Another Blessed Year!!!

Another blessed year, add it up it’s 3 decades and a little change;

The more life I live, the more it gets strange.

Last year we blew out the candles (Blow Out the Candles), started a new chapter;

But it’s funny how life can be, it’ll bring you joy and disaster.

Started my mission to conquer the world, be the best I could be;

Little did I know that God had another plan destined for me.

Long story short, in the blink of an eye, I lost my purpose and my heart;

Everything that I thought I knew, all I thought I had, fell apart.

I lost unconditional love, a friend always, a prayer warrior, my life-line; 

How do you bounce back, turn back the clock, rewind?

Can’t be replaced, no substitute, a loss supreme; 

And if you don’t know who or what I’m referring to… I’m speaking of my sister, the QUEEN!

She’s my angel now, watching over me and spreading her wings;

Protecting her family and friends from all harm and unpleasant things.

She accomplished her earthly goal, earned her place above;

Taught us all what it truly means to love.

From Melissa I learned that life is what you make of it and the lives you touch;

It’s the moments that you should cherish and mean so much.

This year it’s about the lives I can change, the difference I can make;

 May not be able to do it all, but if I can change one life, that chance I’ll take.

Only know how to do it one way, all or nothing;

So I will bear my soul hoping not to fall, that it’ll turn into something.

Somewhat lost right now, a bit confused, and displaced;

Still trying to understand God’s purpose for my life and trying to run His pace.

Things I thought were true, my hopes, dreams, and desires;

They perished, placed in a tomb, burned in the fire.

In 12 months, lost love and a love, lost purpose and clarity, lost the reason and the answer;

But as someone told me, bigger, better, and brighter lies in the pasture.

So I fight on, pray harder, and give Moore; 

God’s forged a king, a savior, a captain, and my destiny I shall explore.

This too shall pass and by God’s grace and mercy, I’ll be made stronger, wiser;

The sky’s the limit and my angel is pulling me higher.

My aspirations are still out of this world, lofty, grand;

Only difference now is it’s being guided now with Heavenly hands.

Still setting the world on fire, the kind that burns deep and caresses your soul;

Going to take every chance I get to share, give, and mold.

Mold boys into men, girls into women;

Then take all above and show them it’s kool to be a Christian.

M.A.M. , My Angel Memories, is what she is and always shall be;

The example she left behind is the foundation, the trunk of the tree.

Like one of those great oaks in City Park shading you from the sun,

I promise her legacy will continue on, this book isn’t done.

The torch is lit, the purpose restored;

We, U and Me, it’s time to get on board.

As my heart continues to mend and my spirit gains strength;

I know I’m walking God’s race and this is what He meant.

Tell Him your plans and listen to Him laugh;

But follow His will and watch the Red Sea part so you can pass.

3 decades and a little change;

The Moore I see, the Moore it rearrange.

Found some new tools, gained a new perspective; 

Best believe I’m on a mission not for my sake, but God’s objective.

Much still to achieve, mountains yet to be conquered, still on a mission to save the souls of men;

Putting one foot in front the other relying on faith, family, and friend.

As I get ready to blow out the candles, fighting back a tear,

I pray to myself, “Thank you God for blessing me with one more year.”

Past, Present, Future

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” ~ Author Unknown

Heard a topic recently about “Recalculating Your Route” and it began me to think about what happens when history spoils the gift and ruins the mystery?  As creatures of habit and self-preservation, our first instinct is to gravitate to what is comfortable and protect ourselves at all costs, and in doing so, we may miss out on the most important and beautiful things in life.

So often we rely on what we have experienced and although it is wise to learn from our past, we forget to enjoy the “present” when we allow those lessons to stifle our future.  Pain is a great equalizer and reminder of what to do and not to do, but it can also be a paralyses.  It can leave you stuck in a rut and life passing you by, especially when it comes to relationships and love.

