How do I Prepare for the Unexpected?

Last week I witnessed a co-worker having a seizure. This person was right in front of me when it happen. I have to be honest it scared the mess out of me. I've never experienced anything like it. One minute we were working and the next I hear these wierd noises, see her start to convulse, see her eyes roll back... For the rest of the day, I could hear the noises in my head. I could see her on the floor. I couldn't get it out of my mind. I woke up the next day and still could hear and see the event as if it had just happened. Almost one week later, I can still hear it and see it. I can still feel the fear that I felt at that moment. To be honest with you, that fear is still with me. For example, lately if I call a family member and they don't pick up, my mind starts to wonder whether something happened to them. I grow anzious until I hear from them. It feels as if I'm paralyzed with fear that something bad will happen to me or those I love.

The seizure freaked me out because this lady has never experienced this before. She's fit, young and seemingly healthy. How does she go one minute talking and smiling and joking to the next minute on the floor, then waking up and not remembering what happened. I keep asking myself how does this happen, what causes it, what can I do to prevent it from happening to me, what... what... what? Have you ever felt this way before?

The truth is you never know what the future holds. The only thing we can do is live our life to the fullest. Live in the moment and embrace all the lessons for growth it offers. Tell the people we love that we love them, don't hold grudges or take anything too personal and stop procrastinating because tomorrow is not promised. Don't give into fear because God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.

During this Holiday season, I encourage you to love on your family and friends as much as you can. Even if you're not with them physically, call them or send them a letter and let them know you love them. If there is something you've been putting off, get up and do it. Don't live in fear for what might happen. Live everyday like it's your last.

Happy Holidays from me to you!

Bre

YES WE CAN!!!!

(last night at the Obama Rally in Manassas, VA)....

I'm in Manassas, VA with over 80,000 other people who support change... who support Barack Obama! It's so exciting and amazing. On the eve of the most important election of my lifetime, I'm honored and humbled to witness this in person again (my 1st Obama rally was during the primary season at Georgia Tech). To hear my grandmothers and other elders who experienced the civil rights movement... who know 1st hand the time when there were "Whites Only" and "Colored Only" signs at restaurants, restrooms, drinking faucets, etc.... talk about the time when they couldn't vote in the South because of Jim Crow laws. 40 years really is not a long time. They fought, dealt with injustice just so I could witness this - it's simply amazing. Ok one moment Barack just got here so I'll have to continue in a few...

(this morning, election day)....

After standing with 80,000 people, we waited almost 3.5 hours to leave the parking lot. It was 1:00 am when the police came to direct traffic but I was so surprised at how patient everyone was and how their spirit was not broken because of the wait. In this election, people refuse to be denied. No matter how long the wait. I've heard and read countless stories of elderly and disabled persons standing and waiting. One story in particular really moved me... a lady who was well over 70 and could barely walk waited in line patiently for her chance to vote. She had to have help to bring her to the polls and walk her through the line but she did not complain. Every hour or so she would take a pill to help her with her arthiritis, headache and other ailments but she would not go home. Her helper urged her to leave but she refused. She said, "I'd rather die with a headache having had the opportunity to vote for Obama." It is stories like this one that makes this election so special for me. So as I stand in line at 6:45 am (btw, the line is wrapped around the building), I'm inspired. I'm inspired to cast my ballot no matter what. I'm voting for Barack Obama because he inspires me to believe in my power to change my community and my world. Three little words, "Yes We Can," transform the way we dream, the way we see our future. I know that anything is truly possible in America. I know that when we set our mind to it, we definitely can do it and when we vote, we will do it. Regardless of your candidate - president, state senators/House Representatives, city council, etc, GO OUT AND VOTE! Exercise your rights. Believe in your power. We can't afford to complain about the "system" if we don't do our part to change. Voting is that integral part. YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE WILL!

VOTE TODAY!!!

Ignorance is never bliss

Last Saturday I attended a community health fair in the Trinidad community. It was a lot of fun and well planned (Great job, Ms. Juanita:))!!! There was a play reading about HIV/AIDS that I participated in. During the final week of practice, I shared with a good friend that I was doing this play. The person asked what part I was playing. I shared that I was playing the part of the 19 year old girl who struggles to tell her family that she is HIV positive. Now you would've thought I said I played a person who was going around shooting everyone and killing them because of this person's reaction. I was completely thrown for a loop. The person said, "you're playing the girl with HIV? Why? For real? Eeww!!! I would never play that role." I tried to remain calm but as they continued to tell me how bad it was to play a girl who is HIV positive, I could feel my blood pressure rising. Never mind the fact that art imitates life or plays/movies/tv are excellent ways to educate on issues that plague our community. I couldn't believe that this person compared having HIV to playing a role where I kill people. Don't get me wrong, HIV can lead to AIDS and a person can die from AIDS. But it is in no means a "nasty person's" disease. It is something that you can get when make some bad decisions. The same decisions that lead to unplanned pregnancies, STDS, and countless other things that are not considered a death sentence are the same decisions that can lead to someone being infected with HIV/AIDS: not abstaining from sex, sleeping with multiple partners without protection (remember condoms are only 98% effective, so there still is a chance), sleeping with one partner without protection who does not know his/her status, sharing needles, not getting tested and not knowing you have it and passing it on to others... I could go on and on but hopefully you get my point. This disease, when you engage in the risky behaviors I just mentioned, is something you can prevent by making wiser choices. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent being infected. Protecting yourself with condoms is safer alternative. Educating yourself - Knowing what HIV/AIDS is, Knowing your status and the status of those you're involved in...

