Let your Soul Glow!

The pageant is slowly approaching. I apologize for not updating the blog, my wireless connection hasn't been my best friend this week so I can only access the internet from my blackberry.




Here are a few places that you may want to look in to for waxing, airbrush tans, or any other body treatments...
-Blue Mercury in Georgetown does great waxing, and they use a fairly painless green wax

-Skin Beauty Lounge is another great place. Meka Mathis is a good friend of mine and she knows to take care of any Miss DC 2011 ladies...and treat them like princesses



-Glow Tanning Salon on Wisconsin Ave in Gorgetown (across from Aveda). Its a small place but really great for the price. Ask for Linda Hardiman...1334 Wisconsin Ave., NW 202-338-4569



-I went to Erwin Gomez for my services, but I would not recommend it if you are on a budget.


-If you are a do it yourself girl try Sevin Nyne Self tanning lotion as a base and follow w/ the spray...the website will instruct you on how to use it. You can find it at Sephora.


...remember exfoliation is key before any spray tan, or else you will have zebra stripes. Get a good exfoliator, and also try dry brushing before you get in the shower.



Also for those of you cringing at the thought of waxing...get over it! Its part of the process to look your best. And if it makes you feel better I had my entire body waxed before states and every time after I won (tmi I know, but we're all in this process together).


Also if you don't get professional teeth whitening go to the nearest drug store and get Crest White strips...you will be talking a lot, smiling, and speaking with the judges...a bright smile is an important accessory.


Also when you are doing manicures and pedicures, keep it simple. Essie and OPI have great neutral palettes, and if you don't know what color to go with, a very sheer pink will work. Leave the long acrylics/tips for another time. And a french manicure or pedicure aren't personally my recommendation...you don't want anything to distract from YOU and your natural beauty.
 
XOXO,
MacKenzie

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Take a Walk on the Wild Side - College Fashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Take a Walk on the Wild Side - College Fashionista

XOXO,
MacKenzie

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Fashion for the Change of Seasons - College Fashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Fashion for the Change of Seasons - College Fashionista

XOXO,

MacKenzie

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Rat Pack Resurgence - College Fashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Rat Pack Resurgence - College Fashionista

XOXO,

MacKenzie

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Easy Breezy Sophisticated Style - College Fashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Easy Breezy Sophisticated Style - College Fashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: All Hail - College Fashionista

I'm the newest Style Guru for Collegefashionista.com

I've been slacking on sharing posts...so here's my latest! Go and leave a comment, I love to get feedback from everyone.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: All Hail - College Fashionista

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Gettin' My Martha Stewart on veg style

Hey ya'll,

So I've been slacking off on posting some of my fav vegan recipes.  The recipes I post are approved by vegans and non-vegan (my parents).  And 9 times out of 10 the recipes get rave reviews (my parents don't care what I marinate it in...they will never like tofu).

This one is one of my all time favorites.  Its Sicilian Greens.  Its a great recipe for me because left to my own devices I would only eat bean and grain dishes...thankfully this allows me to get in dark leafy greens.  As anyone knows dark leafy greens are an important part of any nutrition plan because they are packed with vitamins.  Also the taste of this dish is out of this world.  The raisins and the collard greens have such opposite flavors that it works perfectly.  And the pine nuts make the dish feel hardier than it is.  I've never been a fan of collard greens but this dish made me a convert.  I've been known to sit down and eat just this for a meal (I rarely have left overs).

So here it is...

(A picture of the Sicilian Greens made by your truly)

Sicilian Collard Greens with Pine Nuts and Raisins

1 bunch of collard greens (I shop at Whole Foods a lot and they have a great pre-washed greens container, sometimes I'll cook 1-2 of those containers at once...I'm a single girl I don't want to slave away in my kitchen haha)

2 Tablespoons of pine nuts (I toast mine)

3 cloves of garlic (I'm a garlic fiend so I've been known to use 6 cloves)

2 Tablespoons of olive oil

3 Tablespoons of raisins

2 Tablespoons of Organic Shoyu (you can find shoyu in the asian food section, or if you want a sweeter dish use balsamic vinegar)

Directions
Use a sharp knife to cut out the central rib and stem from each collard leaf. Rinse the leaves in a sink of cool water, lifting them into a colander to drain a bit (you want some water to remain on the leaves).


