not to say im not choosing to move in a slothful or lackadaisical manner, all the same i am taking my time in reaching my peak. i want to learn every lesson. i want to digest every mishap. eradicating all fear and doubt. i want to be fearless and unstoppable. i want to be carefree and lighthearted. i want it all. and who says i can't have it? true greatness takes time, patience, skill, practice, mistakes, failures and everything in-between. see i've realized, this isn't a race, it's totally a marathon. 


Roberta


"I always knew I was destined for greatness."- Oprah Winfrey 

01.9.10

   

good evening and happy new year to all. there has been so much going on i feel so sad that i have not blogged in awhile. i gotta do better in the new year. there is so much i want to say in this one post. much has been going on in my world. so i guess i will work backwards. recently i was talking to one of my girlfriends about relationships. we were discussing how our generation has absolutely lost site of developing a wholesome, balanced and healthy relationships. is it really unrealistic to admire the 'huxtable' relationship? is that really such a far fetched example of what a partnership should look like? if so, why?

aside from the real life relationships (i.e. my parents) i was surrounded by, growing up watching claire & cliff huxtable gave me another portal to view what a functional and stable african-american couple looked like. not only did they have education and excellent parenting skills, they respected, supported, enjoyed and loved each other. this millennial era does not grasp this at all? as i listen to old timers tell of stories of when men use to really pursue and court women, open doors for them, anticipate marriage it saddens me that we live in a world where those things have completely lost there importance. 

the other day i was on the train and recognized some high school kids sitting not to far from me. it was three boy and two girls. as i set there and observed their behavior and conversation i noticed how disrespectful the young men were to the young ladies. i don't know what they were talking about specifically but all i know is that one of the young men turned to one of the young ladies and yelled, "yo, ho hurry up." instantly i was offended, and i felt disrespected. like what? is this is the example that has been set, the example that validates our young men to address young ladies in such a manner? 

ultimately, i just find myself frustrated and disappointed that as a generation we would rather shack up and enjoy the luxuries of being in a lifelong partnership as opposed to really committing. and what is more  calamitous is that despite the real role models lacking in society there aren't even fictional role models such as the huxtables for young men & and women to admire. 

so my girlfriend and i ended our conversation (after a couple of hours) with no real solution. what is to become of this generation. the divorce rate is constantly rising simply because there is such a lack of suitable and adequate role models both in homes and society for young african american men & woman to look up to. i find this extremely problematic and what's worse is that there is no real solution.