Posts Tagged ‘Christian’

Are you a…. “Game Changer?”

Posted: April 9, 2013 in African American, Christian, education, faith, Health, motivation, politics, poverty, quotes, reform, religion, school, sports, teaching, Uncategorized
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PrintMany of us watch or have participated in sports; they are entertaining, fun, exhilarating, competitive and challenging. If you have ever experienced coaching, there is nothing more exciting than seeing your team execute a play in a game situation, exactly as you have diagramed it or practiced over and over again. As a member of a team, there is nothing like working together to win a hard fought competition. Sports are analogous to life; all of us have experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. But lack of persistence and the decision to give up after a defeat, is what separates winners and losers in life. In our day to day struggles we can’t win everything, but we sure can try. Orison Marden tells us that there are the wills, won’ts, and the can’ts. The first accomplish everything, the second oppose everything; the third fail everything. Which one are you….are you a “Game Changer?”

There are moments in competitive sports when the game is tight, seconds are ticking away and the final outcome depends on a decision that can change the course of the game. It could be a specially designed play, an extraordinary performance or a poor decision. Regardless of who or what it is, it’s considered a game changing situation.

God has given us extraordinary talents with the ability to achieve miraculous and unbelievable accomplishments. He is an example and the embodiment of the ultimate game changer and has left us, within His lessons, the blueprint for success. In our daily lives we can change our circumstances and influence others. Author Dennis Kimbro tells us that the world waits and takes notice of exceptional people who can separate themselves from the crowd and do things in a creative and exciting way. The world is searching for and craves aggressive and progressive leaders that identify with success and can show others how to attain it. Those successful leaders that I speak of are “Game Changers.”
Success glassTo be a game changer there are a number of qualities you must possess but one of them is persistence. Calvin Coolidge once said;

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unregarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Are you a……”Game Changer?”
You are a…….”Game Changer!”

tgoldson

Terri D. Goldson, Sr.

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Just a touch….one moment, can make a difference.

Posted: March 4, 2013 in African American, Christian, education, faith, Health, motivation, politics, poverty, quotes, reform, religion, school, sports, teaching, Uncategorized
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baby hands touching

My mother and grandmother told me that just a touch of a particular spice or flavoring can change the taste and texture of a food. They reminded me that good food can change the atmosphere, your attitude, and it can create a feeling of joy. They encouraged me to light up the world.

At a wedding they ran out of wine, Jesus touched the water and it changed to wine…. the party continued.

At a time in need, Jesus shared a meal, fed the multitudes, changed the atmosphere and changed lives.

My chiropractor was explaining how he could make a simple adjustment or manipulation and touch the spine to alleviate pain. He stated that it is amazing how it can help a person walk or move better in a matter of minutes. He helped me believe that any man can have the ability to heal a person in many different ways.

Jesus healed the sick, blind, lepers and the broken; all it took was a touch.

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My father and coach told me that all it takes is a positive attitude and a touch of determination to help change the momentum of a game from seemingly insurmountable odds. Just believe in yourself and trust in your ability. They told me to apply it to all situations with consistency.

Against all odds, David slew the giant Goliath and all it took was faith and one stone to change the destiny of a nation.

We all have the ability to change a situation with a touch of kindness and a sprinkle of love. A simple smile can light up a room, a hug and kiss can warm the soul, or a kind word can change a mood and heal a broken heart. Words of encouragement and prayers of hope and faith have the ability to create miracles.   It doesn’t take much to change things, just faith the size of a mustard seed and the willingness to reach out.

We all can make a difference!

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Elder Terri D. Goldson, Sr.

Take a chance, Take Charge!

Posted: February 12, 2013 in African American, Christian, education, faith, Health, motivation, politics, poverty, quotes, reform, religion, teaching, Uncategorized
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Everyone has the ability to take charge, step up and make things happen.  Providing leadership or guidance to others is not exclusive to those who possess a tile of authority. We are brought up to believe that only certain people can be charged with the responsibility of leadership. We are programmed to believe that the captain of the team will show leadership for the entire team, when we know that at any given time an obscure player can rise up and show greatness.  We often believe that only the CEO or manager can make sound decisions for the store or the office.  Only to realistically know that the idea to change and improve a business practice or increase revenue can be introduced by a veteran or new employee.  Fortunately, exclusive leadership and greatness from the top down is a false assumption. God has given us all the innate ability and authority to lead if we so choose to do so. John Maxwell tells us that, “A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”  We have to learn and know when to take the chance to take charge.

