WHEN PEOPLE SHOW YOU WHO THEY ARE, BELIEVE THEM

By Vernalee

Admittedly, I am slow to judge people. I have always felt that there is good in everyone. Why I fail to recognize that good folks can do bad things and bad folks can do good things is beyond my comprehension. Go figure. Giving folks the benefit of the doubt has always been my forte and to some extent, my downfall. Sorry! Silly me! Perhaps, I tend to see the good, not the bad; the successes, not the failures. No matter what cover up process is used, invariably people will show you who they are. It is in their DNA. Well said by the late great Dr. Maya Angelou, “When people show you who they are, believe them ...”

Our failed acknowledgement to admit what we see or refuse to see who they are is our fault, not theirs! Stop making excuses. Don’t wait until they do something despicable that hurts your feelings! Injury knows no preference. We can’t say that they didn’t give us a warning or preview. With wide opened eyes, we saw! Our task is to believe! Consider me the choir singing to myself as I have been duped before too - more than once! I’m learning. I’m growing. I’m believing. I’m better than I once was. Thank God!

EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY

By Vernalee

“Your time will come; you will eventually come into your own.” Destiny, luck, training, education, generational wisdom, prayer, preparation, planning ... in addition to a few other factors will determine where we land. Eventually, everyone can succeed at something! Good things will come your way. That is what we optimists believe, think, and feel. Sure, there will be those individuals who do not wish you well; those who are filled with envy, jealousy, and spite. Relegate them to a place that is out of sight; out of mind. Negative energies have no place in your life! Since the days of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, we have heard the popular phrase, “Every dog has its day.” Keep an open mind and with positive reinforcement, you may take hold of another saying, “What goes around comes around.”

Photo credit: www.pininterest.com

I'M EVERY WOMAN

By Vernalee

Today, I give love and honor to those women who have shown me the way and taught me a thing or two. A shout out to my two Phoebe's (my Mother and daughter)! My late Mother laid the foundation and yes, I have learned a lot from my daughter! My late sisters, Barbara and Jean taught me much. Barbara was a "Sister Momma" who kept you in line. My Aunt Sudie and Aunt Minnie were substitute Mothers. My favorite teacher, Toni Patterson Menchan taught me how to dream and achieve. My loving nieces, cousins, and friends (praying and lifelong friends) continue to guide me. Let me not forget those old women who sat on their porches in Mississippi who gave me unsolicited advice that I didn't want to hear at the time, but whose words of wisdom remain in my soul. I thank you all! I'm the woman that I am because of you!