Knowledge is POWER! Know your status. Get tested!!!

For more info on HIV/AIDS, check out this websites....

www.metroteenaids.org

www.wwc.org

www.thebody.com

www.nmac.org

Why I Walk... AIDS Walk 2008

On October 4th, I walked in the Whitman-Walker Clinic's Annual AIDS Walk. It was so amazing. There were thousands of people who came out to walk and raise money to end HIV/AIDS. Congratulations to Whitman-Walker Clinic. They raised over $700,000 for HIV/AIDS Awareness Programs. My team, Team Miss Black DC, is still raising money through the end of the year to support. I've been working to raise awareness and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS for several years now but never walked in an AIDS Walk before this year. During the Walk, I begin to reflect on why it's so important to me... I mean, no one I know personally has ever died from AIDS, none of my friends have HIV or AIDS, or do they???

In D.C., HIV/AIDS is at an all-time high. 1 in 20 D.C. residents are infected with HIV. 8 out of 10 D.C. residents who are infected with the virus are African-American. 9 out of 10 women in D.C. who are infected are African-American. Crazy, huh? Especially when this is something that you can prevent. For most of us, we have the choice whether we get infected. We choose whether to have sex or not. We choose whether to use protection or not. We choose whether to get tested and know our status or not. The choice is ours. Choose to protect yourself. Choose to get educated. Choose to put an end to HIV/AIDS!!!

I was so moved by the people that walked in the AIDS Walk and wondered what their stories were and why it mattered to them... To me, it matters because too many people like me are getting infected and dying. Too many people are perishing for a lack of knowledge. I walked for my friends, my sister, my 10 year old niece. I walked for youth in DC who are don't know how deadly this disease is. And I will keep walking and talking to people about HIV/AIDS until we put an end to this epidemic.


If you're interested in helping Team Miss Black DC raise money for HIV/AIDS in conjunction with Whitman-Walker Clinic, e-mail missblackdc@hotmail.com.


For statistics and other information of HIV/AIDS, see the following websites:

http://www.wwc.org/

www.cdc.gov/hiv/stats.htm

http://www.stophivaids.org/
http://www.thebody.com/

Who said Hip Hop was Dead

I love T.I.! From his first album about 10 years ago, I've always thought he was hot. As soon as I heard "No Matter What," When I actually listened to the words, I was like this song is the truth. When we face situations, we often question why we are going through them and take on a woe is me attitude. However, more times than not God is showing us something or preparing us for something. It is through our trials that we overcome. I wanted to share with you some real life lessons I learned while listening to this song. Hopefully it will encourage you...

1. Ali said even the greatest gotta suffer sometime.

2. God will take you to hell, just to get you to heaven.

3. I hope you can understand it, life can change your directions even when you ain't planned it. All you can do is handle it, worst thing you can do is panic, just use it to your advantage.

4. Make impossible, possible... even when winning is illogical, losing is still far from optional.

5. If your heart's filled with faith then you can't fear.

6. Even though it's heavy, the load I will carry, grin and still bear it, win and still share it.

7. Wonder how I face years and I'm still chillin? Easy, let go and let God deal with it.

The Evolution of BWub the IV

August 1, 2008


Up until about a year ago, I was a spoiled brat. Like many people I wanted it my way or no way at all. At an early age, I learned how to manipulate scenarios to get what I wanted. I often got mad when people told me no and took any and all rejection personal but through some really heart wrenching, "break me down to the core" type situations, I realized that it is not about me. Probably 99% of time it can't be about me if I am ever to achieve my God-given purposes. I guess you can say I evolved;) And so what I've come to realize is...


(1) God is love - PERIOD.

(2) Life is a journey filled with high mountains and low valleys - stuff happens so you might as well sit back and enjoy the ride!

We all make mistakes, we all fall down, there are times when we cry for what seems like an eternity but even the worst of the worst is apart of this thing called life. I told my best friend today "not to beat herself up for making a wrong decision. Learn from it and move on. Don't
take yourself too seriously." I share that same advice. Don't get to caught up in the low points, learn your lesson and keep it pushing.

