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- This reminds me of how we have to continue to look forward no matter what life throws at us. And do it with a smile!
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- Thankfulness takes me there. Service takes me there. YOU, take me there.
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- This is me after the last group mentoring session of the year. I rush over as it was my friend’s graduation day! And guess what! She later became a mentor! …an outstanding one at that!
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- Here are a few mentors with the mentees at a Wizards BBall game.
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I appreciate my mama for about a million reasons. One reason is because she makes homemade biscuits. (I think this skill was lost on the new generation, but I digress.)
Another is because of the many lessons she’s taught me over the years. She used to always say “Give people their roses while they can smell them.”
But I didn’t like roses as a kid. After all, they were for girls right? What I thought she meant was to give others roses … about six weeks into spring, whilst the aroma of life and freshness was at its maximum… dancing on the edge of petals. .. softly and brave… like a child’s first footsteps in front of proud parents…
I digress… 🙂
The lesson was actually about being appreciative NOW. Today. For all things. And also about showing that appreciation externally. Good lesson eh?
So folks who know me, know that I have a super high appreciation for thankfulness. They also know I fully believe in the power of words. My twitter followers see this everyday in the #10AMPrayer. One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of James. And James 3:6 says that “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.”
So I say, if our tongues are fires, let them BURN away our troubles! Let them BURN away our fears! Let them BURN away everything keeping us from the service we’re made for and everything stopping us from operating in excellence! And YES!!!!!! …let our tongues make room for our purpose and passions! If our tongues really have the power of life and death, then I’m choosing life. How about you?
I can hear my mama speaking that life now… “Gee, you tell that Capital Cause to choose my baby. (with a laugh) And you go do well and you keep doing well and making us all proud. There’s a calling on your life that you can’t shake, so keep doing right and living the purpose that has been set before you. And you take God with you.”
I will mama. I will.
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So here’s where you come in. Click HERE to like my picture and vote for me. My goal is to get to 500 likes. Then, if you will, post it to your own Facebook page and have your friends to like my picture also. I’d love to see you on November 14th where you’ll have your chance to vote for me in person in the finals.
We don’t do what we do for the appreciation, but appreciation feels good. 🙂 Thank you.
Lastly, I have supported Capital Cause for years now and hope that you will also support them all. Check out their Giving Circles Project. It’s amazing!
Today, I’m thankful for mama, thankful that someone cares enough to say thank you to me, and thankful for the LIFE of our tongues.
BTW, see the comment below to read my full nomination.
Capitol Media USA 
Here’s the nomination!
Gee James is a bridge builder that believes in living on PURPOSE and with PASSION! He is the type of Young Philanthropist who changes lives, serves without complaint, and gives back without need for recognition. He loves mentoring young minds and helping others maximize their God-given potential
He has demonstrated his commitment to service by volunteering with organizations such as: Thurgood Marshall Academy Mentoring program, Shalom Outreach Inc., Capital Cause, the NOVA Urban League YPN, the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN) and PGCC’s mentoring program, among others. He has also championed causes such as breast and prostate cancer, professional mentoring, financial planning for youth and young adults, poverty, personal health and wellness, and blood donations, among others.
In addition to volunteering to support these organizations, Gee has also led a team that has donated more than $50K, much of which has been given anonymously, to scholarships and service programs operated by non-profits and programs doing good in their communities.
Additionally, Gee James is a trained freelance writer and photographer that believes one of his purposes is to use those talents to spread awareness of the many unpleasant conditions and disparities of our world. He believes that when people are moved with passion and groomed with education, things will change. He’s committed to that change. Gee James is currently developing curriculum for youth that will allow them to use the tools of writing and photography to create their own stories of purpose, passion and change.
When President Kennedy challenged Kennedy to “Be the Change You Want to See in the World,” he was surely referring to people like Gee James. He leads by example, and he serves others without complaint.
Posted by gjames432 | October 24, 2012, 1:35 amYour mother has taught you well! I chuckled at the biscuits (some of us do know how to make them from scratch). Continue to pay it forward, and other will follow in what you do. You are a inspiration to others! Best of luck in your contest, you are halfway to your goal!
Posted by goldenseduction | October 24, 2012, 1:45 amNice read Garrett!
Posted by Ambiance of Love | October 24, 2012, 8:03 am