Just a transparent moment

Had a great conversation with a young man who is finding & feeling his way up from bad choices and the serious consequences that followed. One of our great takeaways was “you can never find your way back to a place that no longer exist.” We often try to get back to where we use to be before our heartache, before our failures, before our betrayals,… but our experiences in life forever shape & change us, as well as reveal us. The old can never truly be recaptured. We can’t ‘unreveal’ or undo,… but we can rise, we can “be” and we can journey forward- knowing that everything we have gone through will serve a purpose & all that we truly are is more than enough.

He asked me the same question I asked him. “Well, how do YOU see yourself now in comparison to 10 years ago?” 10 years ago I would have easily defined myself as an encourager, a counselor, imperfect, a loyal friend, a square in the midst of circles, a listener, a good person most of the time… but today I think I would describe myself as brave because I choose to keep going forward- keep rising, keep discovering and walking out my best self, keep being friendly, keep pursuing MY dream for my life, keep helping & covering people, keep releasing those things and people which no longer make me better, keep forgiving myself,… I choose to keep showing up- keep anticipating victory in the midst of dealing with grief, heartache, failures, criticism, disappointments, the messes I make along the way and the uncertainties I encounter in life. That’s bravery. Courage. Grace under fire.

 

That moment of transparency gave way to a new and deeper level of conversation in which we both walked away better.

Be Blessed & Be A Blessing!

Wendy

#GodsGrace #EmergeWMR #OneLifeAndOneWordAtATime

Because I Forgot…

 Hello Self- It’s been a while since I’ve talked to you- actually it has been quite sometime since I’ve even looked at you.

But today, for some reason, I find it imperative that I communicate some things with you.

So many times I left you neglected- not listening to you when your heart would cry out; Not attending to your needs;

Not paying attention to your feelings but saying, “They were something you’d get over;”

Not paying attention to your brokenness but saying, “That’s something that will mend;”

Not paying attention to hurts and scars but saying, “That’s something that will heal;”

Not paying attention to your tears but saying, “They will soon dry up;”

Not paying attention to your accomplishments, but saying, “You can always do better;”

Not paying attention to the difference you make in the lives of others, instead saying, “There’s so much more to do;”

Not paying attention to your strengths but always noticing your weaknesses;

Not noticing when you’re tired and need rest but always pushing you to go, go, go;

I guess I just haven’t been in tune with you lately and for that I’m sorry.

But now, I am determined to make a change!!!!!

From here on I promise to attend to your needs and acknowledge your feelings.

I promised to keep you encouraged and motivate you.

I’ll always tell you to set high goals for you have what it takes to obtain them.

I’ll take time to be completely honest with you and honestly look at you. I’ll ask you how is it going and then I‘ll listen.

I’ll pay more attention to your talents and I’ll encourage you to use them.

I’ll help you feel good about the things you accomplish.

I’ll make you laugh and I’ll continually remind you that the Joy of the Lord is Your Strength!!

I’ll take time out everyday just to let you know how special you are.

I will no longer dwell on your weaknesses but I’ll find ways to strengthen those areas.

I won’t allow the world to beat you down, but I’ll build you up everyday in the Word of God.

You can count on me to Love you and to tell you so. Even when it seems the whole world is against you, I’ll stand with you and Believe in you.

I promise to take care of you and treat you better than anyone, except God could ever possible treat you.

YOU DESERVE THE BEST!!

© Wendy M. Reynolds

HEAVY

It’s been quite a while since I have just sat down and put the pen or pencil to the paper or even sat at the computer and written off the cuff. It’s been a little tough. Times are tough. Because of that, the pencil feels so heavy when I lift it. People have been going through – the world often feels as if it is having a nervous breakdown and sometimes I just don’t want to write about it. “Well, Wendy, write something else.”

Writing is about truth to me. It’s not just about putting words on the page. It’s about listening- listening to my heart, listening for God’s voice, listening to the hearts around me. And right now, this is my truth.  I write about hope- however hope must often be grasped through the midst of pain, broken hearts, loss, … hopelessness.  Hope is a hard sell when we hear of violence in our streets and suicides- when we see mudslides and tornadoes wiping out cities, boats capsizing and buses catching fire with precious children on board, missing airplanes filled with people, folks collapsing under the pressures of internal weight and stress- lives taken way too soon. Oh yeah, hope is a hard sell. But hope we must.

If we ever needed to grasp hold of hope before, it is now. If ever we need to extend hope to others, it is now. If ever we need to listen to the hearts of one another, it is now. If ever we need to be a bearer of good news, it is now. Although we are on the brink of walking in extraordinary times, folks are also on the brink of collapsing under the pressure of extended “life storms”.  They are quitting- throwing in the towel. Some folks are just walking away from life as they know it- just disappearing. Our burden bearers are weakening. People whom we’ve often looked to for help are wounded. Our faith is being challenged on every level. Our insides- damaged emotions, fears, pains, secrets… are spilling out. We are forced to find ways to help others while we are in need ourselves. But find ways we must. Yeah, my pencil is heavy, but I can’t EVER let my brother or my sister think that they are too heavy for me to hold.

