Artwork by Shepherd Fairey

Be apart of history and vote today!

This morning I saw the most incredible sight.  I went to the polls at 6:55 am this morning and the line was already out the door and down the street.  Neighbor greeted neighbor with a hug, refreshments were offered, everyone was in a good mood…and voting.  It was incredible!

I was so in awe of my folks coming out early to the polls, all I could is look behind me and say “This is a beautiful sight.  It’s beautiful to see so many black faces out early to vote.”  I got head nods and agreements throughout the line.  I kept hearing over and over again that folks wanted to make voting the first thing they did today.  It was definitely an overwhelming moment for me.

If you haven’t done it already, get out and vote.  Make sure those you know and love have voted today.  Don’t let this day go by without being a part of the momentum to change.

Image by Hugh

Sometimes it amazes me how God can use a situation to bring you face to face with the one thing you don’t want to see or do.  We get so used to doing, feeling and acting a certain way, when HE says “enough!”.  I don’t know if this started out as a lesson, but I took a lot away from the brief experience.

I Want You To Move

A few weeks ago I had to put my 1990 Volkswagen Golf in the shop.  Usually I’m able to get it back the same day, but this time that wasn’t the case.  The back struts were rusted and corroded and needed to be replaced.  Here’s what I learned during my carless three days.

Face Your Fear

Being without a car left me to fend for myself and take public transportation into work.  I didn’t like the option, but it really was the only one I had (I didn’t want to inconvenience folks I know when I could get it worked out myself).  This took me completely outside of my comfort zone.  I mean, I’ll take the Regional Rail into the city, but dealing with SEPTA is a whole other animal.  Being around a large number of people sometimes puts me on edge.  What made matters worse is that there were reports lately that people were being beaten on the subway trains.  Not good…for me anyway.  I took a deep breath and told myself nothing was going to happen to me.  If my mom could go into the city on the subway for 28 days of medical treatment, I could handle it for the duration of my car being down.  Get over it and move on.

Move Out of Your Comfort Zone

I went to the SEPTA website and mapped out my route and time frame for the trip.  I live in West Oak Lane and work in Wynnewood, so the trip would take me about 1 1/2 hours (give or take a Regional Rail delay) and three connections.  Are ya kidding me?  Then I have to walk from the train to the seminary?  ARGHH!!!  This was going to hurt, but I sucked it up and got myself mentally ready for the onslaught of people traffic, running to make connections and hiking it up a suburban hill.

Naturally, because I’m in my “I need to be comfortable” phase of my life, I dressed according to my traveling needs.  Pants, a jacket and flat comfortable shoes.  Ok, I dress like that most days, but hey, it’s comfy.

I walked across the street to the bus stop.  I had to wait all of 2 minutes before the bus came.  So far so good.  I got to Broad St. and went down into the subway to wait for the Express Train to City Hall.  As I waited, I looked around at my fellow travelers and noticed how much fashion rode the subway everyday.  I mean, woman and men so well put together I felt like I had just rolled out of bed and threw on the closest thing to me.

Heels?!  On the Train?!  Yes, You Can.

We’re talking 3 inch heels, sharp dresses and carefully coiffed hair as if they just stepped out of the salon.  I won’t even go into how their flawless make-up tied it all up with a bow.  I have fallen well below the fashion poverty line.  I desperately needed to up my game.  But, I can’t wear heels on the train!  How the hell would I be able to walk quickly from one point to the next?  I mean, just because it looked like they could play basketball in theirs didn’t mean I could pull it off.  I don’t even wear heels when I’m driving (it scuffs the back of the shoe, or at least that’s what I tell myself).

Another 10 minute wait and the express came.  I got on the train and distracted myself from staring at people by reading a study guide I’d picked up.  The ride was eventless (thank God!) and I was soon making my way to the Regional rail, my third connection.  I’m walking through the tunnel and all I hear is the clicking of a million heels moving quickly behind, in front and beside me.  Again with the heels!  I mean, ok!  I get it!  I’ll start actually wearing the heels I keep buying and tucking away in my shoe closet.  I promise, just stop taunting me!

Be patient, Things Are Not Always In Your Control

I made it to the Regional Rail line and bought my ticket to ride.  For some reason I still can’t figure out, I didn’t buy the round trip, even after the cashier asked me.  I found which track the train arrived on and read the board.  There would be a 5 minute delay.  I was already pushing it with time and this didn’t look good.  So, instead of stressing I called into work and told them I was going to be late, exhaled and went back to my book.

