I have watched Black History Month become as cliche as politicians kissing babies.  

The problem with a holiday, is that if we aren’t mindful we can place the very human beings we are celebrating on an unreachable pedestal. The truth is:
MLK, Malcolm X and Harriet Tubman and other leaders were human beings with trials and tribulations just like us. What distinguishes them from us is that they had a unified vision for our people and the desire to promote positive change through action.  They had a passion for service, for patience and love.  We can learn a thing or two from them. 

There was an episode of the Boondocks where  MLK gave a speech to our generation.  Without giving the story away, it was both (lol) laugh out loud funny, and (smh) shaking my head at the same time.  

Black History Month needs revision, and I’m here to offer you a free upgrade. 

This month and for the rest of the year I challenge you to get off the fence. Build relationships with the community on and offline. Turn off your Facebook and Twitter at least once a week and plug into the people, places and things around you.

• Leaders can’t read your mind, they need your input. Give them a call and give a voice to the people they are serving.
• Be a leader in your own right. Obama got his start as a community organizer. Start by volunteering at a local food pantry or at a shelter. This is always a good way to do something positive and help those less fortunate than you.
• Get paid to serve.  Americorps is an organization that pays you a monthly stipend, healthcare and an educatonal grant at the end of service.  For more information check out http://www.americorps.gov/
• Donate to local causes in your community. Every little bit helps. 
• Love yourself. Awareness is just the first step, the next is making an honest assessment of your God-given gifts and skills. This is the foundation of every dream that was made true.    
• Network with people just like you. The Urban League has a great program for young professionals ages 18-40. Check them out at www.gphxulyp.org/national-movement/  

  I find it sad that during Black History Month we only support local clubs and bars.  In fact, the only folks I see attending our local black events are our elders and people who aren’t of color. Come out with a renewed spirit. Bring your friends.  Be the change you want to see in the community.  Reach out to leaders and ask them: “What can I do to help?”
Mega Mills

I have watched Black History Month become as cliche as politicians kissing babies.  

The problem with a holiday, is that if we aren’t mindful we can place the very human beings we are celebrating on an unreachable pedestal. The truth is:
MLK, Malcolm X and Harriet Tubman and other leaders were human beings with trials and tribulations just like us. What distinguishes them from us is that they had a unified vision for our people and the desire to promote positive change through action.  They had a passion for service, for patience and love.  We can learn a thing or two from them. 

There was an episode of the Boondocks where  MLK gave a speech to our generation.  Without giving the story away, it was both (lol) laugh out loud funny, and (smh) shaking my head at the same time.  

Black History Month needs revision, and I’m here to offer you a free upgrade. 

This month and for the rest of the year I challenge you to get off the fence. Build relationships with the community on and offline. Turn off your Facebook and Twitter at least once a week and plug into the people, places and things around you.

• Leaders can’t read your mind, they need your input. Give them a call and give a voice to the people they are serving.
• Be a leader in your own right. Obama got his start as a community organizer. Start by volunteering at a local food pantry or at a shelter. This is always a good way to do something positive and help those less fortunate than you.
• Get paid to serve.  Americorps is an organization that pays you a monthly stipend, healthcare and an educatonal grant at the end of service.  For more information check out http://www.americorps.gov/
• Donate to local causes in your community. Every little bit helps. 
• Love yourself. Awareness is just the first step, the next is making an honest assessment of your God-given gifts and skills. This is the foundation of every dream that was made true.    
• Network with people just like you. Urban League has a great program for young professionals ages 18-40. Check them out at www.gphxulyp.org/national-movement/  

  I find it sad that during Black History Month we only support local clubs and bars.  In fact, the only folks I see attending our local black events are our elders and people who aren’t of color. Come out with a renewed spirit. Bring your friends.  Be the change you want to see in the community.  Reach out to leaders and ask them: “What can I do to help?”
Mega Mills

Mega Mills

Her journey with atheism occurred after she was

placed in foster-care as a youth. Because she wa

s abandoned by her mother she felt God abandoned

her as well.

 

Feeling stuck in a rut? Lost in dispair? I’ve been there, we’ve all have.  Here is a prayer I wrote for just those moments. Hope, this is a blessing to you or those who need it. Feel free to share, repost, or simply print out and place on your fridge.

Prayer for Faith

Heavenly Father

I am at the end of my rope

I have tried everything my way and it still isn’t enough

so much has changed and I feel at a lost

things haven’t gone my way

I feel like I’m stuck

I humbly turn to you now Lord

Please Guide my feet

Grant me peace of mind….serenity

make me complete

There is is but a lil faith in me O’ Lord

But I ask you to grow it

I may appear big and strong

I am to weak and too ashamed to show it

plant the seed of faith in me dear God

water it and beam the sun light on my heart

For you are the nurturer of my soul

Please send your people my way

So that there is no doubt that I will know it

Thanking you in advance to for your grace and your mercy

Amen

To Read: “My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.”
Psalm 119:81 

Written by Mega Mills

As you may know November is National Adoption and Foster Care Month.  Mega Mills offers encouragement and a message of hope. We all have something or someone to be grateful for this holiday season. What are you thankful for?