Toast the pine nuts over medium heat in a dry skillet for about 5 minutes or until golden. Shake the pan often to keep the pine nuts from burning. Transfer to a plate, and set aside.


Place the garlic and oil in a large skillet, and sauté over medium heat for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant. Add the damp collards and stir, then cover the pan and cook for 2 minutes longer. Add the raisins and pine nuts, and stir. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, cover, and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer.


Note
The stems of the collard greens are full of minerals, so if you want to use them, chop them into 1" pieces and cook for a couple of minutes before adding the collard greens.


Its meals like this that make me love being vegan.  There are so many nutrients packed in this one delicious dish.  And the recipe yields 2-3 servings...but I really don't feel guilty chowing down on collard greens.  Its a great dish when you're in that noshing mood.

Hope you all enjoy making and eating this as much as I do.
XOXO,
MacKenzie Green

You Spin Me Right Round Baby Right Round

Yet another article about my pole dancing workouts...I will eventually post my comment about the workouts, but for now I'll let you guys enjoy the latest (haha).

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Miss D.C.'s New Talent: Pole-Dancing

Miss D.C. Tweeting About her Pole-Dancing Classes

By TENEILLE GIBSON

Updated 9:31 AM EDT, Wed, Jun 9, 2010

BUZZ UP!

retweet

If it’s starting to get too hot in the District, blame it on Miss D.C. 2010, otherwise known as MacKenzie Green.

The Washington Examiner reports that the D.C. native is taking up pole- and lap-dancing classes. And it's no secret -- Green has apparently beentweeting about her lessons:

I was interviewed en route to class lat night about my new pole dancing workouts lol... ppl peally do fear a confident and smart woman smh.

Oh, we’re not scared! But Yeas & Nays does point out how Miss USA 2010Rima Fakih received heat for her pole pictures that were released last month.

Green explained to the column that since she's a grown woman, pole lessons should not hurt her role model status. "I have promoted... respecting body," Green told Yeas & Nays. "I would rather be dancing in a room on a pole to myself than feeling desperate to have to do it for some man to get attention."

'Pole-ing' is not easy. Green joked in her tweet, "3 hours on deck @PoleFitnessMiam... someone have the icy/hot ready at the other end of class lol."
 

First Published: Jun 9, 2010 7:31 AM ED

Meet My Meat Free Mondays Open Letter

I know the post title wasn't one of my best but it will have to do (haha).

Early in my reign I was able to write an open letter in support of Meat Free Mondays in the District.  The DC City Council passed the initiative.  So I wanted to post the letter I submitted (that was presented by Amber McDonald).

Its great to see so much change happening in my city...particularly healthy changes.  Hopefully what we do here in DC has a ripple affect that can make for a healthier nation.  And with it being 4th of July the best way to honor America's birthday is to make sure we're at our healthiest and most vibrant...so we can enjoy many more :-)

XOXO,
MacKenzie

In the process of preparing for Miss DC USA I did a lot of exercise and tried to diet like a madman.

I saw fast results at first eating tiny morsels of food, but that didn't work out well for me. With a hypoactive thyroid and insulin resistance my body rebelled against my drastic measures.  In a mass revolt, unlike any seen since the America rose up against the British.

So there I was a month and a half out from the pageant, killing myself in the gym and in tears because I was hungry, irritable, and not seeing results. It was at a time when I hit a low point in fighting my body that I know I had to make a change...a lifestyle change.

I had toyed with the idea of becoming a vegan for quite some time. But I was convinced there was no way I could do it, and that I wouldn't have anything to eat. Thankfully like an answer from above, on a trip to the bookstore perusing the aisles I came across Alicia Silverstone's new book The Kind Diet

So I dove head first in to the vegan pool, intending to flirt with a truly healthy lifestyle...and that's saying a lot from a woman who loves cheese, bison steaks, and salmon. But honestly I'm glad I became a vegan, because now I‘m in love with my healthy life.

Even in the month out from the pageant I found myself feeling much better, not painfully bloated after I ate, not ready to rip off the head of the nearest person (my parents like that one), and I just felt all around better. Even though when I hit the Miss DC USA stage I wasn't where I wanted to be for the first time in a long time I felt comfortable and beautiful in my own skin.

