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Contemplating The Crisis Beneath Chicago’s Challenge

| Posted in Achieving Greatness, Acts Of Faith, All About Love, Art of Teaching, B.M.A.D.™ In 2009, Bloggers Making A Difference™, Change, Conflict Resolution, Critical Thinkers, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Leadership, Parenting Skills, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Taking A Stand, Think About It, Today's Thought, Wise Words |

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“Easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” — Frederick Douglass

Personal Leadership Lessons Lived And Learned

| Posted in Change, Conflict Resolution, Critical Thinkers, Education, Inspiration, Leadership, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Politics, Social Justice, Think About It, Today's Thought, Wise Words |

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“I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views.” — Abraham Lincoln

The Courage To Let Go And Live In 2009

| Posted in Acts Of Faith, B.M.A.D.™ In 2009, Bloggers Making A Difference™, Change, Christianity, Critical Thinkers, Inspiration, Leadership, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Quick Questions, Steppin' Out Of The Darkness, Think About It, Today's Thought, Wise Words |

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Quick question.  Now that you’ve finished celebrating the beginning of a new year, what’s next on your agenda? Think about it.  Maybe 2008 wasn’t a good year for you.  If not, what will you choose to do differently in 2009?

Did you discover that you  had the courage to “let go and live” your “Big Dream(s)” in 2008? If not, take time, make time to accurately identify in plain and simple terms the main reason(s) why you repeatedly failed to exceed the imaginary limits of your own self-imposed limitations in 2008.

What, or who, are you still anxiously holding on to right now that you need to let go of by faith before you can honestly expect to excel, succeed, and achieve “Greatness”  in 2009? But first, how would you define “Greatness?”  Think about it.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.“  Ecclesiastes 1:1-9 KJV

What “bad habits” must you let go of and replace with “good habits” before you can boldly and courageously live your life like never before?” Think about it.

What “bad choices” did you make in 2008 that you cannot afford to make in 2009? Have you failed to forgive yourself for what you did, or didn’t do, in 2008 to sabotage your own success?If not,  don’t you think it’s time you did? Think about it.

Do you finally “know yourself” well enough to feel safe and secure within the comfort of your own skin to begin “living without limits , loving without conditions, and leading like Jesus Christ did – by example?” If not now, when? Think about it.

Do you honestly believe that you have the courage to let go of what’s still weighing you down or holding you back long enough to live “for the first time” in your life? If not, don’t you think it’s time you finally started making a difference in your own life before too soon becomes too late to do so? If not you, who? Think about it.

If you don’t own a journal, go get one, or create your own, because you’ll definitely need it during such a season as this.  As always, the choice to “let go and live in 2009″ is yours alone to make.

Copyright (c) 2009 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

America’s Defining Moment

| Posted in Acts Of Faith, All About Love, Art of Teaching, B.M.A.D.™ In 2008, Book Excerpts, Change, Christianity, Conflict Resolution, Creative Excellence, Creative Writing, Critical Thinkers, Cultural Diversity, Education, God And Family First, Heroes And Sheroes, Historical Celebrations, Human Rights, Humanitarian Causes, Inspiration, Journalism, Leadership, My Big Dream, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Politics, Social Justice, Steppin' Out Of The Darkness, Taking A Stand, The Challenge, Think About It, Wise Words |

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“Nevertheless, there is at least one defining moment that occurs in the life of every generation when limit-testers, who honestly believe there are destined to become great, will choose to face their fears and embrace Change for the first time.” — Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

After almost 2 years of waiting, what I’ve been calling “America’s Defining Moment” for 2008, has finally arrived. On Election Day 2008, American voters will get up and show up at polling locations to choose the 44th President of the United States Of America. During America’s Defining Moment, the whole world is watching America right now and anxiously waiting to see whether or not American voters will choose to face “our deepest fears,” overcome our biggest fears, and embrace Change. For our children’s sake, our generation cannot afford to get it wrong again.

Please click on “The Inspiration For Change if you’re a first-time visitor or just simply don’t remember what inspires Change.