Living in the present is hard when the past keeps knocking on the door, figuratively and literally.  How can you move forward if you continue to allow the past to invade the present?  The past affords knowledge and experience, builds and solidifies, provides clarity and understanding, and should be acknowledged and reflected upon.  However, the past is not the place to dwell in and should not be used as a crutch.  If anything, the past should give us a better appreciation of what we want and what we have and more importantly, how to maintain and build something lasting.  But when we dwell in the past, allow it to continue to intrude in our lives, our relationships, our thoughts, our behavior, it becomes debilitating.

The present, the gift, is the most rewarding thing God gives us.  Each day is a new day to cherish where we are in life and what we have.  It provides another opportunity to seek our heart’s desires, experience new adventures, and reach new heights in life.  Living in the moment may sound cliché, but try it.  Consciously take full advantage of the here and now, appreciate where you are in life.  Stop using your past to spoil your present, hinder your future.  Furthermore, we can’t fault or hold others accountable for those from the past.  It isn’t fair to them or you and so often we want to judge our present based on our past and the two are not the same.  You’ll never reach your destination if you keep going in reverse.  It’s impossible.   You’ll never achieve your goals, attain the love you are seeking, if you continue to retreat and revert to what once was.  He or she isn’t him or her and hopefully you aren’t the same either.  The dynamics have changed, the lessons learned, and instead of reading the old chapters, it’s time to write a new book.

The future is the place to strive towards.  It’s that uncertainty that excites, entices, and gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow.  Living in the present is grand, but the idea of the future is euphoric.  Working towards what we seek and desire for our lives, using our past as the tools to achieve it, and our present as a springboard, makes the future that more appealing.

The past is a memory, the present is reality, and the future is a dream.  Trust your memories, it did happen, but memories are mere reminders of what we overcame and triumph through.  Our reality is what we make and how we shape our lives.  Dream often and continue to strive for those dreams.  Work everyday to make your dreams your reality and your memories pale in comparison to that reality.

How has your past affected your present and future?  Is your present reflective of your dreams?  Remember, this isn’t just about U or just about Me, but all about We. The only way We grow is if We share, learn from, help, and support each other. Come back soon as we take this journey together and stay tuned as U, Me, and We will be coming to the airwaves!  

Peace and Love,

BlakkDiamond

M.A.M. - My Angel Memories

Born January 11, 1979, sugar and spice and everything nice,

Her parents looked at each other, smiled proudly, and thought to themselves, perfection done twice;

Jennifer, her doting Mother, and Larry, her exuberant Father, couldn't wait to spoil their princess,

There she was, the epitome of love, the purpose and reason for their existence;

Given a name that commanded respect from day one,

Melissa Anne Moore, M.A.M., ma’am, her legacy begun;

Taking the world by storm, she began her plight,

Starting the moment she came home, she looked at her brother and he could see her light;

A light beaming and glowing, a mystifying, powerful presence,

Something about her was different, she possessed God’s essence;

1^st stop, St. Leo the Great,

Quickly amassing the skills of a scholar by grade 8;

Off to St. Mary’s, where she spread her wings and was challenged a little more,

But what was a challenge to some, was an opportunity to explore;

Explore the depths of her knowledge, the strength of her character,

Another opportunity to excel in life and take time to figure out what truly mattered;

After mastering those plateaus it was off to greater heights,

Awarded a full scholarship, she attended Dillard University with her goals in sight;

Four years she thought, I can do this, a little hard work, dedication, even when life gets rowdy,

She did it so well, she walked away, magna cum laude;

In the meantime she found a kinship, a sisterhood, and it was more than just parties,

She was now a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority;

All of that was wonderful and good,

But she knew she had a higher calling, and on God’s word she stood;

She found a church that could nurture her and bring her closer to her Heavenly Father,

It was The Bridge that helped carry her over troubled waters;

A music lover at heart, she thought, the choir is the ministry for me,

Signed up quickly and began singing her heart out for all to hear and see;

