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If we as a people are going to correct the multitude of problems that affect our communities then there are some very pertinent questions that that must be dealt with. Questions such as: What have I done? What do I intend to do? If I become involved will it result in my job being put on the line? Do I truly have a commitment to improving the well-being of the Black communities?
Are you one of those people who suffer from the mindset that “it’s too late.” “It’s always been this way.” “What difference does it make?” “It will never change.”
Some of us really believe there is a genuine difference in political parties. The truth of it is the difference is in the candidates. Do you recall the question that was asked is there was a difference between Jesse and Frank James? One robbed the bank and the other held the horses.
It is not realistic to believe that we will overwhelmingly reject this negative thinking overnight, but in church we believe and practice that positive change has to begin with you as an individual. Yes, let it begin with me.
The United Negro College Fund’s slogan is “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” The poem below was in the church program July 25. I thought you should read it.
The Mind
A negative thought came to my mind.
He wore a charming smile
And I was sorely tempted to invite him in awhile.
And as I hesitated,
He tapped softly on the door
And whispered through the keyhole
As he’d often done before.
He said, “I’ll help you hold your grudge,
I’ll help you sing the blues,
It seems like all your folks and friends
Have turned their backs on you.”
He said, “You’ve been misunderstood,
Mistreated and maligned.
I’ll help you cry your heart out
If you’ll let me come inside.”
But I kept my windows fastened
And my doors securely closed,
For I knew I’d be the loser
If I let him take control.
For negative thoughts can multiply
And crowd the positives out
And make the mind a cesspool
Of anxiety and doubt.
And so I told the negative thought
I could not let him in.
He went his way, but I am sure
That he’ll return again.
But no more will I greet him
With a welcome or a smile
And never will I entertain him
Even for a while.
I’ll fill my mind with positive thoughts
And on the door install
a sign which reads, “DO NOT DISTURB”
When negative comes to call.
For tho’ he knocks a thousand times
And yet, a thousand more
He cannot dominate my mind
if I don’t open the door.
Author Unknown
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contributor to the Forum Page.)
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