Enjoy the Holidays

To all of my Faithful Followers, Thank You for taking the time out of your very busy schedules to read my monthly blog. Through the years I've written messages I feel deserve a second glance, and this is one of them. My family and friends know I love the Christmas season. My preparation gets earlier every year. This year, I started decorating on November 1st only because my family said October was too early; is it? Anyway, it may sound like a cliche, but there seems to be a different spirit in the air during the holidays. People are more kind and generous; families and friends get together. Special foods are shared. But sometimes when we try to plan the "perfect" events, we get too stressed to enjoy them.  As Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve are quickly approaching, here are a few tips I've shared before, that may make your holidays more fun and less frantic.

Scale Back:  Unless you have a lot of household help, it can be difficult attempting the perfect Martha Stewart ambiance. I mean, who really needs a wreath made with fresh cranberries? Simple decorations can still be festive.

Simplify Gift Giving: Since my family is growing and our budgets are shrinking, we decided to draw names this year; literally picking names out of a hat. We've agreed spending more time together is better than spending more money.

Collaborate on Festivities:  Ask holiday guests to contribute to the party. Let them bring hors d'oeuvres or a dessert to your holiday event so you won't be responsible with all the cooking.

See the Holidays Through the Eyes of a Child: Most children want your presence instead of a present. Making memories like singing Christmas Carols as a family can bring more delight than a fancy toy. 

Give Yourself a Break: It may be difficult to find time for yourself, however, try. If you relax, your children, family and guests will be relaxed too.

Enjoy the Holidays!

Stormy Weather

"Expect the Unexpected" is a familiar phrase used to sell products, services and even promote TV shows. It's a way to invoke intrigue and mystery. Hearing those words may bring excitement when planning a weekend trip with your girlfriends, celebrating your birthday or trying a meal at the most popular restaurant in town. But who wants to hear "Expect the Unexpected" when you are starting a new romantic relationship, waiting for test results from your doctor, or wondering if you'll be hired for a job. The feeling of not knowing can loom large. I recently had an unexpected medical procedure that took me by surprise. However with prayer, a skilled physician and caring medical team, loving family and supportive friends, I was able to weather the storm and I continue to heal. 

Unfortunately everyone does not have a village to lean on when trouble comes. But that doesn't mean you just give up. There is always hope if you trust and believe. With the help of Living by Design, PaulTripp.com and Guideposts, here are a few tips that may help you when life takes you by surprise.

*Choose Faith Over Fear: Ground your mindset in the belief that divine love and goodness are stronger than anxiety.

*Practice Calm Obedience: Respond to sudden hurdles by focusing on steadfast, daily moral actions and follow foundational spiritual commands rather than panicking. 

*Engage in Good Works: Stay committed to positive, helpful actions and community support even when circumstances feel overwhelming. 

*Trust Completely: Surrender the need to control every outcome and lean on the assurance that a higher power is guiding you through the turbulence.

*Wait with Patience: Entrust the ultimate resolution to divine intervention, recognizing that difficult seasons can build long-term spiritual strength.

If you don't give up you can survive stormy weather.

Infant Mortality Awareness Month

September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a baby before their first birthday. I'll admit, that's not usually a topic discussed during your family reunion or when you're at brunch with your girlfriends. But maybe it should be. As an employee for a non-profit organization, The Mother's Cove, in Central Ohio, I work with young moms every day. Our primary goal is to keep moms and babies safe and healthy. Unfortunately, infant mortality is a health crisis and many communities across the country are struggling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2024 sadly more than 200,000 infants died in the United States. And those statistics are even higher when it comes to Black babies, who die at more than two times the rate of non-Black babies. 

 The five leading causes of infant mortality are:

*Birth Defects
*Preterm Birth
*Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
*Unintended Injuries
*Maternal Pregnancy Complications

This article isn't meant to scare you or leave you without hope. Because we can turn these statistics around if we all join this infant mortality fight! Here's suggestions from the CDC on ways to help:

Before and During Pregnancy: Manage chronic health issues; Eat a healthy diet; Get early prenatal care.