To be continued…

Wendy M. Reynolds, MS/P

Remember…

Some days, as we move forward, we need to remember some things. Remember the good that has been around us, remember the people who sacrificed for us and who we sacrificed for, remember WHY we fight, WHY we love hard in spite of the hard headed and some times hard hearted folks we encounter, remember the lessons learned, the difference we made/make, remember how God always shows up…

Yeah… remember who we are in spite circumstance, in spite of mistakes and flaws, in spite of the let downs and betrayals- in the midst of storms, setbacks and uncertainties. Remember that we’ve outlasted many things designed to destroy us- some stuff, only God knows about. Remember that we are still standing. Purposed. Original. Amazing. Beautiful. Stengthened. Anointed.

Today, my prayer is that we remember who we are and that we walk in our own convictions, in our own purpose and in our own shoes- unapologetic of our God given brilliance and shine, leaving our own mark, making our own impact- creating a legacy that we can be proud of- a legacy that will surely out live us and touch lives we will never meet.

Good morning.
Wendy
#TodayIRemember #EmergeWMR

March 4 International Holiday™

Seven years ago today, I instituted our 1st March 4th International Holiday!™ We shared with each other how we were marching forth and what we were marching forth toward. We took time to celebrate & encourage each other on our journey. My facebook, website, email, & phone were flooded with messages, declarations,… Remember how amazing it was?
This year, when it seems as if folks are marching all over the world for freedom, justice, a fair political system, unity, validation, heck- for CLEAN DRINKABLE WATER, and just to be heard… let us continue our tradition of Marching 4th.

We have all faced storms, tough times, good times, setbacks, breakthroughs, victories… We could all use encouragement. SHARE with us and with others (at home, on your job, at church, at school, at the bus stop… HOW you are Marching 4th & what you are Marching 4th towards? What inspires you to keep going? Someone needs to hear YOUR story! TALK to folks over the next 7 days. ASK them about their journey. *LISTEN* to their hearts. ENCOURAGE them on their journey. Let’s flood and rock the world with encouragement and concern.

SOMEBODY is tired on their journey. It might be your child or that friend who has it all together- that Mom who loves on everybody, that person who pours out all he has to help others, that neighbor whom you hardly see anymore… SOMEONE is tired, struggling, falling, on the very edge of giving up… and you don’t even know it. Listen, I have been right there in that very place. It’s not easy to pull yourself up when you’ve felt kicked down, grief stricken, forgotten and the weight on your shoulders weighs a ton. But I kept going. And now I’m really packing with arsenal that can help others!

For the next 7 days (and beyond), let’s HEAR, challenge, empower, and uplift one another on purpose. LET’S HELP EACH OTHER LIVE. Lock arms, lock hearts, and March 4th together. Are you ready?

This is not some gimmick. Let’s go make an impact! Let’s go be the difference. Spread the word. Leave your comments, declarations, encouragement… Keep checking back over the next 7 days for other comments, past declarations from over the past 7years… and to add your input.

March 4th!
Wendy M. Reynolds
#WeAreImpact #MarchForth

Family. History. Legacy

So I’m sitting here talking with my Folks. I love learning about & discussing my family history. So proud of our #history on both sides of the family. This guy right here… He is my Dad’s Grandmother’s (Jannie Hudson) brother (so ummm… Dad’s great uncle), R.B. Hudson. Both my parents graduated from the high school named in his honor. #Impact #Legacy
Remember, History can’t ever be summed up in a month.

-Wendy
http://bit.ly/1ZjI6cP
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R. B. Hudson High: “This school was the city of Selma’s first public high school for African-Americans. Completed in 1949, the school was named in honor of Richard Byron Hudson, a Black educator who had served for 41 years as principal of Clark Elementary School, Selma’s first elementary school for African-American children. 

From 1963-1965, students from R.B. Hudson High School and surrounding county schools played a vital role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These students actively participated in Civil Rights demonstrations that led to the advancement and passage of Civil Rights legislation. After integration in 1970, the school name changed to West Junior High School. In 2000, the school name changed to Chatt Academy. On May 10, 2012, R.B. Hudson’s name was finally reestablished, and the school is now known as the R.B. Hudson Middle School. ”

Excerpt taken from Historic Makers Across Alabama
http://bit.ly/1ZjI6cP

History Can’t Be Summed Up In A Month

I’m honored to be the niece of Ernest Doyle, a member of “The Courageous Eight” of Selma, unsung heros of the Civil Rights and The Voting Rights Act.

“The Courageous Eight” stood so that we could have the right to stand & vote. My Uncle, Ernest Doyle, who passed in 2011, was President of Selma’s NAACP and a leader of the 1965 March in Selma, Ala, (seen seated under the Selma NAACP sign ), was The first African American voted into office after restructure in Selma and was later honored by President Bill Clinton for being a “Courageous Eight” and Leader. 

His story of courage in the face of violence and civil injustice is on permanent display at The National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, Ala.

We must know our History, be proud and pick up the mantle to lead, create future history and leave a legacy that we all can be proud of!

-Wendy M. Reynolds
#ThePowerOfTheVote
#MyVoiceMyStory

“Everyday we all make history- history that cannot be summed up in a month.”

-Wendy M. Reynolds