I also made the change largely due to my uncle's cancer diagnosis. I have a grandmother in the early stages of dementia, my grandfather lost both legs to diabetes and eventually died of heart complications, and health issues run through my family. So with my decision to go vegan, aside from losing weight, I wanted to end the health issues with preventive issues now in the choices I make. I also felt that if I did become Miss DC USA I didn't want to be a hypocritical role model. I knew I couldn't stand in front of kids, talking to them about making healthy choices, and I myself was making destructive eating decisions that was throwing my already damaged metabolism out of whack. I would have felt awful telling them right from wrong when I could barely take care of myself.

I'm not a perfect vegan...but I'm still doing better than I thought and I'm loving every day as a vegan thus far.

I’m an advocate of Meat Free Mondays in the District because the personal journey I took.  In only a few meals of mindful eating, and truly feeding my body I got more in tune with myself and more thoughtful about what goes on my plate.

I think if others had the opportunity to spend a day making informed eating decisions, paying attention to the food choices they make, and eating nourishing almost guiltless meals.  The impact on the person and the planet in just one meat free day would be exponential.

I would be proud to see such an initiative happen in my hometown.  Washington DC is the city that the rest of the nation looks to as a catalyst for change and action.  To have such a health initiative happen in the city that I love the most would mean so much to me…it would further solidify why I’m a proud Washingtonian.

I spur others to support Meat Free Mondays, and I am a proud supporter of the initiative.

Love and Loyally,

MacKenzie Green

Miss District of Columbia USA 2010

Welcome to Miami!

I wanted to share with you all the NBC Miami article that was done about me.  I got to talk about school, breaking through the glass ceiling, and veganism...just to name a few topics we touched on :-)  I even threw up "the U" in public on a website that people saw (don't tell my friends of any University of Miami student athletes haha)!

...and if you want to go to the site, click here.

Hope you like it.

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Miami Senior Trying to Put the "U" in Miss USA

World peace? Sure, but there's one Miss USA hopeful who cares about Randy Shannon's contract extension.

By JANIE CAMPBELL

Updated 4:24 PM EDT, Sun, May 16, 2010

BUZZ UP!

23retweet

Technically, she's Miss District of Columbia USA and left the state of Florida to an Orlando Magic dancer.

But University of Miami student MacKenzie Green is still a 305'er these days, so we're totally claiming her as she competes in the Miss USA pageant tonight on -- oh, look at us! -- NBC.

The 21-year-old beauty has to be one of the most accomplished Hurricanes around. She's earned a double major in sports administration and broadcast journalism, all while holding down Miss DC USA and UM Alumni Ambassador duties, running UMTV,  working as the station's sports anchor, and a whole glut of volunteer work.

Kinda tops our beer pong title and "D means diploma" mantra.

Even in Las Vegas, it's all about The U for...

Donald Trump On Racy Miss USA Photos: "They're Artsy"

We caught up with Green between rehearsals in Las Vegas, and might just be the only media outlet willing to forego that whole world peace question to get a pageant contestant's thoughts on Randy Shannon. 

We're in Vegas, which isn't all that bad. How's the Miss USA experience been for you so far?
It's been pretty incredible. This is basically my second pageant ever; my first was when I won my state title. It's an incredible feeling to see and watch things that I used to watch as a little girl and dream about.

You're an aspiring sports reporter from The U. So even while busy at Miss USA, you've no doubt heard the news about Randy Shannon's contract extension. All in favor?
I'm for Coach Shannon coming back. I think he adds a level of discipline and maturity to the team that was kind of lacking for a little bit. With such a young team, you need a father figure, because so many of those players don't have a father figure or don't have a strong male around. He's somebody who can really encourage them and that I hope that they look up to, that they're willing to respect and keep moving forward.

There's a history of barrier-breaking in your family. Your father is one of the Little Rock Nine, and you're the first African-American and first woman to become station manager in UMTV's 29-year history. What barrier would you like to see go down next?
I'd like to see the glass ceiling finally break;. I want a woman in the White House! I love President Obama and I'm so proud, as a minority, to see another black person standing in that place.

But I'd love to see a woman there, in particular I'd love to see a black woman there one day. It's such a hard thing in America being a woman; when you look at the class system throughout American history it was men first, then women, then minority men, then minority women. To see a black woman, a Hispanic woman, an Asian woman -- just to see any woman up there -- would be amazing.

