William Henley in his poem, "Invictus" wrote: "It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishment the scroll.  I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."

Matthew 7:13, 14 reads "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for  wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Does it matter to you? is what I am concerened about and I hope you are concerned about it too.  This is just another way of saying, be aware; be an observant; be evaluative,  be proactive, and then act!.  There are many issues everyday that affect our lives and we just let others make decisions for us about these issues.  My point is for one of encouragement and the spirit of today, evaluate and become active.  I am speaking to everyone but especially to the young, high school students, first time voters, young first time college students, and those who are employed for the first time.

Be a team player - but KNOW what team and whose team you are playing for and with.

Network - but KNOW who and what to value in the networking process.

Socialize - but know what social values you wish to portray, to accept, to deny, and how it will affect you in the END..not the long run but the END.

Now to my point:  William Henley offfends many in his poem when he says "It does not matter...strait the gate and  how charged with punishment the scroll."  He follows this with " I am the master of my fate and I am the captain of my soul."  To me, this is great and I am not offended for I understand the situation under which he is writing.  In my lingo, he says "be you; no matter what or who; just do YOU!  But, we have to  know who we are and what we believe in.

Being a Christan, I believe what Matthews said in verses 13 and 14 of chapter 7. Because I have professed to God to be a Christian, I have rules or commandments that I have been charged to follow.  That is my gate and it is strait and narrow.  But the gate of life is broad and you and I travel through this gate daily.  As a Chrisitian, "I am the master of my soul" here on earth as I manuever the gate.  Yet, I know that my mastering is minimal, for God is the master and captain of my soul.  I understand Henley when he says it does not matter, for someone will extend the sides of the gate as they walk their daily lives here on earth.  Yet God's gate is strait and it will not broadened just because we add new social issues categories which  someone will promote and even legislate laws to protect those issues.

In short, It matters.  So pay attention to your daily walk and practices.  Know you and do you!

Trauma is not something that goes away very quickly.  I am amazed that those who commit crime against others but change their lives and proceed to live prosperly and not think of the person they committed the crime against, are surprised when the crime appears again!  Trauma is not a one time thing!  It is everlasting!  The victim is taught how to live PASS It for they cannot forget it.  This is whether it is lynching in slavery, just slavery, rape, or just physical abuse. One learns to live PASS IT, to forgive and forget, but forgetting is hard to do.  Ask the "Me-Too and slavery" victims.  It is healthy to forgive and move on like many do.  But where does one's citizenship duties stop?  No one knows ..so let's treat everyone like we want to be treated and if I offend you in any way, let me quickly ask your forgiveness.

Congratulations is an overused word but it is a good and quick way to let someone know that you are proud of them and/or their actions.  It should not be a goal of attainment but it should be the product of attainment.  One should do something to earn the small overused word, and the word should be expressed as much or more than needed.  Let someone know that you are proud of them!  Encourage each other!

I would like to offer Congratulations to the Tennessee Promise students who were in my cohort for 2017-2018.  Those who completed the process and those who attempted the process.

I would like to offer Congratulations to the Tennessee Promise students who were in my cohort for 2017-2018, who completed the process and entered college this fall 2018! CONGRATULATIONS!

I would like to offer Congratulations to the Tennessee Promise students who were in my cohort for 2017-2018, who had to find another alternative to college but continued the task of post high school education.  CONTINUE!!!

I would like to offer Congratulations to the GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE ALUMNI, who gathered in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.  They all received their degrees and are contributing back to society and their communities. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I would like to offer Congratulations to all college students for beginning the process but I am so proud to offer congratulations to a young lady, Felecia Green Johnson, who is starting her PHD studies.  Felecia and I were on the same eighth grade team when she began her first year of teaching.  Go Felecia!!!

One's level of education should not have to be broadcasted to others on a daily basis.  Others should be able to listen to you talk, to examine your reasoning, read your writing, and observe your behavior to form an opinion about your level of education.  An educated person usually uses their position and knowledge as an opportunity to serve and not as a trumpet call to self-importance (Walters, 1993). First Lady Michelle Obama said, "Be empowered. Empower yourselves with a good education. Then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise (2016)."    Serve...get out there...and others will know how intelligent you are!