What you think about yourself is much more important than what others think of you.” Marcus Annaeus Seneca

One of the most important examples of leadership comes from within our homes. We learn from our family role models how to navigate through those critical and modest life experiences. It doesn’t matter if it is within the construct of an intact or extended family. How we lead and provide guidance for our children and direct them towards a path of success is critical. Learning the nuances of life can be the difference between triumph and disaster. (‘If ‘by Rudyard Kipling) Leadership through a variety of positive adult examples, actions, deeds and what children see are very powerful. They help to paint a moral visual picture of what is right and wrong. Shared leadership within the family is an important ingredient for success. When we allow all members of the family to take on responsibility it helps to nurture leadership qualities. It also helps to foster decision-making skills, confidence, sound calculated risk taking and a better sense of the world around us.

“Fix your eyes forward on what you can do, not back on what you cannot change.”

Contrary to popular belief, leadership is not always making the right decision, we can learn from our mistakes. And it teaches us how to rebound from our errors, faults, shortcomings and disastrous circumstances. Unfortunately, we often see images and chronic examples of poor decision-making within some families plagued by the grips of poverty. The outcome can lead to a familial cyclical and generational pattern of chronic dependency on welfare, teen pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, lack or training and education, drop-out, incarceration, along with under and unemployment. Poor leadership at any level is disastrous, planning and preparing is crucial because failure to plan is a plan for failure. In order for a pattern of unproductive circumstances to reverse someone must step up, take a chance and take charge. Any victim can turn a seemingly lost situation into a victory.

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Everyone is gifted, but some people never open their package”

Whether it is making positive well thought-out decisions or improving your personal finances, educational opportunities and future employment circumstances, positive role models and leadership in all venues are important. But if you really want long-term change and an opportunity to reproduce leadership, the home is where the seed of hope is planted and the foundation of success must begin. Don’t be afraid to step out, step up, take a chance and take charge!

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You Can Rise From A Dead Situation

Posted: April 24, 2012 in African American, Christian, education, faith, motivation, politics, poverty, quotes, reform, religion, school, school reform, teaching, Uncategorized
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Each and every one of us has been in a state of affairs where people, situations and circumstances have knocked us down and almost out. The problems can range from a job loss, demotion or lack of respect and appreciation from your colleagues and boss. Your frustration and disappointments can create bitterness, stagnation and lack of motivation.

It could stem from a death in the family or the loss of a close friend. Your grief and prolonged mourning can cause you to dwell on death and forget about what life has to offer.

There are conditions that can cause you to become momentarily or chronically ill with a life threatening illness that can make you spiral into depression and develop a sense of helplessness. You lose sight of hope and succumb to defeat.

Your family and so-called friends talk about you, criticize, discourage and belittle your attempts to achieve, make a change in your life and improve your situation. They count you out! Their belittling comments cultivate frustration, anxiety and tension and you lose sight of your goals and dreams.

Life has a tendency to do all that I mentioned and more. However, we all must be willing to utilize and unleash the power that lives within us, to overcome those very difficult and life changing obstacles.

Hope restored

Failure isn’t a reason to give up, don’t quit!

  • “Failures are expected by losers, ignored by winners.” Joe Gibs
  • “All my successes have been built on my failures.” Benjamin Disraeli
  • “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Alva Edison
  • “There is no failure except in no longer trying.” Elbert Hubbard

A poor attitude is not a reason to lose your faith, change it!

  • “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. ” Kahlil Gibran
  • “Believe you can and you’re half way there.” Theodore Roosevelt
  • “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.” William James

Wake up, rise up, and get up!

  • “Never, never, never give up!” Winston Churchill
  • “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.” Samuel Johnson
  • “A champion is someone who gets up, even when he can’t.” Jack Dempsey
  • “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” Vince Lombardi

Believe and keep hope alive!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3:5-10)

If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. (Job 36:11)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5)

As a Christian I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and I believe that “greater works” I too shall do. Therefore, if Jesus can overcome people talking and lying about him, so can I. If Jesus can withstand persecution while attempting to feed the hungry and heal the sick, so can I. If Jesus can endure being brutalized, whipped, mocked and crucifixion, and rise from a dead situation, so can YOU! 