You're a strict vegan, so let's talk food. Miami's known for its cuisine, but it must be a bit harder for you. Do you have any secret spots?
I love, love, love, love, love, love Lifefood Gourmet. It is an amazing place. It's all raw vegan, and it's right off of Calle Ocho. I love the raw vegan pizza. You never feel bad when all you're eating is nuts, grains, avocado and diced tomatoes.

It's my primo go-to place.

Miami's obviously pretty different from D.C. What do you appreciate about it after having lived here four years?
Miami has the same feeling as D.C., it feels like a small big city. It's not L.A., where you feel like you're driving 80 miles to get anywhere, it's not New York where you feel like you're crammed with people and it's loud. It's clean, and it's nice, and it's got its own flavor. It's this multicultural mix where you feel like you're in a different universe that not everybody can come in to.

I just love the Latin rhythm and the flavor. You know, I'm all D.C., but I got a little of that Miami rhythm in me.

What was the hardest thing about juggling your double major, your senior year, and your duties as Miss D.C. USA?
A lot of my teachers didn't really seem to understand what I was doing and how big of a deal it is. It wasn't until recently that it hit one of my professors that 12.5 million people watch the show, that I hadn't left to become Miss Corn Cob County -- that I was actually leaving to compete in a really huge beauty pageant. The hardest thing was just getting everybody to respect that each job was important: being a student, being a pageant girl, being a reporter. Each deserves its own time and focus.

The Miss USA Pageant will get underway live from Las Vegas tonight at 7 on NBC. You can check out the rest of the contestants at MissUSA.com.

First Published: May 16, 2010 4:18 AM EDT

I give praise where praise is due...

Hi all,

Sorry its taken so long for me to post a real blog post, and not just links of YouTube videos, etc.  I promise I will make more of an effort as we near the end of my reign in November and beyond.

I recently had the opportunity to give the Youth Day sermon at my home church, Metropolitan AME in Washington DC.  I grew up in that church, so it was an honor to sit in the pulpit that I have looked up to since I was a little baby.

To have an opportunity to speak to the kids at the church (and the adults) to share a message that was close to my heart was the most fulfilling thing to do after Miss USA.  It touched me that my pastor said he knew win or lose I had a message that he wanted the congregation to hear.

I come from a long line of pastors, preachers, bishops, and deacons...it felt like a long awaited right of passage.

I'm not the most tech savvy so I wanted to post my draft notes from my sermon...then I'll post the audio and video clips from the speech.

If you want to hear go to the AME sermon site and click on my portion, on the links page (its not as complicated as I'm describing haha).

I wanted to include the notes from my sermon just because I'm proud of the fact that I wrote the entire sermon.  Although I added a few things while speaking I feel that one can still get the feeling of what I was talking about from the notes.

Enjoy, because I know I enjoyed writing it!
XOXO,
MacKenzie

Good morning everyone.  To Pastor Braxton, Reverend Marie Braxton, the ministerial staff, and members of Metropolitan I want to thank you all for this opportunity to speak today.  This is perhaps the most humbling and exciting perk that has resulted from being a member of Metropolitan and Miss District of Columbia USA.  I’ve always wanted to stand in this pulpit.  I was asked once why I chose to represent The District rather than Florida where I attend the University of Miami.  And quite simply my answer was that DC helped make me the woman I am, so I’d like to thank everyone here at Metropolitan that has been a part of my life for contributing to the woman that I am becoming.  I grew up in this church like many of you have and many will.  Presidents have worshiped here, iconic members of the civil rights movement have been eulogized here, and most importantly I was baptized here and one day I hope to get married in this church.  I urge all the members old and young to continue the restoration efforts because this church is a vital part of the DC and AME communities.

I was honored when I was asked to speak on Youth Day.  I’ve grown up in this church and sat in those pews, listening to the countless number of distinguished speakers, so its quite a heady experience to think that I can stand in the same place as them.  Some of the greatest orators have stood behind this lectern, and (insert number) are standing back here.  So I ask you to pray for me this morning that God may use me as an instrument to deliver a message this morning.

I think Will Smith summed up what all children, teenagers, and a few adults think at least once in their lifetime, “there’s no need to argue parents just don’t understand.”  However in my wise, sage, 21 year of life I’ve learned quite the opposite.  When I was asked to speak I thought there was only one thing I wanted to talk about…life lessons your parents will teach you, but you’ll never pay attention to.

