Invictus - Nelson Mandela's Encouragement

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul

Wordless Sunday

Public Health Social Marketing Messages

If you know me well you know I totally ENJOY really cool public health social marketing campaigns.  I have decided to start a series highlighting what I believe is great messages.  I visited one my jobs partner agencies the other day and they do a lot of work in HIV/AIDS.  The executive director gave me her business card and I just happen to flip it over and it stated the following

What does HIV look like?

It may look like you!

I told her that took me  back a little and I that is hard to do.  But I love that it did.  It reminded me that AIDS does not have a look.  Get tested and use condoms was the take away.  What is your take away?

Five Stages of Grief

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross developed the five stages of grief.  I believe these phases can apply to other elements of life besides grief over someone's death but also grief over the end of a relationship, a move away from family and friends or just a transition in one's life. 

5 Stages

1.  Denial
2.  Anger
3.  Bargaining
4.  Depression
5.  Acceptance

The key is not to get stuck in any of the first 4 stages.  That can be hard but we have to try!!!

How to be Alone?

I thought this video was pretty cool and thought I would share it with you all!!!

Education and Voting

I have a friend that always says the two most important things we can do is pursue an education and vote.  His basis for that position is that those are the two things that people fought and died to stop blacks and women from getting an education and casting their vote.

And as we know these are powerful tools.  I think specifically about the ability to read.  Knowing how to read is empowering.  When you are able to read people are less likely to take advantage of you.  This came to a head for in the midst of something I am currently experiencing.  People assume you do not know your rights and that you will believe what you are told.  Thankfully I am an investigator and partly skeptic of people thu I am always looking for documentation and documenting. Reading is so powerful and I love it!  I am steadily building my library.  Someone once said the best thing to do to hid information is put it in a book, Do it, bring it on I will find it!!!