Living her life’s purpose and fulfilling God’s plan,

She began to minister to others, saving souls man-by-man;

Where ever she went, no matter who she touched,

Her spirit shown bright and you were left with so much;

Albeit her family she cherished or the friends she adored,

Even strangers were left off that much better after meeting Ms. Moore;

Moore than a conqueror through Jesus’ love,

Moore than the deepest seas or the skies above;

Moore than silver and gold or any precious gem,

Moore than you wildest imagination or the deepest thoughts within;

Forget it, she is just a MOORE, M.O.O.R.E.,

A depiction of Jesus, His love, a symbol of you and me;

A Proverbs 31 woman, no trial or tribulation could do her harm,

Only her praise and worship exceeded her elegance and charm;

Her smile captivating, her beauty unsurpassed, a warmth, something serene,

She had grown from a princess to a Queen;

And as her journey continued and lives were transformed,

God smiled, and said to Himself, well done my baby, time to come home;

And there it was, on January 18, 2011,

The gates opened up and welcomed another angel into Heaven;

Just like that her earthly mission was done and complete,

No more pain or worry, time to sit a Jesus’ feet;

She will be missed, but her legacy will live forever,

Touched so many, made so many lives better;

She is Daddy's baby and Mama's gurl,

A glimmer of hope, a beacon for the world;

So we gon dance for jubilee all,

Take it from the street corners to the church halls;

U get ‘em ready in Heaven

I'll get 'em ready on earth,

Get Ready, Get ready , Get Ready, Ready

Get Ready for the baddest woman to ever graduate from St. Leo, St. Mary, & Dillard,

Reppin' New Orleans, the black & gold, to the finish;

Baby I hear you yellin’ Who Dat as you and the rest of the Saints go marching in,

You fought the good fight, the victory you did win;

Heaven open your doors and welcome home my angel, my sister

Lord knows I wish I could have her back, how I miss her;

But one thing is for sure, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,

And I know when my day comes, when my time is done, you’ll be the one greeting me at Heaven’s doors;

We’ll be together again, but in the meantime here’s our song,

I’ll just listen to it over and over imagining holding you in my arms;

I miss you my baby and your brother will always love you and miss our fun,

But no matter the circumstance, WE WILL ALWAYS BE ONE!

                                                                © BlakkDiamond

~ singing~

(We are one)

(We are one) our love will see us through

(We are one) and that’s the way it is

(We are one) Ohhh…

(We are one) right from the very start, WE!

(We are one) deep down in your heart

(We are one) and that’s the way it is

(We are one) Ohhh…

Thankful

As we close out Thanksgiving and lead into the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what I am truly thankful for… LOVE.

In a recent story by Time magazine based on a survey by the Pew Research Center, it was implied that marriage was no longer looked upon favorably and that the institution of marriage was dying! The survey and report went on to further state that an increasing percentage of Americans no longer desire to be married and feel as if the institution of marriage is a dying form and may even be obsolete. Suffice to say, this has caused a firestorm and there have been proponents from both sides advocating their points. From USA Today to MSNBC to across the pond and the BBC, to bloggers far and wide, such as BMWK, this has been debated over and over again.

But let’s look at it from a different perspective. The institution and sanctity of marriage, just as the embodiment of any corporation, organization, and the church, is based on the people. The persons involved determine how the institution is developed and perceived. It’s the people who help the company grow, help the organization prosper, make the institution. The blueprints have been the same for centuries and what marriage was ordained for has not changed; what has changed are peoples’ belief, dedication, and reverence towards marriage. Whereas marriage was once looked upon by the majority as the culmination of a beautiful courtship, the perfect union of soulmates, the outward display of love and longevity, it is now viewed as a short-term contractual agreement, a business arrangement, a photo op or press release. More often than not, in today’s society, marriage is embarked on with little thought or preparation beyond the ceremony, as many do not value or understand the purpose of marriage or their purpose in a marriage.

