“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“For the most wild, yet most homely narrative which I am about to pen, I neither expect nor solicit belief.”
- Edgar Allan Poe

Yesterday was an important day for two reasons: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Holiday and Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday (one of my all time favorite writers).  This should’ve been posted yesterday, but, unfortunately, it slipped my mind. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an amazing leader with an ostentatious mission. I love to listen to old recordings from Dr. King when I am in need of uplifting discourses that can generate stillness. Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes are also great stimulators of strength, aside from prayer–yes, I am an avid conversationalist with God (Christ ), it may seem crazy to some, but my relationship with my God is key to my sanity.

How many times do we take a leap of faith without seeing the whole staircase? It is often seen, this day in age, that we resist from taking the first step towards anything without seeing the developed benefit beforehand. We are often more concerned about an added benefit before taking the leap. Dr. King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Where do you stand in times of disarray? Are your core views loosened once you have been shifted? When pressed with fear and discomfort, do you sway with the wind or do you stand your ground? Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” Who are you when you are dealt a tough situation? I know I have, at times, lingered in despair, but I have realized and try to live by two quotes, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” and ““Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” –Walt Whitman                                                               It is imperative that we keep facing towards the sunshine, the light, and the astounding array of life that surrounds us. It is imperative that we make others feel great by instilling positive energy. Finally, we must indulge in the greatness of life by beginning the day with a positive outlook, no matter how negative it may have started. And believe me, I have many of those, are you kidding me? It is only six in the morning and already a conundrum! Yes we can!

On a side note, and a quick one at that, Edgar A. Poe’s birthday has past. You may not know this, but Poe was my first love, in Jr. High, when I read the eerie Black Cat. I fell madly in love with Poe and his seductive prose and story telling. I long to have met him. Oh Poe how maniacally brilliant you are!

Well, have a great night and a wonderful tomorrow, no matter what the day may seem like.

D