The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: Empowerment

  • Quiet Resistance

    Hello Honeybees,

    Thanks to my daddy I love the game of football. I look forward to it every year, from pre-season to the Superbowl.

    Except this year. Yes I am late to the party but I’m here now.

    This year I am boycotting the NFL & yes it’s because I support & kneel with Colin Kapernick. That’s my right & my choice. That’s what the flag is suppose to represent. I support Colin because as a mother of two African American sons I see what the world has to offer them. I see how differently they are treated. I see how surprised people are when they act like gentlemen or speak correct English.  My sons do not have a fair or the same chances & opportunities that non boys of color have. In these United States of America, their lives to do carry equal weight and for that I take a knee. It may not make a difference to the NFL or anyone at all but it makes a difference to me. My oldest son knows my love for football and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He calls me every Sunday to ask if I’m still boycotting the games. Every Sunday I say yes. Every Sunday I explain the why. Every Sunday I am sad for the reason why. 

    And just to be clear… IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FLAG!!!

    I remember being at an event last year for work and they played the national anthem. Everyone in the room stood & placed their hand over their hearts.  I did not want to stand for the anthem because of the reasons stated above but I was scared that someone might say something & because it was a work related event I didn’t want to rock the boat. That’s not to say that I would’ve gotten into trouble at work but I didn’t want to “invite trouble in”. I know VERY passive.

    That moment has stuck with me ever since. It’s been like a thorn in my side. I cannot shake my reaction. I am not proud of my reaction, but I learned a personal lesson. You have to stand up or kneel for your convictions. If you don’t it will linger in your spirit and force you out of your comfort zone in both thought and action.

    I have never been the person on the forefront of a movement. I am not your Fannie Lou Hamer or your Tami Sawyer. During the civil rights movement, I would’ve been Richie Jean Jackson, or the one making posters for those on the front line. I am quiet resistance but we all know that it takes the NON quiet resistance to get things moving. But we must also know that everyone can’t be the leader. Leaders need support. Colin needs our support; Tami needs our support. I support them both and all who are on the front line.

    We all have our own way of expressing our resistance, whether it be big or small, quiet or loud, the choice is yours. Remember someone is paying the price for you to have that choice.

    BelindaBloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it. Malcom X

  • Grateful For My Journey

    Hello Honeybees,

    Since my last post I have officially left my 40’s! What a great journey this has been. As look back over my first 50 years I think all of the things that I wanted to accomplish in my life. I think about where I thought I would be at this stage in my life versus the reality. Things did not always turn out the way that I wanted them to but I am yet grateful for where I am.

    I wanted to be married with one child, preferably a daughter. I wanted to comb hair, take her to ballet class, go shopping & have mother-daughter time.

    I did get married but I also got divorced. I did have children but I have two boys who could care less about hair, ballet or shopping. But at least one of them likes to spend quality time with me. For now!

    I wanted a fancy high powered high paying career and travel the world on my business account.

    I did work in corporate America & had a tiny taste of business travel. Now I work in nonprofit. So much for high powered but I love the feeling for helping and hopefully inspiring women, especially young women.

    So things did not turn out the way that I dreamed but I’m not complaining because there are people who wish they had the life that I am living. When you hear people praying for the things that you take for granted it makes you grateful. It makes you sit down & be humble and appreciate what you do have.

    I wake up every day grateful for my life because obviously this is the path that God has allowed me to travel and who am I to argue with Him? There have been many bumps & bruises and yes I have the scars to go with them but there have also been more victories. It’s the victories that I focus on. It’s the victories that keep me moving towards the next victory.

    I count this blog as part of my victories. It hasn’t always been easy, especially when you are uprooting not only your life but that of your children. The dedication to writing has not always been a top priority. I have fallen down many times with the blog but eventually I get back up and start again. I am thankful for you as read this. I am thankful to you for reading this.

    Life may not be what we dreamed but if you are able to read this be grateful for your journey and keep moving forward, bruises and all.

    BelindaBloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- Stay patient & trust your journey

  • I AM a Philanthropist

    Hello Honeybees,

    I am a philanthropist!!

    When people hear the word philanthropist they usually think, Oprah, Bill & Melinda Gates or Warren Buffett , you know MONEY, BIG MONEY! The month of April taught me that REAL philanthropy is not just about money but it’s about giving back with your time too. Now, I am truly not in the big money category YET but I am in the time category.  As a working single parent my time is precious so where I spend my time is very important. I work for a nonprofit so I understand how valuable it is when someone wants to give to an organization whether that be time or money. So outside of the work that I do for A Step Ahead Foundation I give my time to the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM).

    The mission of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis is to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential.

    The month of April saw the WFGM in full swing honoring 3 women in Memphis who have made a difference in the community. Edith Kelly-Green (Philanthropy & Leadership Award), Barbara Holden Nixon (Innovation Award) & Pat Morgan (Catalyst Award). These three outstanding women were honored at the Legends Award Reception. I volunteered my time for this event. It was during Mrs. Kelly-Green’s acceptance speech that it finally hit me….I am a philanthropist. Although she was being honored for her work as a philanthropist, she stressed the importance of giving money but most importantly the giving of time. On this night I was a philanthropist.

    Two weeks after the Legends Award Reception was one of the premier philanthropic events of the year. The Annual Tribute Luncheon. Can you imagine over 1.600 people coming together to support the efforts of the WFGM? Well, you don’t have to imagine it because if you live in Memphis you were there or you know someone that was. The guest speaker was one of my SHEroes Ms. Tamron Hall.  Tamron spoke about the diversity in the room, how important the work being done by the WFGM in the 38126 zip code is to our community and overcoming obstacles. She also spoke about the charities that are important to her. Tamron Hall is a philanthropist. I also volunteered my time for this event. On this day I too was a philanthropist.

    It’s not always about the money.

    Now don’t get me wrong, it takes money to fund charities and programs, but it also takes the time that people donate to help nonprofits move the needle. We all have some free time to help others. Think about it this way… You didn’t get to where you are without the help of someone else.

    I am a philanthropist……….are you?

    Belinda Bloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- Philanthropy is part of the path to heaven- Tamron Hall