Every one of us will have to face what seems to be a dead situation in our life, regardless of your faith or your belief, you too can rise from a dead situation.

Trayvon, Daryl, Isaiah and Terri Jr… What If….

Posted: April 7, 2012 in African American, Christian, education, faith, motivation, politics, poverty, reform, religion, school, school reform, teaching, Uncategorized
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In March I invited my good friend Shawn Venson to speak to the students at Mead School in Ansonia,Connecticut, regarding youth and gun violence and making right choices in life. I thought it would be the right time to have a presentation with the current climate and issues surrounding the Trayvon Martin tragedy. The Trayvon issue has been very polarizing and controversial because it has raised issues of racial profiling, judicial double standards and historically omnipresent racism. Regardless of that debate, I was compelled to bring light to similar unfortunate circumstances that have taken place right in my home town. The unfortunate events have made me pause and think, “what if” it never happened and they were alive.  What could’ve been their potential or future opportunities? “What if” they had within them a ground breaking innovation or contribution that could’ve changed their family status, community or world? What if…..

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 In 2011 there were separate tragic and unsolved murders of two young men, Daryl Venson and Isaiah Hernandez due to gun violence. It has been reported that the Ansonia Police Department is aggressively investigating the murders but has not been able to get any new leads. Unfortunately, our community has not reacted with a sense of urgency with regards to having grassroots discussions that would involve youth violence, racism, drug and alcohol abuse, gun and domestic violence. It seems that those underlying issues are swept under the rug and we fail to have the backbone to really analyze those pervasive problems. The only true community reaction to the murders was initiated by Mr. Venson when he organized a rally in response to his son’s murder. Click here for more details.

Each year most schools in Connecticut will do a gun safety pledge, acknowledge red ribbon week to rally against drugs and alcohol. In Ansonia, life skills and health teachers provide students with lessons on healthy choices and police officers come in and provide fifth grade students with the D.A.R.E. curriculum regarding drugs. High Schools attempt to step up their game by sponsoring after prom activities and drunk driving accident reenactment scenes provided by the State Police. Schools do their best to offer students with substance prevention but unfortunately, students often emulate what they see at home, with their peers and in the streets. It is an uphill battle that will plague every community until we all really make some personal changes as adults.

 I’m proud to say that my friend Shawn Venson did a phenomenal job talking to the 610 students. He was able to captivate them with his personal experiences and the loss of his son and how violence, wrong choices and guns can lead to horrifying consequences.

This is an excerpt from a story written by Jodie Mozdzer for the Valley Independent Sentinel. Mr. Venson described Daryl as a “regular kid” who played youth football. He was killed when he was 25. “I lost my son to somebody who shot him,” Venson told the students. “I’ve never seen my son again. Do you know how hard it would be for your parents if one day you never come home and they never see you again?” Venson spoke to the Mead students about close calls he had with guns in his youth and urged them to never touch a gun. “No matter where you guys are, and no matter how old you get, guns are no good,” Venson said. Venson urged students to be aware of situations they end up in, and to seek help from their teachers if they need advice or help. “If you mess up one time, and make a bad decision, it can change your life for a long time,” Venson said.

During the entire presentation Trayvon Martin’s name was never mentioned. It was intentionally done because it would have taken away from the main focus on Daryl and Isaiah.  Besides, the topic is a political hot potato and I’m uncertain if the town is really ready to take on the national debate or face the true demons and issues that surround some of the tragedies that have taken place.  

Shawn Venson’s words of anguish and hope resonate in my mind just like the repetitive news of the Trayvon Martin tragedy. It also makes me think about Daryl, Isaiah and other young men who have senselessly lost their lives. They lost the promise of what the future can bring and have left a void of unfulfilled potential that was caused by their early death. But it also makes me think about the future of my students and the inspiring message of hope that encouraged them to make right choices, which were spoken by Mr. Venson. More importantly, it makes me think about my own son Terri Jr., who is a 21-year-old college student studying to be an Occupational Therapist. I pray day and night that my son is safe and able to fulfill his dreams, live his life, and not become a tragic statistic or a ….what if.

By: Terri Goldson, Sr.

Terri Goldson, Jr. pursuing a dream!