Feeding the Homeless: How Far Will You Go?

How many times have you said, "I want to get rich so that I can help the homeless and the hungry."?  I have said it many times personally. But how many of us will go this far?

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Treat People and Food the Same: Manage Your Diet

From allergies to weight goals; from religious beliefs to the foods your doctor forbids you to have, most of us are very careful about what we eat. We are adamant about what foods we will stay away from and which ones we need to increase in our diets to live a healthier life. Why don't we think of people in the same light? I personally have a limited diet of friends. This has its pros and cons. One of the cons is that many folks will label me as conceited or arrogant, but I have peace in knowing that I choose carefully who I let into my "circle". I think if we managed who we hang around the same way we manage what we eat, we will be in better health overall.

Many of us have food allergies and are aware of the allergens that cause certain reactions in our bodies. Having knowledge of your reactions to these foods, based your prior history, encourages you to stay away from them. People are the same way! Everyone that you are familiar with or may have been around before, has given you some type of reaction in your previous dealings. Your history with these individuals pops in your head every time you see them or hear their name. Often times we ignore these signs and fool ourselves into thinking that what happened didn't happen; so we let them back in. You befriend them again. Then all of a sudden the reaction you had before, happens again. If you know that shellfish makes your throat swell to the point where you have to seek medical attention, you avoid shellfish. You should also know the people who suffocate you and stay away from them too!

For those who are trying to manage their weight, they know what foods are problems for them. There are some  foods they have to completely cut from their diet, and there are some that are okay in moderation. Most individuals who are on a journey of weight loss will tell you that they still eat red meat, but in moderation. They often have smaller portions when they do eat it. This way they satisfy their love for red meat but still stay on pace with their weight goal. Again, this should apply to people as well. There are certain friends that you love dearly, but you know that you can only take so much of them at one time. These are not the ones you talk to on a daily basis. You may call them once or twice a month, but you both know that you are still there if either of you needed the other. There is nothing wrong with managing your time together. Don't spend more time with that person and frustrate yourself just so that you will fell like you've done your job as a friend. If the party is from 8 - 12, tell them it's from 10 -12. You've done your job by inviting them. No need to feel bad about that!

Some foods may have a more serious affect on you. There may be items that you have been ordered to stay away from by your doctor as they could pose serious risks to your health, even up to death. Your religion may forbid you to partake of certain or all meats to maintain spiritual purity. Whatever the reason, some foods are simply off limits. In your relational life, some individuals should be off limits - no questions asked. You know who they are. Simply stay away from them all together. If they show up where you are - leave! No need to force yourself to be around anyone that you know will kill your spirit or cause you harm in anyway.

Then there are the good foods. The living ones that boost your immune system and energize your body and mind. The foods that help fight disease and cleanse your body of impurities. These and your true friends need to be increased in your daily diets and interactions. Good people can help you fight off the cancers of life and help you cleanse the mess out of your system while allowing you to help them do the same. The ones that make you laugh and smile and feel like you can take on the world are the ones that need to be closest to you.

I don't believe in that old saying, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.". I'd rather my enemies stay as far away from me as they can. Keep it moving....

I conclude with a classic by Whodini. I love the first verse:

Churchisms

This entry is in continuation of a status update that I posted on Facebook last night. My status read, "I have been reminded of all the things l didn't like about the church. Lol!" I was then asked what I meant so I decided to put some of it in a blog.


As I attended a celebration for community leaders that were being honored by General Mills at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, I began to get annoyed all over again. Not annoyed with anything that had to do with Ebenezer or its staff, but the other stuff that we do in church as a whole. I was trying to stay focused on why I was there, to support Atlanta Honoree, Vanetta Keyes of C.H.O.I.C.E.S. for Kids (www.choicesforkids.org). But I started to get reminded of some of the things that used to irk me when I was a church goer. 

Let me first say that if you are looking for me to touch on preaching, tithing, wardrobe, cars, VIP seating, makeup artists, and manipulation, you might be a bit disappointed today. Maybe in another blog. On this particular evening, my irritations didn't include most of these because there was no sermon; no mention of money (OMGosh); but you know there was a lot of rhinestones, wigs, mascara (both genders), and church folk will put buttons in places where you would never think they should be. 


If you would, just listen in on the conversations that I had in my head:


"Yes, I do know who God is...even if I am sitting down. He blessed us all with the ability to decide, therefore I have decided to sit down right now."

"Lady, the devil didn't steal anything from me, so I don't have to take anything back! Job told you that 'the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.' How many times do you have to take things back anyway?"

"Choir, the song is over! The MC is trying to talk now."

"Dude, why are you clapping and moving like that? Ew!"

"Um, I know you man, and you don't talk like that. Is that some type of spiritual auto-tune on that mic?"

"We don't know each other, so I don't want to hug him and tell him I love him."

"Yes we DO hear you. You have a microphone remember?"

"My neighbor just heard you say the same thing over the microphone. Why do I have to turn to them and say what you just said?!"

"Make up your mind. Are 'church folk' too spiritual, or not spiritual enough? I'm confused."

"You are supposed to be singing a song. This is not the time for you to try out a sermon before you sing."

"Dude, why are you looking at me every time I look up?"

"Why do you have to talk about haters, money problems, betrayal, problems at work, etc. just so people can react the way you want them to?"

"We can't hear the choir because you are yelling too loud lady!"

"If your little boy kicks me one more time, I'm kicking you!"

"Mr. Cameraman, get the hell out of my face dude!"

"I guess when they scrunch their faces up like they smell something, the spirit must me moving."

Okay, I think I'm done. My next church-related blog may be entitled, "Every Sunday is Halloween". Why? Because every Sunday people dress up and act like someone else for the day.


Ushers, time to pass the baskets....