Scottish Rite, NMJ’s Post

Behind me is my family. My ancestors who were laid to rest in the town of Kyle, TX. I visited as a child with my mother on a long train ride from California. Kneeling at the grave of my grandfathers’ grandmother brought forth emotions of pain, gratitude, sadness, respect, reverence, and honor. To think of the experience arrests my heart, mind, soul, and identity. My grandfathers grandmother. Paid a price that was sacred. One so costly that simply discussing it requires a sacred responsibility. A responsibility to never judge someone by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. To never pretend or spin the facts about the reality of our reality and history, regardless of how painful it is, and to use it as a guidepost not a hitching post. A responsibility to avoid attempting to make two wrongs right. To never engage in disrespecting someone because they don’t look like us, vote like us, date like us, or grew up differently than us. A responsibility to match the commitment to discussing history with actual policies that empower all American constituents to live their American Dream. To understand that leveraging a painful history to achieve political means and power is vile, and to do so is disrespectful in the highest regard. A responsibility to recognize when our heart is misaligned with our feet. To understand that regardless of your political affiliation as a public official, you have a sacred responsibility to foster an environment and economy where everyone has an opportunity to truly win. To ignore that responsibility is a violation to everything that we keep in our hearts as sacred. My grandfathers grandmother. Her journey and story is… SACRED. #sacred #sacredground #blackhistory #history #kyletexas #lovewins #respectall

Personal and professional growth require effort and time. We can take heart in knowing that “the Lord loves effort” (Joy D. Jones, general conference, Apr. 2020). We can ask Him for help in all of our endeavors. Find opportunities for professional growth with the Church: https://lnkd.in/gtH5zkU8 #CareerGrowth #GrowthMindset #ProfessionalGrowth

Opal Lee, the 97-year-old grandmother of Juneteenth (NPR, June 19) exemplifies the EQ skill of optimism and how it guides us and positive change forward. Optimism is not blind to reality or danger. It is rooted in hope, faith, enthusiasm, and expectation. At 89 years old, Opal Lee walked 1,400 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., as part of her push to make Juneteenth a holiday. "I felt like if a little old lady in tennis shoes was walking from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., somebody would take notice," she responded. She walked 2 1/2 miles a day, representing the 2 1/2 years that enslaved people did not know they were free. People joined her along the way, and six months later, she had garnered 1,500,000 signatures to deliver to the White House. ✅ Optimism is not blind to reality and danger. ✅ Optimism is not all words (and perhaps toxic positivity) and no action. ✅Optimism is our ability and tendency to look at the brighter side of life and maintain hope in the face of adversity. ✅It enables us to see the future as an inviting place even in the face of adversity. Of course, there are times when our optimism is low. However, as a leader, it is worth the time, effort, and exploration to understand your engagement with optimism and what you need to fill your cup - because you directly impact others. #optimism #bethechange #opallee #emotionalintelligence #community #purposepassionaction

On this feast of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, we honor a man who embodies the virtues of integrity and fidelity. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gwy3_puE #holycrossus #congregationofholycross #feastofstjoseph

Today, we celebrate St. John Paul II, our first Polish Pontiff and the second longest-serving Holy Father, a powerful Saint who left a legacy of conviction and examples of what total devotion to God looks like. In his 1981 encyclical, his powerful teachings in Laborem Exercens (On Human Work), JPII elevates the dignity of human work.  His words remind us that labor is not just about punishment, struggle, and strife, but it’s about partnering and co-creating with God in the building of a more just and dignified society. Here are our favorite takeaways from Laborem Exercens: 💼 View work as a path to holiness: Our jobs, no matter how big or small, are opportunities to grow closer to Christ and serve others. 👥 Human dignity comes first: Work should always respect the inherent value of the person, it’s about people, not just profits. 🤝 Collaboration over competition: Through solidarity, we recognize we’re all connected and responsible for building a more loving community. 🌎 Work transforms the world: JPII believed in our work’s potential to renew culture and society, calling us to strive for the common good. “The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with him in the building of the civilization of love.” - Saint John Paul II  How do you find dignity and greatness and the work you’ve been called to live out today?  #StJohnPaulII #JPII #DignityofWork #YCP #LaboremExercens #FaithandWork #YoungCatholicProfessionals #WorkinginWitnessforChrist

📌 Here are my 3 Reasons for supporting Kamala Harris for President in 2024 1. Vice President Harris is a woman of color (having an Afro-Jamaican/Hindu father and an East Indian mother). I support people who share my African heritage and who advocate for the interests of people of color. My love for my people does not diminish my love and respect for other ethnicities. All people are created in the image and likeness of God. 2. Black people, women of color, and Black women in particular, have been the core constituency for me and my life’s work for over 40 years and have been the support base of most Black ministers and churches in America. The interests of Black people as a community should be our interests and are certainly mine. 3. I am vehemently opposed to Project 2025 - the blueprint for a far-right political agenda. Donald Trump has a proven track record of following the recommendations of The Heritage Foundation which created Project 2025 and is an organization known for promoting white nationalist objectives and mandates for morality. I do not adhere to white nationalism nor do I believe that morality can be enforced by law. God demonstrated that reality by showing how Old Testament legalism was ineffective and replaced it with the better covenant of Grace in The New Testament. God has endowed people with the ability to make choices with the understanding that consequences follow our decisions. Teaching morality is the primary responsibility of parents and your faith, not the government.

Did you know a Celebrant can help create a unique tribute for your loved one? These trained professionals work with your family to craft a personalized service that honors your loved one's life and legacy. Find out more about how they can help: https://lnkd.in/gWYYuTDu

This reminds me of quote I heard: Marriage is hard. ==> Divorce is hard. –Choose your hard.  Being overweight and out-of-shape is hard.  ==> Staying fit and trim is hard. –Choose your hard. Being in debt is hard. ==> Being financially responsible is hard. –Choose your hard.  Having broken and unhealthy relationships is hard.  ==> Maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family is hard. –Choose your hard. Life has its challenges but delaying the action can never make it easier, and not making a choice of your hard is still a decision. So make the choice today to take that action that will move you closer to that thing you want in your life. If you need some help let me know. #nomoreexcuses

Some interesting facts about St. Patrick’s Day: St. Patrick’s Origin: Despite being the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was actually born in Britain. He was captured into slavery and taken to Ireland, where he later returned as a Christian missionary. No Snakes in Ireland: The story of St. Patrick driving snakes out of Ireland is a myth. In reality, Ireland has never had any native snake species to begin with. Leprechauns and Fairies: The leprechaun, often associated with St. Patrick’s Day, is derived from Celtic folklore. These ‘small-bodied fellows’ were believed to be fairies and were known for their shoemaking skills. “The Luck of the Irish” is a phrase that originally emerged in America during the gold and silver rush eras, when Irish miners were often successful in their endeavors. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not an old Irish saying but an American one, and it was initially used in a somewhat derogatory way to attribute the Irish miners’ successes to luck rather than their hard work. Over time, the phrase has taken on a more positive connotation, celebrating the Irish for their perceived good fortune and resilience, especially in the face of adversity. Today, it’s commonly used to express good luck and is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

The Man Who Started It All: The Philosophy of Personal Development! The Author of 'Think and Grow Rich,' 'The Law of Success,' 'Outwitting The Devil,' and many more fascinating books on how to harness the power of your own mind and become the strongest version of yourself. Who are you, really? What is your purpose? Think 🤔, Grow 🪴, Prosper 💰! Make it a great day!