Your Urim and Thummim: Personal Legend Reminders.

Purpose

The lesson that I am trying to convey with these reflective questions is to make people think about what keeps them focused in their life what grounds them and makes them get back on the path to realizing their own personal legends. Also they are meant to be a way to connect with the story, every time the boy was about to go completely off track he found the two stones. A lot of people don’t think about what they could have that would symbolize their mission and keep them on track.

Activity Questions

1.      Do you have a personal version of Urim and Thummim? Something that you hold onto that guides you or that you keep with you to remember your values or dreams.

2.      Who gave it to you or why did it become important to you?

3.      If so what is it? Or if you had one what would it be?

4.      Has there ever been a moment similar to the ones the character had? A time where you got off course and out of nowhere there it was reminding you of your purpose.

My Perspective

The thing that is kind of like my Urim and Thumimim is actually a person it is my little sister. If I ever think that I am not focusing or doing the right thing I ask myself if Chelsey saw me do this or found out would I want her to do the same or see it? Or how would it affect her? Thinking about her and being her role model is a part of my Personal Legend.

The instance where this came into play was when I decided to move to another state where I didn’t know anyone. I was concerned because I would be living her in TN but if I stayed I wouldn’t go back to college until she graduated high school. I also would be taking a huge risk as far as my family was concerned everyone wanted me to move somewhere closer or stay in TN but go to a different school. Chelsey knew that’s not what I really wanted. I knew that if I gave in and didn’t follow my heart and do what I knew I wanted to do she would be afraid and would never think to try it either. So I moved and she is happy that she can say that her sister lives in VA. And she gets to spend her summers hanging out in DC.

The place in the book that made me think of this activity was when he was about to go back to Spain and buy sheep. As he left he got ready to toss his jacket and the two stones feel out and reminded him of his purpose and at the same time they lifted him up and made him happy. The things in life that keep you on track should also be things that do make you smile or have something that makes you happy so it will uplift you spirit at the same time.  

Oprah and I share a similar faith and life outlook..Who knew?

I agree with Oprah's belief system. Well the way that she looks at the world. She and I share the same view when it comes to life and being grateful to God for everything. Even the bad because without that you wouldn't be who you are. Every experience is to be learned from and it helps you grow.
 She says their is no Luck and I agree. Everything happens for a reason, you might not have a plan but God does. Her secrete is one I agree with. Let your soul that is influenced and made by a higher being be your guide in life,
 I never knew that I would have any similarities with the 9billion dollar woman. Our up bringing is similar she grew up in the south with a black Grandma attending church every Sunday. I was close to my Grandmother so that ressinated with me.
   "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
 I have heard that many times and I carry that with me. That and I can do anything that I put my mind to. 
  Oprah gets bad mouthed a lot and she doesn't deserve it. She is guided by her convictions and her inner spirit. I really liked her presentation I picked hers to listen to because I missed the episode where she told her life story. I always wanted to know how she got to be Oprah. Again I wouldn't have thought I have anything at all in conman with Oprah. I don't know why. I never thought about it before though.     

Wow! Far out Dude!

That was....I am not sure if I am having a closed minded night or what but both of those videos left me with one question? Didn't they have something else to do and if not why did they have to publish that? Its cute I get the point its a think happy thoughts and good things will come to you. Awww! But it takes more than happy thoughts to accomplish anything. Eyes on the prize not on the crystallized pretty water.
  Also I wonder what came first the other videos or the "Secret".  Lonnie trapped me in the car and made me listen to those. He was trying to find the secrete to finding himself , at the age of 52. Yeah I am somewhat against spending my time & money watching those think happy thoughts. I could see how they could motivate or help some people or touch them.To each its own.
But as for me I am a optimist 95% of the time I admit I have my moments. However those videos are just dreadful. And I had to watch something else that was similar to the "Secrete".
   The man spoke about thinking about what you think, and then thinking about why you think those thoughts. He also said that you should listen to the voice(s) in your head and listen to those thoughts and be mindful of your mind. The worst part about that was it was a friend that made me watch it. That might be my biggest issue is that people kidnap you to "share" the message with you. Honestly I would rather be awaken at 5:45am on Saturday by a Johava's witness, than to watch anymore of those long long long videos.
  Sorry Dr. Jenkins but I have been traumatized when it comes to metaphysics or whatever they are called.     
 Oh! and you should check out the comments on the Hidden Message in the Water Video from people. Its a hot mess someone who says to be open minded (they liked the video about positivity)  but then they cuss some other commenter out via their comment box about not agreeing with them.

EL: Anita Hill

It has been 20yrs since she won her case against sexual harassment. More complaints filed on sexual harassment, men are beginning to take it seriously. People know the laws now so they can speak out. She says that there is a disconnect between what happened then and now. We are not where we think we should be. People’s beliefs inspired change and laws against sexism there was an enthusiasm. Which has been lost so which has caused it to stall.

She received the award for the anniversary of Brown vs. Wade board of education because she fought for equality of schools in low income areas. Her concentration is on equality in the work place and for all. She says that:

       "Equality is never straight linear mountain things go up and down. More leadership is needed more leaders need to stop sexual harassment it would increase productivity and it would be better to fix the whole thought processes. Not just helping the victims. Zero tolerance means what it says. Getting rid of the people who would cause these types of issues. It doesn't need to stop at filing a complaint."