(3) People always tell you what they wish they would do in a situation if they were perfect, NOT what they actually would do.

Truth is nobody ever knows what they would do until they find themselves smack dab in the middle of the situation. People often give advice on what they think they would do and not on what they actually would do. Why? I don't know! But the lesson here is everyone will have an
opinion; some may even judge you but take it with a grain of salt. Live your life for you and not
because of someone else's opinions or judgments. Please God and you'll be okay.

(4) It may not come when you want it but it'll be right there on time.

Let the church say AMEN:) There is this gospel song that says, "He may not come when you want Him but He'll be there right on time. He's an on time God, yes He is." I've learned that everything, I mean EVERYTHING happens in God's timing and according to what His plans are for your life. For the last 2 years, I competed to be Miss Black GA USA and did not win. The first time, I was 2nd runner up and the last time, I didn't even place. I felt rejected, dejected and like my dream to be Miss Black USA would not be realized... (smile) God knows the plans He has... After relocating back to the DC area, I was selected to be Miss Black DC USA (smile and wink). It's funny because in my mind I thought that things would happen one way and by a certain time in my life but I am so happy and blessed that they didn't happen my way at all. LESSON - Don't trip when what you want doesn't work out when you thought it would and the way you thought it would. God knows what He is doing and in His perfect time, your dreams, desires will come to pass.

(5) In solitude, true growth and development occurs.

LESSON - It's okay to be by yourself sometime. Usually life will take away friends, family and force you to sit by yourself sometime. Treasure these moments and learn who you are because it is in these times that you true growth happens.


(6) Out of your thoughts come your words, what you speak becomes how you live. Get your mind right!

Your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your life therefore choose your thoughts wisely. So many people, like me before my "evolution," think you have no control over your thoughts. So not true! We get to choose what we will and will not think about. And if you have the choice you might as well make it BIG right. A favorite song we used to sing in the children's choir says, I might as well think Big, why should anyone think small. I might as well think BIG if I'm going to think at all. That song has stuck with me over the years. LESSON - Think Big thoughts concerning your dreams, life's goals, relationships, Speak BIG things and then Live BIG!!!

(7) No matter how bad it looks God is working it out.

This ties into #4. Romans 8:25 says that all things work for the good of them who love the Lord. Sometimes things look soo, soo, soo bad. You want to give up because you don't see how any good could come out of your situation but then you get a call or something in the mail and then you realize that everything is going to be okay. No matter how far it seems from you reaching your goals, know that God will work it out because by "His mighty hand power works within us, He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine.


(8) We all have free will - No more slavery!

You can't force anyone to love you or do what you want them to do. They all have the right to say no and when they do - you have the choice to move on and find someone going in the same direction as you are. It doesn't make them a bad person or mean something is worong with you. It just means they've exercised their right to choose and you are freed to do the same.


(9) There is no a testimony without a test.

Every test you endure ultimately puts you in the position to help someone else. Be grateful for what you go through and know that when you come out, you can help to bring someone out who's going through hard times.

(10) Stay in your own lane.

I love this one. Don't compare yourself to other people and worry yourself with what they are doing or how they are living. My mom has always told me you can't drive two cars at one time - a wreck is bound to happen. Just focus on you and doing what you were created to do. When you're in your lane, you could care less what others are doing or not doing. You're running your race and that's what counts.


(11) Always look your best, ALWAYS!

Even in jeans take that extra time to put your best foot forward. People are taking notice. Even when you think it doesn't matter, it does. (I learned this one the hard way)


(12) Never, Never, I mean NEVER settle for less than the best.

That may mean closing doors on relationships where you're giving too much, saying no to drama, or stop pursuing the path someone else has choosen for you and go after your own dreams. Whatever you have to do, never compromise who you are and take less than what you deserve for the sake of saving a relationship, job, etc. Know that you are worth the best, deserve the best so don't take anything less from those in your life.

My Time Is Now

May 15, 2008

If you've talked to me at any time this year, you know I've been saying that this is the year where God is going to bring me to my purpose - really show out in my life. The last 4 years or so have been an emotional roller coaster, full of disappointments, ups and downs and just when I think I've finally climbed out of my valley, I inevitably fall so many steps back. On July 1st, I will begin my reign as Miss Black DC USA 2009. My selection as Miss Black DC is such confirmation of God's promise to pull me through this year and take me to my purpose Not that there won't be more difficulty but it's time to walk in my purpose and not be afraid. God is showing me that what I went through: the disappointments, the failures, the accomplishments, the mistakes, the lessons learned, everything was brought to prepare me for now - to help other women and encourage others to realize that there is a purpose for every life and that only in God's timing will that purpose be brought to pass. Until next time, stay positive and focused on reaching your dreams.

Bre