For the first time, our generation can do something tangible to galvanize our fractured, financially faltering country, a country that has been racially polarized and emotionally divided from within for too long and for all the wrong reasons. For the first-time, our generation can achieve what the diligent descendants of our enslaved, albeit resilient, ancestors had enough faith in God to believe that the inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech would one day become a reality.

One of my “Big Dreams” for 2008 was to live long enough to witness President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk side-by-side into their destiny by beating impossible odds and completing the task before them with God’s help. The Obama family has done their part to give all Americans a reason to remain hopeful, a reason to believe that better days are coming, a reason to believe that we can all achieve great things. Matters not the colour of the skin our gifted souls are wrapped within.

My wife, KWiz, and I voted early. We both chose to cast our votes for President Barack Obama. Now, it’s up to each and every one of us to do our part to help the Obamas make history today as we pray on bended knee. Together, we can begin the arduous process of tearing down the imaginary wall that has divided America from within. Imagine the endless parade of possibilities that will appear if we choose to honestly believe that our generation can “achieve greatness.” But be forewarned.

“To impede Change, the predatory employees of Ain’t Fairusee’s mega-corporation must keep you and your generation from achieving greatness. Since your antagonists still believe the end always justifies the means, choose the battles you fight and the paths you walk wisely.” — Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

Since Power concedes nothing without a struggle, will you have the presence of mind to choose the path you walk and the battle you fight wisely? Can you stop going-along just to get-along with the spiritually-blinded status quo who remain shackled and chained to a “win-at-all-costs slave mentality?” During America’s Defining Moment, what will you choose to do when Adversity strikes, when your cars get booted and towed away, when poll workers lack the resources they need, when the ballots are printed incorrectly, when the weather refuses to cooperate, when the police set up road blocks to intimidate you? Think about it.

During America’s Defining Moment, will you choose to love loving one another instead of loving to hate another person just because of the colour of their skin? Will you choose to do the right thing by casting your vote for Senator Barack Obama because voting for Senator John McCain simply doesn’t pass the common sense test? Do you have the inner strength of character, the confidence, and the courage to cross politically divisive party lines and dance to the beat of a different drum? I hope so.

For the first time, our generation can choose to elect a brilliant person, who just happens to be a Black man, as the next Commander-In-Chief of the United States Of America. Imagine that! Only God truly knows whether or not the culturally diverse members of humanity’s global village will choose to walk together in peace by faith and work together as one for the greater good during “our journey towards greatness.”

During America’s Defining Moment, always expect the unexpected to happen when least expected. Matters not what happens next. Trust God.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

11th Circuit Court Of Appeals Intervenes On Behalf Of Mr. Troy Davis

| Posted in Acts Of Faith, B.M.A.D.™ In 2008, Bloggers And Blogging, Conflict Resolution, Critical Thinkers, Human Rights, Humanitarian Causes, Inspiration, It's The Law, Journalism, Leadership, Personal Leadership, Politics, Social Injustice, Social Justice, Taking A Stand |

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Breaking News Update

Less than one hour ago, the 11th Circuit Court Of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia issued yet another “Stay Of Execution” for Death Row inmate Mr. Troy Anthony Davis. Click on “Stay Of Execution” to read this CNN breaking news report.  Click on AJC for additional information about today’s surprising decision.

Please scroll through the Archives to read the previous posts about Mr. Davis’ story. This particular post will be updated as this international news story develops. It’s true! God always does the unexpected when we least expect it. It’s always too soon to quit.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

A Creative Writing Exercise To Challenge You

| Posted in Book Reviews, Creative Excellence, Creative Writing, Critical Thinkers, Inspiration, My Big Dream, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Steppin' Out Of The Darkness, Writing As Art |

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“Somewhere between the yawn of yesterday and the early morning dew that signals the dawn of a new day, …” — Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

Quick question. As the creative, imaginative person that you are, how would you choose to write the familiar phrase “Once upon a time, …” in order to leave a lasting impression on the minds of your readers?