With all of that said, the institution hasn’t failed, the people have failed the institution. While the divorce rate is increasing, please remember you have to be married first in order to get divorced! People haven’t abandoned marriage, they just don’t know how to be married. There is a difference. What has been lost, forgotten, and disregarded is the love that brought them together. Whatever events led to getting married, there was some form of love that guided the parties to unify and become one and somehow that love wasn’t developed and nurtured. A marriage is no different than any other job. It requires dedication, constant effort, strategy meetings, budget analysis, team work, and any other duties as they may arise. However the rewards far outweigh any salary, promotion, accolades, or awards, for love is immeasurable and exceeds any expectations. That which you receive from your job pales in comparison from all you gain from your marriage. The two aren’t in the same hemisphere.

So on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the gift of love. From all those I have loved and loved me, whether familial or relational, I am grateful to know what love is and to experience it for myself. I once questioned whether it was better to love and have lost than to never have loved at all. I no longer wonder because to love means to experience life at its fullest, beyond any conceivable notion. Love tends to take you places you never knew possible and make you feel and experience things you never knew existed. Even in loss, love is grand. Without love you may have never explored the possibilities or allowed for the opportunities. Even when those we have loved are no longer with us, there is a place in our innermost being, in our heart, that has been transformed, that has grown, because we loved and were loved. Even in our darkest times, the slightest memory, feeling of love can turn the most bleak of situations around. Love is a cure for all ailments and is the answer to most questions. Love can be the solution and the remedy when applied properly.

As we move into the season of celebrating and giving, I thank all of you who one way or another affected my life and shown love and shown me how to love. Love is ever-evolving and is a learned trait. We learn what love is from our surroundings, people we encounter, but we learn how to love from our circumstances and experiences. No matter the outcome, I know what love can be. I know its power and its pain, its joy and its turmoil, what it can give and what it can take away, and I would never trade any of it. Never count out love, never give up on love, never run away from love. At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, it’s all we may have left.

Remember, U, Me, and We = Love

One Love,

BlakkDiamond

Blow Out the Candles!

Blow Out the Candles

My destiny was designed before my life even began,

When God thought enough of me to add me to His master plan.

A twinkle in my Dad’s eye and a moment of ecstasy,

Here comes a bundle of a joy, my parents’ blessing and fantasy.

Their little man to take on and conquer the world,

To start a new revolution and charm the girls.

Possibly a tiny terror, too much to handle, a statistic waiting to happen

Never a second thought, wrapped me in love and made me a Captain.

A captain of my future, the director of my story, the master, and architect,

Armed by a heritage of warriors, a family of survivors, and boundless intellect.

Had to realize it wasn’t always where I was going, but where I come from

I was born of my Mother’s womb and saved by the blood of the Son.

Raised to be strong, stand on my own, fight to the end,

Anointed by Christ to be a king, a savior, and servant of men.

With each year a new lesson learned, another goal to achieve,

With each year I understand less, but the more I believe.

I learn to live life a little bit Moore and Moore,

Cherish the things that matter the most, my family, my friends, life galore.

Still on a journey, but far from where I began,

Putting one foot in front the other and leaving my mark in the sand.

So bring out the cake, light the candles, watch the flames burn higher,

After I make a wish, say a prayer, stand back, ‘cause I’m bout to set the world on fire!

1 True Love

1 True Love

When I first met you I was so infatuated, captivated, stimulated,

Being in your presence again is what I anticipated.

The more we talked, the more I learned,

The longer we were apart, the more I yearned.

The more we were together,

The more I thought, this could be forever.

Your style, your grace, your intellect had me intrigued,

Your versatility, your charisma, your aura filled a need.

It was more than a desire, more than lust

You filled the void I was missing, you became the one I trust.

Sometimes I get so lost just listening to and envisioning your words,

The trips you take me on, the images you conjured up are so superb.