  Now she is working on the concept of integrating other disciplines into the fight against inequality.  Like the current forecloses that the effects are long term they aren't  going to be isolated. Credit damaged, kids suffer no school.

  The rest of her lecture she talks about the meaning that having a home has meant throughout the years with a focus on African American families. I broke it down into the way her speech was structured.

Home is a symbol of culture law policy equality and family. Ideal of home was that they could be accepted into the whites thought of equality. 1880ish they wanted to be accepted.

Then people moved to city 1930. Then to the suburbs which were created in the 1930s. 1950s women were at home while husband worked.

  Home: equality. Home is where it starts. T.S. Eliot.  Farm ownership had gave the ability to get a home but not keep it. Also wife’s name isn't on deed.

   City life wasn't inadequate so they wanted to move to the suburb. A Raisin in the Sun was  about blacks wanting to live in the suburbs but meet with hostility. Segregated suburbs 1958 had right to buy property whites had the right to leave.

In the home women were always there cooking and stayed there. Thought if they could work it would mean equality. 1980s the Jefferson wife in home with black maid the idea was that everything changed because they moved to the eastside. New home changed their life everything changed when they moved up. Role of the Home: suburbia divided by government Policy. Black verses White. More income is needed to sustain the large house of today's suburbs. The out pricing of equality the American dream isn't reachable because the stakes have gotten higher. We are becoming more extravagance.

Obama’s wife, Michelle has taken up the cause of changing the childhood obesity epidemic. She is concentrating on children’s health needs. She ask the question: Are we ready to accept a black first family and she points out that Michelle has taken up a traditional role in her choice of political agenda. She ask why can’t she have taking up a cause such as banking or foreign policy.

She closes with the issues that economic strain of the American dream is causing a huge impact. Once you lose your home it’s hard to regain it. Displaced family’s now need to be brought back into their homes. Things need to not only improve but become better. Sustainability of equality needs to be possible. She closes with the statement that things need to be affordable to all.

Tipping Point: The law of the few

Tipping Point

The message that I took away from the “Law of the Few” is that a few people can have a huge influence over the masses, but that is only if the few are already influential people. The reason that they have this type of influences is also because there are so few of them. In social psychology there is a theory that states that for a group to be exclusive the number of members within that group must stay small, about five members or less. The reason for this is that if a group is that small it means that not everyone can get into that group which is what gives that group its appeal. Another factor that plays a part in the groups influences is how hard you have to work to be apart of that group. An example of this would be a sorority where potential rushes are put through a grilling initiation processes. Once it is over the new members fell a since of belonging and are more connected to the other members because of the experience. The few existing members pick and choice from the masses and make judgments on who is let into their exclusive club. A broader example is the influence that celebrities have on society. They are used to endorse products, give public service announcements, and promote events. Celebrities only make up less than two percent of the population which is one of the reasons why they have influence. The other reasons are their wealth, and the way that we perceive their lifestyle as being better than our own. It is also the fact that becoming famous is not that easy of a thing to do. A reality T.V. participant is more likely to become infamous than famous. However an actor like Brad Pitt or an actress like Julia Roberts have been in several movies and have been rewarded for their talent. The odd trend however is that the newer celebrities the younger ones are the ones which the most influence. They are the ones endorsing newer products. Katy Perry has replaced Jessica Simpson as the female on the Proactive acne commercials. The reason is obvious Katy Perry is in the media more because of her recent albums and television appearances. The more a celebrity is seen the more famous they are which means they have more influence at that moment.

            The law of the few is also seen when it comes to government. There are only a handful of government officials that make the decision for the masses. Although they are put into power by the larger majority voting for them, but once they are in that position there are no gaurontess as to what they will do with that power. These officials can say one thing during their campaign and once elected go in a totally different direction. The masses would have to assemble and work together to hopefully get that person out of office, but even with that they really have to work hard to have any influence over that because they voted that person into office. Another issue with the few having as much control as our state and national government is that a lot of what they do goes on behind closed doors which the public has little to no access to. Also the citizens that are active in finding this information out the “mavens” often have no one to aid them in making the corruption public so that it can be exposed and changed. But that would take the time of the masses to investigate these issues and to work together to change the problems. It would also require extra work to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Work and Time are two things that Americans are not will to put forth or to give, which is why our system remains the way that it is. There are a few people who vote and a few that follow what goes on after wards but it tends to stop there. It is time for the few in power to be held accountable by the masses and maybe when that happens there will be change until then nothing will ever change.   

MY Spoken Words

    I have to fight for what I want, I have to argue for the things I need
It's never easy, nothing comes easy, not for me and not for any one else
Easy, Easy what in life is easy? Its not easy to wake up and know you have to face another day where your life isn't what you want it to be.
 So you fight, you fight and you don't give up. When you get told No, you fight for a Yes.
Life isn't worth living if you don't fight, you must fight.
Wrong fight it, inequality fight it, bad policies fight it.
 Fighting is not Easy, Life isn't easy, so why not fight and make things right.
 Fight so maybe things will be easier for someone else.
                                      FIGHT!