Growing up my parents would give me little pieces of wisdom that I either didn’t listen to, tuned out Charlie Brown style, or didn’t believe until I got older and was on my own.  I know I’m not alone.  Those moments when their lips are moving but no sound is coming out.  Look at the bible, filled with stories of God telling his children something and at times they chose to ignore or doubt.  God had to burn a bush just to get through to Moses, he had to part the red sea just to prove he was legit, and had to bring down Sodom and Gomorrah, just to keep his “kids” out of someplace they didn’t need to be in the first place…a far cry different from grounding or taking a cell phone away, but all parents have to go to certain extremes to get their point across.

This morning I’m hoping to share five of those things my parents taught me that I’ve finally let sink in.  And maybe if you’re like me and you don’t always listen to your parents, maybe you’ll take my advice – I find that people are more receptive of a stranger in a sparkle sash.

My grandmother used to say it to my mom and my mom always says it to me, everything happens for a reason and you’ll understand it better by and by.  I always took this one with a grain of salt.  I knew to praise God and thank him when things went well, but when things went badly I wondered why if he was ordering my steps would he wouldn’t give me my heart’s desire.  I thanked him when I set records swimming; I asked why when I was faced with the decision to move on from swimming.  I thanked him on getting accepted to college, and later I rued the day he ever let me plant myself in Miami away from everything and everyone I love after a difficult transition to college life.  As documented on film I prayed after winning my state title, and asked why me when my uncle passed a week later.  I had gone from my highest high to my lowest moment watching my beloved uncle who had been like another father depart this earth.  That’s the way the cycle went until I truly understood what was meant by you’d understand it better by and by.

I know the exact date, place and time that I learned my lesson…May 16^th 2010 at 5pm in Las Vegas, Nevada standing on stage at Miss USA.  In preparation for Miss USA my pageant coach and parents had commissioned the most gorgeous dress I’d ever seen.  It was a gold dress covered in Swarovski crystals, and weighed approximately 15 to 20 pounds.  Throughout my entire time in Vegas the dress had zipped up with ease, even 2 hours before the live telecast in the dress rehearsal.  As the lights went up and millions watched live, the Top 15 was called I was crest fallen when my name wasn’t included. 

I held it together all the way to the dressing room and cried in the mirror, wondering how in the world this was a part of God’s plan…to let me fail.  As the night wore on 15 minutes before we took the stage in our gowns the unthinkable happened, my zipper burst at the seam because of the weight of the dress.  They thought of everything they could to remedy my problem, they tried to safety pin and sew me in, but nothing would work because of the construction of the dress.  When I went on stage the first time in evening gown I was embarrassed – by the time I came out for the end of the show I was laughing.  I stood on stage holding my gown up, unzipped in the back, on live national television.  What the rest of the world saw was a very happy, smiling, pleasant girl…but what was going on inside was completely different and what the people behind me can tell you is that they got to know me on a very personal level.  I was laughing because I finally got it, I was even standing on stage saying in my mind “OK God, I get it, very funny…you proved your point.”

At that moment I understood.  If I had made the Top 15 I could have made the Top 10 then when evening gown competition had come up I would have basically had nothing to wear on stage.  I would have literally shown my behind on national TV.  So like a flood I got it, and not just this moment but doubt I had before.  I wasn’t swimming because I’d fallen in love with TV reporting, which led me to be lead anchor and an Emmy nominated reporter.  I was in Miami because that one lonely night I questioned being at UM was when the germ of the idea was planted to compete for my state title.  Even losing my uncle had reaffirmed in me that no matter what I was going through I had to keep pushing because I was the result of a lot of tears, prayers, and hopes from so many people that loved me and came before me.

It’s said that we are nothing more than leaves blowing in a divine wind.  I can say that after that night I learned to allow myself to blow with the wind because the divine breeze will float me to exactly where I’m meant to be…even if I don’t realize it at that time.  And if you truly believe that if God orders your steps you’ll have faith that even when those steps don’t go toward what you want – they go toward the divine path that God has set before you.  There’s a verse in the Koran that says, “You have a plan, and I have a plan, but God is the best planner of all.”