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

Another Thumbs Up For Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

| Posted in A Thumbs Up, Book Reviews, Creative Writing, Critical Thinkers, Cultural Diversity, Education, Inspiration, Leadership, My Big Dream, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Steppin' Out Of The Darkness, Think About It, Writing As Art |

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“Congratulations, Solomon! This is a phenomenal story that people of all ages, races, creeds, and colors can relate. Your insight in uplifting each person through their struggle to achieve all goals in life is real.

I am currently reading it a 2nd time and finding new meaning in addition to my spiritual walk and appreciating all of my daily miracles. Keep up the great work.

May GOD continue to bless you and the words from your heart to the paper it is written on.”

– Ms. Petra Parker

Book Signing: AJC Decatur Book Festival 2008

| Posted in Acts Of Faith, Book Excerpts, Book Signings, Creative Excellence, Creative Writing, Critical Thinkers, Cultural Diversity, Education, Inspiration, Leadership, My Big Dream, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Steppin' Out Of The Darkness, Think About It, Writing As Art |

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If you live in or near Atlanta, Georgia, please come out to meet Manchild this Saturday, August 30th, 2008 at the 3rd Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival. Manchild, whose real name is Roderick O. Solomon, is scheduled to begin reading from Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness at 3:00 p.m.

Immediately after leaving the Pavilion Stage, Solomon is also scheduled to start signing this introspective, inspirational story about “personal leadership” at 3:20 p.m. Click on Atlanta Journal Constitution for driving directions and additional information about the Decatur Book Festival 2008.

Approximately 75,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Labor Day Weekend event.  If you’re an Atlanta-based blogger, please stop by and introduce yourself.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon.  All Rights Reserved.

If Tomorrow Never Comes…

| Posted in Acts Of Faith, All About Love, B.M.A.D.™ In 2008, Christianity, Critical Thinkers, Cultural Diversity, Education, God And Family First, Human Rights, Humanitarian Causes, Inspiration, Journalism, Leadership, Missing You, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Politics, Social Justice, Taking A Stand, The Challenge, Think About It, Wise Words |

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Yesterday’s homecoming celebration of Mr. Tim Russert, television journalist and moderator of “Meet The Press,” has inspired this post. To Tim’s wife, Maureen, may God’s love comfort you and your family during these difficult days. To Tim’s son, Luke, may your father’s precious soul rest in God’s peaceful presence always and forever.

Never again will my Sunday mornings be the same without the privilege of watching the one man whose effective example of “personal leadership” has inspired millions of ordinary, everyday people to “Go Get Em!!” May today’s post challenge all who read these words to live without limits, love without conditions, and lead like Jesus Christ did — by example.

If tomorrow never comes, how much more valuable would your yesterday become to you today? If you knew beforehand when your last tomorrow was going to come, what would you choose to do differently with the rest of your todays?

“For the first time,” would you choose to finally face your biggest and deepest fears? Would you challenge the people you love to dig deep enough inside the heart of their gifted souls to unearth the courage needed to learn how to love loving one another?

If tomorrow never comes, how would you choose to live the rest of your life today? Think about it. But please don’t take too long because it’s later than you think.

Copyright 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review: Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

| Posted in Bloggers And Blogging, Book Reviews, Christianity, Conflict Resolution, Creative Writing, Critical Thinkers, Cultural Diversity, Education, God And Family First, Inspiration, Leadership, Male-Female Relationships, My Big Dream, Personal Development, Personal Leadership, Steppin' Out Of The Darkness, Think About It |

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Ms. Marvalus, author of “The Marvalus View,” was one of the first bloggers who chose to invest in an autographed copy of Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness, When Good People Become Great.

Manchild…

I finished reading your wonderful piece of work and I couldn’t wait to come over and tell you that it has inspired me beyond words!

I weep at the amount of inspiration you have given to me, and thank you for sharing this with us…I am going to do a write up on my site to share this book with my audience over the next couple of days…

Thank you again…blessings to you!” — Ms. Marva

Please click on “Marva’s Book Review” to read what Marva had to say about this introspective, inspirational story about “personal leadership.”

Copyright 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.