Last night after watching the thirty minute Barack Obama campaign ad I felt an inspiration so deep words can only try to convey the strength of the impact from the ad. All politics aside, I saw a true leader standing on that platform. A leader who has been years in the making; poised and confident, ready for the challenges that are ahead. I'm not a political fanatic who is trying to sway anyone. Despite the pending outcome of this years election, he will forever be a living hero in my life. Barack Obama. There are few people who possess the qualities of real leaders. His character has always caught my attention. Steady and consistent. Who he is as a person is who he has always been, and that is something to admire in a leader. He's not afraid of ruffling feathers to inspire change. I have seen many 'leaders' who lack character. Character is one of the foundational elements of making a leader. Without it you're not a qualified leader, in my opinion. A leader has wisdom. Not necessarily wisdom that has come from experience, but rather the ability to look at a situation and have the common sense to make a decision that will yield positive results. Not decision making made without thought, or decision making reached out of haste. Wisdom. Most of all I admire his ability to relate to people. I think his interaction with people shows his heart. A true heart of compassion for others. And that is what moves me probably more than anything, a person who has a genuine love, concern, & compassion for mankind. Of course he's not perfect, but perfectionism isn't what makes a leader. He makes me see that nothing is impossible. He inspires people to unite. A door has been creaking open steadily for many, many years; being slowly pushed by leaders of the past, now Barack has flung the door open and taken a step to the other side. His courage to take it to another level is an inspiration to me. I think any race can appreciate the path he has paved for the generations to come. Come what may next week, Barack Obama is forever a hero to me.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A living hero
For me a hero is simply someone of great courage and wisdom; overcoming obstacles and beating the odds. A person of great character, someone to be admired for their work ethic; a life based on love for one another. Compassion. According to Webster a hero is: (a) a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities (b) one that shows great courage (c) the central figure in an event, period, or movement. I have a few living heroes that come to mind whenever I think of the meaning behind the word hero. Though a hero is generally thought of as a savior I know that a person can't save me, but rather influence me. Make a lasting impact on my life; a figure who has carved a deep impression on the inside of me, engraving just a little bit of themselves into the person I am. The person I will become. The people whom I hold in such regard are not just public figures for the world to see at but also those who most will never know.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Light bulb moment
Because of my chaotic background I've always possessed a certain level of independence. I've always had a select few people whom I highly value their opinion and acceptance of me. Now over the months of 2008 I've become one with myself and the general thought process about accepting my God given freedom and it feels GREAT! This weekend I had some photos taken of me, and as I was being directed to do poses, I harbored thoughts in the back of my head about what would certain people think. Though all the photos & poses were nothing to be ashamed of, innocent photos really. I was even intimidated by some of the onlookers who stopped to observe, as the photos were being shot in public. Randomly, another light bulb moment hit me: WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHAT THEY THINK ANYWAY??? Do the photos, exude the confidence of a King son, we're each entitled to believe that we're capable doing whatever our heart desires. We're all different for all sorts of reasons, live with it :)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I don't understand it!!!
Today at work was long and busy, yet very peaceful --for me. I can't really explain it. There was just this peace that covered me from head to toe. Things that have been bothering me for awhile with co-workers and just unavoidable work issues: tardiness, inefficiency, attitudes, careless clients, abuse cases etc. did not phase me in the slightest. These are things that I have to face daily in my line of work so get used to it is what I've been reminding myself constantly. I saw a serve animal abuse case today, that reinforced (to me) why I love doing what I do. People can be so cruel; bullies because they're the stronger vessel. I can't understand abuse and refuse to try. There just isn't a reason for it. One of the dogs I saw today had been burned by the owner and abandoned. Burned so severely there was no skin left on her back, revealing flesh and bone. What sense does that make??? How can anyone make sense of that??? Or how could someone do this??? I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT!!! But the up side to this is that the dog survived and will make a full recovery. I think my job is one given to me by God, to give back and be a voice for those that can't speak up for themselves. I love my job and am thankful to have the opportunity to give back everyday.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The need to feel loved and accepted
Patience is underrated. Why get in a hurry to see things happen or try to make them happen on our own, when we're mere mortals? Patience. All in due time things work themselves out to how they should be. I am not worried about today, tomorrow, or next week. What will be, will be so the saying goes. I've learned to accept that. There's not much I can do to change things. What is inevitable, will happen either way, right. I've been hurt a lot in the past. I've been hurt a lot this year, that to even stop and think of all the hurt inflicted I still feel a small jab right under my rib cage from the pain, the embarrassment, the feeling of being alone; abandoned by the ones you love and trust the most. I choose to believe that we're all good at heart. How can mankind thrive if we don't have some good in us, right? Or perhaps it's just my own naivety to think that everyone is good deep down, even if it can't be seen with the naked eye.
This past weekend I really felt that God reminded me why it's important to stay humble and not fret over things that are much too big for me to handle. Patience has brought me more answers and peace than what I would have found if I tried to fix my problems and change people. Yes, I've had some dear 'friends' throw me away this year but I've chosen not to worry about what they did or why they did it. And it's all come full circle. I'm engulfed in happiness...I'm almost drowning. I've found and bonded with people who care about me and want to be around me. I didn't have to go looking for these people. God allowed our paths to cross as I patiently waited and went about my life. I haven't felt this way in years and I love it. To be loved, desired, valued...all the things we as humans want to feel.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
How do rumors get started?
I don't like rumors, at all. In fact when someone typically tries to tell me something they've 'heard' about someone I don't even listen to it. Why waste my time concerning myself with something that is likely untrue anyway? Life is much too short to worry about what others are or aren't doing. GET A LIFE! :) We all have our own lives to live, right??? I had lunch with a close friend of mine Sunday afternoon, and I was informed of some different rumors going around about myself and people I'm involved with. Typically when someone tells me they've heard something about me it doesn't bother me, I have never had a problem with honesty. If you want to know something, ask me. It just irritates me when a group of lifeless people (losers), none of whom I know personally. In fact 90% of these people have never even talked to me --ever. So I find it funny that they can know SO MUCH about me. Things about me that even I didn't know!
After hearing some of the things that are being said I felt a little down, because I genuinely like all people. The thought that all of these random people have all these negative things to say about me kind of offended me. But once I took a moment to stop and evaluate some things, I saw the whole situation through a new light. 1. Look at where they live --of course there's no other source of entertainment other than gossip. 2. I'd NEVER associate with any of these people anyway --they're a social offense to anyone who knows how to enjoy life 3. I'm sure most of them have an IQ equivalent of your average 4th grader 4. None of them have experienced any culture since this area (location) is all they know --so gossip is the driving force in their lives.
This past summer was not easy for me by any means. I re-learned the importance of unconditional love and forgiving people. I've forged some truly amazing friendships in the wake of the madness of being ousted by one of my best friends. I'm not here to apologize to anyone for decisions I've made. No matter what is going on in my life, the main point is that I'm happy, I'm free, I'm loved, I have a select few friends who mean the world to me. Yes, I've become involved with certain people recently that could make a few people raise their eyebrows. It's safe to take it for what it is and not judge a book by it's cover. Everyone that THINKS they have a grip on what has or is going on with me is most likely wrong. I'm a free-spirit. Always have been, always will be. The black sheep --that's me. I'm me. I just had to do a little ranting because the rumor brigade kind of ruffled my feathers with all the foolishness. But what can I do???
"WE TAKE THE HITS AND MOVE ON"
-Teckie Matthews Hinkebein
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