Walking Into Your Destiny Can Be An Uphill Climb

The train let me off at Merion Station and I looked, I am sure, like I just got off the bus in Hollywood by way of Kansas.  After being directed to a tunnel that connects the two sides of the station (I’m sorry, but it felt like I was walking in part of the underground railroad), I made my trek to the seminary.  From the seminary gates I imagined the walk would be about 5 minutes to the top.  Afterall, the streets didn’t appear to be that long.  Ten minutes later, when I reached the midway point and still didn’t see Wynnewood Road in the far distance, I knew my imagination once again stared me wrong.  It was at that point I realized I needed to get my butt back in the gym because I should not have been that out of breath.

When You Can See How Far You’ve Come

Once I made it to the top of the hill, I turned around and saw the distance of the seemingly short street.  It was a long trek (or at least it felt like it), but I made it to the top.  I felt like I’d just made it to the pit stop on The Amazing Race.  I was waiting to hear Joe say, “Clesha…you’re team number one!”.

I looked back and saw the winding road and took a deep breath to finish the last leg of the journey.  I had to chuckle to myself when I remembered seeing all the Obama For President signs on the lawns of this tree lined, white suburban street.

You Still Have A Ways To Go

The seminary was across the street from where I stood and I looked at the distance I had left to walk in order to get to my desk.  I still needed to walk the length of the iron gate to reach the entrance (about 1 1/2-2 city blocks).  Once on the grounds, I would have to walk to the library.  Incidentally, the walk to the library would be in the same direction I’d just came when I walked the length of the iron gates from the outside.  The whole time I’m walking, I thought of a million and one ways to open the gate entrance nearest the corner without it being a security risk.  I made it to the library, out of breath and tired (did I mention how out of shape I am?).  It took me about 20-25 minutes to walk from the train station to the library.

As I got myself together, I couldn’t help but feel like I just accomplished something great.  I mean, I went completely out of my comfort zone and pushed through a fear that tends to creep up on my at this time of year.  I also realized that I’ve gotten too complacent with where I am in my life and, although I’m making an effort to move forward, I need to be patient and wait in the process.

I can wear heels on the train…and still get where I have to go.

Today is Blog Action Day! What is Blog Action Day you ask? It’s the one day a year when bloggers come together as one voice and blog about one issue.

This year’s issue is poverty. I thought it would be hard for me to find a personal point of reference to blog about that wasn’t as obvious as world hunger. It only took a second to reflect over my own upbringing and remember the stories told to me from friends and family.

I was raised in the inner city of Phila. and though my neighborhood wasn’t impoverished, it was considered the hood. Or, if you want to be PC, low-income. We didn’t always have the latest, top of the line anything, but we were never hungry or without a roof over our heads. I do remember walking up Woodland Ave. to the government issued truck and standing in line to receive our portion of peanut butter, cheese and butter. I didn’t see it as being poor, but as needing assistance from time to time. It was something that almost everyone in the neighborhood had, at one time or another, done. Everyone worked, but sometimes there was more month than there was money.

Fast forward to my adult life, when I go back into these same neighborhoods, I am so saddened and struck by the level of poverty that has settled into them. Abandoned houses, vacant lots, discarded trash and cars litter block after block. The same neighborhoods that used to have small businesses lining the avenue, mom and pop stores on every corner or home-based shops of some kind. I think about my years growing up and how we were free to be anything we wanted. Now, when I asked a few children in elementary school what they wanted to be when they grew up, a blink look comes across their faces and they really have to give it some thought. The question of environment stays in my mind.

I’ve also gone out with a grouped of folks from church to feed and minister to the homeless. This wasn’t done during banking hours, but rather from 12 am - 6am. I was told to really touch and help the people who need it; you need to go where they are at times when others won’t. The experiences were very eye opening. Especially when you learn that the face of homelessness/poverty is not what you may think it is. It may be the well dressed man next to you who is going on a job interview, or that child who is always so outgoing and well put together.

We, as a society, need to stop thinking that poverty is a 3rd world issue when so many Americans are without basic necessities. Sometimes the help needed is in your own backyard saying hello to you over that morning cup of coffee. There are so many ways we can help. We just need to be willing to stop looking the other way.

Here are a few things I thought anyone could do to help:

• Volunteer at a food bank.
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
• Start a soup kitchen at your church.
• Start a clothing (ministry) drive at your church and give them to those who need it.
• Take a meal to a family you know is in need.
• Help an elderly neighborhood not have to choose between medicine and grocery. Buy their groceries for them.
• 88 other ways you can get involved…

What are some ways you are lending a hand up?