My dad has always been a big proponent of speaking to everyone he meets with the utmost respect and graciousness from presidents to the man shining your shoes at the airport.  I learned early on that you treat everyone the way you want to be treated and listen to the kind words of strangers because as my great-grandmother said, it might be the voice of an angel.  I grew up with stories from my dad about my grandfather Green working as a locker room attendant, and stories from my mom about my grandmother helping to clean around people’s houses.  They always reminded me that my ancestors weren’t that far removed from being waiters, cashiers, and cleaning dishes and that I needed to treat everyone with that respect that I would hope they gave my grandparents.  Even as a young child I knew I’d get in trouble if I didn’t call the waiters and waitresses sir and ma’am…so there I was at a country club being laughed at by my friends for calling the people they never acknowledged sir and ma’am as they cleared the table.

As much as they mocked me I got the last laugh once I went off to college.  While my friends stood inline frustrated that they were being passed over by the always short tempered cafeteria worker I got my plate without a fuss because I’d respected the same woman and had a few conversations with her.  Even out in Vegas at Miss USA as other girls sat at the table frustrated because they could barely get a waitress to stop and take their order for a cup of coffee I was always able to have tea and typically went back to my room to extra bottles of water tucked away by my bed.  I knew that every smile, every good morning ma’am, and simple acknowledgment hadn’t gone unnoticed, especially by the most important people…the ones that handled my food and helped keep me neat.

Through most of high school I’d heard that writing wasn’t my strong suite.  Although I loved journalism and frequented the Newseum to give my news reports I never thought of being a journalist or reporter.  Then after transferring to my alma mater Our Lady of Good Counsel I met the man that would change my mind, Barry Trick.  Mr. Trick was my AP English teacher.  He was the first teacher since the 5^th grade that felt I had a talent for writing.  He constantly encouraged me, pushed me to write whenever in a notebook that stayed tucked in my backpack.  But the day that I knew I wanted to be a journalist was when Ms. Rosa Parks passed.  Mr. Trick told the teaching advisor of the school paper that I should write an op-ed piece.  So with 2 hours before print and Mr. Trick over my shoulder I wrote my first published piece. 

Days later my dad was asked to speak at Ms. Parks’ memorial service.  Paid writers, and even my brother a tenured professor sent him options of remarks he could give.  But he didn’t feel that any were saying the sentiment he wanted to convey.  He came across my editorial and much to my surprise chose to give my remarks at such a monumental occasion.  As the world, Ted Kennedy and Oprah heard my words I knew I wanted to be a reporter…disseminating my words to the world.  I like to think that Mr. Trick was an angel sent to guide me toward my real passion.  Anna in the bible was a stranger to many when she preached of the coming of Jesus.  It was those that chose to take a moment and listen to the words of that 85-year-old stranger who were ready when Jesus came.  The words of a stranger should never be over looked

The biggest and most resounding piece of advice that I’m thankful I finally understand is “God never brings you this far to leave you.”  As I prepare to graduate in December I’m not filled with the assumed graduate dread.  I know deep in my spirit that God didn’t bring me this far, through college, through these lessons, accomplishments and moments to give up on me and leave me hanging.  I know in my heart that God isn’t a mean kid pointing a magnifying glass at an anthill waiting to destroy you once you feel you’ve reached the top.

In the scripture we read it can be inferred as a conversation between a parent and child.  Elisha has to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.  Much like a child who needs to soak up the advice and guidance of their parent.  Your parents won’t always be around to stand over your shoulder.  The 9^th verse says, “Before I be taken away from thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”

In Thomas Kelly’s “A Testament of Devotion” about the Quaker philosophy it says: “Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts pressing upon our time-worn lives, warming us with intimations of our astounding destiny, calling us home unto itself.”  This passage infers that there is something within us.  That God is taking us somewhere but that we have to be quiet and willing to listen, rather than always asking God for something.  Even Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.”  So learn to take a moment to meditate.  To hear what God has to say to you, and not always what you have to say to God.  And the same goes for any parent be they divine or not, take a moment to truly listen to what they have to tell you because it may be the best advise you’ve ever received.

Lastly, I want to leave you all with this thought by Dr. Benjamin Mays, “I have only a moment. Only sixty seconds in it.  Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.  Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it.  But it’s up to me to use it.  I must suffer if I lose it.  Give account if I abuse it.  Just a tiny little minute.  But eternity is in it.”  We all as children of God need to grab each moment and live it as though it were our last.  As my father says, “the world will be changed for the better, because you were in it.”