Stuff We Talk About

Although my mother went home to be with the Lord, she told me something years ago that I will never forget. I want to pass on the same...

By Vernalee Growing up, I remember hearing my Mother say, "Charge it to my head, not my heart." Translated simply, it means that a person will not always remember certain key things and/or that a person gets busy and just forgets. You can substitute the word blame for charge to get a clearer definition. The phrase is a term of endearment in that the mind may forget, but the heart remembers. So when I error and make mistakes (particularly forgetting something that I should r

By Vernalee Diversity and inclusion expert Verna Myers, a star of the TED Talk Series states that “overcoming prejudice starts with identifying our unconscious biases and trying to rewire our brains to welcome differences and think more inclusively.“ Verna (no biological relations, but similar in spirit) a Harvard educated attorney coined the expression, “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” Thus, if you are anything like me, we have p

TWO FACED PEOPLE Two faced people … I know you know them! They are hypocrites and live up to the meaning of the title. They say and do one thing in your presence and are completely opposite behind your back. Of course, they are not to be trusted …even when you are looking at them! I find them to be despicable! What about you? Remember the sage advice of Dr. Maya Angelou, “The first time people show you who they are, believe them!” Photo credit: www.greetingskit.com

By Vernalee “Until the lion learns how to write every story will glorify the hunter” is an African Proverb which refers to the “unknown part of the struggle because as we know a story is never complete until one hears from both sides.“ The one who has the dominant voice and/or authority is often heard and believed. The one of lesser prominence is often considered not credible or the loser. The hunter’s story may not be 100% accurate as most people tend to slant their story t

By Vernalee The expression ”two heads are better than one”reflects the intuition that people working in groups are more likely to come to a correct decision than they would if working alone.“ I know that I am better with my team, my posse, as I call them. My children, close friends, colleagues, and family members provide me solid/wise counsel and advice. With their advice and God at the wheel as my chief navigator, I feel empowered! That in and of itself is a great feeling!

By Vernalee In 2 Chronicles 20:15, we read: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Allow me to share in words what songstress Yolanda Adams harmonically sings in praise to the lyrics of “The Battle Is Not Yours.” “There is no pain Jesus can’t feel No hurt He cannot heal For all things work according to His perfect

By Vernalee Since my name did not appear on the Forbes Millionaire List this morning, I once again am pulling my professional “lickety stick.” Off to my day of work and chores, I go! Drinking my coffee at my favorite hangout, Panera Bread, I read an intriguing article, “The Top 10 Distinctions between the Millionaires and the Middle Class.” Allow me to share! Distinction # 10 - Millionaires think long term. The middle class thinks short term. Distinction # 9 - Millionaires

By Vernalee Cruising down memory lane, the cotton fields indeed left unforgettable memories. During the summer, you laboriously walked from one end of the cotton field to the other in the blazing hot sun chopping down the weeds from the cotton plants. This removal was necessary to allow the crop to produce white snowy cotton for picking. It was the separation process that determined the outcome and purity of the harvest. Our lives are no different. Some of our associations a