There isn't anything better than to BeSquared!
Inspiration and Thoughts
Seven Years Ago, I was a freshman
Aug 20th
Working in higher education is very interesting, everyday I get a chance to reflect upon my own experiences as I help students transition into this experience. Seven years ago I started this journey when I moved into my first residence hall at North Carolina A&T. The process wasn’t always smooth, trying to meet new people, re-adjust to my original hometown and even get myself into higher education mindset. While my adjust period was not that hard; however, in my personal and professional experiences the hardest part of this process can be less on the students, but really on the parents. More >
To Yield…or not to yield? Why are we yielding?
Jul 7th
The English language is so interesting. Webster’s dictionary defines the word yield in a number of similar but yet distinct forms. We can yield a bounty, but simultaneously yield our ambition to a more powerful entity. Daily we are forced to yield to on-coming traffic… or at least we are told to yield to on-coming traffic. (The drivers from the Benning Road ramp to DC 295 or from DC 295 onto US50 east don’t get it.)
Yielding can mean so many things but when we look at from the perspective of people who live in a world of dichotomies, then yielding does not fit. If we are to either be on/off, black/white, stop/go, to tell someone to yield then how do we figure it out? I too am having one of those moments trying to figure out what it means to yield in regards to my professional development. I have run full steam for so long and made myself an asset and to be told yield confuses me and in fact seems like a slap in the face.
Nevertheless, we have to go through these moments where we make the best of an interesting situation. Determining how we can grow and develop is very important. While we are told to yield for oncoming traffic, we may just be ready to reap a bountiful harvest.
My friends, who are what are you yielding your ambition/hopes/dreams to and how are you going to get past that roadblock and reach your full potential?
-Brandon
Friday Moment of Faith
May 27th
The recognition of that I am still constantly growing in faith is a reassuring fact for those days when things are looking down and optimism is at an all time low. The assurance that we are never alone keeps me going and confirms that mistakes happen and we can still pick back up and start over again.
This morning I want to share a brief message as we go into this Memorial Day weekend. I hope that everyone uses this time to reflect, remember and reorient themselves to address the visions/issues/goals in their lives and in our collective communities.
Eternal God, we thank you for Jesus, who brought hope to the distressed, promise to the despairing, and healing to the afflicted. In him there is the gift of life eternal to all who believe. We thank you for your Holy Spirit, who calls us to labor. As Christ is the vine, you name us the branches and send us forth to bear much fruit.
Let love lead us to be more forgiving, and add to love the discipline to be a reconciling force in the world. When enemies taunt us, assure us of your presence as we seek patience and inner strength. Amid tensions caused by misunderstanding, suspicion, or lack of trust, send your Spirit of insight and hope. Help us make the first move toward those we have offended, forsaking our pride in seeking peace.
Let love lead us to be more daring. Give us the boldness to speak out on behalf of the voiceless. Let us not be afraid to venture into dark places, or into situations in which we are not in control. Fill us with the confidence that you will not desert us, the assurance that what we do is in accord with your will. Keep us from becoming frustrated by the many faces of evil, and set our sights on those injustices that we can overcome.
Let love lead us to be more trusting. Give us the faith to make Christ supreme in our lives. Help us translate our words of confession into acts of compassion, our desire to be faithful into deeds of obedience. Your love does indeed work wonders. Work now in us, so that others may behold your love.
–from When We Gather: A Book of Prayers for Worship, by James G. Kirk. (Louisville, Kentucky: Geneva Press, 2001), 188.
James G. Kirk is pastor of Harundale Presbyterian Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
http://oga.pcusa.org/perspectives/feb03/feb03-prayer.htm (Published February 2003)
To be proud of my parents…
May 19th
Thanks to DDOT’s Communication staff for posting the video of the nomination. Nomination of Terry Bellamy (via DDOT Videos) DDOT like most other agencies in the District of Columbia provides functions of a local and state-level transportation agency. Since January, he has led the agency on an interim basis and this is just further confirmation of the Mayor’s trust in him. Overall, this is just kind of a big deal…
During the press conference I was texting my mother and sister who were both watching via the live-stream. It was hilarious that in real-time both of them were like “Dad forgot Kendra!” However, it was very much a proud family moment even if we were all not physically in the Wilson Building for the 5 minutes of the spotlight. It was an very awe-inspiring moment for as I look at one of my role-models and try to take on some of his characteristics, as I have done with my mother.
The role of good parents is to set examples of positive behaviors that their children can draw from. It should not be expected that children draw every behavior from their parents, but they should be the role model for them. Everyday I realize how much I am like my mother, in the way we interact with each other, our students and in our commitment to education. Many of my mother’s colleagues have even noticed that in similar situations we have the same exact expressions and reactions. Through her examples I have learned the importance of being an educator and I try my best to remind her that she needs to go on back in start her Doctorate before I do.
So I ask you, are you proud of your parents?
