Success is not your right, but your responsibility. You see your existence at this very moment is something of a privilege. I am a woman who miscarried a child. There is something about that process that demonstrates just how fragile life is. My baby was one of many that failed to be born. That child could have been you. You survived the miracle and tragedy of being birthed. There is triumph in your being here. Everyday a mother makes a choice that due to her circumstances, lack or resources or support, it is best not to introduce a child into this world. That decision was not made for you. There is honor in your being here, despite your circumstances, lack of resources or support.
You in your unique body, with your individual expression and your autonomous thought process, are a part of this big space that we call the universe. You are a piece of something. You belong to a family or a neighborhood or a community. You are a member of a state, a country and a continent. No matter what your personal feelings are about race or ethnicity there is a group of people that share similar characteristics and histories. You are a surviving member of that group. Who do you think you are not giving this life all you have? What gives you the right not to fight hard for your community? I am you and you are me. Who you become will either help me or harm me in some way. Why would you take that lightly?
Wanting the best out of life is not selfish. I want you to succeed because in succeeding you will influence me, my children and my family members. I will not tear you down because in doing so I hurt me. I threaten my own existence by not supporting yours. Do not be humble about wanting the best out of life. You owe it to us to be successful. There is a saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I need you to be all that you can be so that you can support me. Don’t be the weakest link.
WOW! …All I can say is…WOW! This message should definitely be spread to more readers. Thank you for sharing it with me!
Comment by A Lawson — February 8, 2010 @ 7:55 pm
I agree! This was an inspiration.
Comment by Chantea — February 10, 2010 @ 10:21 am
Thank you ladies for your continued support. I’m glad that you enjoyed my post. If there are others that you feel would benefit from this message, please direct them to my blog. Stay tuned for a new post soon!
Comment by admin — February 11, 2010 @ 10:31 am
What a wonderful affirmation I was fed by your blog. I am not selfish for wanting the best in this life. If not for me then most definitely to leave a legacy for my children.
I too lost a child. She was born and then passed away 3 1/2 months later. To look at her would have never known how fragile or sick that she was. She looked divine from the very start of her life. What she was born with, she nor I had any control over. She tried harder and harder everyday to live and I tried harder and harder everyday to live and be strong with her. I was determined to make it through that struggle with her.
See, in the beginning, the doctors told me “Jamayca, she will not live any more than 48 to 72 hours.” I could not comprehend those words at the time and put them behind me. After her first week of being alive, I saw her determination to live. She fought a good fight and I believe she fought for 3 1/2 months for my benefit. For me to learn, that with her life I can see my life as more precious than I had before. In her short life, she taught me strength, courage, perseverance, true love, and most importantly serenity.
How sweet is my life, this beautiful struggle to learn, unlearn, succeed and conquer. My daughter did not live long but she fought hard, to me that is a success. She is in a better place and yet left me a legacy to live fearlessly, take chances, and not worry over the things that are out of my control.
It is my responsibility to her memory and to myself to succeed, even when to others it looks like a fail. She is no longer here with me, but she was such a success at living. She fought hard, helped her Momma, and left a legacy…..which in turn is what I am expected to do to be a success before I leave this earthly body. Fight hard to live the best life possible, give back to my community what I have learned, and raise my children to do the same.
Comment by Jamayca — March 14, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
Amen Jamayca. Thank you so much! I can’t wait to buy a copy of your book! Your testimony is so powerful!
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 1:20 pm