Mega Mills HomeBase @Poetry Open Mic

In front of the world we put on a shield of happiness and confidence, but in privacy our thoughts are often clouded by regrets and deep sadness. Replaying the pain and the anguish over and over.

Shame.

If given the chance, it will rot our souls away like tooth decay. If not addressed it can lead to anxiety, depression; drug/alcohol dependency.

In this thing called life we endure many trials and tribulations. No one is above this. It is what makes us human. Our earliest experiences usually shape and guide our life’s path. Disappointing memories, abandonment, lost opportunities and lost hope. Living in despair and in our heads.

My secret confession: I’m guilty of letting shame taking over my life. From birth my mom often told me she wished I was never born. I looked very much like my dad that abused her, and I knew from a very young age that I was she resented me and unloved.  As a child of neglect I often slept here and there with not much guidance and love until I was placed into Foster Care.With my Foster Mom’s encouragement I eventually went to college and was surrounding by incredibly smart and intelligent people. But I harbored deep shame about my childhood and was crippled by my deep felt I wasn’t good enough to be among them. Lying to everyone about my childhood, even going as far as to say that my parents were in the FBI and were to busy to come to visit. My fear was that if people knew my truth they would shun me and treat me as a less than. Ridiculous isn’tit? What is even more ridiculous is that it took me years to forgive myself and honor my truth. But I did and I am. I

Healing

The first step is to take inventory of what shames you. Only you can do this.  You’ll be surprised how freeing it is. So be bold and honest with yourself.  This is the beginning of a life filled with peace of mind. You cannot move forward in your life if you cannot honestly identify what holds you back from living your life fully. This is about dignity and respecting yourself. If you cannot forgive and respect yourself than it is incredibly hard to have empathy and respect for others. You may even come to believe that you aren’t deserving of love and respect.

Make your confession.

If you believe in a higher power, admit what troubles your heart and ask for forgiveness. If your shame involves hurting someone else, humble yourself and admit how they were wronged. More importantly, make concessions to right the wrong.

Lastly, take it one day at a time and be patience. This is part of a lifelong journey so enjoy the ride. Share your testimony, let’s heal together.

For more information on on Shame check out http://www.emotionalcompetency.com/humiliation.htm

I look forward to hearing your comments. Don’t forget to repost and share!

Heavenly FatherAlthough it doesn’t show I get weary and afraid I ask that you give me the strength to overcome these emotions and push through to meet my goals
Though many have said they don’t have the money to spend, send me those who have the need for my service/idea and are willing to invest financially
Though the tides of the economy are against me with you all things are possible
I ask for your guidance and protection as I make a way in this world
I thank you for my health, my strength and my loved ones.
Help me earn my daily bread
Amen

Mega Mills
Please Like, Share Repost and Twitter“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Paulo Coehlo

Fugg a business plan, Get yourself a Gotdamn Hustle!

Now I understand that many of you who are well read, educated and into self help books think that you have to have a business plan to start a business, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t. You mainly need a business plan if you need money from an investor or a bank. Now if you have A credit, promising financial connections and major collateral this route might work for you. Banks like people who have things, so when things don’t work out they can run up and snatch them.

But if you are like most poor disadvantaged people you have none of the above. All you have is a dream. So start with a workable concept and get to action. Start by simply doing. A hustle isn’t pimping and it aint stealing. It can be as simple as buying up 24 bottles of water at your local Walmart and selling them on the hot streets in the summer. At a dollar a bottle that equals 24 dollars. Minus expenses you have made 21 dollars. That is one simple hustle and there are countless others. Sure its not a fancy set up walking around peddling the streets but is more money you can make writing a business plan. It will be the hardest money you have ever made but at the end of the day you will be better for it.

Be flexible. Nothing is set in stone because life rewards those who take risks and those who adapt. Some days you come up empty and some you’ve simply covered the cost of your investment. But those days you sell out will be the best days of your life. Eventually you will have made a name for yourself, and folks will be calling you and asking you to provide your service or idea. That is what all the hard work was for, because you have now gotten a reputation or what is also known as a brand.

You are not alone. There are millions of Americans who dream of one day having there own business. Many flock to Business school but come out working for major corporations, because school teaches you to be an employee. Not how to hustle. But those guaranteed jobs arent there anymore folks. Then there are those who like to talk about their ideas to other folks. Those folks end up never doing anything because A) talk is cheap B) the person you were talking to has stolen your idea and is now testing it for profitability. You will still be talking and they will be out there hustling. Bill Gates is one the greatest hustlers of all time. He took someone’s idea and then became a billionaire. Guard your ideas, and get into action.

Look folks we all know life isn’t fair. The rich stay rich and the poor stay poor. But a hustler always hustles. America was started by hustlers. Immigrants came here with nothing or was given the choice of starving or hustling. They worked from a small hustle to a bigger hustle. Once they got enough money they hired their friends and family. There was no food stamps, no welfare reform. No government bail out. You either hustled or died.

With the economy being the way it is don’t you think it’s time for a Hustle?

I’m Mega Mills. Like, share twitter and comment. But above all hustle.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Paulo Coehlo