Your presence, your style, the way you move, mere words cannot describe,

The way you command and captivate an audience, let’s just call it worldwide.

But it was more than flashing lights, parties, and good times,

Sometimes you would get so deep, drop a message and make me want to rewind.

Rewind back to a time when it was just me and you,

A hot summer day or stroll under the midnight hue.

A time when it was simple, fun, not so many distractions,

When it wasn't about the glitz, the glamour, the attractions.

Back then didn't fuss over who went first or who got the last,

Let bygones be bygones and left the past in the past.

Never was an issue over money & bills,

Just us against the world making it bend to our will.

When we first started, it was innocent and fun,

More about self-expression, learning one another, becoming one.

And even when we didn’t see eye to eye or things felt like they were coming to an end,

I knew no matter what, you would always be my lover and friend.

No distance or separation could sever our ties or tear us apart,

Whether you’re on the west and I’m on the east, you’ll always remain in my heart.

You bring tears to my eyes and put a smile on my face,

Light up the sky and make all the hurt dissipate.

The greatest of these is love and when I hear you, I know what God meant,

He loves me so much, in you, an angel He sent.

The love we share defies logic, transcends imaginations, evolves, and achieves,

Take one look, one listen, one touch, you too will believe.

You are clairvoyant, mysterious, rambunctious, righteous, and versatile,

But for me, you are bliss personified, love embodied, you make my heart smile.

No matter the tribulation, despite the trials, or on the verge of defeat,

A simple whisper from your lips lifts me back on my feet.

You are my strength and peace during the storm,

My comfort at night, what keeps me warm.

The dream-shaper, the mind-stimulator, the fire in my soul,

When I am with you is when I feel whole.

I close my eyes, envision your beauty, a creature so divine,

There is no comparison, no substitute, simply sublime.

With you, I am more than a conqueror, I feel immortal,

You are a window to a new world, my love portal.

The right word at the right time, the answer to prayers,

When all else fails, I can turn to you and share.

Share my hopes, aspirations, and fears,

Knowing you will have the right words to make it all clear.

Where would I be without you, what would I do,

At the end of the day, our love will always remain true,

Music, I love you.

Is Love A Choice?

Every part of life is directed by choices or decisions and are shaped by the proceeding effects. The choice to love is no different. I had an arousing and stimulating conversation with a group of people regarding whether or not love is an actual choice. The discussion was in-depth, provocative, informative, and left me wondering if my thought process was rational or relevant. Suffice to say, I had to go back to the drawing board to rethink some things.

For many, love is a overwhelming sense of euphoria that comes on suddenly, without warning, and renders its subject helplessly head over heels. But is that really love? {see “What Is Love ”for a reference}. Love is so much more than mere emotions. An emotion is simply a noun, a word used to name or describe a person, place, feeling, ideal, and is defined as follows: A mental state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a feeling: the emotions of joy, sorrow, reverence, hate, and love. In other words, it’s uncontrollable, without thought, and comes and goes at about the same rate and speed. The thing about nouns, emotions, are that they are stationary, uninvolved, lacking in movement. You may feel a certain way, an emotion may take you over, but what you do with that emotion, how you react to it, is the choice that makes the difference. It is at that moment when those emotions are demonstrated and expressed that love is realized.

So if an emotion is a noun, would you agree that love is a verb? A verb asserts something about the subject and expresses actions, events, or states of being. As one writer put it, “Love is always connected with what you do,” and what we do is love.” Love is what you do in spite of, because of, and regardless of. Still not following? Love encompasses all walks of life, is present in every relationship, and is multi-dimensional.

Love is what happens when you’ve worked 12 hours, multi-tasked and juggled corporate and family life, and still made it a purpose to read your children a bedtime story. Did you have to do that? Was your day not strenuous and exhausting? Would it have been not been easier to just put the kids to bed and take the rest of the evening to yourself? Despite all of that, your actions, your choice, was to spend quality time with the kids, to show love.