Follow Safe Practices: Follow the ABCs of safe sleep for your baby - Alone, On their Back, In a Crib; Remove toys, soft bedding and pillows to prevent suffocation.

Avoid Harmful Substances: Stop smoking; Avoid alcohol, marijuana or illicit drugs during pregnancy.

Community and Public Health Action:  Support family planning and help women access contraception to plan pregnancies safely; Build local partnerships by encouraging community groups to work with health clinics and share safe-baby resources.

Get involved and work with organizations in your community so we can produce "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, Healthy Outcomes"!

Buy Black

August is a time when many prepare their children to get back to school. It's also a great time to plan one more family trip before the Fall. But August is also National Black Business Month! It's an awesome time to support Black businesses and services. Black Business Month was established in August of 2004 by engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. and historian John William Templeton to, of course, help Black businesses grow. But it's also a great time to discuss why many Black businesses struggle to receive bank loans and to identify ways to advocate for public policies to help their economic growth. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in the United States. Finding ways to finance those Black-owned businesses shouldn't happen just in the month of August.  Here's a few ways to support Black entrepreneurs all year long:

*Shop: Be intentional when buying goods and services from Black companies. Check-out websites like The Black Wallet and WeBuyBlack.

 

*Share:  When you purchase from a Black-owned business, post on social media. Use #NationalBlackBusinessMonth to emphasize the item or event.

*Support: Invest in Black entrepreneurs through crowdfunding campaigns or by attending virtual or in-person events that celebrate them. 

*Stand up: Advocate for policy changes that promote equity and access to resources. Connect with local, state or national representatives to fight for changes.

Don't delay the chance to contribute to a Black-owned business. Who will you support today?

    

Triumph Over Trauma

Please see the latest edition of “Empowerment Magazine” attached . It is an awesome publication produced through First Church of God in Columbus Ohio. It includes great info, insights & an article I contributed. Enjoy

https://issuu.com/1stchurchempowerment/docs/empowerment_-_summer_2026

“The Fourth”

Many Americans will celebrate July 4th with parades, cookouts and of course fireworks. And since America will be turning 250 this year it will be very historic. However there are past events and current ones for that matter where our history has not been inclusive of all of our citizens. In July of 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his famous address, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York. He was invited by the members of the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. Although Douglass’ original speech was more than an hour long, actor James Earl Jones read a portion of it on the TV broadcast of “Democracy Today” which aired on July 4, 2025. No matter your political views I hope you will listen to these words from our American history.

https://youtu.be/xX-AlsQcZgs?is=rAWPWN4NsU_8MM0d

Daddy Day

I love my Daddy so much! And although he passed away in 2009, I still carry his love in my heart. He was the most patient, most loving and most handsome man I ever knew. And as many people prepare to celebrate Father's Day this month, it doesn't mean I still won't find ways to honor my Father: Norris Allen Barton. I'm not naive to think everyone had a positive relationship with their Father. However, if you were blessed with a supportive Father or have a Father-figure who has been a friend and mentor, you can still find ways to honor him too.  Here are a few suggestions:

1) Honor Dad's Love of Sports: Take him to see a game in your hometown or honor his memory by gathering friends and family together to replicate one of his favorite pastimes.

2) Support Dad's Hobby:  If Dad enjoys painting, go to a painting class together. Take him fishing or hiking if he likes being outdoors. You can also honor Dad by planting a tree in his memory. There are various local and national non-profit organizations dedicated to reforestation.

3) Enjoy Dad's Favorite Foods: Take Dad to his favorite restaurant or attend a cooking class together. Honor Dad's memory by hosting a potluck with family and friends as everyone shares stories about their Father. 

Hope you have a Happy Father's Day celebrating the Dads in your life.