Love is what happens when, for no reason and no expectations of reciprocation, you randomly show kindness to a stranger, purchase a gift for a significant other, or go out of your way to show that special person how much they mean and are appreciated. It was done just because, with no pretense, ulterior motive, or waiting with bated breath for something in return. There are an endless number of things that you could have done with your time, money, and efforts for yourself, but it was love that led you to do for someone else, to choose to give unconditionally.

Love is what happens when your last, reserved nerve has been pushed to the limit and you are about to explode and act in a manner that is anything but Christina-like, but instead, you deter that emotion, swallow your pride, repress that anger, and regardless of who’s right or who’s wrong, you act with humility, respect, and gentleness as you turn to your significant other and say, “I’m sorry and I love you.” You may be completely right by anyone’s reasoning and logic, could have been mistreated, and feelings deeply hurt, but it is love that allows you to die of self and instead of lashing out and retaliating, extend an olive branch and emphasize and focus on love. Or putting it a different way, setting in motion resolutions, taking actions to rectify and build, choosing to move forward and not linger in turmoil.

Still uncertain, on the fence, indecisive? The “Summit Circle,” as I have affectionately titled the group of friends and peers mentioned earlier, proposed that love cannot be a choice as you have no control when love strikes or the magnitude in which it commandeers your life. Referencing Deborah Cox’s smash hit, “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here,” and the lyrics “How did you get here? Nobody's supposed to be here. I've tried that love thing for the last time. My heart says no, no! Nobody's supposed to be here, but you came along and changed my mind.” It appears Ms. Cox was taken off guard, unaware, and even trying to fight the feeling, her emotions. But if you take a closer look, you will see the actions, the choices, she made in the name of love. Although nobody (love) was supposed to be there, she tried it, made a conscious effort, chose to see what love offered and although initially it didn’t work or offer the results she was seeking, it (love) came beckoning again and changed her mind. Meaning she processed (verb - choice), contemplated (verb - choice), decided (verb - choice) to give love (take actions) another chance and see where it led her. In spite of the past pain, because of the endless possibilities, and regardless of the unknown and numerous variables, she is choosing love again.

Love is the choice we make. We’ve all heard the cliché “fall in or out of love,” but what that is really saying is that I am experiencing a plethora of emotionally stimulating feelings. Or the opposite end of that spectrum is that plethora of emotions has dissipated and the luster has worn off. It is what we do in between, the actions we take, the choices we choose, that demonstrates love. Do we act on the exhilaration and exuberance of feelings, pursuing it and discovering new horizons? Do we replenish that lost feeling, rediscover what once excited and thrilled us, attempt to reestablish what once was? Either way "falling" in and of itself requires action, making a choice, and love is the outcome of that choice.

Ponder this as you think about love and action being synonymous. Love in manifested in four different ways. "Storge," meaning affection; "Philia," meaning friendship; "Eros," meaning sexual or romantic; and "Agape," meaning selfless. None of the aforementioned forms of love exists as simply a noun, because without action they are dead. Without choice they are irrelevant, if never expressed, they never form to fruition, and if never used, they are wasted. Love is the voluntary act of selecting what is preferred, the determination of the mind, grasping the power of opportunity, utilizing judgement or skill in what is desired. Love is a choice.

Remember, this isn’t just about U or just about Me, but all about We. The only way We grow is if We share, learn from, help, and support each other. Agree or disagree, it's all about growth. Has love been your choice or a meager emotion? How can you choose to express love, pursue love, explore love? Come back soon as we’ll dig a little deeper and forge a little further. Also, be on the lookout for U, Me, and We hitting the radio waves. We're taking it to new heights and trying to reach as many as possible.

"Love is a verb. Love is something you do: the sacrifices you make, the giving of self. If you want to study love, study those who sacrifice for others. Love - the feeling - is a fruit of love the verb." Stephen R. Covey